2018 ATP Finals RR: (1.) Novak Djokovic vs. (8.) John Isner

[Enceladus]

ATP H2H: 8-2 for Djokovic
Hard surface H2H: 7-2 for Djokovic
Djoker wins last five mutual matches. For Isner, this match is the first match at the ATP Finals.

 

[Steve0904]

Isner has a shot if he GOATS on serve and Novak's return is a little off. I still say Djoker in 2 though. One TB.

 

[tennisaddict]

Djoker to go 1-2 in RR

 

[TennisFan97068]

Djoker to go 1-2 in RR

LOL how?

 

[hipolymer]

Losing to Kachanov is probably the worst thing Djoker could have done for this first round match against Isner

Johnny boy in 2

7-6 7-5

 

[The Green Mile]

Isner in two sets because Novak absolutely loathes big servers, or so I've heard.

 

[-NN-]

lol

 

[Pheasant]

I give Djoker a 95% chance of ending up in the semis and a 80% chance of walking away with the title.

Round Robin:
Djoker 6-4, 7-6 over Isner
Djoker 6-2, 6-3 over Zverev
Djoker 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 over Cilic

semis:
Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 over Thiem
Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 over Federer

 

[-NN-]

I give Djoker a 95% chance of ending up in the semis and a 80% chance of walking away with the title.

Round Robin:
Djoker 6-4, 7-6 over Isner
Djoker 6-2, 6-3 over Zverev
Djoker 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 over Cilic

semis:
Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 over Thiem
Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 over Federer

Sounds like another grotesque joke. Let's see how many matches Federer can lose deep into the third set against Djovak.

 

[tennisaddict]

LOL how?

ISner and Khachanov

I thought Djoker looked really tired and worn out

 

[oldmanfan]

Isner in two sets because Novak absolutely loathes big servers, or so I've heard.

12 words.

Reporter: How do you feel?
Djokovic: Not great.

Reporter: Novak, sometimes you seemed upset with Nick. We know he’s an irreverent player.
Djokovic: He has a big serve. He deserved to win. Congrats.

And that was that.
(end of post match PC)

Isner is a terrible first match for Djokovic, especially after that loss to Karen, and coming back from being ill. I voted Isner in 3.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Djokovic in 2. But Isner could win a tie-break if he serves well.

Their last match was 6-2 6-2 in fall 2015, so it's not as though Novak doesn't know how to break Isner. It's been a long while, but Djokovic really needs to have a bad serving day to lose to Isner. Only wins for Isner were 2013 Cincy and 2012 IW (both tight three-setters).

 

[GoldenMasters]

Novak just needs to break him once and the set is over. I just don't see how a serve-bot can break Djokovic in this match.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

H2H 8-2 in Novaks favor of course.

Isner hasnt beaten Novak since 2013. Since then Novak has broken Isner more than once in every match.

Im betting on Novak, in two sets.

 

[uscwang]

Although there is not much to like about the Isner on court, he is actually a likable person in life. I read an interview of him talking about his family especially how his mother fought and beat cancer. He supports cancer research through his foundation. Earned my respect. (Couldn't help but smiling recalling that Isner has two brothers of similar size. And their parents had to lock their fridge since the boys were taking hamburgers as snacks.)

Back to the RR. Voted Novak in 3. As a Novak fan, I don't care that much about this WTF since Novak has already won 2 GS and returned to World No. 1 this year from some serious mid-career crisis. The next big target is AO 19.

 

[tennis_pro]

''This is what I hope will happen and here's my explanation''

 

[True Fanerer]

Novak just needs to break him once and the set is over. I just don't see how a serve-bot can break Djokovic in this match.

He doesn't have to. All it takes is an error in a tiebreak. That said, my heart wants Isner to win, but my brain says Djokovic. I think Isner takes the 1st set and loses in three.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Airbrushed Isner to stun Nole in three sets.

Just kidding... Novak in straights.

 

[Red Rick]

Isner is in terrible form in the fall.

Djoko should be feeling better than in Paris and this match should be smooth sailing for him.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Novak just needs to break him once and the set is over. I just don't see how a serve-bot can break Djokovic in this match.

Djokovic served for the firsr set in IW 12 semi (lol).

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Isner is in terrible form in the fall.

Djoko should be feeling better than in Paris and this match should be smooth sailing for him.

KK def Jisz 6-4 6-7(9) 7-6(8)

KK def Nolě 7-5 6-4

Jussayin.

 

[Red Rick]

KK def Jisz 6-4 6-7(9) 7-6(8)

KK def Nolě 7-5 6-4

Jussayin.

Can I apply that logic to argue that Roddick>Federer

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Can I apply that logic to argue that Roddick>Federer

In which tournament?

 

[Red Rick]

In which tournament?

Australian Open

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

In which tournament?

Miami

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Miami

2-1 H2H for Roddick, rite? And he won Miami 2010. Then it can be argued Roddick actually has a higher peak in Miami, yeah (lol but true).

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Australian Open

Which Australian Open?

 

[Red Rick]

Miami

Also won it in 2004.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Also won it in 2004.

And 2010

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

No infecting of this thread with Roddick stuff plez.

Then again, Isner is at the WTF. Situation is already messed up.

 

[Red Rick]

No infecting of this thread with Roddick stuff plez.

Then again, Isner is at the WTF. Situation is already messed up.

 

[Enceladus]

Article from ATP (match Djoker-Isner): https://www.nittoatpfinals.com/en/n...c-zverev-preview-nitto-atp-finals-2018-monday

DJOKOVIC, ZVEREV OPEN NITTO ATP FINALS CAMPAIGNS ON MONDAY

After an epic comeback year, there remains one more record for Novak Djokovic to chase in the final week of the 2018 ATP World Tour season. The Serb seeks a sixth title at the world’s biggest indoor tennis tournament to tie the mark Roger Federer set back in 2011, when he most recently claimed the crown.
Novak’s quest begins Monday night against tournament danger man John Isner, the 6’ 10” American who can take the racquet out a player’s hand with arguably the best serve in the game. But Djokovic has shown an ability to put racquet on ball against Isner like few others and has won their past five meetings, including the most recent three without dropping a set.

Isner, who has two wins against the Serb in 10 meetings, the last of which was in Cincinnati in 2013, knows the difficulty of the challenge ahead. "I'm up against it for sure. Novak has won this event five times. He's the player to beat this week for sure… [but] it's a good spot for me, because I don't have much to lose. I'm definitely the underdog.”

On Sunday, Djokovic was honoured on court for finishing year-end No. 1 for the fifth time, tying Federer and Jimmy Connors and moving to within one of Pete Sampras’ record of six.

"Next to the Grand Slams and the ATP Finals, being No. 1 is probably the ultimate challenge in our sport," Djokovic said. "It's the pinnacle of the entire season. I'm very proud of that achievement and it's extra special this year because of the whole process and the journey that I've been through in the past 15 months. In particular, the past eight to 10 months.”

Earlier Monday, two of the best big men in the game go at it, with Alexander Zverev taking a 5-1 FedEx ATP Head2Head advantage over Marin Cilic into their group opener.

Zverev has won the past five meetings, but the most recent four have all gone three sets, and his first victory in Montpellier in 2016 was in two tie-breaks.

Cilic is looking to reach the semi-finals for the first time in four appearances in London. After early losses in Tokyo, Shanghai and Basel, Cilic rediscovered his best form at the Rolex Paris Masters last week. The 6' 6" right-hander defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber and reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov, before ending Djokovic's 30-set winning streak in a three-set loss to the eventual runner-up.

"In Paris, last week, I played great tennis," said Cilic. "I am feeling good at the moment and [I am] very excited. Small margins are going to make the difference. Playing the top guys is always a big challenge and matches against them are always very close and very tight."

Did You Know?
Djokovic won four consecutive titles at The O2 arena between 2012-2015. He also won in Shanghai in 2008.

 

[Enceladus]

One statistical curiosity I discovered: Djoker is waiting jubilee 10. ATP match against an American tennis player who is a member of TOP 10. 7x was in this statistic by Djoker's opponent Roddick (4:3 for A-Rod) 1x Blake (Djoker won) and 1x Fish (Djoker won).

 

[albertobra]

Novak 76 61

 

[The Green Mile]

Here they come, pretty pumped for this one... Big John looks pretty nervous walking out lol, a couple of big exhales.

 

[Terenigma]

BBC four are not showing this match? Gah, anyone got a stream for me? *Flickers eyelids*

Nvm, found one

 

[Meles]

Amazed this does not have a match thread as Isner is an unholy terror on these fast indoor hard courts at the end of the year. Izzy is in top form and had match points against Khachanov in their 3rd set breaker in Paris. After taking time off for a new baby and skipping the Asian swing Isner returned to the tour with a full schedule in order to make WTF:
44 / 2018 Paris Masters
R16 I Hard Karen Khachanov John Isner 6-4 6-7(9) 7-6(8) H2H
R32 I Hard John Isner Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3 6-7(2) 7-6(1) H2H
43 / 2018 Vienna
R16 I Hard Gael Monfils John Isner 6-4 6-4 H2H
R32 I Hard John Isner Cameron Norrie 6-7(1) 6-4 7-6(7) H2H
42 / 2018 Stockholm
SF I Hard Ernests Gulbis John Isner 1-6 6-3 6-3 H2H 2.40 - 1.61
QF I Hard John Isner Tennys Sandgren 7-6(8) 6-7(5) 7-6(2) H2H 1.26 - 3.90
R16 I Hard John Isner Bradley Klahn 7-6(2) 6-7(5) 7-6(5) H2H 1.22 - 4.00

All three sets for Izzy trying to return to top form except the probably very grueling Monfils match. With a fairly early exit from Paris and full week off Isner will have had enough time to recharge his batteries a bit, so he could be in near top form for this match.

Djokovic was far from convincing in Paris and his troubles with a declined Federer and a Cilic who had been in bad form look all the more dubious with his loss in the Paris final and Federer's shellacking yesterday at the hands of Nishikori. Add to this Isner has two wins over Djoko in Masters events. They've not met since 2015 when Djokovic was at his very best:
41/2015 QF Beijing Hard Novak Djokovic John Isner 6-2 6-2 1.09 - 7.50
13/2015 SF Miami Masters Hard Novak Djokovic John Isner 7-6(3) 6-2 1.18 - 6.00
11/2015 R16 Indian Wells Masters Hard Novak Djokovic John Isner 6-4 7-6(5) 1.14 - 6.92
10/2014 SF Indian Wells Masters Hard Novak Djokovic John Isner 7-5 6-7(2) 6-1 1.15 - 6.70
44/2013 R16 Paris Masters Hard Novak Djokovic John Isner 6-7(5) 6-1 6-2 1.20 - 5.30
32/2013 QF Cincinnati Masters Hard John Isner Novak Djokovic 7-6(5) 3-6 7-5 6.70 - 1.15
14/2013 USA v Serbia - DC WG - QF Hard Novak Djokovic John Isner 7-6(5) 6-2 7-5 1.07 - 10.75
10/2012 SF Indian Wells Masters Hard John Isner Novak Djokovic 7-6(7) 3-6 7-6(5) 8.70 - 1.11
40/2010 SF Beijing Hard Novak Djokovic John Isner 7-6(1) 6-2 1.28 - 4.10
9/2010 Serbia v USA - DC WG - R1 Clay Novak Djokovic John Isner 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-7(6) 6-4 1.07 - 12.00

 

[Meles]

Here and my above post from dupe thread op.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

 

[Red Rick]

I predict Isner will spend at least 20 minutes in total to stare at the floor

 

[Meles]

Tiebreakner in 3

 

[True Fanerer]

Bass Pro Shops in da house.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Ronnie in the house.

 

[Nadal_Django]

Ronaldo in the house...

 

[Terenigma]

Anyone got the skill set index stats? Important info

 

[Red Rick]

Anyone got the skill set index stats? Important info

Isner

return -19
body language -42
banana eating 96
floor staring 293
chances of winning 0

 

[Meles]

Djoker to go 1-2 in RR

 

[The Green Mile]

That first return though, ugh.... Hopefully that's not a sign to come.

 

[Meles]

More serves like that please!

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Thought he had him there.