2019 ATP Madrid SF: Djokovic [1] vs Thiem [5]

[Djokovic2011]

Good win for Novak. I don't expect him to beat Nadal tomorrow but at least it's another 240 ranking points in the bank.

 

[mike danny]

but he wasn't even the odds favorite

easy for us to demand that he win

Well, so much for him being a FO contender. If he can't even beat Novak on this surface, how can he be the prince of clay.

 

[Otacon]

Djoker played like the No.1 player in the world with a lot of authority on the court. Well done

 

[3fees]

Congrats to Djokovic blnt Thiem 76 x 2,, Djokovic has added 600 ATP ranking points.. Thiem drops 600-360- 240

Cheers
3Fees

 

[Steve0904]

Well done to Novak. He had his trial by fire match today.

This honestly shouldn’t have been close because Thiem was in great form and Nole...was not but Djokovic will always be the better player.

I understand, but great form for Djokovic and great form for Thiem aren't equal at all. Great form for Djokovic is a form that includes 15 majors. Great form for Thiem is beating Nadal in Barcelona or barely scraping past Federer on a surface he hadn't played on in 2 years.

 

[mike danny]

Age ain't nothing but a number.

Delpo and Murray were beating Fraud

 

[MeatTornado]

Unacceptable to not win a single set with that many break points.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Pretty good match I thought. Novak still probably has an extra gear, but managed to clutch it out.

Thiem is definitely better on clay than last year.

1) His serve/return combo is very good
2) he constructs points better. Plays more within himself rather than just bashing. Probably the new coach.

I'm surprised Federer almost beat him.

 

[romeo8880]

Long after he retires, the first word that I will think of when Djokovic’s name is brought up is “clutch”.

Even after the double fault?

 

[mike danny]

Good win, but he can get better for sure, that is the good thing that despite the dips, he managed to take the hottest player on clay out in straights. Need a good one tomorrow also.

I expect Novak to see all red tomorrow.

 

[acintya]

Djokovic is the ragging bull
he will give you many manny headaches inn the future

 

[junior74]

Everyone thought Yoko was gone Joco is back boys Joco is back

I though nothing made you happy but Federer losses

 

[I Am Finnish]

Remember tim was a break up in both sets


Tough loss but he will be fine co 2nd favourite with noel for RG

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Congratulations to Djokovic and his fans.

Thiem had his chances, but didn't manage to take them in the end.

(Sent from my mobile phone.)

 

[StrongRule]

Good win for Novak. I don't expect him to beat Nadal tomorrow but at least it's another 240 ranking points in the bank.

Is that a joke? And you call me Clarky21 (whoever that is) after this?

 

[TheAssassin]

Novak fans @TheAssassin @NoleFam @Hitman and anyonr ekse, how did Novak play in your opinion

I think he allowed Thiem too much initiative at times but he was good overall. Especially on the big points. Converted all BPs, saved a lot of them, strong couple of tiebreaks.

 

[mike danny]

excellent match between two of the three best clay courters in the world at the moment.

Too bad we didn't get three, but it was close.

Thiem should take some belief but also some hunger and motivation from this match.

He wasted every chance he had. I don't see where he should get the belief from.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Wow, I just realised that Novak's become the first player to reach at least 3 finals in all 9 Masters events. Just wonderful.

 

[BrokenGears]

Wow, I just realised that Novak's become the first player to reach at least 3 finals in all 9 Masters events. Just wonderful.

Nice!

 

[World Beater]

That is djokovic. Clutch. What a contrast to federer yesterday.

Federer looks clutch against circus act Monfils.

 

[mike danny]

Unacceptable to not win a single set with that many break points.

The future FO champ, ladies and gentleman.

 

[BrokenGears]

I think he allowed Thiem too much initiative at times but he was good overall. Especially on the big points. Converted all BPs, saved a lot of them, strong couple of tiebreaks.

That's pretty good, being clutch is important for him

 

[N01E]

No, it wasn't. They supported both players.

I meant the noise during the point. A decent amount of them even tried to make others be quiet. That's when you know things got out of hand.

 

[Sysyphus]

He wasted every chance he had. I don't see where he should get the belief from.

he did play the world number one neck and neck in a solid match

He knows he can hang with novak. Some small changes in fortune and such a match could tip the other way.

It's disappointing as well of course, but there's a silver lining.

 

[veroniquem]

LOL Thiem Can't win a set against 32 year old Novak on his weakest surface.

Prince of clay

Novak does not have a weak surface. That is why he's won all tier 1 and is the best player ever

 

[RF-18]

Good win, but he can get better for sure, that is the good thing that despite the dips, he managed to take the hottest player on clay out in straights. Need a good one tomorrow also.

He is saving his last gears for tomorrow. I expect Djokovic as usual coming out tomorrow guns blazing seeing Nadal across the net. Perfect confidence booster today to edge the match in two Close sets.

 

[Steve0904]

Unacceptable to not win a single set with that many break points.

And up a break in both sets.

 

[NoleFam]

Novak fans @TheAssassin @NoleFam @Hitman and anyonr ekse, how did Novak play in your opinion

He was a little up and down as far as the serve, and could have been a bit more aggressive at times but overall I thought he played great. He was clutch when his back was against the wall when he was down a break in both sets which is what is most important.

 

[mike danny]

Well, congrats to Novak on his comeback on clay. He may well again master all surfaces. But he won't beat Nadal at RG, IMO, until I actually see it happening.

As for Thiem, well, I think I have already said enough. Pretty much showed how he was only the prince of clay because there was a vacuum after Nadal and someone had to fill it.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Novak fans @TheAssassin @NoleFam @Hitman and anyonr ekse, how did Novak play in your opinion

Good match, but had a slow start. He has room for improvement, but bodes well heading into RG.

 

[NoleFam]

Good win, but he can get better for sure, that is the good thing that despite the dips, he managed to take the hottest player on clay out in straights. Need a good one tomorrow also.

Yea he is getting better but there is much room for improvement. He is definitely on the right track and he needed this win if he wants a shot at another RG. I think he will play even better in Rome.

 

[mike danny]

he did play the world number one neck and neck in a solid match

He knows he can hang with novak. Some small changes in fortune and such a match could tip the other way.

It's disappointing as well of course, but there's a silver lining.

The only thing I gathered from this is that he is not beating the top guys unless they are all 35+.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Once again @Federer and Del Potro memes worked

Top good from the GMOAT (greatest meme of all time)

 

[Deleted member 77403]

I expect Novak to see all red tomorrow.

Yeah, we all know what that means.

 

[mike danny]

Novak does not have a weak surface. That is why he's won all tier 1 and is the best player ever

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Once again @Federer and Del Potro memes worked

Top good from the GMOAT (greatest meme of all time)

RAFA better pray I'm busy tomorrow.

 

[Pablo1989]

Huge match for both guys, but Nole was clutch in the key momentos meanwhile Thiem...

Djokovic trying to speak in Spanish with Corretja: "esta noche vamos a bailar un poquito" haha

 

[Yoeri Tennis II]

Highlights are here >>>

 

[Deleted member 77403]

He is saving his last gears for tomorrow. I expect Djokovic as usual coming out tomorrow guns blazing seeing Nadal across the net. Perfect confidence booster today to edge the match in two Close sets.

True. Once he sees Nadal across the other side of the net, he will transform.

 

[jm1980]

First top 10 win for Djokovic since beating Nadal at the AO

 

[Steve0904]

That is djokovic. Clutch. What a contrast to federer yesterday.

Federer looks clutch against circus act Monfils.

Federer's also 37. Let's see how Novak is doing at 37 before saying anything about Federer.

 

[mike danny]

Yeah, we all know what that means.

That's pretty much the silver lining, as the young ones are never going to break through.

 

[I Am Finnish]

LOL Thiem Can't win a set against 32 year old Novak on his weakest surface.

Prince of clay

Ah dont be so hard on him

 

[Sysyphus]

The only thing I gathered from this is that he is not beating the top guys unless they are all 35+.

he beat Nadal in their last tournament *shrugs*

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Yea he is getting better but there is much room for improvement. He is definitely on the right track and he needed this win if he wants a shot at another RG. I think he will play even better in Rome.

If Djokovic wins here tomorrow, he is in pole position, and then all of sudden the slight fav for RG IMO. Because three losses in a row in clay events for Nadal will hurt his conifdence and he doesn't have an easy draw in Rome either.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

he did play the world number one neck and neck in a solid match

He knows he can hang with novak. Some small changes in fortune and such a match could tip the other way.

It's disappointing as well of course, but there's a silver lining.

Really though Thiem is a nightmare matchup for Novak on clay and he's in better form. The odds before the match were 50/50, which accounted for the difference in mental strength, so I don't think he can be happy with the result.

 

[Zebrev]

Djokovic proving why he is the greatest. The return of the king, welcome back.

 

[I Am Finnish]

First top 10 win for Djokovic since beating Nadal at the AO

 

[Nadalgaenger]

Awesome win for Djoko. He played great today. Best he's looked since AO. How do you like that @Hitman?

Nole’s going to win Madrid and FO if he plays like today.
If he wins FO, he’s GOAT in my book.

 

[NoleFam]

Well, so much for him being a FO contender. If he can't even beat Novak on this surface, how can he be the prince of clay.

You act like we are talking about some scrub or something. This is Djokovic, the #1 who has won all of the big clay titles and beaten Nadal on clay more than anyone. I think some of you were buying into this Novak decline on clay narrative prematurely.