2020 London ATP Finals Round Robin: Djoker [1] vs Mad Lad [4]

[Leandro2045]

Wouldn’t he have to play Novak in the SF unless Zed beats Novak?

Nope both Novak and Rafa can only advance as #2 in their groups so they can't meet in the Semis.

These are the projected semis :

Thiem vs Djokovic/Zverev
Medvedev vs Nadal/Tsitsipas.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Well, I'm sure he'd rather have played Nadal than Thiem so not a very strategic tank.

+ having to beat Zverev before Thiem which could be tough , even though I have no idea how the German played today

 

[Tiki-Taka]

So it's between Djokovic and Zverev, and Nadal and Tsitsipas for the two remaining semifinal spots. I hope the old guys win those, as it would result in two semifinal match ups that gave us the best couple of contests in London last year.

 

[aditya123]

This was so lethargic and bad it suggests something is going on off court in his personal life. It was outrageously bad from him. Clearly he didn't give one damn.

Really , was it that bad???? I dint watch the match

 

[Hitman]

So first from one group plays second from the other group on both sides?

Yep, so

Medvedev v Nadal/Tsitsipas
Thiem v Djokovic/Zverev

That's the semi lineup.

 

[Amritia]

So, Djokovic didn't play well? I didn't watch the match, but my theory of people on this forum underrating Djokovic and overrating Nadal looks correct again based on comments. Djokovic is still winning the title.

What are you talking about?

 

[James P]

Following the score on my phone. Worth a watch later?

Also. LET'S GO!!!

 

[Born_to_slice]

This was so lethargic and bad it suggests something is going on off court in his personal life. It was outrageously bad from him. Clearly he didn't give one damn.

I have impression he just can't wait for the season to be over.

 

[aditya123]

+ having to beat Zverev before Thiem which could be tough , even though I have no idea how the German played today

The German played sub par Tennis today.

 

[clayqueen]

Didn't Djokovic want to go through this year unbeaten? What happened?

 

[JadeC]

So first from one group plays second from the other group on both sides?

Yep.

 

[Amritia]

Well, I'm sure he'd rather have played Nadal than Thiem so not a very strategic tank.

Also I think if Djokovic played like that, both Thiem and Nadal would beat him quite comfortably given what we saw yesterday.

 

[StrongRule]

What are you talking about?

According to this forum Nadal is always playing great when he loses, while Djokovic is only losing when he is in terrible form or injured.

 

[Hitman]

That's his best possible scenario

He is 6-0 against them on Hard Courts (2-0 indoors).

And with the way he is playing, Rafa can win this event, especially with the path now ahead.

 

[MeatTornado]

Being a Djokovic fan has been incredibly frustrating since the 2019 AO. He's so erratic nowadays.

 

[Legend of Borg]

absolute scenes at the O2

Djoker in shambles, you hate to see it

 

[BackhandDTL]

Nope both Novak and Rafa can only advance as #2 in their groups so they can't meet in the Semis.

These are the projected semis :

Thiem vs Djokovic/Zverev
Medvedev vs Nadal/Tsitsipas.

Oh for some reason I thought the two seeds play each other. Hahah that would be rather nonsensical

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Following the score on my phone. Worth a watch later?

Also. LET'S GO!!!

It was tight till Daniil broke the first time then it was just him playing well and Nole playing underwhelming/like a mug

 

[clayqueen]

Yes, ideal scenario now for Rafa IMO. If he locks in from here on out, he can go all the way. No Novak in his path to the final.

Rafa is not there yet, nor is Novak. One step at a time.

 

[Amritia]

Didn't Djokovic want to go through this year unbeaten? What happened?

Too much overconfidence perhaps?
On the other hand, even if he doesn't win WTF (which looks likely), I'd still have him as favourite for AO. He played badly in WTF last year too and won AO.

 

[StrongRule]

Also I think if Djokovic played like that, both Thiem and Nadal would beat him quite comfortably given what we saw yesterday.

Lol, I have no idea how he played today, but against Nadal on hardcourt Djokovic always plays his absolute best. Also, he owns Nadal mentally. (honestly, who doesn't these days. Even Thiem owned him mentally yesterday)

 

[megamind]

Following the score on my phone. Worth a watch later?

Also. LET'S GO!!!

tbh, it was kinda boring. Long baseline rallies, Novak just couldn't get passed THE WALL. But not overly interesting points, as it was kinda one sided tbh

 

[aldeayeah]

Yep, so

Medvedev v Nadal/Tsitsipas
Thiem v Djokovic/Zverev

That's the semi lineup.

It's rare to have dead rubbers in both groups in the RR! When did that last happened? (Without involving retirements)

Anyway Nadal-Tsitsi and Djokovic-Zed are virtual quarterfinal matches.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

The German played sub par Tennis today.

Classic Zverev

 

[Amritia]

According to this forum Nadal is always playing great when he loses, while Djokovic is only losing when he is in terrible form or injured.

Well Nadal played really well yesterday, while Djokovic was poor today. Started well, then started making bizarre shot selections which cost him dearly.

 

[bluetrain4]

Roddick's porn stache is ridiculous. I'm here for it.

 

[James P]

It was tight till Daniil broke the first time then it was just him playing well and Nole playing underwhelming/like a mug

tbh, it was kinda boring. Long baseline rallies, Novak just couldn't get passed THE WALL. But not overly interesting points, as it was kinda one sided tbh

Thanks, fellas

 

[Hitman]

Rafa is not there yet, nor is Novak. One step at a time.

Of course, but still we can talk about a potential path, since Nadal and Djokovic just need to play as if it is a quarter final match.

 

[aldeayeah]

Following the score on my phone. Worth a watch later?

Also. LET'S GO!!!

Med won the short points. Also the long points. Also the mid length points.

it wasn't very close after 3-4

 

[TennisFan3]

Djokovic CANNOT muster enough motivation these days in non slam events. Had this been the AO, it would have been completely different.
Djokovic is a different animal in slams. Almost impossible to beat in a best of 5 format.

 

[StrongRule]

Well Nadal played really well yesterday, while Djokovic was poor today. Started well, then started making bizarre shot selections which cost him dearly.

I know, I know. Nadal played well in every match he lost in his career, including RG 2015. At least if we believe to this forum.

 

[weakera]

I hope that Novak left shoulder and arm will get better from the injuries. If not, he will lose in the first or second round of Australian Open and than he will take two months off to properly heal his body. That is the reason why he is doing dropshots instead of hitting his backhand down the line.

If that were true he would not be playing here, he would be healing for AO already.

 

[clayqueen]

Too much overconfidence perhaps?
On the other hand, even if he doesn't win WTF (which looks likely), I'd still have him as favourite for AO. He played badly in WTF last year too and won AO.

He barely won AO 2020. He's been beaten badly lately - by Rafa at RG; Sonego in Vienna and now Medvedev at the WTF.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Djokovic outplayed by a indoor hc specialist

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

By the way, congrats @UnforcedTerror for being the only one to correctly predickt the outcum in the poll options. Nice one!

 

[TennisFan3]

Of course, but still we can talk about a potential path, since Nadal and Djokovic just need to play as if it is a quarter final match.

I would not give anything to Nadal. The way Medvedev played vs Novak, he can easily beat Nadal as well.
Remember last year Medvedev was dominating Rafa completely before choking.
And then Nadal has to get through Titspas which is NOT a given.

 

[Hitman]

It's rare to have dead rubbers in both groups in the RR! When did that last happened? (Without involving retirements)

Anyway Nadal-Tsitsi and Djokovic-Zed are virtual quarterfinal matches.

It's been a while I think. Nice and simple now for the two shoot outs, we don't need to worry about sets and games won. Whoever wins goes into the semis, whoever loses, goes home.

 

[Picmun]

 

[TennisFan3]

Yep, so

Medvedev v Nadal/Tsitsipas
Thiem v Djokovic/Zverev

That's the semi lineup.

Do you think Djokovic can beat Thiem in the SF - if that match happens?

 

[aldeayeah]

Following the score on my phone. Worth a watch later?

Also. LET'S GO!!!

If you're going to rewatch, watch just the 3-3 game, djokovic on serve. That was the most interesting part.

 

[Amritia]

I know, I know. Nadal played well in every match he lost in his career, including RG 2015. At least if we believe to this forum.

This is nothing to do with the views of TTW.
I'm giving my objective opinion having watched and analysed these matches. Nadal did play well yesterday, which he said so himself. Djokovic played badly today, but given it's a RR match he has time to improve and still win the tournament.

 

[clayqueen]

Of course, but still we can talk about a potential path, since Nadal and Djokovic just need to play as if it is a quarter final match.

I would love Rafa to play this Novak.

 

[MeatTornado]

He barely won AO 2019. He's been beaten badly lately - by Rafa at RG; Sonego in Vienna and now Medvedev at the WTF.

Hopefully you just forgot what year it is.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Medvedev impressed me the most

 

[ForehandCross]

Djokovic CANNOT muster enough motivation these days in non slam events. Had this been the AO, it would have been completely different.
Djokovic is a different animal in slams. Almost impossible to beat in a best of 5 format.

If I wasn't lazy then I will collect all your posts fron before the RG F.

"Impossible to beat?"

He got pasted in his last Final 6-0 6-2 7-5 and barely by the skin of his teeth won his other two recent slam finals.

 

[StrongRule]

Of course, but still we can talk about a potential path, since Nadal and Djokovic just need to play as if it is a quarter final match.

Not that I think this is possible, but doesn't Nadal still have a theoretical chance to take the first place? If he beats Tsitsipas in straights and Thiem loses to Rublev in straights? Thiem would lose more sets then.

 

[BackhandDTL]

Djokovic CANNOT muster enough motivation these days in non slam events. Had this been the AO, it would have been completely different.
Djokovic is a different animal in slams. Almost impossible to beat in a best of 5 format.

He got mugged by Ned on pseudo-clay last time they met.

 

[Leandro2045]

Lol, I have no idea how he played today, but against Nadal on hardcourt Djokovic always plays his absolute best. Also, he owns Nadal mentally. (honestly, who doesn't these days. Even Thiem owned him mentally yesterday)

Well his next two possible opponents (Tsitsipas & Medvedev) are both 0-3 each on Hard Courts against Nadal.

Losing multiple key finals & matches against him.

 

[TennisFan3]

He barely won AO 2019. He's been beaten badly lately - by Rafa at RG; Sonego in Vienna and now Medvedev at the WTF.

I wouldn't count the Songeo match. That was a tank as big as you will ever see. Djokovic really didn't care.
Today Medvedev played well, and Djokovic wasn't in the groove.
French Open - Nadal did God Mode and no one can do anything.
Other than that Novak has been supreme and he was denied a sure UsOpen 2020 title.

 

[TennisFan3]

He got mugged by Ned on pseudo-clay last time they met.

That was Nadal playing close to his best. What can anyone do with that? There's no disgrace to losing to Nadal on clay.