AO 2014 SF: Tomas Berdych (7) vs Stanislas Wawrinka (8)

[Terenigma]

So Stan is the runner up this year ...

Its so easy to say this but he DID take Rafa to 2 tie breaks at WTF last year, playing extremely well against him. He's certainly got the game to beat the baseliners, look what he's done to Murray/Djokovic and now Berdych. It wouldnt be a stretch to say he could do it to Nadal too.

I fancy his chances less against Federer but if Federer does make the final, he will be tired from playing Nadal. So yeah, I still agree he will probably be the runner up but its not set in stone, we can hope!

 

[TheF1Bob]

Happy Stan won. Berdych can go to hell!

 

[Deleted member 307496]

I never realized Murray will drop out of the top 5 for the first time since 2008.

 

[Nostradamus]

Happy Stan won. Berdych can go to hell!

LOL,, not exactly a berdych fan,, are you ?

 

[TheF1Bob]

I never realized Murray will drop out of the top 5 for the first time since 2008.

 

[TheF1Bob]

LOL,, not exactly a berdych fan,, are you ?

He would of laid down for Nadal.

Stan will put up a fight.

 

[reds17]

Its so easy to say this but he DID take Rafa to 2 tie breaks at WTF last year, playing extremely well against him. He's certainly got the game to beat the baseliners, look what he's done to Murray/Djokovic and now Berdych. It wouldnt be a stretch to say he could do it to Nadal too.

I fancy his chances less against Federer but if Federer does make the final, he will be tired from playing Nadal. So yeah, I still agree he will probably be the runner up but its not set in stone, we can hope!

It's not set in stone at all. Judging by how well Fed has been playing, the Fedal match could be very draining for both players. Stan has the benefit of the extra day, being in the Djoko draw. That can't be underestimated.

 

[Nostradamus]

He would of laid down for Nadal.

Stan will put up a fight.

True that. but he would lay down for Federer, unfortunately

 

[Deleted member 77403]

He would of laid down for Nadal.

Stan will put up a fight.

The bottom line is that with Stan, we will at least get some entertaining rallies and match play. The man can electrify the crowd. Berdych can't. We got the best possible player in the final after Novak left.

 

[Chanwan]

LOL. Stan kind of avoided the Fed question, clearly likes Nadal more.

that's not how I heard it. To my knowledge, they are quite good friends most of the time (aside from the DC's discussions from time to time)

Plus I think he fancies his chances better vs. Roger considering he's yet to win his first set vs. Rafa

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

that's not how I heard it. To my knowledge, they are quite good friends most of the time (aside from the DC's discussions from time to time)

Plus I think he fancies his chances better vs. Roger considering he's yet to win his first set vs. Rafa

Well, perhaps he likes them equally, either way he didn't quite address the question directly. :twisted:

 

[6-1 6-3 6-0]

The bottom line is that with Stan, we will at least get some entertaining rallies and match play. The man can electrify the crowd. Berdych can't. We got the best possible player in the final after Novak left.

I guess you missed the AO 2012 QF between Nadal and Berdych.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

I guess you missed the AO 2012 QF between Nadal and Berdych.

What has he done since then? Stan has been creating magic on the court this past year, and looks the better player of the two. Glad he got to the final.

 

[DolgoSantoro]

I guess you missed the AO 2012 QF between Nadal and Berdych.

That match is the exception and not the rule with Rafa/Berdych matches and it was over two years ago.

 

[Chanwan]

Well done to Stan. Not easing winning 3 out of 4 sets, when you only win one more point than your opponent. Clutch play at the important moments, but a bit of Berdych choking in the last two breakers made his day.

And I actually think he will put up a decent fight vs. both Fed and Nadal. He took Nadal to two extremely TB's at the WTF and was the better player in both sets. In this tournament, he's shown real resilience in closing out his own service games and taking his chances, when he's got them.
So - go Stan, you're the man!

 

[MichaelNadal]

Happy Stan won. Berdych can go to hell!

Ts4 later :twisted:

 

[pds999]

No doubt Berdych would have given more problems to Rafa in the final. Two-handed backhand and a bigger game than Wawrinka. He will simply get tied up on the backhand side exactly like Fed does. Rafa's title to lose for sure.

 

[sbengte]

Happy for Stan, he is going from strength to strength.

He is a GS finalist now and has joined Ferrer, Berdych, Tsonga, Soderling proving his run last year to the top 8 was no fluke !

Well done , Magnus Norman !

 

[Chanwan]

That match is the exception and not the rule with Rafa/Berdych matches and it was over two years ago.

This. + that match was a perfect example of why Berdych always loses to Rafa. With the chance to go up two sets to love, he folded.

On the other hand, this will be Waw's first slam final - there's no telling how nervous he will be and to what extent it will compromise his game in the big moments. Birdman has at least the experience of a Wimbledon-final.

 

[aldeayeah]

I hope Nadal reaches the final, just for Wawrinka to dispel the myth about 1HBHs and Nadal.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Peace out, folks.

Laters.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

No doubt Berdych would have given more problems to Rafa in the final. Two-handed backhand and a bigger game than Wawrinka. He will simply get tied up on the backhand side exactly like Fed does. Rafa's title to lose for sure.

It was always Rafa's title to lose, since Novak went out, doesn't matter who he played.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

We have a new member of the top 5 now.

 

[ForLoveOfTheGame]

I recently completed that and i love the ship and exploration but the combat and story were the weakest by a long way. I miss AC3's combat so much

But yeah, back on topic. Looks like we're going to another TB, Neither player looks good enough to force a break right now altho id say Wawrinka is the more likely. Last service game for each before that happens tho, will we see a choke?

Totally agree on AC4. Good thing I played that before playing 3, have a greater appreciation for it now.

 

[heninfan99]

Congrats to Stan and a correct pick on my end.
I wonder if Stan is over the mental blockage when playing Federer if that happens.

 

[reds17]

What about Federer's ranking if he's able to win, where would that place him?

 

[tipsa...don'tlikehim!]

What has he done since then? Stan has been creating magic on the court this past year, and looks the better player of the two. Glad he got to the final.

That match is the exception and not the rule with Rafa/Berdych matches and it was over two years ago.

So you are saying the QF 2012 was the exception when Berdych nearly led 2 sets to love... and 2 months ago Berdych took 1 set out of Nadal at the WTF... while on the other hand Nadal leads 26 sets to Zero against Stan, but Stan would have a better chance ? :lol:
lol
Berdych is a more dangerous opponent for Rafa, hands down

 

[Deleted member 77403]

So you are saying the QF 2012 was the exception when Berdych nearly led 2 sets to love... and 2 months ago Berdych took 1 set out of Nadal at the WTF... while on the other hand Nadal leads 26 sets to Zero against Stan, but Stan would have a better chance ? :lol:
lol
Berdych is a more dangerous opponent for Rafa, hands down

Berdych had his chance against Nadal in a slam final, we all saw what happened. We know how that story goes. No thanks.

Let Wawrinka have his try. This man had never beaten Novak before either, at least he will try.

No one is saying he will beat Nadal, but he has shown that he has become a better big match player than Berdych, that is for sure.

 

[tipsa...don'tlikehim!]

Fair enough, but the 26 sets to Zero doesn't help Wawrinka at all.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Berdych had his chance against Nadal in a slam final, we all saw what happened. We know how that story goes. No thanks.

Let Wawrinka have his try. This man had never beaten Novak before either, at least he will try.

No one is saying he will beat Nadal, but he has shown that he has become a better big match player than Berdych, that is for sure.

Berdych has had his peak too, it's only downhill for him from here. Wawrinka can only go up.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Ts4 later :twisted:

I read that!

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Fair enough, but the 26 sets to Zero doesn't help Wawrinka at all.

Look face it. The ONLY player breathing on this planet that can stand up to Nadal was eliminated a few nights back. Ultimately, it doesn't matter who Nadal faces, we know he can't be beat now, but many would prefer Wawrinka purely because of what he has shown of himself lately...and he has earned it.

 

[sbengte]

This. + that match was a perfect example of why Berdych always loses to Rafa. With the chance to go up two sets to love, he folded.

On the other hand, this will be Waw's first slam final - there's no telling how nervous he will be and to what extent it will compromise his game in the big moments. Birdman has at least the experience of a Wimbledon-final.

But Berd's past slam final experience would count for nothing had he made the finals here. That much is certain. He would fold even worse than his first slam final.

Stan was almost as much of a headcase as Berd and credit to Norman for helping him with the breakthrough. He kept at it for over a year or so and here he is in a slam final all of a sudden.

 

[tipsa...don'tlikehim!]

Look face it. The ONLY player breathing on this planet that can stand up to Nadal was eliminated a few nights back. Ultimately, it doesn't matter who Nadal faces, we know he can't be beat now, but many would prefer Wawrinka purely because of what he has shown of himself lately...and he has earned it.

Then i agree when you say prefer my initial point was Berdych would have better chances, and I still think so... but now it's over anyway so the discussion is pointless

 

[MichaelNadal]

I read that!

You too I just got in from work and crazy sleepy. I'm off tonight so I'll definitely be around a while later.

 

[sbengte]

Look face it. The ONLY player breathing on this planet that can stand up to Nadal was eliminated a few nights back. Ultimately, it doesn't matter who Nadal faces, we know he can't be beat now, but many would prefer Wawrinka purely because of what he has shown of himself lately...and he has earned it.

USO '08 and AO '10 would like to say hi.
Agreed Murray may not be at his best post surgery but Murray 2.0 with a couple of slams under his belt would definitely stand up to Nadal and some more given that even in his slamless state he took out Nadal in slams twice.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

USO '08 and AO '10 would like to say hi.
Agreed Murray may not be at his best post surgery but Murray 2.0 with a couple of slams under his belt would definitely stand up to Nadal and some more given that even in his slamless state he took out Nadal in slams twice.

That was then, this is now.

Currently, on this planet, it is Novak. When Andy gets back to 100%, then we will have this discussion again.

 

[sbengte]

That was then, this is now.

Currently, on this planet, it is Novak. When Andy gets back to 100%, then we will have this discussion again.

Methinks even the Andy that went out to GOATing Fed yesterday would give the current Nadal a run for his money. Nadal would surely not be a lock for the title if he were facing Murray in the SF. He would be a favorite, yes, but Murray stood a chance.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Methinks even the Andy that went out to GOATing Fed yesterday would give the current Nadal a run for his money. Nadal would surely not be a lock for the title if he were facing Murray in the SF , no way.

With the back issues he' had? Nadal would be grinding him down. Murray was a non factor when moving to his left side and hitting the double hander. Federer exposed it, Nadal would certainly expose it.

Again, a fully fit Murray, yes, but not the Murray that was wounded out there a few nights back imo.

 

[sbengte]

With the back issues he' had? Nadal would be grinding him down. Murray was a non factor when moving to his left side and hitting the double hander. Federer exposed it, Nadal would certainly expose it.

Again, a fully fit Murray, yes, but not the Murray that was wounded out there a few nights back imo.

I don't really have a complete understanding of how bad Murray's back currently is, but from a mental standpoint - this Murray is not folding against Nadal.

 

[jaggy]

So pleased to see a new ohb in the final

 

[kishnabe]

So pleased to see a new ohb in the final

Thanks for reminding me off the one handed backhand thread. Maybe Th Natural will bring another great one hander thread.

 

[Steve0904]

I don't really have a complete understanding of how bad Murray's back currently is, but from a mental standpoint - this Murray is not folding against Nadal.

Sure, mentally he would be fine just like he was against Federer, but Federer exposed him physically, he missed a ton of BH's, and if Federer could do that, Nadal definitely would. Now we have the opposite problem. Physically, as far as we know, Federer is fine, but mentally against Nadal he's not.

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

No doubt Berdych would have given more problems to Rafa in the final. Two-handed backhand and a bigger game than Wawrinka. He will simply get tied up on the backhand side exactly like Fed does. Rafa's title to lose for sure.

Except that Fed will probably win tonight and since he's Stan's "swiss daddy" will take him in the final.

But that can't take away from manly Stanley's great run. Well played Stanislas!

 

[Deleted member 307496]

I don't really have a complete understanding of how bad Murray's back currently is, but from a mental standpoint - this Murray is not folding against Nadal.

This Murray is not folding against anybody anymore. It was his physical issues that did him in.

 

[dafinch]

He would of laid down for Nadal.

Stan will put up a fight.

Agree 100%. Bird Brain is dangerous to all top players except BP, who needs THAT around?

 

[Overdrive]

Is the match over? I assume Stanislas won.. I didn't want Berdych to win because I wouldn't want to see him play either Federer or Nadal.

 

[dafinch]

Happy Stan won. Berdych can go to hell!

Exactly. Like I said earlier, Bird Bytche is a bird brain, thank God he's out.

 

[fps]

Go Stan!!!!!!!!!

 

[PrinceMoron]

Stan has a better chance of winning than Nadal or Federer. Just one player to beat so he must be the favourite.