Could Djokovic beat Federer on clay this year?

[Zaragoza]

I´m interested to know your opinions here.
Djokovic reached the semifinals in the FO last year but he struggled in early rounds against players like Patience and his performances in the Masters Series on clay were not too good. So he was clearly a worse player than Federer on clay last year.
My question is: will his improvement on hardcourts translate to better performances on clay? It´s true that his deep flat shots are not so effective on clay but his defensive game is good too, his groundstrokes are pretty solid and he is mentally strong and a good fighter in big matches. I can´t think of any aspect of the game where he is clearly worse than Federer right now and his backhand looks much more solid than Federer´s.
Some people said the AO surface was slow and it favoured Djokovic against Federer so following that theory the slower surface at the FO would favour Djokovic too, but I disagree with that.
So what do you think about the outcome of this match if they play on clay in a few months?

 

[vince916]

Doesn't Djokovic hit his forehand with a full western?

 

[CyBorg]

Everything depends on what Roger does in preparation for RG. If he's back to full strength by the clay court season, spends enough time working on his lower body and plays as aggressively as he's capable he can make another final. Last year he came unprepared and it showed. His backhand was better, but his footwork was much worse than in 06.

I don't think Djoko is a better player simply because of the Aussie result. Roger was clearly not 100% and that was evident not just from the semifinal, but from the earlier matches in the tournament. His footwork was the worst I've seen in years from him.

 

[PROTENNIS63]

Federer still has a winning record over Djokovic. I am sure next time they play, it will be a different result from the one in the Aussie Open.

 

[2 Cent]

good question! i'm gonna go ahead and say YES, djoko can be fed on clay!

 

[Morrissey]

I'm not sure but its possible. I haven't seen enough from him on clay to make me think he's better. He didn't win any clay events leading up to the French. He also struggled at the French before losing easy to Nadal in the SF. But he can beat Fed though. I would think he has a better shot at beating Fed on clay than on grass. After saying all that I think Fed's best chances to win the French have passed by. Only if Nadal gets injured or doesn't play the French do I give Fed any chance now.

 

[tricky]

Federer would have the advantage due to his defense savvy and superior fitness/speed.

 

[futuretoptenner]

I think Federer's performances on clay this year will speak volumes for his clay abilities, I don't see Djokovic giving Federer much trouble on Clay. (I did predict Djokovic beating Federer)

 

[Zaragoza]

Federer still has a winning record over Djokovic. I am sure next time they play, it will be a different result from the one in the Aussie Open.

I wanna say that I don´t think Djokovic is going to beat Federer everytime just because he beat him at the AO. I think they´re at the same level on hardcourts so their matches on hardcourts could go either way.
Federer has been much better on clay so far but I´m interested to see if Djokovic can progress on clay as well and has a chance to beat Federer.
So far, Federer had a relatively easy route on clay until his meetings with Nadal. I know it´s speculation but I was interested to read different theories especially because they never played each other on clay since Djokovic reached his prime.

 

[stormholloway]

Federer's winning record over Djokovic means squat. In case you didn't know Djokovic is just now coming into his own. That's like looking at Agassi's head to head against Federer before 2003: pointless.

I favor Djokovic on the clay.

 

[TennezSport]

Clay OK...........

Clay is a completely different animal for Nole as he currently does not have the footwork to beat a top clay courter, but he is improving. Also, as someone mentioned his groundies do not penetrate on clay as much, so he will have to do a lot more running to compete. If he is still having the breathing issues that he currently has, this will hurt him on clay.

Can it happen?...........anything is possible, but it's not probable. Just my opinion.

TennezSport

 

[Richie Rich]

if he can beat fed on hard court (regardless if fed was off) why shouldn't he be able to beat him on clay?

 

[MichaelNadal]

The real question when talking about clay is who can beat Nadal.... and the answer is neither!

 

[stormholloway]

Hmm... Tsonga beats Nadal on clay perhaps?

He is French...

 

[Richie Rich]

The real question when talking about clay is who can beat Nadal.... and the answer is neither!

that is probably true.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Holloway to be honest I don't know if Nadal could beat Tsonga on a hardcourt on his best day lol. But he had improved alot so thats good. But on clay? Nadal will wipe anyone out.

 

[lambielspins]

Djokovic cant beat any of the top clay court players. He has no impressive wins on clay really. His draw to the French Open semis last year was a joke. It is definitely his worst surface and the last two French Opens he had dream draws, last year he didnt even beat a top 50 player to make the semis. So needless to say my answer is a resounding NO.

 

[lambielspins]

if he can beat fed on hard court (regardless if fed was off) why shouldn't he be able to beat him on clay?

Since Djokovic is even worse on clay compared to hard courts then Federer is.

 

[tlm]

I dont think the joker is as good as fed on the clay. But i think he is better than fed on the hardcourts.

 

[stormholloway]

Djokovic isn't better than Federer on hardcourts. Are you really drawing that conclusion from one match? Is Krajicek better than Sampras on grass?

Seriously man.

 

[flyer]

Djokovic isn't better than Federer on hardcourts. Are you really drawing that conclusion from one match? Is Krajicek better than Sampras on grass?

Seriously man.

Id say from the last three matches Djokovic has been the better player, he outplayed Federer in the US Open final, as Federer has admitted, but he was nervous and Federer's experience pulled him though, and he won in Montreal as well as taking Federer to the woodshed and beating him like a dog a couple days ago

 

[Zaragoza]

It´s the right time to revive this thread.

 

[lambielspins]

Id say from the last three matches Djokovic has been the better player, he outplayed Federer in the US Open final, as Federer has admitted, but he was nervous and Federer's experience pulled him though, and he won in Montreal as well as taking Federer to the woodshed and beating him like a dog a couple days ago

What f-cked up logic to give Djokovic full credit for the Canadian Open win yet take away from Federer's U.S Open win. Federer had 5 set points in the Canadian Open final and blew them all, then won the 2nd set 6-2. Djokovic was much luckier to win that match then Federer was to win the U.S Open final.

Also in the U.S Open final the final match stats showed Federer clearly in front. Djokovic did not outplay him overall in that match, and please show me one please where he actually said that.

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

^^^

Roger also lead in the stats in Montreal also, eventhough it was only two points.


http://www.atptennis.com/5/en/playe...ngles&trnnum=421&trnyear=2007&rnd=7&plyr=F324


There are many who want to believe that Roger is done, but he has a few things planned before he hands over the keys to the top spot. Tomorrow will be the chance to see if Novak can beat Roger on clay. I wonder if his family is going to be there crowning the new king *Djokovic* in their minds. :roll:

 

[gj011]

What f-cked up logic to give Djokovic full credit for the Canadian Open win yet take away from Federer's U.S Open win. Federer had 5 set points in the Canadian Open final and blew them all, then won the 2nd set 6-2. Djokovic was much luckier to win that match then Federer was to win the U.S Open final.

Also in the U.S Open final the final match stats showed Federer clearly in front. Djokovic did not outplay him overall in that match, and please show me one please where he actually said that.

Djokovic had 7 set points in the US Open final and blew them all.

 

[drakulie]

We will find out tomorrow.

Will Fed continue his comeback??

Will Joker spoil Fed's plans?? yet Again??

Tune in>

Same Bat Time!

Same Bat Channel!

 

[gj011]

Djokovic cant beat any of the top clay court players. He has no impressive wins on clay really. His draw to the French Open semis last year was a joke. It is definitely his worst surface and the last two French Opens he had dream draws, last year he didnt even beat a top 50 player to make the semis. So needless to say my answer is a resounding NO.

His draw was easy, but he did beat Andreev and Verdasco easily.

Anyway, looking at the way Novak played in MC so far, he has a good chance to beat Federer this clay season. We will know more tomorrow.

 

[daddy]

Correct, you are ok to revive the thread but we should save the comments until afterwords. Match is a less than a day away and it will be a reality check for both of them regarding Federer's form and Djokovic's ability on clay.

 

[Zaragoza]

By the way, I forgot they already played on clay (1st round of Monte-Carlo in 2006).
Federer won 6-3 2-6 6-3 but obviously Djokovic was a different player 2 years ago.

 

[gj011]

By the way, I forgot they already played on clay (1st round of Monte-Carlo in 2006). Federer won 6-3 2-6 6-3 but obviously Djokovic and Federer were different players 2 years ago.

Here, I fixed it for you

 

[lambielspins]

Djokovic had 7 set points in the US Open final and blew them all.

In the 2nd set he had 2 set points on FEDERER serve. Hardly a surprise he didnt win those, in fact to be expected. In the 1st set he had 5 sets on his own serve, and if he had taken one still had another 2 full sets to win. In the Canadian Open final Federer also had 5 sets on his own serve, and blew them the same way Djokovic did in the U.S Open final, but had he won one he wins the match easily since he wins the 2nd set 6-2.

So Djokovic was in fact much lucker to beat Federer in the Canadian Open final then Federer was to beat Djokovic in the U.S Open final if you are going to look at it that way. Otherwise the best thing to do is just say Djokovic won 2 of their last 3 matches on hard courts and leave it at that.

 

[Nadal_Freak]

Yes I think Djokovic can beat Fed on clay. I even expect it. Djokovic has really impressed with his all around game. I think Djokovic's best chances of beating Federer are at the French Open and the Aussie Open. US Open he also has a chance but I find he will struggle the most on Grass.

 

[daddy]

In the 2nd set he had 2 set points on FEDERER serve. Hardly a surprise he didnt win those, in fact to be expected. In the 1st set he had 5 sets on his own serve, and if he had taken one still had another 2 full sets to win. In the Canadian Open final Federer also had 5 sets on his own serve, and blew them the same way Djokovic did in the U.S Open final, but had he won one he wins the match easily since he wins the 2nd set 6-2.

So Djokovic was in fact much lucker to beat Federer in the Canadian Open final then Federer was to beat Djokovic in the U.S Open final if you are going to look at it that way. Otherwise the best thing to do is just say Djokovic won 2 of their last 3 matches on hard courts and leave it at that.

Id settle for this much.

 

[xargon]

king

I wonder if his family is going to be there crowning the new king *Djokovic* in their minds

Who cares what his family thinks? Really, what they do or think does not matter.

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

I wonder if his family is going to be there crowning the new king *Djokovic* in their minds

Who cares what his family thinks? Really, what they do or think does not matter.

Why don't you quote the post, but you're right what they do or think doesn't matter, but the same can be said about you and I.

 

[stormholloway]

Id say from the last three matches Djokovic has been the better player, he outplayed Federer in the US Open final, as Federer has admitted, but he was nervous and Federer's experience pulled him though, and he won in Montreal as well as taking Federer to the woodshed and beating him like a dog a couple days ago

I never responded to this. How do you outplay someone and still lose in straight sets?

 

[Mkie7]

Win or lose... its good prep. for the FO. Fed and his new coach should use this match to figure out how to win the FO. Think Fed will get past Novak., but not sure about Nadal. A good test though.

FO + WIM + Gold + 12 Slams = GOAT

 

[(FEDERER)vs(NADAL)]

Win or lose... its good prep. for the FO. Fed and his new coach should use this match to figure out how to win the FO. Think Fed will get past Novak., but not sure about Nadal. A good test though.

FO + WIM + Gold + 12 Slams = GOAT

i agree, no matter the result federer should be pleased in his rise in form at monte carlo

 

[joeri888]

Djokovic, unfortunately, can and will beat Federer this claycourt season IMO. I just don't think Djoko will at Roland Garros if they meet, and that's what counts.

 

[joeri888]

Is Krajicek better than Sampras on grass?

YES, he obviously is!!!!

 

[zagor]

Of course he can,definitely.He is a different player this year so using last year's results to prove a point isn't valid in my opinion.

 

[SikSerb]

We'll soon find out. They're playing in 8 minutes..

 

[coloskier]

Djokovic, unfortunately, can and will beat Federer this claycourt season IMO. I just don't think Djoko will at Roland Garros if they meet, and that's what counts.

Maybe he might, if he doesn't keep hurting his "pride", like he did today.

 

[coloskier]

Quote:
Is Krajicek better than Sampras on grass?

YES, he obviously is!!!!

Are you nuts? How many Wimbledon titles does Sampras have and how many does Krajicek have?

 

[babbette]

Djokovic is a wuss. In my eyes he'll never be an all round champion like Rafa and Roger are, if he makes it to the top.