French Open 2018 R3 :- Novak Djokovic[20] vs R.Bautista Agut[13]

[ACE of Hearts]

Who did exactly lose in Djokovic's half for the draw to open up for him? Zverev is there, Thiem is there, Goffin too. Dimitrov has never been dangerous on clay.

I think Novak rather play verdasco in his next match than Dimi. Either way he will waltz through that part of the draw.

 

[joekapa]

And there is the break........

 

[zagor]

And another dropper, 5-1.

Almost 4 hours out there, tim to finish him off Novak.

 

[joekapa]

I think Novak rather play verdasco in his next match than Dimi. Either way he will waltz through that part of the draw.

That "part" is 1 match. I think he would rather play Dimi, than Verdasco, who is a better clay court player than most.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

Commentator said it..he has taken his legs away. All those passive long rallies in set 1 and 2 have worn out Agut.

 

[Sentinel]

Sad for Agut.
Vamos Nole.

 

[irishnadalfan1983]

Maybe it has always being but I feel Noles shot disguise is incredible...Maybe it has always being there but just noticed it today...

Great win - won’t be long and he will be challenging for grand slams - maybe even here - who knows...

 

[zagor]

You really trust Goffin against Novak? I don’t. He will be in the semis looking at his draw.

Novak would be a favourite but Goffin is certainly capable of an upset, this is still not Novak of old despite some positive signs.

Bottom half is still stacked, don't think it's as easy to predict who'll face Nadal in the final as you make it out to be.

 

[joekapa]

Commentator said it..he has taken his legs away. All those passive long rallies in set 1 and 2 have worn out Agut.

Hope they haven't worn out Djokovic as well.......

That being said, double break to Roberto.

 

[zagor]

Good thing he has an insurance break, he's been awful at closing out matches recently.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

I think you need to just chill and wait and see. It's unpredictable at the moment IMO.

Oh stop it. Novak looks back completely. He’s not losing toa chump like Goffin in a big stage. When was the last time Goffin won a big match against the likes of the big 3

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Sure, extending this long match even further with the rain flirting as well is a brilliant move.

 

[joekapa]

Roberto gets a break back.......nothing easy for Novak today. Must be taxing on his leg and spirit.

 

[Sentinel]

Nole needs a few tough matches to prepare him to take down Nadal.

 

[TheAssassin]

Oh stop it. Novak looks back completely. He’s not losing toa chump like Goffin in a big stage. When was the last time Goffin won a big match against the likes of the big 3

Against Nadal and Federer at WTF last year.

 

[cc0509]

Oh stop it. Novak looks back completely. He’s not losing toa chump like Goffin in a big stage. When was the last time Goffin won a big match against the likes of the big 3

He doesn't look back completely at all and I think any of those players could make the final(Djokovic, Thiem, Zverev or even Goffin.)

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Against Nadal and Federer at WTF last year.

I am talking grand slam here. Best 3 out of 5

 

[cucio]

Nole needs a few tough matches to prepare him to take down Nadal.

Denadalization does take preparation.

 

[TheAssassin]

Those backhands down the line landing in are so satisfying.

 

[joekapa]

Oh stop it. Novak looks back completely. He’s not losing toa chump like Goffin in a big stage. When was the last time Goffin won a big match against the likes of the big 3

Goffin is a top 10 player, who has proven he can take some big heads. If he had a better serve, he would be top 5. He has lega and heart, and shots. Never underestimate him. He is Djokovic light.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

Hope they haven't worn out Djokovic as well.......

That being said, double break to Roberto.

I guess that is why Agut plays in surges. He doesn't have the huge petrol tank like Djoker to be able to play the same way for hours so Djoker's grinding tactic ended up working out in the long run. Djoko will be fine after a day of rest.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

He doesn't look back completely at all and I think any of those players could make the final(Djokovic, Thiem, Zverev or even Goffin.)

We will see whose right. Again he will make the semis. Zverev is lucky to be advancing right now. Thiem i wouldn’t trust.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

More talented player lost :/

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Goffin is a top 10 player, who has proven he can take some big heads. If he had a better serve, he would be top 5. He has lega and heart, and shots. Never underestimate him. He is Djokovic light.

Goffin could actually lose to Monfils today or even carreno Busta.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Should have finished this sooner but in the end not surprised at all that RBA gave him trouble. Taking a set from Djokovic here two years ago when he was actually flying high was no fluke...

Fun match and a great embrace at the net.

Idemo!

 

[zagor]

Finally, what a grueling match. Props to RBA for his fight though I feel Novak made things much harder for himself.

 

[joekapa]

and there it is........Djokovic through, in what seemed to be a grinding match.

Anybody who watched this match, care to give an EDUCATED roundup.........please ?

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Congrats to novak. He’s getting back to that groove.

 

[onyxrose81]

Novak has always needed an insurance break...he's unpredictable. I'm glad he was able to pull it out. RBA would not be a factor going forward at all. No one knows what Djokovic will do from day to day. This was a match he needed to help build up his stamina again, and help his mindset.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Decent match from Djokovic

Fiasco next

 

[TheAssassin]

Whatever happens, the future looks far less depressing than it did just a month ago.

 

[3fees]

Congrats to Djokovic blnt Agut.. Strong performance against a tough opponent.. Down 1-3 and winning the set took the steam out of Agut sails.

Cheers
3Fees

 

[cucio]

Good match by Roberto. He can now take time to mourn his mother, recently deceased.

Nice to see Nole getting back to form, good match from him too.

 

[RF-18]

Bravo Nole!

Was a tough match as exoected. Batista is a really strong player and there are no easy points against him. Great win for Nole.

 

[zagor]

Somehow, I get the feeling old Dasco won't be easy.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Good chance to at least defend his points from last year now.

 

[SeeingDusk]

Should have finished this sooner but in the end not surprised at all that RBA gave him trouble. Taking a set from Djokovic here two years ago when he was actually flying high was no fluke...

Fun match and a great embrace at the net.

Idemo!

Saw that match in real life two years ago. Can confirm, Agut played some quality tennis and that was against a good djokovic.

 

[3fees]

Decent match from Djokovic

Fiasco next

Dasco or tabasco who beat Dimitrov

Cheers
3Fees

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Whatever happens, the future looks far less depressing than it did just a month ago.

He’s looking good mentally. Would love to see a Novak vs nadal final. Would be tough but better than nothing .

 

[cc0509]

We will see whose right. Again he will make the semis. Zverev is lucky to be advancing right now. Thiem i wouldn’t trust.

Yes, we will see who's right. I'm not saying Djokovic won't make the final, I'm saying there's a lot that can happen still and it's unpredictable IMO.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Well done Novak! Agut is a dangerous clay court player. Djoko defo improving. I think he can go deep into this tournament

 

[NoleFam]

Very high quality match and I'm glad that Djokovic upped his level and came through today. His game is looking really good.

 

[bezs]

Good morale boosting win for Djoko.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Yes, we will see who's right. I'm not saying Djokovic won't make the final, I'm saying there's a lot that can happen still and it's unpredictable IMO.

I just don’t see it but let’s see what happens. Novak’s getting his groove back.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

Twas a good match. A little disappointing to only see one broken racquet!

 

[Tennisgods]

Good match and Djokovic on the way back no doubt. Was broken far more frequently than he’d have liked though and really should have lost the third set. RBA suffered a dip at the wrong time, but credit Djokovic for making it tough.

 

[3fees]

Good chance to at least defend his points from last year now.

One more win,after that is adding points.

Cheers
3Fees

 

[Rina]

I wonder if his smashing the raquet is a sign that he is waking up from his zombie stupor of 2018? The not caring, being calm Tibetan monk is so out of character for him, that it probably cost him many matches when he became that weird sometime last year. Is he still being a weirdo vegan? I have nothing against vegans, ti was just weird for a top athlete to start eating no meat out of the blue. I read somewhere that he might be done with that nonsense.

 

[flyingboris]

Just saw the scoreline, nice! I'm happy for him, RBA is no pushover. Glad to see Novak is back(ish)

 

[Checkmate]

To lose that 2nd set in such a way must have been so painful.

It took him atleast 6 games to get back in groove.

Very Very Solid in the 4th set though.