Rafa will likely lose to Djoker in RG '13 SF

[sportsfan1]

Just watched the replay of Monte Carlo 2013. Gotta hand it to the Djoker, he uses his BH to redirect Rafa's topspin FH at will and places it DTL or CC like its the easiest thing to do when all others struggle with it.

Of course Djoker may lose to Haas and/or Rafa may lose to Stan the man, but if it's a Djoker-Rafa SF, then Djoker doesn't have the pressure of a final, Rafa isn't playing as well as RG '12, so most likely Djoker will win.

If Rafa does however win then he indeed maybe the GOAT at, in his own words, "finding solutions to opponents".

 

[UltimateBombero]

I'm a nadal fan, but Djoka seems to play his 2HBH like it's a sniper rifle aimed directly at rafa's backhand.

If this happens, and we have a Djo/Fed final, I like Feds chances.

 

[Murrayfan31]

Weather will decide it.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Whoever plays better on the day will win. It's about 55-45 in favor of Rafa IMO. He's not playing his best, but it's hard to go against his record here. I do agree the weather is a factor. Rafa will want a hot, dry, breezy day.

 

[Clarky21]

Whoever plays better on the day will win. It's about 55-45 in favor of Rafa IMO. He's not playing his best, but it's hard to go against his record here. I do agree the weather is a factor. Rafa will want a hot, dry, breezy day.

In other words, he will need a miracle. Lol.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Clarky approves of thread.

 

[MichaelNadal]

In other words, he will need a miracle. Lol.

Nah, he just needs to play GOOD TENNIS. That much is up to him. Djokovic will have more good days than Nadal because of where they are in their careers. Nadal just can't afford to not have one Friday.

 

[Rhino]

Performances in Masters 1000 events do not necessarily indicate slam results. Look at Simon today. Look at Dimitrov the other day.

It will be a tight match if it happens. I hope it's a very very long and tiring 5 setter (Isner/Mahut style), with the winner playing Federer in the final.

 

[Chanwan]

Whoever plays better on the day will win. It's about 55-45 in favor of Rafa IMO. He's not playing his best, but it's hard to go against his record here. I do agree the weather is a factor. Rafa will want a hot, dry, breezy day.

I agree. Mustard, you being the stats man, would you have the stats for the Fedal matches at the FO - 05 and onwards? I'm particularly interested in winners / unforced errors as the rest is more or less available in the ATP h2h

 

[MichaelNadal]

I agree. Mustard, you being the stats man, would you have the stats for the Fedal matches at the FO - 05 and onwards? I'm particularly interested in winners / unforced errors as the rest is more or less available in the ATP h2h

I guess I did kinda sound like Mustard in that post huh? lol

 

[Tennis_Hands]

I guess I did kinda sound like Mustard in that post huh? lol

Not only like Mustard, but also like Veroniquem, 1 3 0, N_S_K etc.

In fact, you all sound the same.

:roll:

 

[Cosmic_Colin]

I'm a nadal fan, but Djoka seems to play his 2HBH like it's a sniper rifle aimed directly at rafa's backhand.

If this happens, and we have a Djo/Fed final, I like Feds chances.

What if we have Tsonga or Ferrer in the final, what do you predict?

 

[djokovicisananimal]

Just watched the replay of Monte Carlo 2013. Gotta hand it to the Djoker, he uses his BH to redirect Rafa's topspin FH at will and places it DTL or CC like its the easiest thing to do when all others struggle with it.

Of course Djoker may lose to Haas and/or Rafa may lose to Stan the man, but if it's a Djoker-Rafa SF, then Djoker doesn't have the pressure of a final, Rafa isn't playing as well as RG '12, so most likely Djoker will win.

If Rafa does however win then he indeed maybe the GOAT at, in his own words, "finding solutions to opponents".

Monte Carlo 2013 has no impact on RG 2013.

Nadal will step it up when he has to.

 

[pds999]

Weather will decide it.

Agreed. And it looks like the planets may not be aligning for Djokovic after all. Friday is forecast to be cloudless in Paris and the hottest day of the year so far - 26 deg in the shade. That is going to hurt Novak. Plus it is going to be breezy. Basically Novak's nightmare conditions to play Nadal. If that happens then you can pretty much excpect the same outcome as last year (before and after the rain came).

 

[Rozroz]

the way Novak looks on the RG clay is totally different from they he played on the MC clay. he struggles with movement and depth.
edge is to Nadal i'm afraid.

 

[Chanwan]

I guess I did kinda sound like Mustard in that post huh? lol

hahaha - or perhaps I was just very tired. Anyhow - give me those stats please!

 

[pds999]

the way Novak looks on the RG clay is totally different from they he played on the MC clay. he struggles with movement and depth.
edge is to Nadal i'm afraid.

Agreed, and with the breeze staying all week and the sun coming out and getting hotter, Novak is simply going to have to hope Rafa has an off day. Otherwise there is only one winner.

 

[sbengte]

It really looks like things are falling in place for Rafa to win his eighth RG. It doesn't really matter how he is playing, it is just that there is no one until the semifinals who can even tire him out, forget beating him.

He avoided anyone who could trouble him or tire him out a bit in the early rounds when he was not in his usual beast mode. Now he gets an injured Wawrinka who had his last bit of energy snuffed out from him in his 5 setter against Gasquet, so Rafa is an absolute lock for the semifinals (not that it was ever in doubt).

Djokovic has not looked too impressive and could be in all kinds of trouble against an inspired Haas who recently had a win over him. If Djokovic makes it to the semifinals, Nadal will be ready to deal with him in his usual RG beast mode. Once Nadal makes it to the QF or so here, I think it is next to impossible to beat him because he will be on another level altogether. Any chances are in the earlier rounds when he is rusty, but anyone who could trouble him (Gulbis for instance) was nowhere near him in the draw.

 

[pds999]

It really looks like things are falling in place for Rafa to win his eighth RG. It doesn't really matter how he is playing, it is just that there is no one until the semifinals who can even tire him out, forget beating him.

He avoided anyone who could trouble him or tire him out a bit in the early rounds when he was not in his usual beast mode. Now he gets an injured Wawrinka who had his last bit of energy snuffed out from him in his 5 setter against Gasquet, so Rafa is an absolute lock for the semifinals (not that it was ever in doubt).

Djokovic has not looked too impressive and could be in all kinds of trouble against an inspired Haas who recently had a win over him. If Djokovic makes it to the semifinals, Nadal will be ready to deal with him in his usual RG beast mode. Once Nadal makes it to the QF or so here, I think it is next to impossible to beat him because he will be on another level altogether. Any chances are in the earlier rounds when he is rusty, but anyone who could trouble him (Gulbis for instance) was nowhere near him in the draw.

I have to agree with this. There is nothing really to suggest that the match up will be any different to the entire clay court season last year. If the sun is out, it is hot and breezy (the exact forecast for Friday) then Novak will have to hope Rafa is either ill or well below par. Otherwise there should only be one winner.

 

[Warmaster]

Nadal is already the massive favourite at this point.

Djokovic's only hope is that he is still in Nadal's head.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Nadal was the fav coming, and is still the fav. Djokovic is the only player with a legitimate shot at beating him. Nothing has changed that much. And nothing will come Friday, if both are standing there on court.

 

[malbaker86]

Nadal was the fav coming, and is still the fav. Djokovic is the only player with a legitimate shot at beating him. Nothing has changed that much. And nothing will come Friday, if both are standing there on court.

Yea Rafa is the favorite going into Friday no matter what happens in their respective QF matches (unless one has an epic 5 setter) but I think he'd be like a 55/45 favorite

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Yea Rafa is the favorite going into Friday no matter what happens in their respective QF matches (unless one has an epic 5 setter) but I think he'd be like a 55/45 favorite

Djokovic has more of a chance of being involved in a five setter. Nadal I don't think has ever lost a set to Wawrinka, and I don't know how much he has left anyway after his classic against Gasquet.

Nadal will be fav on Friday, it is just that the semi final is realistically the only match he can lose. But we all knew this before the event started, and with just one match left to go, nothing has changed that.

 

[malbaker86]

Djokovic has more of a chance of being involved in a five setter. Nadal I don't think has ever lost a set to Wawrinka, and I don't know how much he has left anyway after his classic against Gasquet.

Nadal will be fav on Friday, it is just that the semi final is realistically the only match he can lose. But we all knew this before the event started, and with just one match left to go, nothing has changed that.

Question is...will they slot this match first or second Friday?

Please be first since I have a HS graduation to attend at 2pm est and i'm about 1000% sure the NBC Sports app is going to have a crappy stream of the match.

 

[Steve0904]

Question is...will they slot this match first or second Friday?

Please be first since I have a HS graduation to attend at 2pm est and i'm about 1000% sure the NBC Sports app is going to have a crappy stream of the match.

You need a PVR (if you don't already have one). It's worth the money if you have it believe me.

 

[malbaker86]

You need a PVR (if you don't already have one). It's worth the money if you have it believe me.

*googles*

http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/wee-bey-gif.gif

well i'll be darned. never heard of this and i consider myself to be VERY well versed in techonology. see this is why I wish TT had a rep system because i'd plus rep you. I'm going to look into this.

 

[World Beater]

it would be good for tennis if nadal loses to nole.

then, nadal's comeback can really begin...

 

[Rina]

If Novak doesn't lose before he will most likely beat Nadal, IMO. Of course, I don't know this for sure, but I have the impression that Nadal is not mentally as stable as Novak, and will worry endlessly if he'll make a fool of himself and hence he will lose because of his obsessive personality. He doesn't deal well with losing, as seen in the past, and he certainly loses to Djokovic a lot.

 

[Clarky21]

If Novak doesn't lose before he will most likely beat Nadal, IMO. Of course, I don't know this for sure, but I have the impression that Nadal is not mentally as stable as Novak, and will worry endlessly if he'll make a fool of himself and hence he will lose because of his obsessive personality. He doesn't deal well with losing, as seen in the past, and he certainly loses to Djokovic a lot.

This is one of the dumbest things I have ever read on here. The one who doesn't deal with losing well is Cvac. All you have to do is listen for the foul obscenities to come flowing out when he starts losing or gets frustrated. Not to mention the sign smashing and racket smashing.

 

[veroniquem]

What I find interesting is the evolution of their history at RG. The first time they played was in 2006. Djoko was not a top player yet. He lost the first 2 sets 4-6 (before retiring) and made everyone laugh to tears with his notorious press conf comment "I felt I was in control of the match". In 2007, he managed to push one set to 7-5. In 2008, there was a spectacular 3rd set with a TB at the end and in 2012, he took a set.
The question is: does the Djoko progression continue in 2013? And can it jump to the extent of actually winning the whole match? (That's the "jump" Federer for instance was never able to make at RG). I hope both guys make it to the semi and we find out the answer.

 

[Fiji]

Djokovic-Tsonga final like AO 2008.

 

[maruzo]

we have couple of really tough and energetic players vying for the championship. I say wawrinka, tsonga, nadal, and djokovic all have a shot at the title.

Ferrer doesn't have a shot, at all.

 

[sbengte]

we have couple of really tough and energetic players vying for the championship. I say wawrinka, tsonga, nadal, and djokovic all have a shot at the title.

Ferrer doesn't have a shot, at all.

Wawrinka ? I mean, really ? He is injured and nearly didn't play RG. As if that wasn't enough, he just played a tough 5 setter against Gasquet, that virtually ended any prayer he had of taking a set off Nadal in the QF.

 

[World Beater]

Performances in Masters 1000 events do not necessarily indicate slam results. Look at Simon today. Look at Dimitrov the other day.

It will be a tight match if it happens. I hope it's a very very long and tiring 5 setter (Isner/Mahut style), with the winner playing Federer in the final.

yes. but out of the 8 quarterfinalists.

we have

all the finalists from the masters-series tournaments on clay.

nadal, fed, djoker, stan

historically masters 1000 clay events have great but not guaranteed predictive power at RG.

 

[maruzo]

yes. but out of the 8 quarterfinalists.

we have

all the finalists from the masters-series tournaments on clay.

nadal, fed, djoker, stan

historically masters 1000 clay events have great but not guaranteed predictive power at RG.

Fed's out of the picture now, so it's up to the others. Nadal and Djokovic will battle it out in the semis. Who's on the other side of the semis?

Tsonga and Haas? That'll be the end of Haas' run at the RG for sure.

Tsonga vs a tired nadal/ djokovic?

Looks like Tsonga will have his first shot at a grand slam final after all.

 

[T-Noone]

I don't know if his has been said...but this match will be completely on the racquet of Djokovic. If he comes out confident and aggressive, I think he can win in a solid four. But if he comes out shaky Nadal will take the opportunity and only get better.

 

[monfed]

If Djokovic wins the first set, then it will be curtains for Ralph. And if the court is damp then bye bye Ralph. :lol:

 

[Rina]

Wow, Clarky called my post dumbest! I am feeling pretty smart about myself due to that! After all we can all see which one of the players is OCD.

 

[Clarky21]

Wow, Clarky called my post dumbest! I am feeling pretty smart about myself due to that! After all we can all see which one of the players is OCD.

And we can see which one is a foul mouthed, racket smashing cretin. OCD or not Nadal behaves miles better on court than The Cretin does.

 

[Rina]

Wow again! Language, my dear, language!

 

[Fate Archer]

That second video is ridonkulous. That's exactly why I stopped liking him. Overkill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkfIuA46V0Q

 

[Clarky21]

that video obviously has a story behind it, and if it's true....why Novak why? Poor Murray.

Well, the story is that Andy gave an interview before the tournament started that he was getting stronger on clay. Cvac must have read it and this is what we get. He's such a classless cretin. How anybody can defend this type of behavior astounds me.

 

[Clarky21]

I give him a break for that. He was playing the third wheel to Federer and Nadal for 4 years, then he finally breaks through by going on the best 8 month streak of play in tennis history. Anyone would be pumped in that situation, especially saving those near match points and remaining undefeated.

What a pitiful excuse this is. He has no right to talk to others like that. Andy did nothing to deserve it at all.

 

[fed_da_man]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvIyPHWrXuc

 

[MichaelNadal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkfIuA46V0Q

Thanks for linking a video to all Djokovic's obnoxious celebrations in one place. Nadal nodded and shook his hand every time. Of course he's not going to give a 40 second handshake and light buddha candles at the net afterwards. With the way Djokovic is celebrating before the handshake in half of those, he's lucky Nadal did that.

 

[Incognito]

That second video is ridonkulous. That's exactly why I stopped liking him. Overkill.

I've never seen that video before and I felt bad for Murray. Murray didn't say anything bad to him...I'm actually shocked.

 

[Clarky21]

Thanks for linking a video to all Djokovic's obnoxious celebrations in one place. Nadal nodded and shook his hand every time. Of course he's not going to give a 40 second handshake and light buddha candles at the net afterwards. With the way Djokovic is celebrating before the handshake in half of those, he's lucky Nadal did that.

Truth. All of it.

 

[ledwix]

What a pitiful excuse this is. He has no right to talk to others like that. Andy did nothing to deserve it at all.

Of course he has the right to say what he wants and celebrate as he wants once the match is over. He was being cocky in that moment, sure, but Murray has way worse sportsmanship than Djokovic anyway. Djokovic often congratulates good shots by opponents, while Murray just gets pi$$ed off at how good the shot was.

Mostly this just seems like a way to make Djokovic into a devil since he has been a Nadal-killer lately.

 

[Clarky21]

Of course he has the right to say what he wants and celebrate as he wants once the match is over. He was being cocky in that moment, sure, but Murray has way worse sportsmanship than Djokovic anyway. Djokovic often congratulates good shots by opponents, while Murray just gets pi$$ed off at how good the shot was.

Mostly this just seems like a way to make Djokovic into a devil since he has been a Nadal-killer lately.

This match wasn't even against Nadal so sorry, that's not it. I have never liked this guy and this sort of terrible sportsmanship and vile behavior is exactly why.

Do you play? If so, I hope your next opponent screams unwarranted vulgarities at you because he beat you. Maybe then you'll see how awful this behavior really is since it seems to be lost on you just by looking at this video.

 

[ledwix]

Do you play? If so, I hope your next opponent screams unwarranted vulgarities at you because he beat you. Maybe then you'll see how awful this behavior really is since it seems to be lost on you just by looking at this video.

Yeah I've had similar things happen to me, and I've also done it myself. Not anymore, as I don't care about the results of matches as much as when I was in my angsty teenage stage. Generally I get over it and the other people get over it too, as it is kind of a heat-of-the-moment thing. That's at least how it's been in my experience.