RG'14 SF: Ernests Gulbis [18] vs Novak Djokovic [2]

Who wins?

  • Total voters
    132
  • Poll closed .
aldeayeah

aldeayeah

G.O.A.T.
The Joker vs. the Wild Card

H2H 1-4 (0-1 on clay)

IW 2011 R32 Djokovic def Gulbis 60 61
Basel 2010 R32 Djokovic def Gulbis 64 62
Brisbane 2009 R32 Gulbis def Djokovic 64 64
Cincy 2008 QF Djokovic def Gulbis 63 64
RG 2008 QF Djokovic def Gulbis 75 76(3) 75

I guess Djokovic in 3, but Gulbis is hot stuff right now...
 
Last edited:
aldeayeah

aldeayeah

G.O.A.T.
Their last match was a long time ago, the year of Djokovic 2.0 and Gulbis 0.1alpha. I wonder if Gulbis 2.0 will fare better...
 
monfed

monfed

Banned
Nole in 4. But this is easily the hardest SF opponent Nole could've got. Ernie serves big, hits big of both wings, is on a hot run, Nole will be on edge the entire match.
 
aldeayeah

aldeayeah

G.O.A.T.
Let's also remember that they actually played in RG before in 2008, in Gulbis' sole slam QF until this year.

It was a tight match with many BPs, 7-5, 7-6(3), 7-5.

I think Djokovic is playing too well for Ernests to have a chance, but he's already surprised me twice, so hey...
 
Terenigma

Terenigma

G.O.A.T.
Gulbis has had 2 huge wins in a row playing exceptional tennis from what iv seen (against Federer) and what iv read (against Berdych) but i think asking him to do it 3 times in a row is too much. I feel Djokovic will be too strong, making sure he's in the final.

Novak in 3.
 
tennis_pro

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
No scoreline would surprise me, even Gulbis winning in straight sets.

But Djokovic probably takes it in 3 or 4 tight sets.
 
TeamOB

TeamOB

Professional
Nole should win. He is playing better then Fed and Fed would have dispatched Gulbis easily if not for a total brain-cramp in the 2nd set. Nole won't choke like that so my vote goes to Nole in 3 or 4. Should be a good match. Gulbis is playing quite well.
 
tennis_pro

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
jm1980 said:
He's a drama queen. And that forehand is the ugliest in the Top 20 by some distance.
Click to expand...

TeamOB said:
He is a spoiled princess :twisted:
Click to expand...

I agree about his forehand. That one stroke is holding me back from really rooting for him 24/7. But he's a funny dude, not arogant, just very confident in his abilities and he's got the results to back it up, especially now. Like him or not, he draws attention and that's what it's all about.

And he's no wimp unlike just about every tennis player I can imagine (in the last 15 years) other than Safin.
 
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powerangle

powerangle

Legend
If they both play at the level they showed today (their respective QF matches), then Gulbis probably has the edge. If they both play at their best, then Novak edges it. Novak will have to stay focused and he cannot afford to go on one of his end of set/match mental walkabouts.
 
S

spinovic

Hall of Fame
Terenigma said:
Gulbis has had 2 huge wins in a row playing exceptional tennis from what iv seen (against Federer) and what iv read (against Berdych) but i think asking him to do it 3 times in a row is too much. I feel Djokovic will be too strong, making sure he's in the final.

Novak in 3.
Click to expand...

I'm with you. Gulbis has been great, but was somewhat lucky to get past Federer. Djokovic is playing lights out.

I think his defense will eventually make Gulbis crack. Ernie hasn't played anyone who can defend on Novak's level yet, so it will be really interesting to me to see if he can keep his cool when those rockets that were winners against Berdych and Federer keep coming back. I don't think he can handle it on this big of a stage. But, I could be wrong. Either way, good to see some new faces in the mix.

Anyway, I'm with you - I think Djokovic takes it in straight sets. I think Novak is taking this title and I don't think he'll have to play a five set match to do so.
 
WhiskeyEE

WhiskeyEE

G.O.A.T.
Novak's BH is too strong and he's too good at re-directing the ball to let Gulbis hit his backhand all day.

Cilic, Tsonga, and Raonic were good warm-ups for a big server like Gulbis. I have a feeling Gulbis will be nervous as well.
 
Warmaster

Warmaster

Hall of Fame
Djokovic is obviously the favourite but if Gulbis plays like he did against Berdych he could be in trouble.
 
Backspin1183

Backspin1183

Talk Tennis Guru
This could be a 5 setter. Gulbis right now is a better version of Cilic who did ok against Novak despite too many unforced errors and lack of belief.
 
veroniquem

veroniquem

Bionic Poster
You never know with an unexpected red hot player on a streak and a confidence high. Look at Tsonga in AO 2008.
That being said, Djoko's return game and groundstroke solidity are head and shoulders above either Fed's or Berd's.
Possibly the most intriguing encounter of this fortnight. But maybe this is the year for unexpected finalists, following in AO's footsteps. I hope not of course, rooting for a Rafanole special as the climax of yet another slam. (I also believe that Gulb's newfound mental steadiness would very likely implode in a slam final, making it even harder to root for him in semi as I want the final to be spectacular and gripping.)
 
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