So how good was Djokovic against Berrettini in Roland Garros ?

[Bumbaliceps]

I haven't seen the match. My gut feeling tells me Berrettini has no business taking sets to Djokovic because of the match-up issues and therefore Novak had to have somewhat allowed for the match to be this competitive. I just can't see Berr breaking Novak's serve without a major dip from the serb.

That's why only a bad Novak could lose this final IMO (very original take, isn't it?) but if you all told me that it was actually Berrettini who played well enough to trouble Djokovic that much, that would change a lot of things. For sure Berrettini can put some insane service games so if he could do it on clay why not on grass.

Anyway, Novak has the key, just playing his best tennis and secure the win, whatever version of Matteo comes in
I have to say there would be some disappointment in seeing Berrettini become the first of the next gen to win a slam but hey it would still be exciting.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

He was good but not consistently over the whole match.

 

[Raul_SJ]

Very concerning Berry was able to take set from Djoker on clay... And he has improved since Paris. Unless Djoker raises his level, this could easily go five sets.

 

[Nostradamus]

I haven't seen the match. My gut feeling tells me Berrettini has no business taking sets to Djokovic because of the match-up issues and therefore Novak had to have somewhat allowed for the match to be this competitive. I just can't see Berr breaking Novak's serve without a major dip from the serb.

That's why only a bad Novak could lose this final IMO (very original take, isn't it?) but if you all told me that it was actually Berrettini who played well enough to trouble Djokovic that much, that would change a lot of things. For sure Berrettini can put some insane service games so if he could do it on clay why not on grass.

Anyway, Novak has the key, just playing his best tennis and secure the win, whatever version of Matteo comes in
I have to say there would be some disappointment in seeing Berrettini become the first of the next gen to win a slam but hey it would still be exciting.

Berrentini will destroy novak with his power game on this fast grass court cause his game will be amplified 20 X on this surface. Novak has no hope

 

[One]

Novak was goating in first 2 sets. I remember thinking he was going to beat Rafa with that level. Lost 3 points on serve in 3rd set, before choking in TB. Was unable to beat Mateo easily in 4 since he was serving bombs during whole 3rd and 4th set.

 

[Bumbaliceps]

Berrentini will destroy novak with his power game on this fast grass court cause his game will be amplified 20 X on this surface. Novak has no hope

Thank you kind sorcerer I will sell my kidney so I can bet even more money on the stallion

 

[FranzS]

At least 4x6x3=72 aces and a bit of good luck on return an he can do it. (I actually hope it goes that way)

 

[Kralingen]

I actually think the clay kinda helped Berrettini in that it allowed him the time to wind up for some big FHs. Intuitively you’d think it would hurt him, but in rallies that extra second to run around a BH and hit a FH makes a big difference. Berrettini and Djokovic were pretty much equal to my eye in the 3rd and 4th sets though.

 

[BrooklynNY]

Berrettini serves 130+ and hits forehands 100mph+. - at least that's what he did when he lost to Novak in Roland Garros. He manages his backhand well with his slice, and on grass it will be even more effective.

He's playing well and basically has only lost to Djokovic in the last 6 weeks. Djokovic will have his hands full in the final

 

[DSH]

I haven't seen the match. My gut feeling tells me Berrettini has no business taking sets to Djokovic because of the match-up issues and therefore Novak had to have somewhat allowed for the match to be this competitive. I just can't see Berr breaking Novak's serve without a major dip from the serb.

That's why only a bad Novak could lose this final IMO (very original take, isn't it?) but if you all told me that it was actually Berrettini who played well enough to trouble Djokovic that much, that would change a lot of things. For sure Berrettini can put some insane service games so if he could do it on clay why not on grass.

Anyway, Novak has the key, just playing his best tennis and secure the win, whatever version of Matteo comes in
I have to say there would be some disappointment in seeing Berrettini become the first of the next gen to win a slam but hey it would still be exciting.

Even the "son of God" can have a bad day.

 

[Bumbaliceps]

I actually think the clay kinda helped Berrettini in that it allowed him the time to wind up for some big FHs. Intuitively you’d think it would hurt him, but in rallies that extra second to run around a BH and hit a FH makes a big difference. Berrettini and Djokovic were pretty much equal to my eye in the 3rd and 4th sets though.

Yeah I see what you mean but I think the key for Matteo is to have comfortable service games, rather than having more chances on the return. The slowness of clay definitely helps his case with the forehand but ultimately I think that whenever Djokovic has the opportunity to make a big guy move a lot, his opponent has no chance.

 

[Bumbaliceps]

Even the "son of God" can have a bad day.

Yeah, it appeared to me he just had it today so I don't expect it to happen again. But if Berrettini wins because Novak sukks, that wouldn't be satisfying. I want an epic please

 

[Kralingen]

Yeah I see what you mean but I think the key for Matteo is to have comfortable service games, rather than having more chances on the return. The slowness of clay definitely helps his case with the forehand but ultimately I think that whenever Djokovic has the opportunity to make a big guy move a lot, his opponent has no chance.

Yeah, the dynamics are a lot different here.

Novak’s go to shot was the drop shot which works really well on clay - he played almost no droppers vs Denis today. That dynamic is going to be very interesting, because if he can get Berrettini out of position he has the clear advantage. Djokovic isn’t much of a junk baller but I kept saying that’s the way to beat Berrettini in previous matches.

overall though with every shot taken in a rally the odds shift more and more to Novak. Both players know this so it will be interesting to watch.

 

[daggerman]

I thought Novak's level in that match was very high. The first two sets were more competitive than the 6-3, 6-2 scoreline suggests, but Novak was clearly the better player and deserved to be up 2 sets. Sets 3 and 4 were much closer in score and in level, mostly due to Berrettini increasing his aggression on his serve and first ball forehand, but it should be noted that Berrettini didn't generate a single break point in either of those sets.

One thing that stands out to me about that match is that Novak was hitting his DTL backhand much better than he's been hitting it in Wimbledon so far. That's going to be a crucial shot for him against an opponent who spends so much time camped out in his backhand side trying to hit forehands. We'll see if Novak can bring his best backhand to Centre Court on Sunday.

 

[Technology Ruined Tennis]

They'll have to bring back the Pancho rules to stop Berr from winning 12 straight slams after the demolition on Sunday.

 

[Third Serve]

He was good in the first two sets, wavered a little bit in the last two (though Berrettini made improvements of his own).

 

[SonnyT]

His serves will be much more of a weapon here than at RG. If he takes the 1st set on Sunday, anything can happen.

Remember there was a thread a few weeks ago asking who would be the next king of Wimbledon. Most said Medvedev and Tsisipas. I think I voted Med; I'd like to change my vote right now.

 

[Bumbaliceps]

I thought Novak's level in that match was very high. The first two sets were more competitive than the 6-3, 6-2 scoreline suggests, but Novak was clearly the better player and deserved to be up 2 sets. Sets 3 and 4 were much closer in score and in level, mostly due to Berrettini increasing his aggression on his serve and first ball forehand, but it should be noted that Berrettini didn't generate a single break point in either of those sets.

One thing that stands out to me about that match is that Novak was hitting his DTL backhand much better than he's been hitting it in Wimbledon so far. That's going to be a crucial shot for him against an opponent who spends so much time camped out in his backhand side trying to hit forehands. We'll see if Novak can bring his best backhand to Centre Court on Sunday.

Wow if he had so much trouble with Novak's serve on clay it should be an impossible mission on grass ! So basically everything is in Novak's hands. I really don't see him having another subpar day, even though it is unlikely that he finds his best backhand, if he had trouble with that shot the whole tournament I don't see it changing. Maybe it is just the number 20 that is giving him some tightness in the stomach!

 

[Bumbaliceps]

His serves will be much more of a weapon here than at RG. If he takes the 1st set on Sunday, anything can happen.

Remember there was a thread a few weeks ago asking who would be the next king of Wimbledon. Most said Medvedev and Tsisipas. I think I voted Med; I'd like to change my vote right now.

You are very high on him ! I wouldn't be that confident, I don't think you can be the king of any slam if you are not an elite mover

 

[Bartelby]

Djokovic seems to like spotting people sets, which is a luxury he could ill-afford one day.

Very concerning Berry was able to take set from Djoker on clay... And he has improved since Paris. Unless Djoker raises his level, this could easily go five sets.

 

[Shaj]

Novak was close to imperious, made Berrets serve a non factor for 2 sets...Only he choked in the Tie Breaker somehow and un Novak like and lost the 3rd. And by then it had become close to a war. Novak only happy to not to let the match go to the 5th.

Berrets serve and forehand was on fire in last 2 sets. But look, this guy lacks self belief to beat Novak, no disrespect to him. At the end of the match he looked happy only to drag Novak to 4 sets...

 

[SonnyT]

I didn't realize how tough Djokovic's RG draw really was: Sinner-Berrettini-Nadal-Tsisipas.

 

[Third Serve]

I didn't realize how tough Djokovic's RG draw really was: Sinner-Berrettini-Nadal-Tsisipas.

He didn’t face Sinner. It was Musetti:

 

[NintendoTennis1990]

I didn't realize how tough Djokovic's RG draw really was: Sinner-Berrettini-Nadal-Tsisipas.

Not impressive except Nadal, when you consider that Musetti and Tsitsipas bascially were better than Djokovic, but also was mugs

 

[helterskelter]

I actually think the clay kinda helped Berrettini in that it allowed him the time to wind up for some big FHs. Intuitively you’d think it would hurt him, but in rallies that extra second to run around a BH and hit a FH makes a big difference. Berrettini and Djokovic were pretty much equal to my eye in the 3rd and 4th sets though.

He is clearly a clay and grass specialist who is weaker on hard. As you say, clay gives him time and helps his forehand. Grass accentuates his serve and also helps his slice backhand. On hard, he might not have enough time for his forehand and his slice backhand might not work.

 

[WildRevolver]

I actually think the clay kinda helped Berrettini in that it allowed him the time to wind up for some big FHs. Intuitively you’d think it would hurt him, but in rallies that extra second to run around a BH and hit a FH makes a big difference. Berrettini and Djokovic were pretty much equal to my eye in the 3rd and 4th sets though.

That’s interesting. Hadn’t thought about that but I think you’re right.

 

[EllieK]

His serves will be much more of a weapon here than at RG. If he takes the 1st set on Sunday, anything can happen.

Remember there was a thread a few weeks ago asking who would be the next king of Wimbledon. Most said Medvedev and Tsisipas. I think I voted Med; I'd like to change my vote right now.

Anyone who thought Tsitsipas would be the next king of Wimbledon is a lunatic.