This was a huge win by Djokovic vs. Nadal

[TheTruth]

I'm a huge Nole fan, but let's give Rafa his due. Rafa won against much tougher opponents on his way to the final:

Nadal beat Chardy, Nishikori, Lopez, Dlogopolov, Federer. All these are hot, up-and-coming players except for Federer, who is normally much better on HC. Federer was sadly more of a "walkover" - he just didn't show up.


Djokovic beat Istomin, Blake, Troicki, Anderson and Fish. All of these guys are inferior opponents that Nole would be expected to hammer with no problem.

Good point.

 

[TheTruth]

I don't really agree. It happened to Rafa with the kind of flat hitters he always had trouble with, and not always, just in certain matches he was losing without not many chances of recovering and she seemed rightly annoyed or sad. Also it's usual to see Nadal starting a bit out of focus in many matches, he's kinda slow starter and it's not unusual to see him losing a first set or at least losing a number of games at the start.

But I don't think I've seen Nadal that nervous in late stages of a match he had good chances of winning, as yesterday. He's a clutch player, that's one of his main traits and he's known for that. Maybe, and now I'm just making a hypothesis here, he was a bit intimidated by Djokovic's streak, or by the perceived importance of having to prove he's the #1, or something like that.
It wouldn't be strange, it's what happened to Federer when Nadal got into his head. In Federer's prime, I never saw Roger so intimidated against any other player. Now I think I saw this in Nadal. I could be wrong though.

You could be right too. Nadal himself said that he was nervous, he may have put too much stress on himself instead of just playing his game.

 

[NamRanger]

You could be right too. Nadal himself said that he was nervous, he may have put too much stress on himself instead of just playing his game.

This I agree with. Nadal clearly looked abit flustered considering Djokovic was playing well within himself (not really going for huge shots like most guys) for the most part, and mixing up his game very well (attacked by the forehand and backhand, hit heavy / flat, lots of angles and change of direction).

 

[slice bh compliment]

^Good assessment. If I may add, the level of ''Djokovic playing within himself'' has gone up a notch or two....and is nowadays as damaging as some players' high risk stuff. He seems so much more natural coming in, too. Very confident. Quick but not in a hurry. Explosive but also patient in a way. And other sports cliches.

 

[Sentinel]

Anyway, I'm still wondering if Djokovic can take this kind of mental fight to a fifth set in front of Nadal, in case it happens. Nadal is more of a clutch player than Djokovic, I think.

I can't say about current form, but i think Nadal will still hold an edge in a five setter (based on past matches). And if it's a major, he won't let up.

I am not reading too much into this loss. Not just as yet. I'd be more than happy if Nole can hold this form for a few more months, until then Rafa's my horse.

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

^good analysis of the current moment

 

[F-T-S]

Was it straight sets ? I was rooting for Nole, but i somehow felt Nole escaped.

Hehehe. He's gone from a boy to a man now. Kudos Joker!

 

[Sentinel]

It's great to finally see someone standing up to Rafa. However, i wish it had been someone with talent ... like Murray.

Or someone likable, like Soderling.

 

[Tony48]

Djoker beatin Nadal on HC is not an upset. It's the norm if you look at their HC H2H.

Nadal is higher ranked and the oddsmakers had Nadal winning.

How is that NOT an upset?

 

[ToSiMpHaL]

Likable ?

It's great to finally see someone standing up to Rafa. However, i wish it had been someone with talent ... like Murray.

Or someone likable, like Soderling.

Heu do ya think Soderling, or Murray likeable ?

 

[stringertom]

Bump Bump

It's great to finally see someone standing up to Rafa. However, i wish it had been someone with talent ... like Murray.

Or someone likable, like Soderling.

LOL. I guess subsequent poster didn't catch your sarcasm.

 

[nikdom]

It's great to finally see someone standing up to Rafa. However, i wish it had been someone with talent ... like Murray.

Or someone likable, like Soderling.

Djoker has no talent? huh, never heard that one before.

I do agree he's not that great on the likeability index. Less chest-thumping and standing ovations from his team on every point would be good. Plus the Djoker makes the worst faces when making his shots - worse than Nadal. Well, not every body can be as effortless and elegant as Roger (was) but hey, we'll take what we get.

 

[Omega_7000]

I agree. He needed to win a close match to gain confidence against Nadal & this win might be a turning point in their rivalry.

 

[Sentinel]

Djoker has no talent? huh, never heard that one before.

I do agree he's not that great on the likeability index. Less chest-thumping and standing ovations from his team on every point would be good. Plus the Djoker makes the worst faces when making his shots - worse than Nadal. Well, not every body can be as effortless and elegant as Roger (was) but hey, we'll take what we get.

Cmon, nikdom, you know me better than that. Check @stringertom's reply.