French Open 2012

walshb wrote: »

Novak 2 sets to nil up! Yes!

As usual Federer's unforced eror count is killing him. So hope Novak wins now. Hate to see Federer win and then lose in the final due to all his unforced errors.

Federer just threw the second set away ,3 times he broke Djokovic and he couldnt follow it up.
He was 4-2 and 40-15 up on Djokovics serve but blew it.

He has looked nervous right from the start .
Djokovic is just foraging and keeping the ball in play while Federer is the aggressor and is making too many unforced errors.

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

Federer just threw the second set away ,3 times he broke Djokovic and he couldnt follow it up.
He was 4-2 and 40-15 up on Djokovics serve but blew it.

He has looked nervous right from the start .
Djokovic is just foraging and keeping the ball in play while Federer is the aggressor and is making too many unforced errors.

Story of Fed's recent career. Just too inconsistent. I always root for him but I want to see a real competitive final tomorrow, and to me, Novak will bring that.

Novak wraps it up. 6/4; 7/5; 6/3!

Federer's unforced error count was 45. Novak's was 14.

walshb wrote: »

Story of Fed's recent career. Just too inconsistent. I always root for him but I want to see a real competitive final tomorrow, and to me, Novak will bring that.

Too inconsistent but I think its fair to say that he will struggle to win another Grand Slam primarily due to how slow the courts are now.
Its almost impossible to put the ball away against Nadal and Djokovic who are so fast ,its favouring the grinders too much.

Skid wrote: »

I hope Nadal v Djokovic is another classic.

I think Nadal will do it, but if anyone is going to beat him, it's Djokovic. I don't think Federer would have had a chance.

I agree with you, but whether it will a classic like their final match at the Aussies I really doubt it. Like you rightly mentioned, Nadal would have decimated any other player on sunday without a doubt.

I feel Nadal will be too hard to beat on clay not in his current form,but Novak is a beast and can play some insane tennis when pushed to the edge. I think it will be down to their state of mind, if Nadal can overcome his previous losses to Novak and show 100% concentration, Novak does not have a chance. Rafa will surely be tested on sunday, especially in the opening set, how he deals with it will determine the outcome of the match.

It is time the rivalry is sorted out, If Novak wins he will not only make history but he will dominate men's tennis for a very long time to come. If Nadal wins, he will be the undisputed best clay court player ever and will have the momentum to go on and win other majors and maybe equal or surpass Fed's 16 grand slam wins.

I'd say bring on Sunday!

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

I'd like to see Djokovic win but he hasn't a chance, I expect an easy straight sets victory for Nadal. I would love to see the final between this Nadal and 2011 djokovic, that would be epic.

That's a bit too sure, no? Novak has shown that he has Nadal's number over a 5 set slam match. He has also beaten him several times on clay over 3 sets. He well has the beatings of him.

The guy is a born winner, and if on form on Sunday he sure can win this. Novak may not be at the absolute 2011 level, but you don't get to the French Final unless you're are on very good form. Last year he didn't get to the final. I think this is a very close one. I will make Nadal a warm favourite, but if Novak gets set 1, I could see him win.

walshb wrote: »

That's a bit too sure, no? Novak has shown that he has Nadal's number over a 5 set slam match. He has also beaten him several times on clay over 3 sets. He well has the beatings of him.

The guy is a born winner, and if on form on Sunday he sure can win this. Novak may not be at the absolute 2011 level, but you don't get to the French Final unless you're are on very good form. Last year he didn't get to the final. I think this is a very close one. I will make Nadal a warm favourite, but if Novak gets set 1, I could see him win.

Agree with some your points there, Novak has won their last 3 grand slam meetings, two of them in 2011.

However you are wrong with all other assertions, Djokovic has never beaten Nadal on clay over 3 sets- Nadal has a 11-2 advantage over Novak on clay, the two matches he has beaten Nadal on clay was last year((2011, when he was in an incredible form)) in Rome and Madrid- all in 2 sets. And as for your claim that Novak has Nadal's number over a 5 set slam match- seriously?? That has only happened once and that was at the Aussie Open earlier this year which was a very very close match.

Novak is a born winner but so is Nadal, Fed, Sampras, Aggasi, Borg etc etc . I agree Novak didnt get to the Finals by accident, of course he has proved he is phenomenal tennis player- right there on top of the table BUT I think you might be over playing his record over Nadal.

I sincerely can't call this match, so many variables involved- state of mind, confidence, determination, the weather, luck, the crowd etc BUT if it is based on talent, expertise and ability on the clay court- there would be only 1 winner- Nadal. No doubt!

walshb wrote: »

My reference to 5 sets and 3 sets was "best of." I should have made that clearer. Novak has clay wins over best of 3 sets and has slam wins recently over best of 5 sets.

BTW, the Aussie win over 5 sets was close on the scoreboard but to me Novak always looked better and stronger.

As for only one winner based on talent and expertise on clay? No doubt? Well, explain the two clay wins in 2011 for Novak? Nadal is awesome on clay, but beatable.

Thanks for clearing that up- I should have copped on. However you still exaggerated when you said Novak has beaten Nadal several times on clay, he has only beaten Nadal twice on clay - all in 2011 when he was in an incredible form that has since dipped.

Your view on their match at the Aussie finals is your own interpretation, I felt it marked a shift- a turning point if you like from Novak's dominance over Nadal in their previous encounters. That was the only time it took Novak 5 sets to defeat Nadal, unlike the Wimbledon and the US open where he strolled to win both finals in 4 sets.

I never said he was unbeatable on clay- no one is. But only one man has beaten him in Roland Garros. As for his 2 defeats to Novak on clay in 2011, he lost those matches even before they were played, Novak had a psychological hold on him at the time but you have remember that he was regained both the Rome and Madrid Clay titles by beating- guess who? Novak. That is what I meant by talent and expertise.

KINGVictor wrote: »

Thanks for clearing that up- I should have copped on. However you still exaggerated when you said Novak has beaten Nadal several times on clay, he has only beaten Nadal twice on clay - all in 2011 when he was in an incredible form that has since dipped.

Your view on their match at the Aussie finals is your own interpretation, I felt it marked a shift- a turning point if you like from Novak's dominance over Nadal in their previous encounters. That was the only time it took Novak 5 sets to defeat Nadal, unlike the Wimbledon and the US open where he strolled to win both finals in 4 sets.

I never said he was unbeatable on clay- no one is. But only one man has beaten him in Roland Garros. As for his 2 defeats to Novak on clay in 2011, he lost those matches even before they were played, Novak had a psychological hold on him at the time but you have remember that he was regained both the Rome and Madrid Clay titles by beating- guess who? Novak. That is what I meant by talent and expertise.

Monte Carlo and Rome?

I could easily say it was Novak's talent and expertise on clay in 2011 if you want to use this as a reason as to why Nadal won the last two clay matches.

And, the last win over Novak was an under par Novak. Didn't a relative pass away that week?

Anyway, looking forward to this match. I need a reliable stream if anyone has one?

walshb wrote: »

Monte Carlo and Rome?

I could easily say it was Novak's talent and expertise on clay in 2011 if you want to use this as a reason as to why Nadal won the last two clay matches.

And, the last win over Novak was an under par Novak. Didn't a relative pass away that week?

Anyway, looking forward to this match. I need a reliable stream if anyone has one?

Yes he lost his Grandfather shortly before the Rome Masters which can somewhat explain his loss to Rafa at the Monte Calo Open.

He is a professional tennis player though, he could have easily excluded himself from the tournament if he wasnt in the right state of mind. Nadal had to deal with his parents seperation at the French Open in 2009, he lost to Soderling and he didnt use that as an excuse.

My argument is based on two things;

Firstly, Nadal would have lost any match to Novak in 2011 even if it was played in his hometown in Majorca, he was psychologically defeated before he started any match with Novak at the time.

Secondly, Rafa has "partially overcome" that confidence trap. He is yet to drop a set in the tournament, his serve is so much better, and crucially, only one player has managed to break his serve in the whole tourney- in the first round. Speaks volume!

This is Nadal's territory, he is near perfect at it, even if Novak played his best tennis match ever, he will find it difficult to play Nadal on a slow clay court.

I have explained in a previous post that there are many elements in what will determine the winner tomorrow i.e. weather, crowd, self belief etc....

Anyway I hope(barring any weather disruptions), we would have the results of the match in less than 24 hours. I would go for Nadal in 4 sets.

P.S. I thought I was the only one watching the matches via livescorehunter.com but obviously I am wrong. Its a grand site alright but can be slow and chaotic sometimes but its not too bad.

KINGVictor wrote: »

Yes he lost his Grandfather shortly before the Rome Masters which can somewhat explain his loss to Rafa at the Monte Calo Open.

He is a professional tennis player though, he could have easily excluded himself from the tournament if he wasnt in the right state of mind. Nadal had to deal with his parents seperation at the French Open in 2009, he lost to Soderling and he didnt use that as an excuse.

My argument is based on two things;

Firstly, Nadal would have lost any match to Novak in 2011 even if it was played in his hometown in Majorca, he was psychologically defeated before he started any match with Novak at the time.

Secondly, Rafa has "partially overcome" that confidence trap. He is yet to drop a set in the tournament, his serve is so much better, and crucially, only one player has managed to break his serve in the whole tourney- in the first round. Speaks volume!

This is Nadal's territory, he is near perfect at it, even if Novak played his best tennis match ever, he will find it difficult to play Nadal on a slow clay court.

I have explained in a previous post that there are many elements in what will determine the winner tomorrow i.e. weather, crowd, self belief etc....

Anyway I hope(barring any weather disruptions), we would have the results of the match in less than 24 hours. I would go for Nadal in 4 sets.

P.S. I thought I was the only one watching the matches via livescorehunter.com but obviously I am wrong. Its a grand site alright but can be slow and chaotic sometimes but its not too bad.

Well, I watched all their matches in 2011, and I don't see how you can put the losses down mostly to Nadal not being mentally right to beat Novak. That to me is a cop out. They have played 18 or so times or so since 2009 and Novak leads 10-8 I think. So, were all those Nadal losses due to the psychological element, or only the 2011 losses?

I think overall that Novak is a better player and has the perfect blend and style to always cause Nadal major problems. He can compete with Nadal in the power rallies, agility, court coverage and shot placement. He seems that bit stronger, as well as every bit as fit. The Aussie Open showed to me that Novak was stronger and the one mainly controlling the rallies. Sure, Nadal got two sets and made it close, but overall it was Novak who was the boss.

I agree that RGs clay court will suit Rafael that bit more, as it's slower, but I think Novak is on form now, peaking at this tournament, and that he will make this ultra close and possibly win.

Having to settle for paddypower scoring. Nadla's serve broken for the second time in the whole tournament!

Novak looked a firm second for the opening 20 minutes or so, but the match has evened out a little bit since. Still very early to call it but as would be expected Nadal has shown he has an edge over him.

jupiterjack wrote: »

http://www.vipbox.tv/sports/tennis.html
try this one.

Thanks, but it's just click after click after click!

And a break up in set two. Looks ominous for Novak! I really hope he can get back into it!

Shame! Match postponed till tomorrow afternoon. Novak was on a roll there and it would have interesting to see Nadal's responce.

It will surely be a tough match tomorrow with both players having a rest and hopefully it doesnt rain again.

Hopefully it'll be delayed until the evening. That way I can get home from work to watch it!

Seriously disappointing though. Nice chill Sunday with the house to myself and the bloody thing gets called off.

I happened to catch a replay of the womens final today during the rain delay. I had to switch it off. How anyone can sit and watch and listen to that shouting and grunting and groaning. It's really off putting. Sickening site.

Its pretty annoying alright. Understandable if you really have to stretch for a ball or something. But there's a lot of players just taking the piss now.

walshb wrote: »

How anyone can sit and watch and listen to that shouting and grunting and groaning. It's really off putting. Sickening site.

Werent the WTF supposed to do something about this about 10 years ago ??
Its gone beyond a joke now as you rightly say

About time the organisers sort it out, it is not only distracting but it is unfair to the opponent, especially if they are not as vocal.

Its cheating ,pure and simple,they do it to distract their opponent.

"The findings were unequivocal," says Scott Sinnett, the study's lead author. "When the video clips did have a grunt, the participants were not only slower to react but they had lower accuracy levels." Although the study has yet to be conducted on an actual tennis court, Sinnett and colleagues believe that, in real-world scenarios, a player's grunting similarly affects his or her opponent's shot perception and reaction time.