Semi Final Day - 10/09 Day 12

First topic message reminder :

Here it is guys.

Straight shootout

Federer v Djokovic

Murray v Nadal

Mad for Chelsea wrote:Roger's footwork is shot, match over. Well done to Novak for sticking with him for long enough, but it is worrying for Roger if he's knackered after two hours tennis or less

That's ten years on tour, plus a six-year dominant period catching up with him. It's also part of the natural aging process.

He has become a horrible returner.

Roger is going to remain at 16 slams.

it's a shame to see such a great player struggle so badly...

Roger has just really dropped his level in terms of first serve %

Jahu i'd like to see you play bo5's at 30 years of age when you've already achieved everything and aren't able to train as often as in the past..

GP - its a few factors here. Nole is definitely hitting the ball harder than the 1st set, and more accurately left and right. I agree its also physical but they've only been playing over 2 hours, Federer SHOULD NOT be waning like this, its not been THAT brutal. The loss of speed might point to it being mental - we know Federer can tend to panic as matches get close, and mental panic drains your energy, dries up your footwork, stops you thinking clearly and executing technique...its not just about pure energy loss.

I presume he'll throw this set to conserve energy for the 5th now...

Simple_Analyst wrote:Federer's tactically prowess and on-court intelligent will be tested here. If i were him, i'll sleep through this set and be more fresher for the 5th set. Is Annacone allowed to write this one a piece of paper and pass it over to him?

There was a match many years ago (black and white footage) where a guy was a break up and saved his energy to serve for the match by simply not bothering to return his opponent's serve for all 4 points. Then he lost his own serve and went on to lose the match - classic!

Can't watch this anymore. Fed playing like he doesn't care any more, Djokovic his usual boring style.

Del boy on Gold, sounds better.

I thought Federer was God some sets ago, Well Djokovic is making a mockery of him now. Lol another ball goes into the crowd. Mentally, he is back in Basel.

socal1976 wrote:Novak is striking cleaner right now GP. His forehand is hitting its spots and he is seeing Roger's serve better and serving better.

Sure, but how come? Simply because a different ball is coming at him. It's all too obvious

Mad for Chelsea wrote:it's a shame to see such a great player struggle so badly...

If he loses heavily today, and by that I mean really fizzles out in the last set, you wonder for his ongoing motivation and commitment to even playing on the tour if he knows he cant compete physically or mentally at today's highest level any more.

Wow what a forehand clips the line

Will he be able to summon any energy for the final set? He's gonna have to force it. I expect the crowd will get some free balls.

The fact of the case is Djokovic has become singly the most dominant player the game has ever seen in all ways and forms this year. Let us not kid ourself, unless a miracle happens, he will walk the final on monday. He is that incredible!

GP, even young players lose from time to time when ahead in matches. Have you seen some of the quality shots Novak is hitting half the time Roger is half volleying the ball from the baseline. Sure age and conditioning is part of it but they aren't even at the 3 hour mark yet.

Jahu.. you're either new to tennis or you just don't understand how difficult the game is when you're arms are getting weary and you've won everything...

Roger's back is probably in the red for about half an hour now. Didn't he had the heart of a lion he would walk off court by now. This is easy competition for Nole.

Socal, just enjoy your men's win but don't try to convince me. I'm not buying your nonsense. I know what happens out there

40-0 to deuce....

Novak don't get cute, don't let him rebuild his confidence. End the set now!

Here we go, set five to stay alive.

The thing that wore federer out most was waiting during Novak's ball bouncing.

Nole gets there eventually, but Roger will take heart from that game. If he can somehow get that level back he could still nick this...

Into the 5th... if Federer wins this now it will be the GOAT mental strength of all time. I just hope this final set isn't a washout like this 4th set was...

Djokovic is toying a bit i'll say. I'm excited for him though. I agree Socal if not for Fogani whatever his name is, the guy could have won the calender slam this year. I think he will win this Open

socal, I'm afraid you're the only one on here who honestly believes that it is down to Nole's brilliance that the match has turned...

GP, i don't want to convince you of anything. I just want Novak to win this open. Could care less whether he is winning because he is playing great or Roger hits the wall, it really is irrelevant.

36 winners to just 27 errors for Novak, very good numbers

A MUST HOLD game here for Fed

It would be disappointing if Fed allows himself to get broken early on in this set and then lose like that, he can at least make this a real challenge for the World No.1

You guys crack me up Roger plays great in the first two sets and Novak is tired, now novak plays great in sets 3 and 4 and its because Roger is tired.

Superb play from Fed. Hope's he's back.

such an important hold for Federer there, some poor errors by Djokovic you have to say...

Novak's to lose. C'mon Nole - give it some wellie!!

Yeah Novak couldn't have won the set because he served at 80 percent 1st serve percentage and hit buttloads of winners.

80% first serve in a FOURTH set after 3 tiring sets...is quite astounding really.

JuliusHMarx wrote:Novak's to lose. C'mon Nole - give it some wellie!!

What is a wellie?

The return of the match from Fed.

I think it was pretty clear in those early sets that, for some reason, was playing well behind the baseline and that gave an immediate advantage to Federer and he played so well he was always going to be dominant with Novak playing that way. Djokovic then got far more aggressive and stepped up and took command - that is how I see it.

2nd serve chance that was Roger... should be taking those man

socal1976 wrote:

JuliusHMarx wrote:Novak's to lose. C'mon Nole - give it some wellie!!

What is a wellie?

Wellington Boot or see this:-

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/welly

That was a weak chip and charge right into Novak's wheelhouse

Roger is looking much better so far, Novak better not get complacent

Oliver Goulding (GB) to play Jiri Vesely (CZE) in juniors final, Goulding will thrash him.

Fed's serve is alive again. I hope his UE dies too.

socal1976 wrote:

JuliusHMarx wrote:Novak's to lose. C'mon Nole - give it some wellie!!

What is a wellie?

It just means "hit the ball really hard and win", or in football, "kick the ball really hard and score"
A Wellie, or Welly is a Wellington boot - I guess you can kick harder with boots on.

Fed is playing a lot better, this is good stuff from Fed, Djokovic's isn't getting much of sniff on Fed's serve anymore and the crowd are just loving Fed!

Roger has the luxury of relying on his great serve in a fifth set, Novak can't get sloppy or self satisfied this thing is very much a 50/50 proposition

Great effort from Fed there to really push himself...

Even if Fed manages to come through this match, the only chance he would have in the final is if he plays Murray.

Nadal will have him for dinner.

To be honest, i thought Federer would have mentally packed it in by now but he is taking me by suprise. Djokovic could easily lose serve and Federer gets a lucky break.

I think Fed lost these 2 sets in purpose, so he can avenge the loss from Djoko.