ATP Miami Masters: The Final

They've just interviewed him. He says that physically he's a little tired but mentally he's motivated and he's relying on his confidence, but he'll take that!

He said the rain came at a good time for him ... but you know that.

Ooooo ... breaking news on Murray. They say its unconfirmed but that Murray has tweeted that Ross Hutchins is his new coach.

Djokovic has won these matches easily but, he is not in the best form. If not for the remarkable fact that he is 11-0 and break points in the last two matches and that both opponents seemed to tighten up on the big points than he could have had a lot tougher go of it. I am a bigtime Nole fan, but if he plays this way in the final I can't see him beating either Fed or Nadal.

"They say its unconfirmed but that Murray has tweeted that Ross Hutchins is his new coach."
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So it is an April Fool's joke?

"Felt like I needed another yes man".

Hahahahahaha!!!!! Gotta hand it to Andy, that was brilliant.

"Djokovic has won these matches easily but, he is not in the best form."
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I agree... But how does he still beat an in-form Fish with 6:3 6:1?!

I think his opponents sense how overconfident he is, so even if they can see he's not at his best, it doesn't help them much.
BTW... Bravo, Anderson!

Oh, and don't worry about the final - Novak will most certainly play better then, cause he knows he has to! And it's a Masters final, and it's vs. a GOAT... a lot of additional motivation!

And as for Andy Murray's "joke" ... sorry, I think its totally puerile.

Well, have a good laugh Andy, because frankly, the joke's on you right now if you don't pull yourself together.

Grow up and knuckle down to making something of your career.

"Gotta hand it to Andy, that was brilliant."
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At least he's still able to laugh at his own expense. But leaving his fans to wait all day for that announcement and then say what he said was a bit cruel, don't you think?

Though, your joke was just as cruel!

Green wrote:"Djokovic has won these matches easily but, he is not in the best form."
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I agree... But how does he still beat an in-form Fish with 6:3 6:1?!

I think his opponents sense how overconfident he is, so even if they can see he's not at his best, it doesn't help them much.
BTW... Bravo, Anderson!

Oh, and don't worry about the final - Novak will most certainly play better then, cause he knows he has to! And it's a Masters final, and it's vs. a GOAT... a lot of additional motivation!

Foolish statement. I thought you were a Djokovic fan?

Have you forgotten about Djokovics fear of goats?

Green wrote:"Gotta hand it to Andy, that was brilliant."
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At least he's still able to laugh at his own expense. But leaving his fans to wait all day for that announcement and then say what he said was a bit cruel, don't you think?

Though, your joke was just as cruel!

To be fair to Andy, looking at the Twitter post times, the fans have had to wait one hour maximum in terms of what actually came out of Andy mouth/typing.

Anything prior to that was media hype. There's nothing the lad can really do about it.

"Have you forgotten about Djokovics fear of goats?"
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He doesn't look like he's scared there, more like he's trying to scare someone else... and he's been pretty successful at that lately!

If you're trying to say I might jinx him... no, that doesn't seem to work anymore - I've been trying to do that since February!

... latest attempt - my prediction on his match vs. Fish. He did even better than I hoped for!

Green wrote:... latest attempt - my prediction on his match vs. Fish. He did even better than I hoped for!

I was very impressed with Djokovic. Rain ruined it for Fish, mind. Whoever thought the Fish would suffer after a rain break?

Djoko, to me is winning in these last two rounds while not playing particularly well. He is serving big, especially in the clutch, he has won all 40 service games this tourney and is a remarkable 15-0 in break points. I am hoping he does up his level for the final as green as stated, maybe it is just the fact that he can't get up for the Fish's and Anderson's of the world as well as he does for Nadal and FEd.

Well, they said they knew what they have to do and if they do it, it's gonna be awesome!

Anyone dare to make a prediction?

Evening Green !!

I do fancy Rafa for this one. He's playing much better than at Indian Wells, bearing in mind that that was his first tournie back since injury.

He's had a tougher draw to the final, but I think he'll look back and be glad for it as a means to find form and rhythm. Sure, there was that wobble against Berdych, but he came through it.

Nole has also had a great run to the final. And I'll say this ... if this is the future of tennis, then I'm enjoying it.

But Rafa to win ... and I can't decide whether it will be in two, or whether it will go all the way. Looking forward to it though.

Green ... I would also like to say thanks for your fantastic thread throughout this tournie, and thanks for your work in bringing it to us.

Its a super format, it reads well, is punchy and informative and tells us all the information we need to know. You've also done a great final lead in ... so thanks again!

You're welcome, Wooffie.


Formatting is fun!

If only we could see the article at the beginning of every page... I asked the administrators and they said they have to discuss it cause it would affect the whole board... Well, why would that be a problem?


"if this is the future of tennis, then I'm enjoying it."
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The future is now, I mean, tomorrow!

PS. Nadal's English is so cute:
"I have to play all the points."

I think Nadal takes the final in 3 sets. It pains me as a big Nole fan to say that. But Novak has looked a bit scratchy from the back of the court making too many errors and he isn't hitting as crisply from the back as he did at Indian Wells. Plus he has been a bit fortunate that his opponents in the last three rounds are 0-15 in break points. Of course he has played well those points but Anderson and Fish choked several routine balls up break point against Nole, nadal won't have that problem. That being said he is serving and returning exceptionally.

Nadal has had the tougher draw with Dolgo, Berdych and Fed and has looked really strong. He is serving better and I think he is striking the ball a bit cleaner than Nole. Also law of averages indicate that Novak has to eventually lose a hardcourt tournament and if anyone is going to do it, it will be Rafa. He looks like he is in better form that last few matches.

It will be tough though, I think three hard fought sets with some lengthy rallies.
Nadal looks like he is serving better and has looked

Ill be a bit surprised, not to say disappointed, if Rafa lets Nole take this one.
Nole has been in great form and, albeit he has had a easier draw, has made short work of his oponents.Certainly made Mardy look like a fish out of water.
But I think Rafa is looking sharper than he did in Indian Wells. He is serving well and appears more relaxed and confident. I anticipate 3 sets but give Rafa the edge.
Whatever I hope it makes for good viewing and wish them both luck.

I'm not making any predictions this time! I have no idea who will win.

However, I do expect a better match than in Indian Wells from both of them. Perhaps Novak is a bit tired, as he has said so, that's why he doesn't look as good as he did a couple of weeks ago. But he had enough time to rest and so far in the tournament he didn't really need to play any better than he has... Playing Nadal is a whole different thing. For example, just compare how Nadal played vs. Berdych and then vs. Federer...
I don't know if Novak can win this one, but I certainly do expect him to play his best tennis. I don't see a reason why he wouldn't.

Whoever wins... it will end with a .

I'm not making a prediction (scared of the power of the jinx!) but enough with the winning Nole!!

I'm just really excited at the fact that this match is not on in the middle of the night for me and I can watch it

"but enough with the winning Nole!!"
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Yeah, that'll do! Thank you.

:run2:


Actually, I'd rather they played in the middle of the night... (Don't tell me that would stop you from watching it, Cats?!) I hope it's not too hot over there, cause this might be a long match.

My prediction is for the match to be cancelled in place of a dance off, which Djokovic wins easily.

Hi everyone. Green, hot here? We're in the middle of an almighty thunderstorm at the moment. Today we had sun in the morning, hail and pouring rain in the afternoon and now it's raining so hard I fear for my roof. The satellite has been knocked out so it's tiny screen on the computer for me - assuming the lightning doesn't fry everything

So Green, what's your prediction for this one? You've were right on IW

Cats,

I wouldn't wanna unjinx your jinx from earlier post!

:run2:

Green wrote:Cats,

I wouldn't wanna unjinx your jinx from earlier post!

:run2:

Can't pull a fast one on you Green

"My prediction is for the match to be cancelled in place of a dance off, which Djokovic wins easily."
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And they could dance to this song!

I am so amped for this final, really there is nothing like watching #1 and #2 play in a big final. Especially, when both players are playing really well and are young with room to grow. It feels like a heavyweight title to establish supremacy of the tennis world. I mean sure the loser won't get carried out of the ring, and regardless of who wins or loses it isn't going to change the standing of these two very much. But for me this is the great thing about tennis, when you get too champions who can really push each other in the rallies duking it out.

Best luck to both of these guys, two of the more likeable personalties in the tennis world.

My heart says Novak, but based on form of the last few matches I am going with Rafa and the revenge factor.

I have been viewing the final since the mid way point of the second set. The intensity, skill and precision of the play has been simply breathtaking. Rafael after his win against Berdych is showing incredible resilience in his service game.

3-2 to Rafael in the third set. There is no doubt that Novak has breeched the gap to Rafael in terms of intensity and movement, but Rafael has the advantage in the final set as he is always ahead in the service games.

4-3 in third set to Rafael. This match also indicates that Rafael is going to be around for some time despite what others say with regard to Rafaels longevity.

Better and better ... 4-4 in final set.

5-4 to Rafael in final set. It looks like Novak has pulled a thigh muscle slightly, but he may not feel it until he cools down.

5-5 exceedingly intelligent play from Djokovic to win his service game.

Hi Nore!! We are chatting elsewhere. This is <yikesy>

Come on Rafa!!!

6-5 Rafael in final set. Rafael is demanding effort from every atom of his body in his aim to win this match.

<applause><applause><applause><applause><applause>

WOW! This is what I want from their matches!

What a finale !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOoooooooooo NOLE

Mayhap #1 beckons

What a match!!

You must all be feeling exhausted after that!

I was watching on bet365......I only managed to catch the last half hour.....very tense.

to the Rafateers

Congrats to Nole : )

Solerina

beautiful, beautiful tennis. I am so happy to be wrong with my prediction. Both players were amazing. Probably, one of the two best 3 set matches I have ever seen. The other being the semis of 09 Madrid. It is clear that Novak is the best hardcourt player in the world. And the Rafa is still #1, but this year he is going to have to battle for it.

Novak played remarkably, stunned by how well he volleyed, and how incredible his movement was. Nadal was Nadal, just came a little short against the hottest guy on tour on his best surface.

I shifted my comments to Wooffies Miami thread but I still couldn't find the on-line match discussion (?)

Anyway Novaks confidence must be in outer orbit having beaten Rafael twice in successive finals. They were by far the two most outstanding players of the tournament. Novak essentially won the Tie Break from the superlative fourth point. I'm not sure I have seen better tennis played - for intensity, movement, commitment and precision. The commentators say that Novak needs a little rest to recover and so do I

Well played to both Novak and Rafael :applause:

Night Night all

Well done to Nole (again!).

Rafa.

But 2 finals coming back from an injury on his worse surface is great going by Rafa. Onto Europe and clay

Night all

Nore, that was the best match of the year so far, and judging by how dominating these two guys have been, I wouldn't be surprised if they played at least three or 4 more times this year. If this was a five setter it would have been a 5 or 6 hour match.

Last time Novak played the tie break of a final set was last year in Indian Wells vs. Kohlschreiber... This was the first really exciting match he played this year - as in very close final set. (I have forgotten how it feels! <yikes>)


All I can say to Rafa fans: clay next!

Rafa looked cream crackered at the end and it really could have gone either way, but another great win for the seemingly unstoppable Novak

As a Rafa fan, yes, disappointed, but he was entirely passive in the second set. No ideas, he didn't know what to do. Very even and tense and tight in the third and TBs are always a lottery. Rafa didn't do enough when facing two second serve returns. I think this one is going to hurt him, but a tense and outstanding third set.

And so we move to clay. Where Nole is a very good player, but Rafa is a great one. Monte Carlo is a big and significant tournament now for him. I think this hardcourt passage showed that nobody is challenging these two right now. And its another big test in Rafa's career, learning to be the hunted and having to face an in-form challenger.

Only for this next tournament ... he'll have us there cheering him on.

"Very even and tense and tight in the third and TBs are always a lottery."
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And they both looked really tired in the third set, which made it even more tense...


Hopefully we'll see more amazing finals like this one in the tournaments to come!

Yes as a Rafa fan I am disappointed.. he was far too passive and defensive.
Concentrating too much on his serve .. 6 double faults!!! too many errors from Rafa...but as I said about Roger what do you call "unforced" errors ???Nole had Rafa under pressure so errors became forced IMO. Nole never let his foot off the gas and Rafa let him get away from him... and as the match progressed it became a question of not IF Nole would win but WHEN

So Nole well done my man....now let us see you on the red stuff