French Open, Men's Semis match thread

[lydian]

First topic message reminder :

So...1 hour to go, thought I'd create a specific match thread.

Its clear blue skies over Paris, not a cloud in sight and temp is already 26.5c and rising. Latest pic and temperature:


So the heat is literally on!

12pm GMT we have Nadal vs Djokovic, followed by David vs Goliath.

We've seen the predictions, heard the impersonations and listened to the musical quips, just need the action to start now!

[ChequeredJersey]

Have to agree with JM, neither of these guys is on top form but Novak looks a bit lost

[The Special Juan]

Lunchtime! There's no greater irony than criticising a sportsperson when sitting down eating

[kingraf]

The lad at BBC just texted that Djokovic is 6'3, Ive heard Robbie Koenig list him at 6'4, yet he never ever seems taller than 6'2 Tsonga... Lazy reporting.

[summerblues]

Sloppy game from both. Nole looking very non-Nolesque right now.

[ChequeredJersey]

Rafa gets called on time

[Jahu]

The blondie was looking at me.

[ChequeredJersey]

Djokovic not at the races

[Josiah Maiestas]

His returns are not threatening enough, so easily for Rafa to hold serve

[HM Murdock]

Rafa seems to be serving well today, that's making a huge difference.

Novak's radar seems a little off. He setting up the points pretty well, moving Rafa into position but then missing the final shot.

If this is the wind affecting him again, he really has to sort that out - it's an outdoor sport for goodness sake!

[The Special Juan]

The lad at BBC just texted that Djokovic is 6'3, Ive heard Robbie Koenig list him at 6'4, yet he never ever seems taller than 6'2 Tsonga... Lazy reporting.

I wouldn't say he was any more than 6'1/6'2. Murray's 6'3 or something and is the tallest of the Big Four.

[bogbrush]

This really isn't a very interesting match to watch, unless you're partisan I guess.

[Jahu]

Djoko debalanced like a headless chicken.

[CAS]

I am not buying the nonsense about Nadal's legs anymore. It's funny how he was supposedly finished and yet he's back, seemingly being in every final (unless Novak beats him), and running exactly the same as before. I call cowpat on it. If it really was as bad as it was said to be, there's no way he could come back playing to any kind of standard, and running the same as before.

If that's what you need to believe


Djokovic really is making unforced errors you wouldn't expect him to

It is kind of true, if Nadal was a footballer and he had just played a match where you couldn't really see much wrong with him other than a below par performance you can't imagine they would suddenly be out for 7/8 months.
Personally, I dont think that there was a major problem but a constant niggling one and the Rosol match was the last straw. And he said to himself, "thats it, I'm not playing anymore until this pain goes away"

[ChequeredJersey]

You can't do that against Nadal, you just can't

[Jahu]

Rafa brakes again. All done all done.

[The Special Juan]

"Signal Lost"

[Josiah Maiestas]

Turning into the worst match of the tournament, going to drink very early today thanks alot Nole

[bogbrush]

Rafa seems to be serving well today, that's making a huge difference.

Novak's radar seems a little off. He setting up the points pretty well, moving Rafa into position but then missing the final shot.

If this is the wind affecting him again, he really has to sort that out - it's an outdoor sport for goodness sake!

I think it's a combination of ridiculous bounce (see how weak Nadal looked in the early rounds when the ball stayed down) plus he's playing very badly.

It's really rubbish, to my eyes.

[ChequeredJersey]

This really isn't a very interesting match to watch, unless you're partisan I guess.

It's still not that interesting whilst Novak makes so many unforced errors, I'll freely admit that to see the best of Nadal you need someone to force him to make retrievals and to attack and he doesn't really need to do that yet

[Haddie-nuff]

I am not buying the nonsense about Nadal's legs anymore. It's funny how he was supposedly finished and yet he's back, seemingly being in every final (unless Novak beats him), and running exactly the same as before. I call cowpat on it. If it really was as bad as it was said to be, there's no way he could come back playing to any kind of standard, and running the same as before.

You really are a fan of Nadal arn´t you ??? So glad you are obviously enjoying the match

[kingraf]

"Brakes" again, Jahu? with ABS?

[banbrotam]

Oh dear! Since that ankle incident, it's been the Novak of 2009

[HM Murdock]

Oh, rotten drop shot!

I'm starting to think the game is up. Novak now needs two breaks of serve and he has yet to muster even one break point.

And you don't come back from two sets down v Rafa at RG.

On the positive side, I'm feeling less nervous now!

[michael_o]

Djokovic seems totally unable to cope with the high bounce. Backhand largely ineffective today. Rafa's walking this at the moment.

[ChequeredJersey]

Still think Tsonga could beat Rafa if they both get through, needs to go all out attack like Rosol or Soderling though

[barrystar]

IBM slamtracker is quite interesting - if you look at "keys to the match" Nadal has been hitting all three of his keys for most of the match, and where he's fallen short he's been much closer to them than Djoko.

Something very radical is going to happen or this damp squib of a tournament is going to continue to rumble towards its drearily inevitable conclusion as Nadal tears whoever his opponent is a new one on Sunday.

[HM Murdock]

It's really rubbish, to my eyes.

It certainly not shaping up to be a classic.

If Novak can get a break and get the wind in his sails, we might get an interesting match.

Rafa appears to have a pretty tight grip on it though.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Novak fans we know who you are saying how he can compete with Nadal unlike Roger, what are they going to say after today?

[Jahu]

King, no ABS, like the old stly sliding and smell of rubber.

[CAS]

I have no doubt Novak will wake up but he has to do it before he goes 2 sets down,

[ChequeredJersey]

This is what Novak needs to do, but a bit of hyperbole from the ITV commentators there. "Magnificent"?!

[ChequeredJersey]

And that was shocking

[kingraf]

Guys we have to look at the bright side, Nadal has finally been accepted as overlord by the French. It was rocky for a few years, but they got behind their king when his kingdom got challenged.

[CAS]

game on!

[ChequeredJersey]

Well, this might come to life yet

[CAS]

6-3 Nole this set?

[HM Murdock]

And there's the break back!

Come on Novak, stoke those fires!

[banbrotam]

Novak fans we know who you are saying how he can compete with Nadal unlike Roger, what are they going to say after today?

I've an idea. Let's wait until the match is over?

[Josiah Maiestas]

Must try and make Nadal go for big shots, that is how he found success against him in the past

[summerblues]

Nole back in this set, but still looking very unconvincing. He looks very tense out there; maybe the occasion is getting to him a bit too.

[barrystar]

Guys we have to look at the bright side, Nadal has finally been accepted as overlord by the French. It was rocky for a few years, but they got behind their king when his kingdom got challenged.

Why is that a bright side? They've always known he's the best clay courter ever, whether or not they like him is neither here nor there I'd say.

[ChequeredJersey]

"World Class?"

Note that when he uses it, Nadal's touch at the net is actually sublime

[ChequeredJersey]

Played Djokovic. My prediction of Nadal in 4 looks alive

[HM Murdock]

FIRE IN THE HOLE!

Come on Novak, serve this out, make a game of it.

[ChequeredJersey]

Momentum Novak

[summerblues]

Nole upping his game now. Can Rafa respond?

[ChequeredJersey]

Yes

[CAS]

just seen a tweet "Everybody come back in 2 hours for the 5th set"

[summerblues]

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a match.

[_homogenised_]

Ooooo Just seen the score change. Has Novak raised his game? Come on Nole, blow away this moonballer! Novak in 4 still on.

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