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!

[_homogenised_]

Nadal very lucky in that game.

[lags72]

Suffering maybe, but still pulling off some remarkable winners - and at critical points.

[CAS]

never thought i'd say this but I feel sorry for Rafa and his fans, you now know how horrible it feels, and i empathise. the Aus Open final Federer seemed to be the better player the whole match until the fifth set. Rafa has been the better player for most of this match too. Not over yet though!

[barrystar]

Just about to go into the 4th hour - how much longer does everyone think they have left?

Tsonga/Ferrer will find themselves starting a semi final after 6pm - perhaps the schedulers should have started this at 12:00

[lags72]

This game is the biggie .....

[The Special Juan]

It's one thing being a fan of either of these two but imagine being in their box as a friend/family member!!

[_homogenised_]

This game is the biggie .....

All these games are biggies.

[summerblues]

Definitely not over this one yet.

[barrystar]

never thought i'd say this but I feel sorry for Rafa and his fans, you now know how horrible it feels, and i empathise. the Aus Open final Federer seemed to be the better player the whole match until the fifth set. Rafa has been the better player for most of this match too. Not over yet though!

I can empathise, but feel sorry? No, can't do that.

[Dave.]

Dearie me, bar the third this lived up to expectations!

Epic.

[_homogenised_]

never thought i'd say this but I feel sorry for Rafa and his fans, you now know how horrible it feels, and i empathise. the Aus Open final Federer seemed to be the better player the whole match until the fifth set. Rafa has been the better player for most of this match too. Not over yet though!

I can empathise, but feel sorry? No, can't do that.

Personally I am loving it. Never seen anyone as bad as the rafa fans esp when Fed is on receiving end. I am so glad that Djokovic turned up to put a spoke in the wheel.

[bogbrush]

Error by Jim.

He called Djokovic the 2nd man to put Rafa to a 5th set on dirt.

He was doubtless thinking of John Isner but forgot TMF at Rome.


Pedant bogbrush.

[lags72]

Epic ? Really ...??

[barrystar]

Error by Jim.

He called Djokovic the 2nd man to put Rafa to a 5th set on dirt.

He was doubtless thinking of John Isner but or got TMF at Rome.

And TMF got to see the monkey before having it snatched from his grasp in that match too.

[bogbrush]

Good game there by Nadal, there is life in this yet for certain.

[summerblues]

Certainly not an epic this one, but at least it now has some drama - especially if Rafa has another break of serve in him.

[CAS]

Error by Jim.

He called Djokovic the 2nd man to put Rafa to a 5th set on dirt.

He was doubtless thinking of John Isner but forgot TMF at Rome.


Pedant bogbrush.

don't forget Guillermo Coria!

[break_in_the_fifth]

Hold serve 2 more times Novak.

[summerblues]

0-15

[bogbrush]

Error by Jim.

He called Djokovic the 2nd man to put Rafa to a 5th set on dirt.

He was doubtless thinking of John Isner but forgot TMF at Rome.


Pedant bogbrush.

don't forget Guillermo Coria!

Disaster for Jim.

[summerblues]

0-30

[barrystar]

The Nadal fistpump, by a very long distance my least favourite sight in sport. Others find it thrilling, I find it nauseating.

[summerblues]

BP

[The Special Juan]

Maybe he meant 5 at RG.

[CAS]

this is on a knife edge

[summerblues]

What a lame error.

[CAS]

that the first time I have ever seen Nadal react like that after missing a shot

[The Special Juan]

Drama!!!!!!!!!! Unbelievable!!

[CAS]

immense Drama! he touched the net!

[summerblues]

Poor Nole.

[bogbrush]

Silly boy. He'll regret that big time if he loses.

[summerblues]

He got overexcited there.

[The Special Juan]

The iron man in body and mind. That would have ended near enough everyone.

[barrystar]

Just two guys who never give up - it's really impressive.

[Cogen]

What a rookie mistake that was from Nole...

[barrystar]

Oh shush

[Ent]

Both players seem very nervous.

[_homogenised_]

Very very lucky nadal. Really hope Novak breaks again here.

[summerblues]

Wow! Rafa breaks. Nole will be kicking himself.

[bogbrush]

Nadals been very lucky to stay in this set really. But 4-4 it is.

[HM Murdock]

I can't believe that just happened! Schooboy error!

[kingraf]

Nadal needs to hold... bad!!

[bogbrush]

Has the Umpire stopped timing Rafa?

[kingraf]

The only positive now is that Nadal never needs to serve for the match again

[_homogenised_]

Has the Umpire stopped timing Rafa?

yup.

[lags72]

You gotta say that notwithstanding the undoubted ability, Rafa really is incredibly lucky at times ......

[_homogenised_]

There's no way Nadal should be back in this. All because of the net touch....

[The Special Juan]

It'll take a Herculean effort to hold here. First point is massive, second point is gargantuan.

[kingraf]

Lags it wasnt luck... Luck is getting the coin toss right, luck is it raining while youre getting hammered. Thats a gift.

[barrystar]

I don't think Nadal is particularly lucky more than anyone else.

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