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]

Can't make those errors, Rafa

[The Special Juan]

Novak's just starting to bleed a few UEs.

[kingraf]

The thigh is it Novak? Still doing this, are we?

[ChequeredJersey]

Much better serve

[ChequeredJersey]

And that is the real Rafa, people who think he has only one game, watch that

[The Special Juan]

Wow. That backhand must have been much faster than the serve which preceded it!! Massive game?

[_homogenised_]

When nadal gets older and can't run like he does now, he is knackered. I can't possibly see how he can challenge anyone without that speed. He can't generate his own winners in the same way as Novak and Fed.... he relies on ultra defence to get hi chance.

[Jahu]

Rafa brakes, go onnnn

[ChequeredJersey]

When nadal gets older and can't run like he does now, he is knackered. I can't possibly see how he can challenge anyone without that speed. He can't generate his own winners in the same way as Novak and Fed.... he relies on ultra defence to get hi chance.

As he's doing this now after a 7 length hiatus from tendonitis, I think he'll be OK moving for a while. And then he'll change his game. Or retire with his 11 Majors and Olympic Gold Medal(plus whatever else he wins in the meantime)

[The Special Juan]

That's a really superb game from Nadal, profiting from the UEs and throwing in some crackers. Novak needs to hold on here otherwise it's going to get away from him very quickly.

[kingraf]

If Nadals "forehands" werent bigger than both Djokovic and Federer's, I would have considerered that statement relevant

[ChequeredJersey]

Djokovic will break back I think

[ChequeredJersey]

Also, RG needs Hawkeye

[kingraf]

Djokovic MTO to be taken swiftly (I knoa this because I borrowed Emancipators all-seeing ghost-thing)

[ChequeredJersey]

Djokovic will break back I think

Or not

[Jahu]

Can we stick to match comments and not how the future or the past will/has looked?

Rafa is kicking @ss at thats what matters now.

[Josiah Maiestas]

I used to say Rafa has no weapons which is still reasonably true, but looking today it's Nole who needs to find some weapons he's rubbish

[summerblues]

Mhmm. This is not going to the plan, is it?

[Josiah Maiestas]

Can we stick to match comments and not how the future or the past will/has looked?

Rafa is kicking @ss at thats what matters now.

Nole is letting him never seen him play so bad it's like he's playing in a 250 tournament not caring about the performance

[The Special Juan]

Also, RG needs Hawkeye

All clay court events need Hawkeye. It's a sham why they don't already have it.

[Jahu]

Djoko would rather eat his finger than let Nadal. Its a goverment order to beat Rafa.

[ChequeredJersey]

Can we stick to match comments and not how the future or the past will/has looked?

Rafa is kicking @ss at thats what matters now.

Nole is letting him never seen him play so bad it's like he's playing in a 250 tournament not caring about the performance

The pressure you think?

[Josiah Maiestas]

Playing this bad and the Serb still has 4 games on board, that's how u know Rafa isn't as good as he was

[kingraf]

Djokovic needs "Rain Man", right now. any one know how to skillfully perform a rain dance?

[ChequeredJersey]

Playing this bad and the Serb still has 4 games on board, that's how u know Rafa isn't as good as he was

That and watching any of his tennis this year

[kingraf]

My prediction is officially null.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Can we stick to match comments and not how the future or the past will/has looked?

Rafa is kicking @ss at thats what matters now.

Nole is letting him never seen him play so bad it's like he's playing in a 250 tournament not caring about the performance

The pressure you think?

Both players are great under pressure, Novak saved many match points under it so that can't be a reason to play this poor

[ChequeredJersey]

Lovely placement there by Novak

[The Special Juan]

To put things into perspective, the 2nd women's semi final was finished by now.

[ChequeredJersey]

Unique pressure for Djokovic though. As I say that, Nova should have done better there

[ChequeredJersey]

Best passer in the world

[Josiah Maiestas]

Nearly falls over and still wins the point, Nole is not playing like he has a clue and there is the set

[kingraf]

VAM8S Rafa.

Get the sense that Nole will pick up, though

[_homogenised_]

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.

[The Special Juan]

Generally, whoever wins the first set wins the match. Can you see it going Novak's way? On the basis of what's happened now, no. Stranger things have happened though.

[Jahu]

Djoko is scared now. Claimed he will beat Rafa.

[Henman Bill]

So, just out of curiosity, did anyone see who the bookies favourite was before it started?

[HM Murdock]

Oh dear.

Some surprising errors from both players but Rafa a bit cooler in the big moments.

Novak is butchering the net points today. Which is odd as he's played well at the net so far this tournament.

[The Special Juan]

My word..... The ball must appear football-sized to him at the moment!!

[Josiah Maiestas]

Nadal is a lot more confident in his game than Novak hitting the ball with much more freedom, I don't think Nole will give up like Stan though

[The Special Juan]

So, just out of curiosity, did anyone see who the bookies favourite was before it started?

I think it was Nadal but I'm not 100% sure.

[_homogenised_]

Trust Novak's standard to go down substantially in the match he really needs his A game with....

[Josiah Maiestas]

Generally, whoever wins the first set wins the match. Can you see it going Novak's way? On the basis of what's happened now, no. Stranger things have happened though.

He hits everything out like this all match and it will be over near the same time the QF was complete

[ChequeredJersey]

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

[kingraf]

VAM8S Rafa.

Get the sense that Nole will pick up, though

[ChequeredJersey]

And his serve needs so much work

[kingraf]

Jersey - Dont let him bait you.

[_homogenised_]

This is boring me. Tsonga Ferrer will be a good match. Time for a walk for me :P Not watching this slug fest.

[Jahu]

Jersey, yeah, stop responding to him.

[Josiah Maiestas]

This is the same Djokovic that lost sets 1, 2 and 5 in USO final, no consistency can't keep ball in, Tommy Haas will wonder how he lost

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