*Official* Tennis Thread

[Jono]

Bartoli at the net was laughable. Such a one-dimensional player. Would have been thoroughly smacked by Na Li in the final.

This was a better result. Will be a very interesting game. Particularly since they've both been to a GS final before (albeit one winning and one losing).

 

[vcs]

Yes, it should be fun. Can't look past Schiavone though, in two tight-ish sets. She mixes her game up perfectly to suit this surface.

 

[shivfan]

Li Na put the two shriekers out of business....

First Azarenka, and then Sharapova.

 

[morgieb]

About a month ago, who would've predicted that Li Na/Schivonane (sp?) would've been the two finalists?

Just amazing how the two old birds got into gear quickly.

 

[Burgey]

Once again Stolle laments a player, in this case Murray, not coming to the net enough.

He then does it on break point at what would be considered the perfect time, and gets passed pointlessly.

When are these idiot commentators going to realise it isn't 1982 anymore?

 

[vcs]

There never is a perfect time to approach against Nadal. Then again, you aren't going to beat him from the back of the court either. I think you have to be willing to come in behind a hard, aggressive shot that is reasonably close to the lines. If he passes you from there, fair play, but trying to hit the perfect winner from the baseline probably isn't going to work against him on clay.

 

[Jono]

Once again Stolle laments a player, in this case Murray, not coming to the net enough.

He then does it on break point at what would be considered the perfect time, and gets passed pointlessly.

When are these idiot commentators going to realise it isn't 1982 anymore?

Masur and Stolle to go over the top with it, but I think they have a point overall. The Babolat balls are quicker this year. This is the fastest I've seen balls travel at the French Open since I can remember.

Have you noticed Nadal is also going to the net more this match compared to normal? He's got to if he wants to beat Novak in my view.

Nadal has slowly adjusted his game throughout the tournament. Part of why he is so good is he knows his weaknesses and improves on them. Knew he couldn't win Wimbledon staying 2 feet behind the baseline, knew he couldn't win the US Open by trying to keep balls in and hoping his opponent errored, and he's made these adjustments.

For the first time ever he's had to adjust his game at the French Open. I'm glad to see him doing it.

 

[Jono]

2 sets up

 

[Jono]

Haha how's the first 3 games of Fed vs. Novak?

Best first 3 games I can remember. Ridiculous.

 

[Bobisback]

Haha how's the first 3 games of Fed vs. Novak?

Best first 3 games I can remember. Ridiculous.

Yeah, loving it so far. Was going to go to bed after Rafa, but sleep can wait.

Have a Li Na/Rafa quinella on, quite a good collect if it gets up, so hoping these two destroy each other.

 

[Jono]

Yeah I really want a long 5-setter hear, both for viewing pleasure and Rafa's benefit

 

[Bobisback]

I have to be up in 8 hours, so not too keen on a 5 setter tbh. Just a gruelling 3 setter will do me.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

So good.

Though of course grandad wants to watch the news during the tiebreak...



RF

 

[Jono]

ROGER! You beauty!

What a ****ing set of tennis. I cannot think of a better first set of tennis I have ever seen. Hell a better set of tennis that wasn't a fifth set.

That was absolutely unbelievable. Brilliant hitting by both players.

I ****ing love this sport.

 

[Bobisback]

Heard somewhere that some bookmakers were giving you 25 to 1 on Fed to win this tournament. I bet they're loving the fact that he hasnt dropped a set yet.

 

[Jono]

Those Federer set points were match points imo.

If Fed doesn't serve this set out, Novak will get his tail up. He's low on confidence now. This is the most important game of the match imo.

 

[Jono]

30-30.

This is big.

 

[Jono]

30-40 and Fed executes two of the best clutch serves you will ever see!

2 sets up. Very very very difficult for Novak from here.

All the pressure is on him. Came in HUGE favourite, big streak, if he wins he is #1 and he'd be favoured to beat Nadal.

But now he's got to do one of the toughest things in tennis. Come back from 2 sets to 0 against the greatest ever.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Fed hasn't lost from 2 sets up since his loss to Hewitt in the 03 Davis Cup right?

 

[Jono]

Novak takes the 3rd.

Quality has dropped, but still very exciting. Was almost impossible to keep up the quality of the first set tbf.

 

[Jono]

Novak breaks Fed in an epic game to get to 5-4 and serve for the 4th set, and then Fed plays four absolutely sublime shots to break back, and then serves brilliantly to save breaks points and hold on.

6-5 Fed in the 4th.

Novak serving to stay in the match for the first time.