2008-01-27, 13:47 | Link #41 | |
Bittersweet Distractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 32
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So the Serbian won it and I'll offer him congrats though I don't like him, but I hope Federer can finally take the king of clay at the French Open this year. I really want him to break the Sampras record. Federer will actually start taking Djokovich seriously instead of just playing so passive against him, like he does to 95% of the tour these days.
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2008-01-28, 02:05 | Link #42 | |
Snape: "I hate Potter!"
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Australia
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As for pushing the right buttons, well he won so he can afford to be a little gracious.. Djokovic I feel is a very sensitive person and cares too much about who the crowd is cheering for.. You saw it with his match against Federer, in which afterwards he stated that it felt like he was versing two opponents (federer and the crowd who cheers for Federer). Anyway good match and congrats to Djokovic for winning it, I personally was going for Tsonga but hey it was a great match and you can't ask for anything more.
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2008-01-28, 08:51 | Link #43 | ||||||
Gone for Good
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Already he's learning to win even when the crowd is semi-hostile, he'll need this nerve if he's to succeed later on. Think of it as playing in an away ground. |
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2008-01-31, 08:21 | Link #46 | |
Kinetic 9
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2008-05-25, 04:25 | Link #50 | |
カカシ
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Though he has some tough opponents, especially Djokovic who could go all the way if he can play solidly and beat Federer. Nadal was lucky to beat Djokovic in Hamburg, but then Nadal always seems look down and out, only to end up wining the set from 5-1 down. He can definatly get to people mentally and beating him can show a lot about someones character. Like when Federer beat him in Wimbledon last year, truly epic. Watching that was one of the highights of my life, let alone Federer's or Nadal's. So...to make a prediction for the French, whoever wins between Djokovic and Federer. If Federer is ill then Djokovic. I don't see Nadal winning this year. |
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2008-06-06, 09:18 | Link #51 |
Gone for Good
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Great match between the semi-final between Nadal and Djokovic.
Both look evenly matched in the first set, with Nadal edging out to win 6-4. Then Djokovic was for some reason just disappointing in the second set, and Nadal easily won 6-2. When Nadal led the third set 3-0, I thought what is going on with Djokovic? Fortunately, he picked himself up and chased back to 3-3. And then it was a see-saw to 5-5 and he even broke Nadal's serve to lead 6-5. This was when Nadal caught on fire, first he forced a Tie Break, then in the Tie Break, he bulldozed his way to 6-0. Though Djokovic chased back to 6-3, Nadal eventually finished him off 7-6 and on to his fourth French Open final, aiming to beat Bjorn Borg's record of three consecutive titles. (Borg can be seen sitting in one of the stands in front) Djokovic ought to be proud despite of the defeat, and he could learn something useful when playing Nadal on clay next time. Edit: Since no one replied since my post, Federer has won, though he lost a set along the way to set up another final with Nadal. Last edited by Kinny Riddle; 2008-06-06 at 12:38. |
2008-06-07, 00:08 | Link #52 |
Bittersweet Distractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 32
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Another clash of the titans in a third straight Roland Garros Final. Unfortunately I do not think Federer has what it takes this year after several poor performances to put down the matador. He will need to play exceptional and go to the net like he did against Fernando Gonzalez. I predict Nadal in 4.
Although I dislike Djokovich a lot, is was nice to see a good effort from him in that 3rd set. Nadal is just too much to handle though .
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2008-06-08, 10:59 | Link #53 |
Gone for Good
Join Date: Apr 2004
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That has got to be the most one-sided Grand Slam final Federer has ever lost to Nadal. One would never have thought of him losing three straight sets, or even 6-0. A disappointing performance from Federer, though this is not to take anything away from Nadal, who was simply dominant in this match.
He's now equalled Bjorn Borg's record of 4 consecutive titles in Roland Garros. (Borg: 1978,1979,1980,1981; Nadal 2005,2006,2007,2008) Let's hope Federer picks himself up soon in time for Wimbledon, because if things remain like that, Nadal might just finally beat Federer in Wimbledon. He forced Federer to five epic sets last year, and only narrowly lost out. And then there's always Djokovic breathing behind their necks. |
2008-07-01, 13:44 | Link #54 |
Moving in circles
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Singapore
Age: 49
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This summer has been great for underdogs, it seems. We've just been delighted by beautiful football of Spain and Turkey at the Euro 2008, and now we get to cheer for Zheng Jie (ranked 133rd in the world), as she continues her fairytale run into the semi-finals of Wimbledon after beating 18th seed Nicole Vaidisova.
I only managed to watch the first set of today's match between her and Vaidisova (damned, these East European girls are so beautiful; yet another -ova with a glowing golden tan and a skimpy short skirt pristine white costume), and the first thing that struck me was how tiny Zheng seemed in comparison to Vaidisova. Zheng didn't so much play beautifully as she did play determinedly. And when you're so small (1.64m — small for international tennis), speed and determination counts for everything (remember Michael Chang?). I thought, wow, if she continued playing this way, she might just win. I'm happy to find out that she just did. |
2008-07-01, 15:56 | Link #55 |
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: England
Age: 34
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Somehow I've found myself watching Wimbledon, it's been interesting so far, especially Sharapova getting knocked out of the competition, maybe she didn't grunt loud enough this time.
Another surprise was Andy Murray's comeback against Gasquet, I was watching until he was two sets down and I thought to myself this is as far as he's going this time, I switched over and totally missed his awesome victory. There's no doubt in my mind he won't reach the final with the likes of Nadal and Federer. As for the winner I hate to admit it but I think Nadal is the most dominating force on the court, what's it been so far? was it two or three consecutive titles he won recently, they may as well call it Nadal-ball. Another point I think is worth mentioning is sometimes the crowd are disruptive influences, I can understand cheering when a player scores but when a player misses it's a unsportsmanlike, they need to chuck them out.
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2008-07-01, 16:25 | Link #56 |
Bittersweet Distractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 32
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I really don't know about Nadal being the most domineering force on the court so far. Federer has not dropped a single set yet, I think he has only dropped one service game too. Nadal has already played a couple 4 setters I think.
I'm going with the 5 time champ for this one, or maybe Safin .
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2008-07-03, 05:43 | Link #58 |
カカシ
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If Nadal and Federer both reach the final, it will be very intresting. Nadal is in incredible form...
But grass suits Federer's game so nicely. One handed backhands are very potent, but on clay it is extremely tough, even for Federer or any of the best players with one hand backhands. To suceed on clay with a one hander, you have to be extremely aggressive or else you start to hit balls above your shoulder which is a lot weaker than around your waist. However on grass Federer can play his natural game. It's going to be tough for Nadal to win but he has chance. Unless Federer plays like he did against him in Shanghai 2007. Then it's all over. Federer does seem much more relaxed this year then in previous years. He wants to win again but knows the significance of what he has already accomplished on grass. Right now anything else is just a bonus. I have a feeling Federer will win it again this year, just a gut feeling. Though I wouldn't be suprised if Nadal managed to nick it. |
2008-07-03, 05:46 | Link #60 |
Lets be reality
Join Date: May 2007
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Nadal nearly won last year and he looks to have improved his grass court game and be in much better form. Didn't Safin also knock Federer out of the semis in the Aus Open he won against Hewitt? I've always liked Safin, kinda reminds me of Goran a bit and he's also pretty awesome to watch live (seen a few of his matches at the AUS Open which I've been going to for the last 6 years.
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