very scrappy first set goes to rafa 7-5

Djoko will take this in 4.

Rafa doesn't know how to play against Nole, a bit like Fed against Rafa...

I can't say I'm thrilled at the prospect of watching the third straight Grand Slam final between Nadal and Djokovic....

Yes because watching numerous all Williams finals in a row was fantastic

Plenty of drama, not to mention plenty of amateur dramatics from Nole, who I still find it very difficult indeed to warm to compared to Roger and Rafa, for all his talent and new-found gluten-free endurance.

But for all the excitement I don't think this one hit the heights tennis-wise of their USO final.

I'm only just catching up with events of the weekend.

Sounds like Nole and Rafa had an epic match.

Doesn't look as if it caught much attention from folk here. Just 5 posts in the entire thread so far!

Well done to both players. Huge physical effort.

I watched a good chunk of the match. The quality of the tennis played seemed patchy. Still doesn't detract from the fact that both players slugged it out for just under 6 hours.

Rafa's the first player to lose 3 consecutive slam finals in the open era. He doesn't lose many matches that go to 5 sets either.

Whilst no-one probably would have predicted both of Nole's semi matches going to 5 sets, it was still Rafa beats Roger, Nole beats Andy, Nole beats Rafa. Same old, same old.

Wow, extremely quiet in here! What a match - didn't see all of it, but from what I saw there were some brutal rallies. Feel sorry for Nadal - played fantastic tennis but someone had to lose unfortunately.

Whilst I still prefer Federer to these two, I've got to admit that with these recent finals they have raised the bar.

Congratulations Novak! Took him 5 hours to put away Rafa???? Wow!!!! I don't understand how anyone can not enjoy watching a good slugfest. I'd say those fans got their money's worth.

Duchess wrote:


Just under 6 hours, longest mens Slam final on record, apparently.

And while I prefer watching a contrast in styles, like Federer/Nadal , Ive got to agree that this is as good as it gets at the moment.

I only saw a small part of the match in the fourth set, up until they closed the roof but at that point, Nadal had just saved three virtual match points by winning 5 points in a row from love 40 .I really thought he would win the match from there, but what self belief Nole must have had in the fifth set.

So, all he needs now is to win the French to hold all four... reminds me of 2006 when Federer was going for the same .

Big Al wrote:


A Rafa - Nole final at Roland Garros with that at stake would be... quite something, wouldn't it?

It's almost enough to make me hope Roger doesn't spoil the script this time.







Almost!

tlim wrote:


I think a Nole-Roger final would be more exciting.

With Roger winning in the fifth set, meaning he has at least two of each slam and just stopping Nole doing what he's almost done on so many previous occasions.

As to yesterday's match, I saw the first two sets, which were not particularly great. I imagine the tension towards the end made it an exciting match, but from what I saw I'd agree that quality-wise it was not as good as the US Open final.

IconA wrote:


I actually thought the quality of yesterdays match was actually good. The rallys were a bit exausting but then again they played for almost 6 hours so that says a lot!

Congrats to Nole on winning an epic match.Congrats to Rafa for being a part of history...First man in history to lose 3 slam finals in a row.Cant say I dont take some delight in him having that record but at the same time its really sad for him not being able to put Nole away.

You gotta wonder how mentally smashed he must be against Nole if he had all that momentum going into that decider after winning a cracker tiebreak, then serving first in the fifth and still going 4-2 ahead and still losing!Tough stuff indeed!

I must say though that its a bit tedious now. Same events unfolding at almost every big tournament is really monotonous.What made the Federer/Nadal rivalry exciting was that you knew Rafa would get there on clay but on the other surfaces you knew that the chances were not as guranteed.So the anticipatory aspect of it made it exciting!

Great Aussie Open!

NorthernLight wrote:


This isn't a criticism but I guess there a lot of Fed fans on here so I expect a Rafa vs Djokovic match isn't going to appeal to all.

I guess there is a bit of inevitability now in men's tennis as you describe. I know for many of us numerous all Williams finals in the women's game wasn't particularly exciting either.

The problem is I can't see anyone really challenging Rafa and Nole and it is hard to know what Rafa needs to do to win.
I still feel that at the French, Rafa can do it but I wouldn't bet my house on it...

choka wrote:


Oh I don't know, I would describe myself as a Federer fan (though I wasn't always, only since he started losing regularly) and I found their USO final enthralling.

However, I think the fact that is their third final in a row means a little bit of ennui is starting to set in. Plus I (like most people I imagine) did not have time on Sunday to spend six hours watching tennis.

Whilst I would not wish it, it is starting to feel like only injury can shake things up a bit this year.

IconA wrote:


I like this RG scenario

Although it's not very likely, no? Wouldn't that mean a repeat of 2009 where Rafa lost early to Soderling, no? I can't see Rafa losing to Federer if they end up in the same half again, no? And if Fed and Djoko are in the same half they can't meet in the final no? Oh I seem to have gone into Rafa mode, no?