Wimbledon 2018

lostcat

dominatinMC wrote: »

I I've watched a few of his matches (and looked back over some of the highlights) and he still isn't quite the peak Djokovic of 2011/2015-2016.
l.

Agree with this, only I think Nadal is also some way off his 2011/2016 level as well (as is Federer, as is Del Potro, and all the other old fogies)

Chivito550

lostcat wrote: »

Agree with this, only I think Nadal is also some way off his 2011/2016 level as well (as is Federer, as is Del Potro, and all the other old fogies)

Nadal was useless in 2016. He's definitely at a far higher level in 2017/18 as he was in 2015/16. But he's not at the level of his best years, I agree there.

Joe_ Public

sxt wrote: »

Wow the women's game isn't in great shape if a clearly unfit 37 year old can stroll to the final

Dont know about that. She doesn't look "clearly" unfit to my eyes anyway, obviously she would have lacked match sharpness coming in, but when you're one of the best players in the history of the game, that doesn't have to be much of an insurmountable barrier. And she's actually 36, I believe, whatever difference that makes. I think the games in ok shape really, maybe not a vintage tournament, but two great former champions in the final should make for an interesting climax.

walshb

Nole has Nadal's number, or at least had it more than not the past 5-6 years....

Nole is strong, hungry and relentless. I expect him to be too clinical for Nadal tomorrow. Nole in 4

63, 75, 46, 63

EagererBeaver

walshb wrote: »

Nole has Nadal's number, or at least had it more than not the past 5-6 years....

Nole is strong, hungry and relentless. I expect him to be too clinical for Nadal tomorrow. Nole in 4

63, 75, 46, 63

And Nadal has had his the last 18 months since his own fall from grace etc etc.

This is the best Djokovic has looked for about two years and is the biggest test of his comeback.

mzungu

I'm calling it for Nadal tomorrow. Could be a long one though.

I think Anderson will have too much for Isner. This will be an interesting match in its own right.

NoviGlitzko

Going for Nole in 3 or 4. 4 maybe, because the ground is like dry clay. Anyone but Nadal for SW19.

The Golden Miller

NoviGlitzko wrote: »

Going for Nole in 3 or 4. 4 maybe, because the ground is like dry clay. Anyone but Nadal for SW19.

mickmackey1 wrote: »

Every match he plays should be cherished, particularly at Wimbledon. Another sublime masterclass yesterday but this can't go on forever. We'll never see his likes again.

I agree mickmackey1 :pac:

sxt

walshb wrote: »

Nole has Nadal's number, or at least had it more than not the past 5-6 years....

Nole is strong, hungry and relentless. I expect him to be too clinical for Nadal tomorrow. Nole in 4

63, 75, 46, 63

That is a good call as usual walshb

I think in this match, there are so many variables involved
If djkovic wins the first set, he win probably win in 4. If it's goes to 5 he will definitely win

Can Nadal recover from a 5 hour semi final match.? If he can recover and win the first set he may have a slight mental edge?
And push on.. . A slight possibility of a straight sets win?

sxt

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Dont know about that. She doesn't look "clearly" unfit to my eyes anyway, obviously she would have lacked match sharpness coming in, but when you're one of the best players in the history of the game, that doesn't have to be much of an insurmountable barrier. And she's actually 36, I believe, whatever difference that makes. I think the games in ok shape really, maybe not a vintage tournament, but two great former champions in the final should make for an interesting climax.

Serena is probably the best female player of all time. Her serve was amazing. If kerber plays great in the final and moves her around for close to two hours she could be the Victor,. Serena is not close to 85%fitness.Big if I know

lostcat

First two sets of Anderson split on tiebreaks. Hopefully they keep it up for a while until I get home so I can see the full Nadal/Djokovic match

On the issue of tiebreaks, statistically it is a lottery who wins, no player has ever won that many more than they lost over the course of a career, so these two might have as well tossed a coin twice to decide who won the first two sets.

Raonic surged into the top 5 in the world a few years ago purely on the back of wining more than his fair share of tiebreaks over a season. His subsequent dip is down to the law of averages coming into play.

Joe_ Public

sxt wrote: »

Serena is probably the best female player of all time. Her serve was amazing. If kerber plays great in the final and moves her around for close to two hours she could be the Victor,. Serena is not close to 85%fitness.Big if I know

One thing for certain there won't be any intimidation factor as far as Kerber is concerned, fairly certain she'll play her game and she generally plays ok against Williams in big matches. Still cant say I've seen any obvious fitness issues with Williams though has to be said she's had a fairly soft run to the final so can still why a question mark would remain there. Doubtful it'll be what ultimately beats her, though, if Kerber indeed does prevail.

Joe_ Public

At this rate I'd say they're on track for a 6pm finish at the earliest, unless someone gets a sprint on and takes the match by the scruff. Its not that they're going to tiebreaks, but they're taking an age to get there. Seems to be loads of deuce games. I'm simply flicking over on the hour just to catch the tie breaks!

....And, of course, right on cue there's a break! First break on Isner serve all tournament...a miracle!

MisterAnarchy

And there it is ,the first break.
Isner broken for the first time in 110 service games !

Joe_ Public

Dublin buses...

NoviGlitzko

Haha madness. This is great I'll get to watch the start of the Nole/Rafa match later.

mickmackey1

How the hell they got matches finished in the old days before TBs I'll never know.

NoviGlitzko

mickmackey1 wrote: »

How the hell they got matches finished in the old days before TBs I'll never know.

Wooden rackets!

NoviGlitzko

If this goes to a final set we may not see the other match today.

walshb

I think I'll still stick to BBC 1

dominatinMC

NoviGlitzko wrote:

If this goes to a final set we may not see the other match today.

Can't understand why they didn't start this match earlier, around 11 am instead of 1 pm. Surely the officials could have predicted that it might have been a lengthy match

PlaneSpeeking

dominatinMC wrote: »

Can't understand why they didn't start this match earlier, around 11 am instead of 1 pm. Surely the officials could have predicted that it might have been a lengthy match

Am I recalling right they used to start the big games on Centre/No 1 at 2pm and that's changed not too long ago ?

I can see Novak/Nadal not starting much before 6.

mrcheez

Perfect, get to watch it at home

MisterAnarchy

dominatinMC wrote: »

Can't understand why they didn't start this match earlier, around 11 am instead of 1 pm. Surely the officials could have predicted that it might have been a lengthy match

The people are getting their moneys worth anyway .
Both womens semi finals were over this time yesterday.

JaMarcus

Their stamina is absolutely incredible. Seriously in awe of both of them.

Joe_ Public

Somebody should tell Anderson that when you break your opponent there's no unwritten rule that says its only sporting to give it right back.

NoviGlitzko

Hope Isner takes this.

walshb

dominatinMC wrote: »

Can't understand why they didn't start this match earlier, around 11 am instead of 1 pm. Surely the officials could have predicted that it might have been a lengthy match

Could say that about any match.....they all have potential to go to 5 sets, and some long 5 setters.

Mint Sauce

PlaneSpeeking wrote: »

I can see Novak/Nadal not starting much before 6.

Did I hear them say, it will be played under the roof.

To allow for a late finish maybe (curfew is 11pm).

Gwynplaine

Anderson looks about 50. He reminds me of a young Miley Byrne.

Rob2D

This match is so bad. Half the seats in centre are empty.

Rikand

Rob2D wrote: »

This match is so bad. Half the seats in centre are empty.

They went to get dinner before Rafole starts

NoviGlitzko

Ok, this can hurry up and end now please.

walshb

NoviGlitzko wrote: »

Ok, this can hurry up and end now please.

60/58 Isner in the 5th

MisterAnarchy

Rob2D wrote: »

This match is so bad. Half the seats in centre are empty.

Hospitality bigwigs in today ,half of them don't even watch a match .
Its a crying shame that so many fans cant get tickets .

Rob2D

Whoever wins this won't be recovered for Sunday, no way. Gonna be a terrible final.

walshb

But who's to say that Nole/Nadal might not be even more enduring? Remember 2012 Oz?

Rikand

Rob2D wrote: »

Whoever wins this won't be recovered for Sunday, no way. Gonna be a terrible final.

If they finish today they'll be fine.

It's Novak / Rafa having to play tomorrow that are gonna be the ones struggling on Sunday

MisterAnarchy

NoviGlitzko wrote: »

Ok, this can hurry up and end now please.

Its laughable that a match involving two huge servers is taking over 5 hours .
The courts need to be sped up ,a match like this 15 years ago would be over in 3 hours.

splinter65

Rikand wrote: »

If they finish today they'll be fine.

It's Novak / Rafa having to play tomorrow that are gonna be the ones struggling on Sunday

Why do you think they won’t play tonight? Is that what’s been arranged?

Rjd2

NoviGlitzko wrote: »

Ok, this can hurry up and end now please.

Yep same here. What are the reasons against a fifth set tie break? Have an issue with it, win the match before such a scenario! Its not a lottery anyhow and the biggest supposed lottery in sport is peno shoot outs which everyone loves.

Or I dunno at 8-8 or 10-10? tie break?

mickmackey1

Rjd2 wrote: »

Yep same here. What are the reasons against a fifth set tie break? Have an issue with it, win the match before such a scenario! Its not a lottery anyhow and the biggest supposed lottery in sport is peno shoot outs which everyone loves.

Or I dunno at 8-8 or 10-10? tie break?

The biggest problem with it is that it seriously favours the winners next opponent - not having a TB I mean

SlickRic

Inverdale and McEnroe trying so hard to tell us how amazing this is.

Rob2D

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

The courts need to be sped up ,a match like this 15 years ago would be over in 3 hours.

Back then there was still volleying involved so something had to happen. Here it'll just devolve into holds of serve forever.

SlickRic

splinter65 wrote: »

Why do you think they won’t play tonight? Is that what’s been arranged?

It certainly ain't going to finish tonight.

walshb

No TB in the 5th is a crock of fooking sh1t!

Christy42

Rob2D wrote: »

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

The courts need to be sped up ,a match like this 15 years ago would be over in 3 hours.

Back then there was still volleying involved so something had to happen. Here it'll just devolve into holds of serve forever.

Do I have it wrong? Surely faster courts give a bigger edge to the server making the problem worse?

I might have that wrong but I thought that was partially why smaller servers struggled on grass in comparison to clay (it is still faster than clay/hard even it isn't as fast). Otherwise I would expect bigger servers doing better on clay.

Anyway I want it to keep going a bit. I haven't got home yet for the interesting one!

Rjd2

mickmackey1 wrote: »

The biggest problem with it is that it seriously favours the winners next opponent - not having a TB I mean

I recall when Isner won that 70-68 match, he went out tamely to a journeyman next match as he was knackered. This is not fair on both players whatsoever and despite the spin its a little boring. People have other things to do with there life.

0ph0rce0

Said i'd have a beer and watch the oul tennis earlier (had a day off work)

Falling off the couch now.

Scuttered.

AllForIt

SlickRic wrote: »

Inverdale and McEnroe trying so hard to tell us how amazing this is.

It is amazing.



I wouldn't be for the tie-break in the final set myself. I like these unusual occasions. I don't think order of play or time restrictions should be taken into account where the right way to do it is concerned and I don't think a tie break is the right way to do it.

When players are so evenly matched then it should come down to who has the stamina to decide it.