Terrific performance from Tsonga. Demolished Federer 7-5 6-3 6-3 in under 2 hours. Really hope he goes on now to become the first home finalist in a quarter of a century since Henri Leconte in 1988. He’s always had the game Tsonga, but never really the head for it.
That’s no surprise, to think that clown Manuel Zelaya predicted Federer would win the thing out. :rolleyes:
I also expect Ferrer to beat Tsonga.
It could certainly happen. Bookies have Ferrer slight favourite and he has won 3 of their previous 4 meetings. I’ve said from the start, the Djokovic v Nadal semi final is the final and that’s still my view. Tsonga is far the likelier to make a match of it in a final. Ferrer would most likely be crushed as he invariably is when he faces the top guns. Last year at Roland Garros was a case in point. Swept through the first four rounds without dropping a set, dropped a set to Murray in the quarters, his prospects of possibly even upsetting Nadal were been talked about going into the semis and he promptly tanked losing 6-2 6-2 6-1.
Tsonga has produced some notable one off Grand Slam results over the years but has never followed it up. He destroyed Nadal in the semis of Australia in 2008, came from 2 sets down to beat Federer at Wimbledon in 2011, came very close to beating Djokovic in an epic 5 setter at Roland Garros last year and obviously today’s result.
I believe if Ferrer makes the final, he would be the oldest finalist since Andres Gimeno in 1972. Interesting piece here talking up his chances, but have to say I’m not convinced that at 31 he can find that ingredient that’s missing his whole career.
What time will the Djokovic-Nadal game likely be taking place at on Friday, chaps? I find this one too hard to call. Despite Nadal winning their last grand slam meeting, it is still obvious that Djokovic has a psychological edge over Nadal and that will have grown after he beat him in Monte Carlo. On the other hand, Nadal is still the king of clay and is in outstanding form, seems to have really settled in his last two matches while Djokovic was nowhere near his best against Kohlschreiber in the last 16. Djokovic is one of those players whose form you can’t really rely on. In the 2012 Australian Open he was dreadful against Murray in the semi-final and only won it by default as Murray contrived to blow every single chance Djokovic gave him, then he put in the performance of his life in the final that year.
I think it will be a 4 set game.
[quote=“Wrigley Field, post: 781724, member: 1735”]It could certainly happen. Bookies have Ferrer slight favourite and he has won 3 of their previous 4 meetings. I’ve said from the start, the Djokovic v Nadal semi final is the final and that’s still my view. Tsonga is far the likelier to make a match of it in a final. Ferrer would most likely be crushed as he invariably is when he faces the top guns. Last year at Roland Garros was a case in point. Swept through the first four rounds without dropping a set, dropped a set to Murray in the quarters, his prospects of possibly even upsetting Nadal were been talked about going into the semis and he promptly tanked losing 6-2 6-2 6-1.
Tsonga has produced some notable one off Grand Slam results over the years but has never followed it up. He destroyed Nadal in the semis of Australia in 2008, came from 2 sets down to beat Federer at Wimbledon in 2011, came very close to beating Djokovic in an epic 5 setter at Roland Garros last year and obviously today’s result.
I believe if Ferrer makes the final, he would be the oldest finalist since Andres Gimeno in 1972. Interesting piece here talking up his chances, but have to say I’m not convinced that at 31 he can find that ingredient that’s missing his whole career.
A bit harsh on Ferrer all the same, he is playing the best tennis of his career right now and is capable of giving anyone a difficult game but against the likes of Djokovic and Nadal he is playing bigger, stronger and quicker players of his ilk.
Old Tommy seems to have put a bit of a fight against Djokovic today. Some going getting to the QF at the age of 35. I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for him and his bouts of anger.
The Big One is first on court at 1 (that’s 1 GMT). Its desperately hard to call. Don’t necessarily think Djokovic has gained that much of a pyschological edege over Nadal. Certainly back in 2011 and through the Australian Open in 2012, it appeared he had winning 7 in row. Nadal struck back though last year winning the finals in Monte Carlo, Rome & Roland Garros. The only meeting since last year’s Roland Garros final was in Monte Carlo which Djokovic won. Its Djokovic that has to overcome the biggest pyschological barrier of all, beating Nadal in Paris.
Thought Nadal looked a bit jaded and below par for the first week but he hasn’t looked too far off top form last two rounds. As Bomber said, you can never read a whole lot into Djokovic’s form. He has this capacity to hit top gear without having looked particularly impressive in earlier rounds. He’s done what he’s had to do in all his games so far without coming anywhere near his top game.
I predicted Novak to win the tournament from the outset and will stick with him, but I’d be a lot less confident that I was two weeks ago.
Djokovic being fucked over by the frenchies. Lost the first game of the third set when he should have broken before the ref got a call wrong and gave nadal a break. Djokovic has since blown up like an off-form rory mcilroy. 1 set all but 4-0 down against the juice.
Nadal clinches third set despite getting a point against him for picking his arse too much. About time
Game stepping up here judging by grunt volume. 2-2 in the fourth set.
Nadal leads with a break 4-3 in fourth. He’s obviously managed to get his blood bags back
Tits up for novak. Just been broken.
And immediately breaks back!
Boom. Breaks him straight back. Seriously intense fistpumping all round.
Come on Novak.
Novak is back. 5-4 up now after wiping the floor with nadal in the last game.
Nadal wins to love. 5-5
Squeaky bum time here.
Apparently it’s hot in france too.
Novak bottles it entirely. 3 big mistakes to lose a deuce game. Danger here. 6-5 down