Novak Djokovic will continue his Australian Open campaign on Sunday with a fourth-round test against Gilles Simon. Djokovic, who is bidding for his sixth title at this event, has not yet dropped a set in Melbourne.
Novak Djokovic and Gilles Simon will be squaring off for the 11th time in their careers when they clash in round four of the Australian Open on Sunday. Djokovic is making a mockery of the head-to-head series 9-1 and has won nine in a row since losing their first-ever encounter 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3 on the indoor hard courts of Marseille in 2008. Eight of Djokovic’s victories over the Frenchman have come on hard courts, although none has come at a Grand Slam. Their only previous major meeting took place at Wimbledon in 2014, when Djokovic cruised 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
Perhaps nowhere is the world No. 1 more dominant than he is Down Under. A title this fortnight would be his sixth in Melbourne and fifth in the last six years. Djokovic’s bid is off to a fine start, as he has advanced with straight-set defeats of Hyeon Chung, Quentin Halys, and Andreas Seppi. Coming off a title in Doha, Djokovic is a perfect 8-0 on the season. But he has was not in peak form–not did he have to be–against Chung, Halys, or Seppi.
“I’m still not very satisfied with certain parts of the second and third set,” the top-seeded Serb after holding off Seppi 6-1, 7-5, 7-6(6). “I think I could have done better. But I played a quality player who took out (Roger) Federer last year here and who has been on the tour for many years. He is not afraid to play big tennis on a big stage. He likes it, I think. It was a great test. It was a physical match; a lot of exchanges from the baseline. I’m just glad to go through.”
Simon punched his ticket to the last 16 while enduring one real scare along the way. After getting past Vasek Pospisil in four sets, the 15th-ranked Frenchman outlasted Evgeny Donskoy 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(1), 4-6, 7-5. He then bounced back to pummel Federico Delbonis 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 on Friday. Simon is through to the Aussie fourth round for the third time in his career and he is looking for his second quarterfinal appearance (2009).
Similar to Seppi, Simon is a rock-solid baseliner who has sneaky power off both wings but does not win many free points on serve. A similar scoreline could be in store, too, because Djokovic may not raise his level until the latter rounds. The match-fixing story that has plagued the first week of the tournament certainly has not helped the favorite’s mental state. He will almost certainly take care of business against Simon, but it will not be entirely routine.
Pick: Djokovic in 3 losing 11-13 games
[polldaddy poll=9282158]
Djoker in three losing 11-13 games
I have not seen Simon played so far. He’s a flat hitter like Seppi but much quicker around the court. I expect some tough sets should Simon play his best but Novak will still win and most likely in straight sets.
I don’t know why but I have two completely different predictions of what I think the scoreline might be…
Either:
Novak def Simon 6-4 6-2 6-1
Or
Simon Def Novak 4-6 7-6 7-6 5-7 7-6
fifth set score is not possible
(and neither is Simon winning)
Bring it
I’m feeling optimistic for Simon to make a set close – maybe even win one.
Nole in 4
Hahaha Simon definitely ftw
News from the locker room.
RT Carole Bouchard (Journalist): “Simon quoted in L’Equipe [French newspaper] saying he’ll have the whole locker room behind him vs. Djokovic on Sunday. Guys are fed up w/ being humiliated.”
RT Matt Kriz: “Carole Bouchard didn’t translate that Simon quote very well. He said it was humiliating to always lose.”
Nicole Eclectic: “I figured the essential point was that the locker room will supposedly all be rooting for Simon.”
RT Matt Kriz: “It’s just her [Bouchard] English version makes it sound more hostile than the French quote.”
Agree with diddy.
Nole in three routine sets despite the intentional distractions thrown at him.
37 shot rally won by Gilou! hahaha enjoyed that.
This is something else! Look at Simon go! Novak is throwing everything at him and he’s hanging in there. I am loving this!
Gilou blew 2 break chances. Long game…Nole not exactly having his way with this guy. Another break point. Gigi Salmon, AO Radio, is the best ever calling matches. Turn the sound off TV and listen. She’s incredible. Another break point the 4th. Nole saves it. deuce. And finally game point Nole. and…he gets it. Marathon game.
Simon is definitely not making it easy for Novak. I love how Simon gets to those shots Novak hits in both corners. He’s got this deceptive quickness and then he can just kind of flick it back, but there is power in his shots.
I have always enjoyed watching Simon. Just love the guy! I hope he gives Novak fits! Let him work for it!
Nny, the score for that 1st set is deceptive. 6-3 Nole – which would be interpreted as an easy set if you didn’t see it. That was the opposite of an easy set!
horrid tennis
horrid? entertaining tennis, I thought. I’m smiling.
It’s a bit of both lol. The horridity is what makes it entertaining.
Hasn’t been all bad though. There have been some fantastic points and even though lots of the long games have been missed chances for both because of UEs the fact that they are having marathon games does make it interesting. HOLY CRAP Djokovic just lost that point after that over head. And oh my gosh that shot to break!!! ALLEZ GILLES!! VAMOS!! Officially pumped up now. Btw Djoker not volleying well right now. I feel like his volleys would be the only thing u could call a weakness. Not they’re necessarily a big weakness of his but volley is probably his worst shot to be honest. Anyways let’s go Gilles!! Break here!!
rc,
Yes, I agree with you. Entertaining. Simon just keeps hitting everything back to Novak and frustrating him. I am enjoying the fact that Simon came to play and is putting in the effort to try and keep this close and maybe get a set off Novak.
Novak just looked at him after one rally as if to say – how did you hit that winner? There have been some great rallies. I don’t think it’s high quality tennis, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun to watch.
Had to be tough for Gilles to shake off missing his chances in that 3-3 marathon game. Nole breaks and ..bye bye 1st set. Absolutely could watch Gilou run for hours…hehe he’s fantastic. Not going to win. But fantastically frustrating for an opponent.
What a pain, that Gilles Simon 😀
This is just plain bad for Djoker standards. C or C- game from him at the moment, hard to watch as a Djoker fan.
Depends, I’m a Nole fan but I love Gilou, too, so…
Granted, I’d be cheesed if this was FO.
I know one Japanese man who’s enjoying these grueling games Djokovic is going through.
Yoshihito Nishioka??
lol
Simon is testing Novak with his consistency. Nole seems a little unsettled right now. Would love to see an upset here. ALLEZ GILLES!! Also is it just me or has Novak looked a little vulnerable these first few matches. He did this at 2014 Wimbledon and U.S. Open last year when he had tough matches early and looked sloppy then played much better later in the event. But I think if he plays not so consistent like he is today against someone like kei fed or Stan I think an upset is very possible. He knows how to step it up later in the event though so I’m not saying that he has good chance at losing to kei or something. Just kinda noticed that he hasn’t been very sharp though. I feel like Simon gives him trouble though. His game in particular seems to unsettle Novak. Nole has a 9-1 H2H record but I feel like their contests have been pretty close in the past.
Actually was wondering if Nole came out from the start of the match a tad bit weary looking and low energy. If it was Rafa, he would have had his game face on from the start. Nole has played this guy enough to know it’s a long day at the office, lol…run, run, run. Maybe it’s boring for Nole? But he has to do it, beat this guy to advance. Jo made Kei look good in part today – Jo was having back trouble. Two sides to every story.
Was imagining Gilou getting a set … picked Nole in 4.
Novak never looks great in the early rounds. So many times I read people saying that he’s looking vulnerable, not playing great and then he gets to the second week and the semis and final and plays his best. It doesn’t matter if he isn’t playing well now as long as he gets the win. The point is to peak in the second week.
Simon is the kind of opponent who can pester you by getting to every ball.
Okay, this is when I stop cheering for Gilou! LOL …ajde Nole!
Love Gilles Simon – he’s so mentally strong and smart and makes the most of his talent. Also has unbelievable endurance.
Nole needs to regroup now.
Oh Mama! What a get by Simon to win the point and hold serve! How on earth did he get to that ball? A cc backhand stab volley for a winner. Novak slipped, but it didn’t matter.
Simon came to play! Love it!
They posted stats when it was 2-2 in the second set showing Novak with 27 UE’s and Simon with 22 UE’s. Since when does Novak have that many UE’s in not even a set and a half?
They just said Novak has 38 UE’s. I didn’t hear how many winners. It looks like it’s going to be a tb. Simon is making in interesting. But I have been seeing Novak miss shots that he would make all day long. In this second set, he’s had some bad misses.
Can Simon keep this up? Because he’s had to run a lot and expend a lot of energy.
What was that from Novak? A poorly timed drop shot? Not good.
Who is Simon channeling today? Novak hit him with everything! But the ball just kept coming back! Then Simon ripped a winner to go up 3-0. What is going on here?
Oh, it’s 4-0! Holy cow!
That shot to go up 3-0 was brilliant.
AAALLLEEEZZZZZ!! That one rally that ended with that amazing backhand by Simon though. Insane stuff. Also RBA is up 4-2 on Berdych in first set. Wouldn’t be too surprised to see RBA win. I chose Berdych to win in four and I’m not saying I think RBA is gonna win now just cuz the lead he has early on but he has been in such good form and continues to impress after two five setters by beating Cilic in straights in round three not to mention he won Auckland. Would love to see him make the quarters then of course I would want Roger to get it done there lol. Yesss!! One set all!! ALLEZ!! Horrendous tiebreak from Nole but I’m loving Simon’s fight right now. Imagine if he got the win. That’d be monumental.
This is unreal! Now it’s 5-1 Simon! But Novak just tried a terrible drop shot that didn’t even clear the net.
Simon just flattened out that cc backhand and went for it earlier to make it 3-0. That was some shot. Simon is just outplaying Novak right now.
Set point for Simon!
Simon wins the second set!
Novak 0-11 break point chances. Also, Novak has 23 UE’s for the second set alone to Simon’s 16!
This is unbelievable!
They showed Novak bending over after that long rally where Simon hit that insane cc backhand shot for a winner. He didn’t look too good. I give Simon a lot of credit for coming to play. But Novak has been horrendous.
Wow! I’m watching this and not quite sure what i’m seeing. It’s been interesting that’s for sure!
disastrous from the Djoker
Wait for it…don’t get fooled.
Simon hitting very flat shots that trouble Novak, just like it troubled Fed all the times that they met.
Simon is a special player, his shots are so flat they barely go over the net.
He is, Lucky, a special athlete, Gilou. He could have been an incredible cyclist of the climber type. Great weight to power ratio. Perfect build for it. Would have maybe sucked at the time trial though.
tennis’s Andy Schleck (actually that is Seppi)
Well I wish Rafa could hit flatter against Novak because it sure works!
Djoko may win 3rd 6 0 🙂
RBA is balling right now. He seems to be dictating play pretty well. Plus he’s playing very solid. Has break point against him though as he tries to serve out the first set.
3-0 Djoker just like that. And RBA takes the opener 6-4. #VAMOS
Unbelievable Benny! RBA hahahaha
Not watching it but…you made me check the score
Berdych spraying balls everywhere. Flying off his strings.
Like a champion, Novak regrouped and came out strong in the third set. I wondered if Simon could keep it up.
Weight to power ratio! Hmmm. That must be it. Because I don’t know where Simon gets that power on his shots. He’s so slender that you would think he doesn’t have the strength. He played well enough to take a set, but I think Novak is going to restore order.
As for RBA and Berdy, the ESPN commies said that Berdy has had way too many errors. I saw the last game where RBA was serving for the set and Berdy had break point. But his shots are sailing long. Some bad stuff from Berdy. Right now he looks like Berd brain. RBA is more than willing to take advantage. So first set to RBA and let’s see if Berdy can regroup in the second set.
This is freaking unbelievable! Simon just broke back to make it 3-2! He’s not going away.
Time to rip his shirt on the changeover. Enough already, Nole, get with it!
Hahahhaa
What is un-freaking-believable to me, Benny, is that RBA isn’t toast yet????
same
Same. His fitness is unreal. He must have so much stamina. The fact that he beat Cilic in straights after two five setters was insane.
The body language is off with Novak. Even the ESPN commies noticed it. You just don’t see this from him. He was 3 for 18 on break chances. That doesn’t happen with him. He’s missing shots that he makes almost all the time.
Simon is back even at 3-3.
I’m gonna die laughing if RBA beats Berd. It’s ridiculous…
Novak is too subdued. It’s not like him. Maybe this is his stinker of a match in the first week. He’s going to have to just gut out a win here. I thought Simon might have used up too much to win the second set. But he’s still right there. He keeps on going like the energizer bunny.
yeah, I feel guilty for wanting Gilou to get a set. I said set, Gilles, not the whole match!
Nole is just biding his time until the shade crosses the court.
Novak just doesn’t seem like himself. I don’t know what’s up with him, but he will have to just get through this.
But he got that 3rd set. Can’t see why people don’t like this…
Are you not entertained, people?!
That was a fun set of tennis, third set 😀
NOOO!!!! Simon has been fighting a lot today so that’s not necessarily the end for him but I’m gonna head to bed nonetheless. I may wake up for some of fed vs Goffin and watch if it’s interesting or go back to sleep if it’s not. Hopefully fed can cruise.
Nighty nite, Benny.
I couldn’t sleep so looks like I’m sleeping in because we could very well be going to a fifth.
Simon had chances
Novak has 43 winners to 61 UE’s. I never thought I’d see that. But he appears to have control of the match now. He fought off double break point to hold his first service gsme of the fourth set. Winning the third set was key.
He still seems off, but seems to be playing better now.
I think Novak will get it done now in 4 sets.
I don’t know that I can make it much longer. Maybe I will record the matches that I won’t get to see.
Nny, I’m falling asleep. Have enjoyed your company! I have to record and hope I get Radwanska’s match too.
rc,
Are you still there? Your guy is in a battle. I was going to record it, but can’t stop watching now.
Berdy won the second set, thank goodness! He needs to step it up and get this done.
If only fed was not in the draw i would root for gilou??
Omg djoko is playing rafaesque??
I hate to say it, but I was thinking that myself! 🙂
Looks like djoko has evened the ufe count for the whole of last year in this match itself
I tried to go to sleep, but had the TV on and saw the end of the fourth set. So this is going to a fifth set. I cannot believe what I am seeing. He can’t shake Simon.
They said that Novak has had as many UE’s in this match as he had in his first three games. I think now he’s got even more. He’s missing so many shots that he always makes.
Same
I am so tired, but I have to see this to the end now.
Same. I’m gonna be a wreck tomorrow lol.
Benny,
Yes, it really messes up the day! I am going to be a zombie!
Goin the distance baby!! ALLEZ!!
bizarre
The ESPN commies can’t stop talking about Novak’s insane UE count. Maybe he will set a record. I don’t know what’s going on with him. Something’s not right.
Simon has done well to just hang around, but Novak is just not himself.
Come on Gilles!
Panic mode… Novak’s really not himself today… gotta credit Simon for getting great depth though.
Calendar gs not looking so sure now?
Thankfully it seems like the games are shortening. Maybe I won’t get to bed in an hour and this set won’t be a marathon again.
Yes, we can only hope. I am trying hard to stay awake now.
What was up with those drop shots from Novak? That’s how Simon broke him late in the fourth set. I have never seen him hit drop shots so poorly. He didn’t have the right court positioning at all. It was like blinking or holding up a white flag of surrender. As though he couldn’t hold on in those long rallies.
I am also surprised that Simon has held up so well. I have to believe that somehow Novak will pull this out, but you have to wonder what is happening with him.
This would give new meaning to the term winning ugly.
So weird. I’ve never seen anything like it. It never worked so far but he doesn’t seem to be letting up on that play and it’s a bad bad play.
Uh oh. Simon lost 40-0 lead. Crap. C’mon Gilles dig this game out!!
Break!
Dog gammit. That was stupid. What a throwaway of a game.
simon choked that game away
Too true sadly.
Well that kinda pissed me off. Should be 3/2 now not 4/1. Did u really have to blow a 40/0 lead Simon? Really?
Novak raised his level of play and also is trying to shorten the points. It’s like he finally woke up and wants to just end this thing.
Now it’s 4-1 Novak. He got the break. Let’s see if he can hold on for the win. We may get our wish for a quick fifth set.
I guess Simon cracked in that game. He’s been staying strong throughout the match. But I also think that Novak played smart in that game. He got very aggressive with his shots.
Well that’s it. Double break for Novak.
5-1. This is over. Now I can get some sleep!
Same congrats to us lol
Yes, we made it! 🙂
Now get some sleep!
As a Federer fan, all I can say is…well sh*t.
Simon didn’t really choke in the 40/0 game, the shots Novak weren’t hitting just started to land in.
I agree. Novak started making the shots that he was missing throughout this match. He got super aggressive and just went for it. Simon also may have hit a wall finally. He looks kind of tired.
Simon ftw with the challenge!! Lol
He’s not done yet ALLEZ
goodbye sleep.
Haha I know right. Not sleeping until Nole actually closes this out.
So impressive from Nole to win a match with nearly 100 UEs.
100 UE for Novak, is this a record for him?
I think 100 UE’s is a record, period!
I can’t believe that Simon broke Novak when he was serving for the match! Novak had match point on Simon’s serve and couldn’t get it done.
Now it’s 5-3. Can Novak close this out?
I figured out why this is happening. It was a full moon tonight!
I am so tired that I feel that I am hallucinating.
RBA won the fourth set, so he and Berdy will go to a fifth set. This must be the night of five setters.
come on Tomasssss!! go to sleep NNY!
vamosrafa,
Yes, I am going to sleep now! There is no way I can stay up to see if Berdy can hold off RBA in the fifth set.
I am done!
Night all!
Morning of five setters *
only watched the 5th set… so Novak was a disaster today…pity Simon could not take advantage
Done. 6-3. What a contest. Not the greatest quality but it was a battle. Now RBA took the match to a fifth set against Berdych. No way I’m staying up for THAT one lol. Not after this. Chances are Berdych RBA goes past 6-6 lol. Hope to wake up tomorrow to see RBA a winner and Roger his opponent in the quarters. G’night.
Tomas is flying away with this now
Fortunately for Berdych, this one has been a pretty quick 5-setter. Just above 3 hrs! Not bad. He looks fresh and he will be ready for Federer.
Bad day at the office for Novak, but he will be ready for the rest of the tournament. While I do not think it affects his chances here, this is exactly the kind of thing that has lost him some slams over the last few years, and he really needs to avoid getting into a rut if he wants to win the French this year.
Simon played a very good strategy, but Novak clearly could have taken a few extra steps to take the ball earlier and higher. The slicing and drop shots were also very unnecessary.
it might hurt him if he is tangled up in a long battle with Nishikori
I think he will raise his game against Nishikori, similar to how he did against Berdych after beating Wawrinka in 2013.
yeah…that’s probably going to happen…let’s see. But his 2013 battle against Wawrinka was more about wawrinka playing at an extraordinary level and this one was quite the opposite. Only time will tell how he responds. Common sense tells us he is going to raise his level
So were the drop shots! Did you hear the fan in the crowd shout out to Novak while he was being interview on court after the match? He said no more drop shots and Novak told him he was absolutely right!
Tomas Berdych awaiting the winner of Federer-Goffin. I think Goffin might win a set today
Damn..I was wondering who got Raonic and just saw that Stan plays him tomorrow. Not good! I hope Stan takes care of him in 4 sets max…
This match will wake Novak up. But frankly he did not look sharp against Seppi neither dis he today. If Fed or Murray or Stan raise their game and believe, they can take him down. He is sure to feel the pressure to back up the year.
I frankly don’t want Novak to win as then the Novak slam chorus will get so loud and ofcourse the calendar slam chorus for 5 months till May 🙂
true! don’t want Novak to win … but don’t wanna see fed win no.18 either! lol. May God help Stan the man
Don’t worry!
Stan is his own Man!!
I will be super happy if anyone except Fed or Novak takes this. Chances are slim though.
I’m back, after a 4 hour nap. hehe…
Dasha! is on. Go Dasha!
Nole won!
RBA won? no. Berd.
Radwanska won in 3 sets?
Oh no…sad for Daria Gavrilova.
Happy for Carla Suarez-Navarro.
Go Goffin!
AO Radio commies debating whether or not Goffin still has posters of Federer on his bedroom wall… he’s 25!
Really hope not.
if he is still in the same room, sure
I doubt he would actually physically tear them down. The question is if he has moved or not.
I wouldn’t have a clue! just speculating…
Sounds like diddy speaks from experience lol.
Djokovic set a new record by winning a match after making 100 UEs!
ROFL.
Have to admit I got a certain sadistic pleasure watching the adorable Gilles giving Djokovic the run around for five sets. Couldn’t bear the smug smirk when he pulled the trigger in the dying moments! of the match.
Djokovic has looked vulnerable so far….I hope that continues and Nishikori won’t be easy to put away unless novak plays at a high level. The court speed is good for Kei to make a battle out of this. It will be a tough one for Djokovic. I really hope kei plays well and does not underperform like he did in their WTF match. I doubt he would this time…
have been thinking the same vr…that kei could put nole away if he goes in feeling off in a replay of the usopen match.
i wish stan wasn’t playing a milos who is playing great tennis.that could be a very long match…
Hope Kei doesn’t beat or drain Nole.
I want Nole ready to stop Roger from his 18th.
BEL18VE
For Nole or Rafa, yes I hope so. 🙂
Benny, would you rather….
1) Roger win one more career slam and Nole or Rafa get 19
OR
2) Roger not win another slam but no one ever ties or passes him.
Probably the second one because ppl would always talk about Rafa or Nole being the goat lol and forget Rafa passing Roger in slam count it’s only Nole who has a shot at that imo. I do want Roger to win more slams of course.
kewl
Hawkstradamus, brackets updated. I left you and Nny messages on your brackets. Cheers.
I’ve replied!
Hmm.. Seems like the whole world is against Novak! LOL!!
^^^ I wonder why……………………….hehe
well i’m rooting for nole now rafa is out..
#nolefam..!!
amy,
Novak does have his fans. They just don’t happen to be on this site! But you do have company with ratcliffe.
I assume you did not see the match. It was probably best. Your nerves would have been frazzled. It was positively bizarre!
Now that Rafa is out, I really don’t have anyone to cheer for here. But I want to just enjoy the tennis. I can still do that. I am also enjoying the women’s matches.
nny, no couldn’t watch…do hope he raises his game…
@nny, yeah, will just have to wait and see how he responds. it is true that he can manage to raise his level and win tournaments when people were talking about how vulnerable he has looked. Even when he was down in his match, he relied on his defense and counterpunching to dig himself out of trouble. He can rely on that no matter how much pressure he is under…
On another note, I really hope Stan can beat Milos in 3-4 sets.
I don’t want fed and novak to win for obvious reasons…
I’m for Nole unless Fed is eliminated.
Then it’s Ferrer, Milos, Murray, Berdych and LaMonf in that order.
Correction: Strike that, head says nole no matter what.
Heart says order above.
vamosrafa,
Yes, I saw the whole match! Novak was really not himself. I do think that Simon was part of it, but not all of it. He was off for whatever reason. Maybe this is just his one stinker of a match and he will move on knowing that he survived a match he most likely should have lost. I am not sure what to make of it. It could be a one-off or maybe something else. We will have to watch and see what happens with Kei.
I was amazed at how effective Simon was in countering whatever Novak threw at him. Novak was hitting the corners off both wings, yet Simon just kept the ball coming back. Then Novak resorted to some truly awful mistimed drop shots that even had the crowd groaning at some points. Not like him at all. He was flustered by Simon.
I kept thinking about Rafa while watching that match. Thinking about how he was able to do what Novak did in this match. That being win even when not playing well. Novak’s mental strength got him through that match. Rafa did that so often. I was also thinking that Rafa should take some notes and watch what Simon was doing. But Simon hits flatter groundstrokes. I can see that Novak doesn’t have as easy a time with those.
I sent you an email. Since you are here, I assume you have recovered from the shock of Rafa’s loss. I have had a tough time of it. But watching the matches and trying to enjoy the tennis is helping a lot.
I think that Novak will have a tough match against Kei. But I also think that surviving that five setter with Simon will help him. When you win matches like that, a match that he probably should have lost, it boosts your confidence and belief. It shows just how hard it is to take out Novak in a slam. That’s the way it was with Rafa.
Novak won witn 100 UE’s. I stayed up to watch the whole thing! I would not write him off just yet. I always hear the same thing in the early rounds – Novak doesn’t look good, he can be beat, he looks vulnerable. But somehow he comes through.
I think Kei playing well has the game to definitely make it a match. I also think that Novak will have to raise his level of play for that one.
oops my above post should have been posted here….
Early in the first set I saw Novak shake out his right hand after a point. Who know, maybe he got a cramp or niggle. He had a crap serve and forehand.
I think he will beat kei.
Nobody seems to have commented on the bizarre episode early in the 2nd set when Djokovic became highly agitated and started ranting like a maniac at his team. Couldn’t make out what he was saying but he seemed to be spinning out of control. He eventually calmed down and started to play better but nevertheless went on to lose the set on the tie breaker. He regrouped in the third set but then looked about to unravel in the 4th set – clocking up 29 UEs and allowed Gillou back into the match. Luckily for him Gilles seemed to hit the wall in the 5th set although he still managed to deny Novak his first match points.
Altogether is was a bizarre performance from Novak from start to finish. He got lucky to eke out the win in the dying moments of the match. It will be intriguing to see if he will regroup for the second week or if the strain of defending his awesome lead on the rest of the field will take its toll.
I was live blogging through the whole match, so I should have said something about that. I did see Novak unravel in the second set. ESPN made sure to show him screaming in his chair on the sidelines. PMac asked if someone could translate Serbian, and I found myself yelling out at him – NO! I don’t want to know what he said! I have heard translations of his profanity before and don’t need to hear it again.
I did make comments on here that there was something off with Novak. Simon was frustrating him with his shots, the ball just coming back no matter what Novak did. Novak was out of sorts. I don’t know if it was just Simon or something else. Even his body language was off in the match. Not any of that bravado and shaking his fist in his opponent’s face.
I gave props to Simon for staying in it. He did seem to finally get tired in the fifth set. But he still didn’t let Novak serve it out at 5-1. The crowd loved it. Novak was fortunate to win that match. He played like crap.
It remains to be seen if this means there is a problem or Novak will shake it off and play better.
Annacone just said this was a W when he played crappy and a coach will tell him how good that was. He says it won’t adversely affect him in the next match. They put up a stat that he is 14-6 after 5 set matches where the rest of the field is 270-470.
hope so pat…i like kei a lot but if he beats nole i don’t see him beating fed as well and going on to win…so i am going for nole, who is my second fave to rafa..
also i am getting fed up with the disrespect shown to him by the tennis world..(his omission from the rusty testimonial and so on…)
+1
Ajde Nole!!!
#NoleFam
#Idemoooo
#LetsDoThis