Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer survived to set up a blockbuster semifinal on Saturday in Monte-Carlo. Meanwhile, David Ferrer is back in action one day after upsetting Rafael Nadal as the Spaniard is set to face Stanislas Wawrinka.
(4) Roger Federer vs. (2) Novak Djokovic
Federer and Djokovic will be facing each other for 34th time in their careers when they collide in the semifinals of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Saturday afternoon. Djokovic has a chance to even his head-to-head record against Federer for the first time in his career. The 32-year-old Swiss leads the series 17-16, but Djokovic has won four of their last five encounters and 10 of their last 14. They have dueled twice this season; Federer prevailed 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the Dubai semis before Djokovic scored a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) victory in the Indian Wells title match.
Both players bounced back from one-set deficits on Saturday. Federer overcame Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-1 and Djokovic stopped a red-hot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. Djokovic is the defending champion of this event, having dethroned Rafael Nadal in last year’s final. Federer is looking for his first Monte-Carlo title after finishing runner-up on three previous occasions (all to Nadal). Longer rallies favor the world No. 2 in this matchup and his ability to close them out with his clicking down-the-line backhand may be the difference.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
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(6) David Ferrer vs. (3) Stanislas Wawrinka
Ferrer and Wawrinka will be squaring off for the 13th time in their careers on Saturday. The head-to-head series stands at 7-5 in Ferrer’s favor and he has won five of their seven previous clay-court encounters. Wawrinka, however, has won their two most recent meetings; 6-1, 6-4 in the 2013 Oeiras title match and 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-1 at the World Tour Finals last fall.
Both players have plenty of momentum this season. Ferrer improved to 22-6 with his second-ever win over Nadal on clay via a 7-6(1), 6-4 decision on Friday. That was preceded by straight-set scalps of Jeremy Chardy and Grigor Dimitrov. Wawrinka, the Australian Open champion, had little trouble with Marin Cilic and Milos Raonic in addition to a walkover past Nicolas Almagro. It’s often difficult to recover emotionally after a huge win, but Ferrer has more than enough experience to do so. Furthermore, clay should once again help him withstand Wawrinka’s superior firepower.
Pick: Ferrer in 3
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All of a sudden, I’ve got over Rafa’s loss. I bet Rafa feels better too.
^^^^Know what you mean! I was so down in the dumps yesterday I went out for the rest of the afternoon and I nearly didn’t watch today. But I had a sneaky feeling (even before the news of Nole’s ‘injury’ that Fed would prevail so didn’t want to miss the denoument lol.
I’ll feel an absolute heel if Djokovic’s injury does prove to be serious.
Me and you @nadline10, suddenly I’m in the mood for a chilled G ‘n T………….
The dethroned champion is walking away
https://twitter.com/augustazeight/status/457534825117659136/photo/1
Augusta, How do you do it? You made me laugh out loud.
The dethroned champion should change coach(es), no?
Someone opined that Uncle Toni is a bad coach because he let Rafa play at Oz 2014 with a blister. That he does not know how to prepare his player, that Rafa should emulate Novak who always comes into matches prepared blah, blah, blah. The inference being that Rafa lost at Oz because of this foolishness.
Now we hear Novak was lame at MC from the get-go…..
I am not holding my breath waiting for the same refrain to be thrown at BB and/or Marion Vadja……..
#VamosRafaNoMatterWhat
vamosrafa@April 19, 2014 at 4:26 pm
My picture is a fact, not mocking.
Don’t be intimidated or feel ashamed @augusta08, you are free to post what you like, within the blog’s rules, and you do an excellent job. We are told everyone is free to state their opinion, aren’t we?
I think Nole should rest during the clay season this year.
Keep it up girls. ROFL
Oh, stop it @augusta08! Too funny…………..
come on you people ! yes, I am glad novak was not able to gain ranking points over rafa but mocking an injured player?
mocking?
Pro-Djoko people (fans/writers/commentators) have shown no mercy against Rafa!
that doesn’t mean you have to stoop to their level
You’re right Ricky, but gutters can smell roses sometimes………………
how the heck does that justify mocking novak’s exit here ! you saying you are their equal?
MTE
@vamosrafa, telling that you are getting all exercised by this while Ricky, to whom my post was addressed, is not. Where in my post do I justify anything? Chill, bro………..and please, spare me the sanctimonious tone, you do not know my morals.
both points are fair ones
It was my sad attempt at humour Ricky………………..
#EpicFail
Yeah,I agree, its never nice when a player is injured, esp after seeing how injuries can so easily dash hopes, like it just happened to RAFA at AO! It really sucks, big time!!
vamosrafa,
I just came on here and it’s disconcerting to read this stuff. I don’t want to see any player injured. Good grief!
It would be huge if Stan wins tomm..hoping against hope ..but just 5% chance
But no one gave him a chance in AO final too..yet he did win that..so let us see
yeah but Federer never gets hurt
Nadal got hurt
well federer was hurt when he lost to robredo at the USO last year..
mentally, yes
lol..he is now claiming he had back injury all that period….i personally believe he was not hurting but his preparation and all got seriously affected due to his back and mentally he was struggling
5% chance?? I would give him a 40% chance !
40?
I would say 15
I am sticking with 40…. wawrinka’s newly found self-belief makes me give him this much of a chance….
self-belief against opponents not named Federer
What percentage is a chance in hell?
#Rhetorical
sanju, if you think Stan beat a fit Rafa in Australia you are on the same bandwagon as those who refuse to accept that Rafa had an injury from the start of the final, All you Rafa detractors are happy to give Nole the benefit that he is injured but not Rafa.
nobody thinks Stan won fair and square
some just say he did because it sounds good to them
“All you Rafa detractors are happy to give Nole the benefit that he is injured but not Rafa”
Disgraceful ….tsk tsk….
Where did I ever say he beat a fit Rafa in the final? Pls show me where I said it. It was obvious to all that Rafa was injured and hence Stans win will always have an *. Similarly Feds win today will have an * too.
If Rafa was fully fit in AO final or if Novak was fully fit today, who would have won..no one knows the answer so no point speculating
Sanju, here:
Sanju says:
April 19, 2014 at 3:09 pm
But no one gave him a chance in AO final too..yet he did win that..so let us see
if somebody else beats Nadal, can Federer win the French Open?
yup he can….but beating a fit djokovic at the french would be awfully tough for him
I was just going to post that..Will Federer take full advantage now of Rafa and Novaks injuries and be the 1st to capture double career slam?
He sure can win but 7 best of 3 maybe a bit tough but apart from Novak/Rafa..who really can beat him..He is playing very well this year..Hes beaten Novak twice though todays win was an *
sanju, keep your fingers crossed that Rafa and Novak won’t get over their injuries so Fed will have a free reign. But please don’t have anymore bad vibes about Rafa’s prospects.
nadline..what are you trying to insinuate? That I am supporting Fed..Goodness..I would like Rafa to win every tourney he plays but me wishing does not decide outcome of any match
there is nothing wrong with discussing any other players’ chances and I have no clue how that is sending negatives vibes about rafa ‘s prospects LOL
anyway, rafa is not carrying any physical injury…its a mental injury.. praying he gets over it asap
I think RITB could be on to something. It’s BB behind all this to take the heat off Djokovic. To me it smacks of the back problem (post USO) and then the ankle injury (post DC)
#StormInATeacup
Ricky, anything can happen, but I don’t know that Fed’s is that much higher than usual.
#NID
When the cat’s away…
#FO2009
#Wimby2009
#AO2010
#Wimby2012
#DejaVuAllOverAgain
That’s the only way he will win the French
1 Stanislas Wawrinka 3135
2 Novak Djokovic 3050
3 Roger Federer SUI 2920
4 Rafael Nadal ESP 2780
ATP race…. this is the time rafa usually separates himself from the others…no more lapses rafa !
There was some chit chat on twitter that Mirka may give birth right in middle of RG..anyone has any news on it?
no idea. but much better RG than Wimbledon for Federer
I heard that Fed might skip FO bcos Mirka is due to give birth about then……….just as well, he stands no chance anyway!
not if he wins Monte-Carlo, he won’t!
Ricky, if Roget wins MC and Rafa improves his form, he could beat Rafa at FO? The only way Fed will win For is if both Rafa and Novak are injured or dead, and let’s not even talk about the potential dark horses!
This is to early to talk about fed’s chances at RG…. rafa is not melting away easily and nobody knows how bad this wrist issue is for novak…
Everyone thought fed was on a roll and then came a loss against Nishikori… hang on and wait till rome ,folks…
Why Rome? Why not Madrid? Madrid is before Rome right..Or bcoz Madrid is not true clay because of altitude etc.
I would prefer to wait for the whole clay season to end…
I agree. Let’s wait for Rome. Why not Madrid? Because that one has always been the toughest for Rafa.
Do we know the exact nature yet of Novak’s wrist injury? It’s obviously painful for him. Maybe Stan can find out for us.
zing
I think Novak will skip Madrid.
depends on health
Via @nicklester 10m
Djokovic says heard many different diagnosis in the last 10 days,doctors not sure of the exact problem.Injury got worse in heavy conditions.
Via @nicklester 13m
Djokovic says injury has been present for 10 days,been having injections,says no rupture and no surgery required,says will rest until heals.
so PCB and Montanes won 1 game against someone with an injured wrist???
Oh, please. He will be fine ‘n dandy come Rome. Just you wait……………
#BBPlots
Exactly, Ricky………….mind boggling……not even a wince?!
A video for those, who don’t know who is Nick Lester. Maybe you have heard him commenting the matches and recognize his voice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpc-aVDUSEU
Yes, he’s the guy who pronounces Dj-OH-kovic incorrectly as Jock-of-itch.
among many others
#Curryur
Thanks Augusta, he is THE best commentator.
Carole Bouchard @carole_bouchard · 57m
Federer acknowledging Djokovic wasn’t in full shape, said “it’s a pity for him”.
#surprising
#why
Rafa kissing a little fan
https://twitter.com/RAFAddicted/status/457534543453769728/photo/1/large
Nahhh, Slams are more than enough for Rafa’s bag………
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Stan needs to learn some manners. How can he tag David Ferrer after beating him?
https://twitter.com/stanwawrinka/status/457517857040265216
Yeah, that’s rude.
no it isn’t
Yes quite.
Rafa in Barcelona
https://twitter.com/RAFAddicted/status/457534586294370304/photo/1
Howard Bryant @hbryant42 · 1h
Real question for Djokovic isn’t losing. It’s the severity of the injury. Wrists are no joke.
#Delpo
Andy too has suffered wrist injuries 🙁
Exactly…………they never ever heal completely, esp as doctors can’t yet determine what the issue is
no. depends on what the injury is. when the doctors diagnose it, we’ll know when and if it can heal completely.
first set to the Bryan Brothers
Josh Meiseles @jmeistennis · 9m
Djokovic: “I just rest now. I cannot play tennis for some time. How long, I don’t know. It’s really not in my hands anymore.”
I can’t believe Nole played the way he was playing his first rounds with the wrist injury?! it simply makes no sense to me. And even the first set w/Fed today Nole was fighting and playing pretty well. I doubt this injury is a big one, otherwise Nole would have not played at all if he had any brains. I think we should recognize that even though Nole showed some signs of injury when he lost his first set to Fed he was beaten today and that is the fact.
Congrats to Fed for his victory! Too bad Rafa failed to beat Ferru who yet again showed lack of mental strength and was clearly outplayed by Stan. With Fed on the other side Rafa would have had a trophy in his hands tomorrow.
Fed will beat Stan tomorrow, no doubts about it: Fed owns him!
it got worse. wasn’t much of a factor in the first few matches.
If u don’t rest injuries, u can aggravate them..
Nobody has mentioned the part GGL played in this. There was no mention of a wrist problem during or after that match but the Spaniard had Nole on the back foot till midway through the 2nd set. The commies repeatedly raved about his superior fitness but it should be said he was also making, for him, an unprecedented number of UEs,
Earlier this morning I backed Fed for the win on the basis that Nole had made heavy weather of beating GGL
GGL was ON POINT in that match
Agreed.
You could be on to something @ed251137:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2014/tennis/wires/04/19/3000.ap.ten.djokovic.injury.0163/index.html#ixzz2zLoE64gw
“His arduous quarterfinal win against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez on Friday, needing more than two hours to beat the Spaniard, aggravated the pain.
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2014/tennis/wires/04/19/3000.ap.ten.djokovic.injury.0163/index.html#ixzz2zM40BMvX”
Doesn’t bode well for Slam matches, does it? Especially at RG………
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez made a good job!
Goatpez
I know that GGL can hit hard shots. I didn’t watch the match, but I thought to myself, “GGL, please hit as hard as you can!” He obviously did.
When I started watching the match, my mom woke me up bcos I was sleeping off my depression after Rafa’s loss, I thought my gosh, these guys are hitting the ball so hard! I couldn’t believe it…………its no wonder!
oops ! this seems bad…
on another note, I hope davydenko faces rafa in the 2nd rnd of barca… time to fix that head to head and remove that anomoly
doesn’t matter whom Nadal faces in the 2nd round