Steen Kirby (Tennis East Coast) – Stan the Man continued his career year by crushing a listless Andy Murray in straights, while Djokovic needed four sets to take care of Mikhail Youzhny, cruising in the first couple before a minor hiccup in the third. This match is, of course, a rematch of some of the best tennis of the year in Melbourne, where Djoker prevailed 12-10 in the fifth set. In that match, Djokovic was terrible for the first one and a half sets and Wawrinka was redlining it almost the whole time, but the world No. 1 still prevailed…just as he has in 10 of their other 12 meetings, including a straight-set win (with a retirement) at last summer’s U.S. Open. Wawrinka probably takes a set in this one, but unless Djokovic comes out as listless as Murray did, he should advance.
Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.
Ricky Dimon – Djokovic-Wawrinka at the Aussie Open is arguably the match of the year to date, producing inspirational tennis from both men once the Serb woke up late in the second set en route to a 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7(5), 12-10 triumph. Wawrinka has endured his fair share of heartbreak on the court in 2013, but he is back in peak form when it matters most. The Swiss got past Berydch–who had been playing great ball, himself–then clobbered Murray. Djokovic is playing far better than he did in Cincinnati (he actually played well in Montreal despite losing to Nadal), but he has labored through a few brief walkabouts in New York. The result should be a competitive affair on Saturday, but this is Wawrinka’s first major semifinal and Djokovic is far more accustomed to this kind of situation. Djokovic 6-3, 6-7, 6-1, 6-4.
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(2) Rafael Nadal vs. (8) Richard Gasquet
Steen – Gasquet accomplished some career milestones by reaching his second Grand Slam semifinal (Wimbledon 2007), his first semi at the U.S. Open. He avoided a collapse by beating David Ferrer in five sets on Wednesday and now he has to play the most dominant player in the draw whom he has never beaten as a professional (0-10). But they haven’t played since 2011. Nadal drubbed Tommy Robredo in the quarters and while Gasquet had his backhand firing against Ferrer, it’s hard to expect him to even get a set here. Nadal 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.
Ricky – Not only is Nadal a perfect 10-0 lifetime in the head-to-head series, but he has also won 14 consecutive sets against Gasquet dating back to the 2008 Toronto Masters. Gasquet is playing stellar tennis this fortnight and he showed rare mental strength against Ferrer, but he needed 10 total sets to get though his last two matches–including four hours and 40 minutes against Raonic. Sure he has a lot of recovery time, but anything less than 100 percent is a death wish for anyone–not just Gasquet–against Nadal right now. The Spaniard is undefeated on hard courts in 2013, he has dropped only one set at the U.S. Open, and he looked borderline unbeatable against Robredo. Nadal 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.
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Anyone who picked Gasquet in the semis needs to have their head examined! That was absolutely ridiculous! I picked Rafa to win with Gasquet winning 11-13 games. That’s what happened. One of those rare times when I was right.
There are any one of a few reasons why Rafa wasn’t at his best. It could have been the windy conditions, the fact that he knew that Gasquet couldn’t beat him and did just enough to get the win or maybe he wasn’t feeling it that day. All I want is for him to come out playing his best when it counts on Monday.
Also, about Rafa having beaten Djoker at the 2010 USO. Yes, but that was before Djoker 2.0 arrived in 2011. I will say that this Djoker is nowhere near the same player. Even in 2012 he was able to win matches with his mental strength. I remember mentioning it on TT more than once. I was very impressed with seeing him do that. But this year that has completely changed. He is losing matches when he is up a break and has the lead. He has double faulted away breaks of serve or even sets. Something is off with him.
That’s why I think Rafa can and will beat him. Rafa is the mentally stronger, more confident player now. I don’t think it will be easy. It never will be between these two. I think beating Djoker now after so many naysayers wrote off Rafa and after coming back from being off for seven months, will be epic. It will cap off a great year.
I would like to see Djoker brought back down to earth. At times his behavior has been insufferable. I want Rafa to do it.
No no no, Sean picked Gasquet over Ferrer to get into the semi. Almost everybody else picked Ferrer. Then he picked Djoker in 5 and Rafa in 3 in semis. Most people picked Djoker in 4. So he’s been right on recently.
Thanks for the clarification. That makes a lot more sense.
What else has Rafa been doing in these last two months but get as ready as can be to make the US final, be aggressive on hardcourts and play with confidence whoever he would face in the final? Yes Rafa will suffer some nerves at times on Monday and Novak will at times pull a rabbit out of a hat to save or win a game but judging by their mental and other forms these last two months you have to pick Rafa in a tough match. Either it will be tight a lot of the time or Novak will not be able to play at the level he has formerly played at. I don’t see Rafa have the sort of trouble he had in ’11 and less so at the AO ’12. Rafa in 4 seems to most likely prediction to me.
Gosh!! People here really badly want Nole to lose. Judging by it, I dont know what you guys will actually do when Nole loses tomorrow.
Though I still could not understand the reason of this hate. But will give just one advice – be careful of what you ask for.
Coming to tomorrow’s match, I have Rafa:Nole :: 75:25 to win the title.
But Rafa will have to do it in 5. Nole can win it in 4 or 5.
Why cant Rafa do it in 4? Reason?
Well taking into account their recent past encounters, mostly RG 2013. Other than that, I dont expect Novak to lose that easily. Plus, Rafa has shown signs of waning off in b/w sets in his matches. It’s really difficult to play at the same high level across the sets.
Though recent news about windy weather has made me to ponder a bit more on my pick. If it’s really windy, then Rafa will win in 3. Nole is just terrible in wind
abhirf,
May I ask to whom you are directing this comment? To all of us? Why would I want Djoker to win? I am a Rafa fan. Would you want Fed to lose to anyone? Let’s be real here, please!
You may remember that we have seen Rafa lost seven straight times to him. For myself, I don’t know how long Rafa will be able to play. I am staying in the moment and enjoying it. He already lost three straight slam finals to Djoker. I want to see Rafa have his chances to cement his legacy of greatness. He has to do it now while he is fit, healthy and playing well. He has had a long road back. You must realize that we had to endure seven months with Rafa out of action. We didn’t know how he would be or how he would play when he came back. You might also remember on TT how there were Fed and Djoker fans who wrote Rafa off and got in our faces about it all the time. So we are having our moment now. This is our time.
I am not a hater. Never have been, never will be. I would not throw that word around so carelessly here. If you want to read real hate, just check out tennis-x. Then you can read about how it’s all a conspiracy with Rafa. That he just took off seven months, dropped out of the Olympics where he was supposed to carry his country’s flag, dropped out of Montreal and Cincy and the USO and everything through to year’s end, all while pretending to have a knee injury. That he is doping. That he has zero integrity and is a disgrace. Just check out this guy Ben Cronin and you can read some serious hatespeak. Nobody here has said anything remotely like that about Djoker.
You have really stepped over the line with this comment. I expected better from you.
here you go:
https://tenngrand.com/2013/09/09/u-s-open-final-preview-and-pick-djokovic-vs-nadal/
Hey, hey easy out there. I didnt mean it like that. I know you all are Rafa fans and will definitely want him to win this one after what have you all been in recent times. But I sensed some kind of ‘dislike’ (or hate) towards Nole going through the comments. I know that most of you here are not haters. I just said what I felt.
abhirf. NNY is right I dont think anybody posting here indulges in hate-speak about any player. I myself readily admit to often being antagonised by some aspects of Djokovic’s behaviour and I’m quick to criticise him but even as I wrote ‘I hope the wind blows’ I thought at the time it was a rather mean thing to wish for.
On the brink of such an important match it’s only natural Rafans are all feeling a bit jumpy – hence NNY’s indignant reaction to your comment 😉
My opinion of Rafa is very high but its not of blind worship. You have to acknowledge and respect credentials of his key rivals and on HC, numbers say that Nole has better results. That does not mean Rafa cannot win tomorrow, ofcourse he can but he has to play really well and key is not drop balls short like he was in Gasquet match and have both his DTL FH and BH working.
@Sanju, you are no better or worse than any other Rafa fan, no need to get on your high horse with this “blind worship” shtick. How does acknowledging Rafa’s good play todate and victories over Djokovic diminish Djokovic’s HC game? Both Rafa and Novak have to play really well to beat the other.
To say it’s Rafa only who needs his “A” game to beat Novak is to imply Novak does not need his “A” game to beat Rafa. Wrong. Take a look at their recent matches all round, they were decided by fine margins, meaning they could have gone either way for both players. If you believe Novak is a better player than Rafa, say so, just do not patronise those who may have the opposite opinion.
@abhirf, it is not hate against Novak, it is annoyance at his disrespect towards his opponent. Yes, he knows how to play Rafa, just as Rafa knows how to play him. Personally, it would not surprise me at all if Novak wins tomorrow, theirs are matches of small margins after all. Having said that, it would not surprise me if Rafa won either.
RITB..you are clearly overreacting and you know it. You are clearly too nervous and it is showing. I dont want to argue anymore with you as you are misconstruing simple things.
I did not tell anything about Rafa, I just quoted what he said in his own book, his own words about fear of winning, stop misconstruing things here. Novak is a better player than Rafa on HC going by the results is a fact, the same way that Rafa is a better player than Novak on clay and grass going by results. No one can dispute this fact and that is what I said. I also added that in no way means Rafa cannot beat Novak tomm, ofcourse he can.
I have no interest in what Novak needs to do to beat Raafa, whether he brings his A game or B, I dont care..I am only bothered about what Rafa needs to do and that is what I pointed out.
You are no bigger a Rafa fan than I am..so let us jut stop it here itself
Peace.
Peace indeed @Sanju. And yes, hearing a Rafan call other Rafans “blind worshippers” makes me nervous. I was hopping we were done with that on TT, denigrating other Rafans that is. Please let’s not go back there.
The wind will be a huge factor……..
#NewYork
I did not call anyone directly a blind worshipper. I said not seeing numbers and stats and history that sugests Novak is a better HC player equates to blind worship.
I go only by facts and results..there is no other truth. About not going back here or there, request you to stop misconstruing others posts and stop preaching too.
Again I reiterate if history and past results say Novak is a better HC player, that simply does not mean Rafa can win tomm. Rafa very well cn and may too . History also suggests Rafa plays better in wind (except maybe IW 2012 semi).
Peace.
@Sanju, my apologies to you if I misconstrued your words.
ritb and Sanju,
Come on people! We are all getting jittery and nervous about the final! But there’s no need to go at each other. I do not think that Sanju meant to be insulting or disrespectful in any way. We should always want everyone to feel free to say what they think. I believe that Sanju was just speaking for himself. He was giving his opinion and saying that he doesn’t believe in blind worship. That’s his point of view. I didn’t see him say anything about anyone else.
We all love Rafa and want him to win. We express it in our own unique way. There is no right or wrong. Sanju has already been attacked by someone else. There’s no need for that. We are on the same side.
Rafa is honest about Djoker’s strength on hard courts. He has said it many times. He is honest with himself and others. But that does not mean that Rafa can’t play well on this surface, too. That does not mean that Rafa cannot beat Djoker. He’s already done it. Rafa even said that he would like to play another player when asked in his presser after the win over Gasquet. It’s the truth. But he has shown how well he can play on hard court yet again. We are sensitive because of all the hatespeak and propaganda about Rafa being a supposed clay court specialist and one dimensional player. We have heard that garbage all too often.
The enemies are out there on other sites. We had to read it on TT in the last few months before the site closed down. We can read it every day on tennis-x. There are other places where the haters will spew out their lies about Rafa. But here should be a safe place where we can all say what we think.
Peace everyone!
Well taking into account their recent past encounters, mostly RG 2013. Other than that, I dont expect Novak to lose that easily. Plus, Rafa has shown signs of waning off in b/w sets in his matches. It’s really difficult to play at the same high level across the sets.
Though recent news about windy weather has made me to ponder a bit more on my pick. If it’s really windy, then Rafa will win in 3. Nole is just terrible in wind.
Now everybody shake hands please 🙂
I’ve got a zillion things I should be doing but I cant settle to anything I’m so on edge about this match.
Speaking about myself, I have already apologised to @sanju. I am now safely ensconced in the middle i.e. expecting a tight match which either could win!
Sigh.