Finally the final World Tour Finals Final Thread

[JuliusHMarx]

First topic message reminder :

You heard it hear first. Popcorn available in the lobby.

[socal1976]

Agree Nore, Nole's returns have been all deep and hard at this point no free points on serve yet for Nadal.

[socal1976]

Chance at double break.

[socal1976]

nadal needed that hold

[Guest]

Edberg in the stands still looks like he can play

They say he is a player

[CAS]

People keep mentioning Rafa has no points to defend in Australia which is true, but I highly doubt he will return to South America where he must have accumulated the equilivant of something like a QF appearance while playing on the clay, so those points will come off meaning he won't gain that much unless he makes the SF or further, which is isnt a guarantee even for Rafa

[socal1976]

People keep mention Rafa has no points to defend in Australia which is true, but I highly doubt he will return to South America where he must have accumulated the equilivant of something like a QF appearance on the clay,, so they will come off meaning he won't gain that much unless he makes the SF or further which is isnt a guarantee even for Rafa

Great point there CAS, Nadal with a half chance at 15-30

[socal1976]

Djokovic now making some scratchy errors 15-40

[socal1976]

Novak not getting his first serve over in this game and making it hard for himself

[kingraf]

It is a great point, but a Nadal win at Melbourne (Djokovic finalist) is a 2800 point swing. Even a Nadal SF, with a Djokovic F is a 1, 9000 point swing. Djokovic badly needs to defend that Australian crown

[LuvSports!]

Good point. I wonder if he will play any tennis in SA, perhaps the 500 event Acapulco.

[socal1976]

Nadal has found his way into the match

[LuvSports!]

A 9000 point swing KR??

[LuvSports!]

rafa breaks, poor from djoko.

[kingraf]

Just saw the mistake myself LS. Kinda just hoped and prayed no one would notice!

[socal1976]

Back on serve Novak tried to change direction go up the line n a very difficult short and low ball. Hit every high short ball on the backhand up the line, that ball on break point he either has to slice it up the line or hit an angled cross court backhand. Too hard to get the ball up and back down from there.

[Guest]

Only Djokovic is capable of stopping Nadal (if it hadn't been for Djokovic - Nadal at aged 27 would be on 16 slams one behind Federer).  I am not convinced that Murray would be able to stop Nadal (& Murray has a back operation to recover from).

[HM Murdock]

Odd from Novak. Suddenly looks a bit nervous.

[socal1976]

Nadal doing a good job of mixing up serve location in the deuce court and going to Novak's forehand

[Danny_1982]

NS - we'll have to see about Murray, we've not seen Murray 2.0 (as the kids round here like to call it) against Rafa. Hopefully next year, assuming Murray hasn't regressed to 1.5.

This isn't the best so far. Neither playing great. Both look tentative. Doesn't suit either of them.

[HM Murdock]

Some lovely CC BH's from Novak tonight.

DTL BH worryingly absent thus far.

[Guest]

Both Novak & Nadal returning great - such quick reaction time.

[CAS]

Nadal is well up for this, he has that look in his eyes.

[Johnyjeep]

True NS. But you could say that about any of the two leading lights of the game at any point. There's only a finite amount of GS to round after all.

Not been stella so far..

[socal1976]

Novak stop looking surprised every time he serves to your forehand he doesn't do it to anyone but Novak, sign of respect for the Djoko backy return

[kingraf]

Nadal needs to cut the double faults.

[kingraf]

Not quite the match I was hoping for. Beginning to regret skipping basketball practise to watch this... Coulda been breaking ankles right now.

[socal1976]

Nadal already with 3 double faults, he knows he can't lay in any softball second serves

[LuvSports!]

4th double ouch.

[LuvSports!]

WOW!!!! WHAT A POINT DJOKO!

[socal1976]

Wow what a point what incredible court coverage from djoko

[socal1976]

Are you still regretting basketball practice KR?

[Johnyjeep]

I take it back

[Guest]

Brilliant. Novak could have put it away earlier but everything happened so fast.

[CAS]

Novaks return is outrageous, how Roger and Murray both say Ferrer's is the best I still can't get my head around

[JuliusHMarx]

I could have done that.

Maybe not.

WOW!

[CAS]

its why Nadal hits more double faults against him

[socal1976]

Nadal now with a great point and 15-30 on Djoko's serve

[Danny_1982]

This is heating up at last... Couple of belting points in the last few minutes.

[Guest]

Another brilliant point. They need a breather.

[Guest]

Bout time they done away with letts.

[socal1976]

lucky lucky novak on a huge point

[kingraf]

Business has just picked up!

[LuvSports!]

Get in!

[socal1976]

Nice ace on set point

[Henman Bill]

That lob from Djokovic was tremendous, really illuminated an otherwise average first set.

So for me Djokovic is now challenging Murray for best forehand on the run on tour?

[Guest]

Djokovic's been a little unlucky this year with regard to the slams - losing two finals & narrowly losing to Nadal in the SF at Roland Garros.

[LuvSports!]

3 winners and 10 UE's, 4 double faults, 58% first serve, 53% first serve won, 45% 2nd serve won.

Not good reading for nadal.

[LuvSports!]

What are you on HB??!

[HM Murdock]

That set sprang to life! That last break of serve is one of the best points I've ever seen Novak play.

[CAS]

if Mr Fantastic could play tennis, he would play like Novak Djokovic

[Sponsored content]