Finally the final World Tour Finals Final Thread

[JuliusHMarx]

First topic message reminder :

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

[kingraf]

Only bright side here is that Nadal can hardly play much worse.

[socal1976]

0-30 on Nadal's serve

[socal1976]

Nadal has such a great smash one of the best in the business

[kingraf]

but then again, Djokovic could probably play better.

[socal1976]

God these guys can move, incredible defense from both

[Guest]

This is high quality tennis - any other opponent & Nadal would be winning 6-3 3-1

[socal1976]

Nadal struggling in most of his service games a good sign for Djoko

[socal1976]

This is high quality tennis - any other opponent & Nadal would be winning 6-3 3-1

Fully agree

[TopoftheChops]

nadal playing the better tennis, he will win

[Guest]

That hawkeye call is equivalent to a dive in football - I mean the system itself isn't accurate to that fine a margin.

[socal1976]

Lets see if Nadal can have an easy hold here he has struggled in all but one service game

[LuvSports!]

At times, djoko is making nadal look very very ordinary.

[socal1976]

I love watching Novak hit from a full stretch plastic man style

[socal1976]

uh oh 0-40 here on nadal's serve

[LuvSports!]

nadal playing the better tennis, he will win

lol, he really isn't. He is being made to look average. Spraying errors all over the place.

[socal1976]

Nadal saves one but getting almost no free points on serve and Djoko maintaining incredible depth on return that being said Nadal does what he does and saves two BPs, focus novak

[LuvSports!]

Return has been superb today.

[kingraf]

Nadal hasn't quite been at the races today. He'll fight, since that's what he does. But you can't complete a murder with only motive and opportunity, need the means as well. Doesn't seem to have it today.

[Johnyjeep]

What Fed would give for a Rafa performance like this! Psychology must be so important for Rafa. Been so poor.

[socal1976]

Another wonderful return on BP puts nadal on the back foot right away

[Guest]

Awesome returning again.

[TopoftheChops]

novak will win now

[socal1976]

What Fed would give for a Rafa performance like this! Psychology must be so important for Rafa. Been so poor.

Novak is on fire and making him look poor, the better question is what would fed give to have novak's two handed backhand and Novak's return of serve.

[Guest]

Maybe it will be a 6-3 6-3 win for Djokovic. Djokovic returning & ground strokes are putting Nadal under pressure leading to the apparent UE.

[Johnyjeep]

What Fed would give for a Rafa performance like this! Psychology must be so important for Rafa. Been so poor.

Novak is on fire and making him look poor, the better question is what would fed give to have novak's two handed backhand and Novak's return of serve.

Lol true. But Nadal has served 4 DFs in the first set. That's in the mind. A lot of errors have been so basic. Djokovic is playing better clearly but also has many gears he could go through if necessary. Possibly Nadal wants this too much?

[Danny_1982]

nadal playing the better tennis, he will win

Really? About 5 winners and a billion errors is the better tennis?

To me, Nadal's only effective play so far has been the slice. He should use it more often to try and work his way back in, cos at the moment his radar is off. I love most matches between these two, but this is a bit flat.

[kingraf]

Djokovic is playing well, but he's hardly been out of his skin. Nadal's serve has fallen to pieces tonight. Nole has obviously played a role, but two double faults in a game is uncharacteristic, to say the least

[socal1976]

Now he is got the bit between his teeth and he wants to give Rafa something to think about over the long off season. Rafa really pressing now. Nadal by my count has had one easy service game all match

[Danny_1982]

novak will win now

Turncoat!  

[socal1976]

Nadal always serves a lot of doubles against Novak because he knows if he doesn't go for his second Novak will munch it up like fat kid eats birthday cake

[kingraf]

Tennis can be a difficult game when the serve isn't quite there.

[CAS]

I've seen Novak play better than this, Rafa too. However, Rafa is clearly so wary of Novaks serve its translating into double faults

[socal1976]

Is there any player that you feel less secure being up a set and break on than Rafa Nadal, I suppose that is a big part of the greatness of the man

[kingraf]

all it takes is one brain fart from Nole... But I can't see it.

[kingraf]

I'm off to places people who don't have to go to work on Tuesday go to, since I don't have to go in tomorrow. Can't watch anymore, really.

[socal1976]

[quote="Danny_1982"]

nadal playing the better tennis, he will win

Really? About 5 winners and a billion errors is the better tennis?

To me, Nadal's only effective play so far has been the slice. He should use it more often to try and work his way back in, cos at the moment his radar is off. I love most matches between these two, but this is a bit flat. [/quote


Take it easy on him Danny, we don't want people to think we are unforgiving

[Guest]

It will be a good confidence boost for Novak if he wins this in straights set for 2014. His 2013 season could have been so much better.

[socal1976]

Novak serving real well

[HM Murdock]

Novak's net play has improved beyond all recognition over the last year or so.

[Danny_1982]

Novak has played pretty well, but he's hardly red lining it.

Rafa has made loads of errors and been poor. That's the difference. Novak has got in his head. Fair play to him. He has the aura of someone who knows he will win.

[socal1976]

Don't get casual here novak not against this guy

[socal1976]

Novak has played pretty well, but he's hardly red lining it.

Rafa has made loads of errors and been poor. That's the difference. Novak has got in his head. Fair play to him. He has the aura of someone who knows he will win.

He is both serving better and putting Nadal under pressure on every return as well. Never underestimate the value of that first strike in tennis. Nadal starts every point behind and scrambling almost and it causes these errors. Novak is running him side to side from the get go

[LuvSports!]

Have to say djoko's length has been exceptional!

[Guest]

great great point.

[Johnyjeep]

Yeah Novak has really stepped up the quality the last 10 minutes.

Rafa is being giving the proper run around.

Annoying that the Beeb had to bring up RN knee. Again.

[Danny_1982]

Ok, he may be red lining it a bit now...

[socal1976]

What Fed would give for a Rafa performance like this! Psychology must be so important for Rafa. Been so poor.

Novak is on fire and making him look poor, the better question is what would fed give to have novak's two handed backhand and Novak's return of serve.

Lol true. But Nadal has served 4 DFs in the first set. That's in the mind. A lot of errors have been so basic. Djokovic is playing better clearly but also has many gears he could go through if necessary. Possibly Nadal wants this too much?

No I don't know about a big match player like Nadal wanting it too much not his first rodeo. Novak is playing a blindingly good second set, he just feels the ball much better on the strings today and on current form

[Guest]

Good serve from Nadal

[socal1976]

He is giving Nadal the chinese water torture on every service game

[socal1976]

Nice fight there to hold under immense pressure, great competitor Nadal

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