And that seals it! Nadal was clearly in control early in the set, taking a break at 4-2. Then Djokovic mustered up his second (third? fourth? fifth? this match went back and forth so many times) wind to get the break back and get it back on serve. Djokovic takes the break at 6-5, and in a gut-wrenching last game, Djokovic finally gets the winner on Advantage. Tough game by both men. Lasted just about 6 hours. Longest slam finals match ever. Wonderful match. But you gotta feel for Nadal. This was his best performance against Djokovic since he's been on his run, and he has the championship in his hands only to let go of the break. Again, one of the best matches ever.
Joko is going to dominate for a while... Nadal might win the French 1 or two more times, but I think unless Murray steps it up and stops being a choke artist none of the other players are going to be able to beat him. Nadal was in this match because of how fatigued Novak was, yet still in the end he willed himself to a win. That was great.
Nadal lost it when he missed that easy shot to make it 40-15 (I think) in the last set when he was up 4-2. Regardless, great match.
What a match, just brilliance and excitement. It's crazy how one shot can shift the momentum of a whole match.
I've been battling a nasty cold so I woke up a little before 5 and started watching. Missed the first set but watched the second and third and had little doubt that Djokovic was going to win. So stupid me goes back to sleep and misses the Nadal comeback and the epic 5th set.
Epic! Truly epic. He somehow overcame Murray in the semi and in this final it seemed he was done the way the momentum shifted and crowd energized Rafa. Down 2-4 in the fifth.. to be that exhausted and go 5-1 from to get the win... it's super human!! Was nice to also see Vlade Divac there showing his support, Serbia will be proud! :grin:
I wanted to reiterate this. I'm not sure how much of a prize winnings discrepancy there is between ATP and WTA, but the ATP is so vastly superior to the WTA. Never, ever do you see as exciting matches in women's tennis as you see in men's. Just stating that because I remember in the last tennis thread (probably for the US Open), many posters here felt the WTA was more exciting because there's a new winner every slam. Different champions doesn't equate to better tennis.
Incredible final between Djokovic and Nadal. It really sets the stage for a huge rematch at Roland Garros. Djokovic, who has clearly emerged as the best player on tour at this juncture, would have the opportunity to win the one major that eludes him. In his way would be Nadal, playing on a surface where he still dominates more often than not.
The chances of anyone doing it are highly unlikely, of course, but I'm certainly not going to bet against him doing it. The only real hurdle in my mind will be the French. Nadal still plays so well there.
I do too. He still has a Grand Slam in him in terms of talent, but the problem is that there is a 99.99999% chance that he will have to beat Nadal or Djokovic or maybe both to get it done. I wouldn't pick him to beat either of those guys and I certainly wouldn't pick him to beat both in one tournament.
Djoko is the man and I think he's in Nadal's head now. I think Murray Berdych or Del Potro could possibly pull an upset on either grass or that the US Open though. But for now JOKO JOKO JOKO.
Problem is he'll have to beat both (unless Murray shows up) (with them being 1 & 2 and on opposite sides). I think Federer on a great day can take out Djok, but he needs a great day and a Nadal TERRIBLE day to take out Nadal because Nadal is in his head. Likely it would take some sort of combination of Federer on his absolute A game, and Djok a little off. With Murray pulling some sort of miracle and showing up in a big match and taking out Nadal for Federer to get another slam.