[Vomephems]

And Paris remains firmly Rafa's.
Praise the Lawd.

I'm surprised Nole df'ed on matchpoint; very unlike him.

I believe he double-faulted three times on break point during this match.

Amazing to think that this is the third time Rafa has stopped a rival (Fed twice, Nole once) from completing a non-calendar slam. How different would tennis history be if the game did not have Rafa.

[RalfDweflywex]

Ooo... what a way to end it.

Congrats Rafa fans and sorry to Djokovic fans.

[JulieSmithdccd]

Nadal got back on serve right away...it's looking to me like he has this in 4 (or 1 depending on how you look at it.)

Although here comes the rain and the directors again - they go right to Rafa first today

No tathering today?

[Kissntell]

I'm thrilled for Rafa. The idea of him playing on grass in a couple days is unfathomable to me.

[JulieSmithdccd]

Working tomorrow so I'll actually get to watch it! I'll be one glad for the delay. (Then look for me after the match to call it boring )

[jagxj12]

He only needs to ensure that he doesn't fade first. Nole's one year younger and less injury prone so the chances are good, but still quite a bit below 99%...

[effenseshoora]

So who's the favorite now? Is it a toss-up? In still think Nadal will win in four. Nole's had several slow starts. Can't afford one tomorrow.

[JulieSmithdccd]

Staying on court in rain...Rafa wants this finished NOW.

[fubyFrery]

That is why I replaced him with Berdych on Green Acres team.

Same I thought he will withdraw

[addyta.org]

I'm thrilled for Rafa. The idea of him playing on grass in a couple days is unfathomable to me.

That is why I replaced him with Berdych on Green Acres team.

[carlsberg21]

Novak will definetly needs a" Soderling" too ^^^

That would help. BUT, I'm not sure how much longer Nadal will be able to hold onto his form anyways (It's Nadal Knee-Watch 2012!!!! ) I sez, Novak just needs to keep healthy and hang in there, and it'll happen when Nadal finally fades. It's not like anyone else looks all that impressive.....well, on any surface.

[effenseshoora]

Was thinking similar thoughts yesterday about how many more slams Federer would have. Then naturally I was thinking about the rise of Novak and how that slowed down Rafa.

I guess the sports world is littered with such stories.

Novak is maybe going to need some external assistance to get the career slam. With the way the form was last year, that might turn out to have been his best opportunity.

Boy, his hair has come a long way. I credit Roger for that, too.

[fuesquemill]

I believe he double-faulted three times on break point during this match.

Amazing to think that this is the third time Rafa has stopped a rival (Fed twice, Nole once) from completing a non-calendar slam. How different would tennis history be if the game did not have Rafa.

Was thinking similar thoughts yesterday about how many more slams Federer would have. Then naturally I was thinking about the rise of Novak and how that slowed down Rafa.

I guess the sports world is littered with such stories.

Novak is maybe going to need some external assistance to get the career slam. With the way the form was last year, that might turn out to have been his best opportunity.

[ViagraFeller]

I believe he double-faulted three times on break point during this match.

Amazing to think that this is the third time Rafa has stopped a rival (Fed twice, Nole once) from completing a non-calendar slam. How different would tennis history be if the game did not have Rafa.

Interesting thought. I don't think Novak would have exploded like he did if both Roger and Rafa hadn't been there to shove him into third for so many years.

[Freeptube]

And Paris remains firmly Rafa's.
Praise the Lawd.

I'm surprised Nole df'ed on matchpoint; very unlike him.

[JulieSmithdccd]

Double fault...ouch!

[Vomephems]

Hummm I am confused... 2 or 3 shots at beating Nadal in RG (don't think so and that's my point) or getting lucky like Federer did in that case he has way more than 3

I don't think we are in disagreement here. When I said "shot at winning", I meant getting to the final and having a chance to win it. If Nadal is waiting in the final, sure the task will be very difficult, if not impossible, but if someone else does the hard work of taking out Nadal before the final, then his chances vastly improve.

So I guess what I ultimately meant was Nole's window of opportunity to win RG is over the next three years before age begins to catch up to him.

[fuesquemill]

And hence he's not on my GA team.



As has been with Roger.

[fubyFrery]

Nole is 25, Nadal is 26.

Fed at 30 has not won a slam in almost two and a half years, so if we use that trajectory as an example, Nole still has two or three good shots at winning RG.

The interesting thing about Nadal is that despite the miles he has put on his legs, he remains as fast as ever. The first signs of Nadal fading will come not from his tennis skills diminishing but from him losing his foot speed.

Hummm I am confused... 2 or 3 shots at beating Nadal in RG (don't think so and that's my point) or getting lucky like Federer did in that case he has way more than 3

[fuesquemill]

Apparently the weather forecast isn't very good for tomorrow either. First time they've not finished on the Sunday since 1973 - not a bad run.

Agree with the sentiments expressed in the other thread, that the match was rather underwhelming for the first 2 sets. Kind of workmanlike rather than spectacular - and that favors Rafa.

Then, as we have seen over the last year, Novak again plays some of his best tennis when his back is against the wall. And the heavy/wet conditions appeared to detract from Rafa's play - not as easy for him to move around as he likes, and the court not taking his spin as much.

I still think Rafa will win this. Not as confident as I was pre match, however - the dream is almost within touching distance for Novak now. If Rafa doesn't win then he might find himself residing on Novak's mantelpiece permanently