CAMELOT FANTASIES

I missed the live match, but fortunately found this video:



First, it looked like conditions were breezy to start the match, but dropped as the match went on.
Federer - Dolgopolov was played in 15-17 mph winds, gusting to 25 mph. 
Djokovic - Isner was 11 down to 9 mph, sometimes gusting to 17 mph.

Second, I think something was either wrong with Isner from the start, or it was his choice to serve slower than normal 1st serves.
His first serve speeds in the 1st set rarely went over 120 mph. In the second set he did increase the speed at times, going up to 137 mph, but he wasn't consistently up in that range.  Maybe it was his strategy to mix it up, I don't know.  But it seems odd to purposely diffuse your best weapon.

I thought Nole looked good in the 1st set, and Isner fair but it remained even until Djokovic was serving at 4-5.  Then he seemed to collapse with 3 unforced errors to go down 0-40.  But Isner had 3 set points and failed to take any of them, and especially the 15-40 point, where he set himself up very well with a deep shot wide to the Djokovic backhand, which Djokovic, could only manage to get it back short in the court. However, Isner looked like he was too anxious to put away a winning shot to take the set, and just mangled the put away with poor body positioning.  Djokovic came back to take the game to even it up at 5-5, and then broke a disappointed Isner, and served out for the set. 

The second set was back and forth, but then Djokovic broke a tiring and hurting Isner (he was having treatment from the trainer for what looked like some muscle stiffness in his quads just above the knee), to go up 5-4 and serve out the match, but Isner fought back with gritty determination helped by some poor play by Djokovic to break Djokovic back.  Djokovic broke Isner again, and then Isner broke Djokovic again to bring it to a tiebreak.  It was trying and frustrating times for Djokovic and his camp, as he just couldn't finish it.  Isner dominated the tiebreaker as he usually does and took the set.

But I think that effort sapped most of what Isner had left.  His movement seemed increasingly hampered by whatever was wrong with his leg, and his service became vulnerable.  Djokovic  took advantage and just ran away with the set for a 6-1 triumph in the decider.

Congrats to Nole and his fans.  Condolences to Isner and his supporters.

Not a great match, but it definitely had drama.  It was worrying that Djokovic got broken twice serving for the match.  I don't remember that happening for a long time.  But as Djokovic said later, maybe it was fitting to lose that set after escaping in the 1st set.

Here are Novak's thoughts following the match, about it, and the upcoming final vs. Federer.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:10614564

At any rate, Nole will need to play much better in the final if Federer is anything like he was against Dolgopolov.

Here is Federer's post match on court interview including  Funny part about Federer's missing coaches.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:10614676

Game time is 2 pm.  Weather forecast is for hot and dry (90 F. 10% humidity), but only light variable winds (< 5 mph).  So it should be perfect playing weather.

[2] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [7] Roger Federer (SUI)

Call it!

Respectfully,
masterclass