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I believe that Isner can upset Nole just like he did a couple of years ago in Indian Wells
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You're probably right General Hercules, but....
I think Federer should beat Dolgopolov in the first match. But you never know. It's an early afternoon match with a sunny day and warm temps predicted (high of 32 C/90 F), so the balls will be flying fast and bouncing relatively high if it with topspin. Dolgopolov is playing with house money at the moment. No real pressure, and if he can really get on fire, he certainly has the athleticism to challenge Federer. He's very speedy and has a variety of shots. But I'm not sure about his stamina. If Federer can't succeed well enough with his normal aggressive game, he might go to plan B and try to wear Dolgopolov out. Similar to what he did with Andy Murray at the Australian Open after losing the 3rd set tiebreaker. He knew Andy was not match fit, stopped serving and volleying, made the games and points drag out and took advantage of that in the end. Anyway, we will see. I think Federer should win it in 2, but if he lapses, then it could go three, and who knows?
The second match is too close for me to call. Isner loves this tournament's conditions during the day. He's unbeaten against Nole in the USA masters. The balls fly fast in the desert making it good for servers, but then once the ball is in play, the court is very gritty and the ball bounces high giving time for even the worst movers to get to the ball easier. His serve comes from the clouds and he has a great kick second serve which on this surface threatens to go over a player's head. I think Nole has trouble with those, more than the first serve. Isner is difficult to break, and most of the time he has balls of steel in tiebreakers unless you can exhaust him. That has to be Nole's strategy in my opinion. Get as much as he can back, hope Isner has an off day serving, move Isner around, and try to tire him out. If he can do that better than Isner can serve, then I think Nole will win. If Isner serves well and doesn't have many long rally points, I think Isner will take it, especially if he can get it to a tiebreaker or breaks Nole (less likely). Another intangible might be the result of the 1st match. If Dolgopolov wins, I think Djokovic will find a way to beat Isner, come hell or high water.
Respectfully,
masterclass -
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I agree. isner has a chance at an upset.
he took nole out at the last cinci masters as well as general masterclass has pointed out.
isner can get him by dragging him into a couple of breakers.
general Tee is correct. this could happen. -
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Well, one semifinal is done, and fast. The conditions entered the picture big time. Very windy. Dolgopolov hung in there for about 1/2 set, but he was clearly uncomfortable in the wind and finally got broken, and Roger finished the first set 6-3. After that, Federer's play even got better, and Dolgopolov was left talking to himself, getting broken in his first service game in the second set, then getting broken again in a very long service game for 4-1, then again to lose the second set 6-1.
Federer had 12 winners and 12 unforced errors, which was very very good for the windy conditions. Dolgopolov had 12 winners and something like 25 unforced errors and as usual a poor 1st service in percentage (maybe 40%?) that he couldn't overcome.
He was basically schooled in these conditions, which was unfortunate for Dolgopolov who was playing better than that, but I'm sure it was a good learning experience, and for making it to the semi's he still earns over $200,000, so not so bad on the whole.
If it stays windy, I think Djokovic is going to have a difficult time. Wind usually favors the better server as long as he doesn't have a high toss. But, who knows, right?
Respectfully,
masterclass -
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dolgopolov also rakes in a lot of points for making the semis.
he was not going to beat Fed under any conditions. Federer is playing well. -
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It's 3-1 Nole in the final set. If Nole wins this will be the first one that I got right this (crappy) tournament.
This has never happened where I have been wrong throughout the tournament on every single match.
Upset. -
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I missed the live match, but fortunately found this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx5SI58ReJ0
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
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I am picking federer today in straights.
I think he is going to try to attack as much as possible.
his plan has to be to make sure that nole does not find much rhythm off the ground.
that means serving big and going on the attack with the forehand. -
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I agree General if Federer plays like he did yesterday, and Djokovic continues to play like he did the whole tournament.
But I hope that Nole ups his game a bit to make it interesting. He can't afford those lapses for a set and a half.
The match will be gone before he knows it.
Vajda is back in the Djokovic coaches seat. I think Becker is out of the picture for now. I hear he has some personal issues in Mallorca.
Respectfully,
masterclass
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this is why Camelot is required reading.
we said last year that federer was coming back strong this year.
general masterclass can you fire up my federer thread at mtf and add 1 more title.
I think federer is taking this. -
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what is Becker doing in Mallorca?
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Sure General, no problem.
Read this about Becker's issues...
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/news/mallorca/itemlist/tag/Majorca
Respectfully,
masterclass -
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My pick for the final would be Novak in 3.
But it wouldn't surprise me one bit if Roger takes the title. -
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that may happen now general backspin:
nole just snatched the 2nd set. -
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Sure General, no problem.
Read this about Becker's issues...
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/news/mallorca/itemlist/tag/Majorca
Respectfully,
masterclass
fascinating.
becker is actually wealthy beyond belief.
he has a lot of stuff going on in Dubai these days also. -