2012 FO Day 16 OoP & Discussion

[Ti-Amie]

Day 16: Monday, 11 June

Court Philippe Chatrier 1:00 PM Start

Men's Singles - Finals
Rafael Nadal(ESP)[2] vs. Novak Djokovic(SRB)[1]
To Finish 6-4 6-3 2-6 1-2

[Ti-Amie]

NBC Sports Network will carry coverage live. Check your Cable provider for channel in your area. In NYC area NBCSN was previously Versus.

[ptmcmahon]

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 )

[MeganFernandez]

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.

[Edmond Dantès]

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

[ptmcmahon]

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?

[ptmcmahon]

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

[James7]

Ooo... what a way to end it.

Congrats Rafa fans and sorry to Djokovic fans.

[ptmcmahon]

Double fault...ouch!

[hurricanejeanne]

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

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

[Miles]

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.

[Charlie02123]

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.

[Edmond Dantès]

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.

[omess]

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

[nelslus]

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.