Dubai 2012 - Semi-finals

First topic message reminder :

Murray v Djoko

Can anyone be sure of the winner?

I'll pick Murray to tease NITB!

Delpo V Federer

Pretty tough one to call. Can Federer again keep Delpo on his toes and force him into errors? The fast conds coudl work for both. I am not sure which way it's going to go.

Ok...Federer cause I like his game.

5-4 of aggressive tennis in half an hour.

Bliss.

but what a beautiful volley from Fed.

I don’t know about ‘more important’ but the psychology may be different. Both Djoko and Murray are acutely aware that Murray is yet to win a Slam and a win against Djoko in a Slam is a higher currency than (although a fine win and credaitable performance) a win in a lesser tournament. Balance that against both Nadal and Djoko being multi Slam winners ie they have already proved they can take that final step consequently, I guess, irrespective of current form, Djoko may well feel that Nadal is a bigger threat and would’ve responded accordingly.
It does feel that this is taking the shine off a very good win though

If they carry on like this the inevitable tie-breaker is going to be a crap shoot.

this type of tennis is loved by humanity, hated by the left wing and non-tennis/Justin Bieber fans.

Federer making a push now.

Uber-Maiestas always entertaining us

Delpo tripping a little.

Hope DelPo is all right after that misstep.

Missed FHs.

Another SP. Take it Fed.

This last game is going superbly.

Fed plays ver well but Delpo is very solid.

Jahu you did not respond to one of my previous post. Why do you dislike Djoko?

Perfect time to start watching, tie-break

Delpo looks so slow compared to Federer.

I'd agree with the thought that says the key aspect in the Murray-Djokovic match was the Murray first serve percentage, and how good he was behind it (this was helped by the quicker conditions). We know that when Murray plays Djokovic he'll get chances to break serve due to his fine returning (second best on tour) and the fact that Novak's serve, while good, isn't among the very best on tour. The problem for Murray has always been defending his own serve, and given Novak's strength as a returner, the first serve percentage is key (given the huge difference between first and second serves for Murray).

In general, I don't want to read too much into this victory, but there's no doubt it's a nice confirmation that Andy's game matches up pretty well to Novak's (in their last four encounters, Murray has won two while the two Novak won went right down to the wire), and it's a nice feather in the cap for Andy to be the first to beat the world n°1 this year. Also, the way he re-focussed at the end of the second set when he was in danger of letting it slip was pleasing, as was his body language (positive throughout).

noleisthebest wrote:Delpo looks so slow compared to Federer.

but so pwerful...and he is so tall that he does not need to run as much.

3 SPs left.

Fed 7:6 (7:5). Very good last 3-4 games.

Finally.

Awesome tennis.

Fed is still very fast on his legs. His defense was quite impressive....for an old man.....Thoug you know my views about being 30! it's not old in physical terms.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Delpo looks so slow compared to Federer.

but so pwerful...and he is so tall that he does need to run as much.

Yes, but he can't win if he doesn't get going.

Del Potro is so annoying with challenges! Not only slow but uses them to slow down play. When Federer was 6-2 up he challenged a ball that was out by miles...

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Delpo looks so slow compared to Federer.

but so pwerful...and he is so tall that he does need to run as much.

Yes, but he can't win if he doesn't get going.

He has the shots to make his opponent do running.

The art of SHBH.

hawkeye wrote:Del Potro is so annoying with challenges! Not only slow but uses them to slow down play. When Federer was 6-2 up he challenged a ball that was out by miles...

Given what a late challenge did to Fed's equilibrium in the 2009 US Open Final you can only imagine that Del boy will not lose that habit when they both play.

hawkeye wrote:Del Potro is so annoying with challenges! Not only slow but uses them to slow down play. When Federer was 6-2 up he challenged a ball that was out by miles...

So you don't like players who slow down the game?

superb forehands from lumberjuan.

Love Delpo's "whooooa" forehand . The inside in one down the line is one of the most aesthetically pleasing ever.

Delpo looks quite close to his old self this week.

Tenez wrote:

hawkeye wrote:Del Potro is so annoying with challenges! Not only slow but uses them to slow down play. When Federer was 6-2 up he challenged a ball that was out by miles...

So you don't like players who slow down the game?

only if they can play 30 shot rallies endless.

Aren't Federer's volleys under rated?

Federer and BPs.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Delpo looks so slow compared to Federer.

but so pwerful...and he is so tall that he does need to run as much.

Yes, but he can't win if he doesn't get going.

He has the shots to make his opponent do running.

only a certain type of opponents...

FH's or what?

Delpo looking better and better

This is going to TB again.

Tenez wrote:Aren't Federer's volleys under rated?

I reckon Nadal's volleying is seriously underrated the most. Probably the only watchable shot he does.

You gotta like Delpo....

Federer has not faced any BPs yet.

Both looking a little tired now. DF, nets.

laverfan wrote:Federer has not faced any BPs yet.

I notice he's been struggling with his returning against tall players recently. First to Isner and now Delpo.

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:Aren't Federer's volleys under rated?

I reckon Nadal's volleying is seriously underrated the most. Probably the only watchable shot he does.

Nothing about Federer is under rated. noleisthebest. I agree. I am also very surprised that you find anything about Rafa watchable...

Super net play

Lovely stuff from Fed....just lovely....

4-4 Pressure game for DelPo. Can Federer break here?

laverfan wrote:4-4 Pressure game for DelPo. Can Federer break here?

Delpo ain't no choker....

Federer always looks so good. Other players might cover the court as well as he does but look inelegant whilst doing so. How can anyone not like watching him?

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:Aren't Federer's volleys under rated?

I reckon Nadal's volleying is seriously underrated the most. Probably the only watchable shot he does.

The only time I watched Nadal live was at Wimbledon in 2010 vs. PHM and I was impressed by the touch and soft hands he showed between the service line and the net. He was not often under pressure there to be fair, but he looked impressive.

Great Delpo! Love those Argies cheering alee alee alle aleee delpooo, delpooo