Rome Masters - Day 6 thread (SF)

[lydian]

First topic message reminder :

So, Federer didnt hang about in giving Seppi his much earned nights rest.
Great matches tomorrow...arguably the best 4 men on clay this year in the semis.
The order of play tomorrow...

Court CENTRALE

Not Before 4:00 PM
[6] David Ferrer (ESP) v [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP)
Nadal is moving up the gears and Ferrer is already in overdrive. Some cracking shots today by Rafa shows his confidence is starting to rocket. I fully expect Ferrer to be overtaken 6-4, 6-3.

Not Before 8:00 PM
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) v [3] Roger Federer (SUI)
Their first meet up since that epic USO SF last year...will it come down to 1-2 shots again?
Well both men are showing great form...but I expect the Swiss to roll over Novak after the maestro sprints out of the blocks early on. Djokovic doesnt like the ball coming at him so early and I think more than Nadal is vulnerable to being rushed. I'm expecting Federer to tear through the first set catching Novak cold. Novak wakes up and stretches the 2nd to a TB which Federer edges...6-3, 7-6 (if Novak can sneak the 2nd then I think he'll win the 3rd fairly routinely 6-3 but I'm firmly of the view that Fed will win, probability 80%).

Cant wait!!!

[Guest]

But kudos to Rafa he did what he had to do

[User 774433]

Vamooos

[reckoner]

How the heck did Nadal win that set on such poor form...Ferret needs shooting for losing that set, he'll never have a better chance to win a set against Rafa than that.

but we've seen it a million times lydian, completely unsurprising!

[reckoner]

breadstick or bagel that's the question...

[Guest]

Ferrer had his opportunities in the first set but wasn't able to take them. He had 10 breakpoints against Nadal but could only take one of them.

Nadal created just one breakpoint on Ferrer's serve, and took it.

The first set lasted 6 days 1 hour and 26 minutes.

[Guest]

Just kidding buddy, winding you up.

"Go away" is your idea of a wind up? Well, OK then. So as it was a wind up I guess you don't actually mind gambling.

I don't like gambling but each to their own. If you wanna do it that's up to you.

emancipatoooor

you have learned to accept others for what they are...

I will consider shortlisting you as a potential disciple of the mighty reckoner.

wooooooo

Oh child reckoner,

I am the gatherer of potential disciples...

If thy prove thyself, ye may be considered for the position of 1st potential disciple.



emancipator - potential disciple gatherer

[Guest]

I hope Ferrer can make the second set competitive.

I enjoyed the first one

You have to hand it to Rafa, he has an uncanny ability to hang tough and pull through

[Henman Bill]

Nadal 1-0 up then? I think I'll save myself and watch the other match later.

[lydian]

Yeah I know reckoner...but I thought Ferret might take that first set given just how abject Rafa was. The fact he couldn't even take that set tells all you need to know about the Spanish Number Two.
You feel Ferret is going to get stuck down a trouser leg this set and suffer a bakery product...but then again Nadal may go from the abject to the ridiculous!

[reckoner]

Just kidding buddy, winding you up.

"Go away" is your idea of a wind up? Well, OK then. So as it was a wind up I guess you don't actually mind gambling.

I don't like gambling but each to their own. If you wanna do it that's up to you.

emancipatoooor

you have learned to accept others for what they are...

I will consider shortlisting you as a potential disciple of the mighty reckoner.

wooooooo

Oh child reckoner,

I am the gatherer of potential disciples...

If thy prove thyself, ye may be considered for the position of 1st potential disciple.



emancipator - potential disciple gatherer

oh toddler emancipator...

on this thread I thought of gathering you first....

I might be able to promote you to assistant under-disciple (1st class) if you prove worthy...

[reckoner]

Yeah I know reckoner...but I thought Ferret might take that first set given just how abject Rafa was. The fact he couldn't even take that set tells all you need to know about the Spanish Number Two.
You feel Ferret is going to get stuck down a trouser leg this set and suffer a bakery product...but then again Nadal may go from the abject to the ridiculous!

Nadzo doesn't need to bring his best game against Ferrer and he knows it - it's just a waiting game. Zero suspense in the second set I'm afraid...

[User 774433]

2-0 Nadal 2nd set

[User 774433]

Nadals starting to play better now.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Nadul could put a goldfish to sleep with his "tennis".

[lydian]

I agree reckoner...Nadal looks flat today, partly after a great performance yesterday, but you feel he just can't get himself motivated playing Ferrer...and it's hardly a surprise given Ferrer hasn't beaten Nadal on clay since before he started shaving...

[Guest]

Well thats all folks! Move along please, there's nothing more to see here

[Guest]

Hopefully Rafa can win this set 6-0 in just under an hour

[Guest]

Yep Nore... that's all she wrote

[Jahu]

Ferrer going downhill how, expect a 6:2 second set.

[User 774433]

Nadul could put a goldfish to sleep with his "tennis".

Are you a goldfish?

[lags72]

emancipator - are you in fact a gatherer of potential disciples OR a potential gatherer of disciples ?

A very important distinction, I'm sure you would agree ; and one which would be best clarified for the good of all concerned.

I think the breadstick is just being warmed in the oven. But at least that way we should be finished before dark .....

[lydian]

Ferrer's got that look of a man on the green mile...

[lydian]

Rafa offers mercy to the Green Man at 0-40

[lydian]

Rafa's BH 300% better...not hard given where it was at.

[lydian]

Good call reckoner...just a question of which bakery product now

[reckoner]

I called it in the other place, lydian - bagel!

OK, bring on Fed v Djoker woot!

[TRuffin]

I thought Ferrer was the player that never gives up?

[Henman Bill]

Federer/Djokovic are players due on court at 7? Already on court and going to start at 7?

I mean 7pm UK time.

[Danny_1982]

I can't wait for this match, and not just because it's a top 4 battle (which are always the best to watch IMO) but because it REALLY matters.

After the great run that Roger has been on he can topple the world number 1 then it will give him a huge mental boost ahead of RG and cement his belief that he can get back to world number 1.

Djokovic will want to stop that momentum, and get a chance to regain the upper hand on Rafa in the final. Fans of the losing player will no doubt claim it isn't that important, but it is. When the top 4 meet it always matters, and this one especially. Bring it on.

[Guest]

Watched the Nadal and Ferrer match up and the first set was no holds barred contest and the second set like watching someone tear the wings off a fly.

[Guest]

Key for Federer....The serve!

[Guest]

Bish Bash Bosh

[Jahu]

Come on Fed, blow him off the court.

[Guest]

Wow that rally at 30-30. Djokovic didn't like that. Fortunate to get the error off the BH.

[Guest]

Hmmm the FH is not so crisp.

[lydian]

Oooh this is going to be close you feel. Fed not yet quite firing with the smooth timing of his on those big shots.

[lydian]

He's definitely tighter tonight...he knows this is a BIG match.

[Guest]

You just don't feel Djokovic is having to do much and he is a break up. Federer just not got the rythym on his FH tonight.

[lydian]

Agree LK, Fed is different tonight...its just not his form of this week so far.

[Jahu]

Yeah, Fed doing silly mistakes.

[Guest]

For the first time Feds cranks the FH.

[lydian]

Good point by Cowan there...Fed does need to play less up and down, but with more width.

[Guest]

A scrappy service game for Djokovic and still comes through.

[lydian]

That's better from The Fed.

[Jahu]

Bit of a training session this game so far. Looks like both players saving themselves for RG.

[Guest]

That was more like the Feds of this week.

[lydian]

Hmmm...not sure this is going to be a good night for Fed...he seems almost a little overawed by the occasion/opponent.

[Guest]

Wow. That was a sitter by his standards. If he does not cut these errors out, it is going to be a quick night for Djokovic.

[Guest]

Djokovic is growing into the match now. Not a good sign for Feds.

[Jahu]

Fed only 33% first serve

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