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9/5/08 8:59 PM | Jonathan Morgan
After a rough year that included losing his Australian Open title, yet another demoralizing loss to Nadal at Roland Garros, a heartbreaker at Wimbledon, a mediocre Olympic singles performance, losing to everyone he used to beat blindfolded, and dropping his #1 ranking, this US Open is the last thing he has to his name.
4 straight titles he has here, but this just might he his toughest semifinal yet. This is more than just another match. Federer has made it known, albeit slyly, that he isn't the biggest Djokovic fan around. The Aussie Open loss as well as the Dubai loss to Murray saw Djokovic making anti-Federer comments.
Federer then beat out Djokovic in the Monte Carlo semifinals, with Novak retiring in the second set after Fed took the first. Roger was not impressed. They have not met since and this match will be one of the biggest one of the year. Neither has looked overly dominant in their run to the semis, but they have gotten here anyway. At this point, the fatigue and naggling injuries are all minimalized due to the adrenaline.
As for the match at hand, these two know each other's games well and will attack weaknesses. Federer will make the Serbian move around as much as he can and finish at net. He has been coming in quite a bit in more recent matches. Djokovic will look to dictate play from the baseline and be aggresive, something he has done, albeit inconsistently, this tournament.
Federer will go in as the favorite and should take this, but not without an epic fight.
Federer looking forward to Djokovic re-match.
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Hey all, who's going for who between Rog and Nole? It would nice to see a list of cheers for both sides (but not putting the other so neither side gets offended).
tenstar , 9/6/08 7:29 AM
I support Nole too. Good luck to him! Really would like to see him win.
homos , 9/6/08 7:47 AM
Good luck to both semifinalists.
Rogi, please take him out in that efficient Swiss way of yours so you have all the time you'd like to relax and recover for the final.
mara2 , 9/6/08 7:58 AM
Neither have played at their best in the earlier rounds but can be counted on to raise their level for this match.
But will be a mind game rather than a tennis match. Both are in a bad place in their heads from losses that have destabilised them. So it will come down to who can hold themselves together mentally for the longest. And that could mean for 5 hours if, as we suspect, it goes to five sets.
Roger has the edge. Remember how he came back from the RG debacle to push Nadal to the wire in the WF and recovered from the Bejing disappointment to play some scintillating tennis in the doubles final. He is also in much better shape physically than Djokovic who has problems - both real and imaginary.
Nole has dug a hole for himself which he is in danger of falling into. He has alienated the crowds who will give him a seriously hard time and if he genuinely needs to call for the trainer he might well be scared to do so for fear of the uproar this will cause.
His disparaging remarks about Roger earlier this season and that retirement at Monte Carlo lost him a lot of public support and the respect of other players. Roger is more than desperate for this win and will be hell bent on teaching Nole a lesson.
QED
ed251137 , 9/6/08 9:29 AM
NYC vs. Nole! Uuuuuuuuh, can't wait. I almost feel sorry for the Djoker tough.
Fed in 3.
Nadi , 9/6/08 1:03 PM
Nooooooooo! Fed, what are you doing????????????? Noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!
Nadi , 9/6/08 6:25 PM
Nadi, what is it? Something to do with the match? Pls tell.
tenstar , 9/6/08 6:31 PM
Ok never mind, I just saw the score on the uso website. I guess you're referring to that..?
tenstar , 9/6/08 6:38 PM
tenstar I just got up!!!! my alarm didn't go and I missed the first 2 sets. rafa murray started on other stadium and won't be covered until this one ends. checking live scores. where's ed??
sstay , 9/6/08 6:41 PM
I'm moving back to 'our' blog.
tenstar , 9/6/08 6:42 PM
OK: I'm back and have just tuned in. This is going to be touch and go!
Do we think Fed will hold up?
Had to take a friend clothes shopping - the last thing I wanted to do knowing I would not be back in time for start. Bummer about the other SF being moved.
By the way I picked 2.6kg of blackies.
ed251137 , 9/6/08 7:00 PM
Boooooyaaaah!!! Fed is the man!!!!!!
Okay, I'm back to normal, I promise.
BTW - Murray won the first set.
Nadi , 9/6/08 8:02 PM
2.6 kg of blackies, ed? Way to go!
tenstar: yes, Fed losing the second set freaked me out (to put it mildly).
Nadi , 9/6/08 8:05 PM
fedex won finally...............usopen 5 in a row......
ravikiran , 10/26/08 1:03 PM
Did you know that... Roger Federer and golf superstar Tiger Woods are good friends.
kaitepai, Dec 2, 2008 4:51 AM
tennisfan2, Dec 2, 2008 3:42 AM
tennisgirl, Dec 1, 2008 11:48 PM
lendl, Dec 1, 2008 6:17 PM
jorgeedu72, Dec 1, 2008 3:34 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:33 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:21 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:15 PM
Novak Djokovic
Roger Federer
US Open
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C'mon Novak! You can do it!
tenstar , 9/6/08 6:49 AM