Tennis Prose




Jul/14

4

Djokovic Survives Dimitrov

Djokart

It was a very tense, thrilling battle all the way through four sets. Djokovic saved three set points late in the fourth set but I thought the key moment was when Djokovic unleashed his emotional adrenaline after escaping the 45 game, with a big serve on break point which Dimitrov netted with a backhand. Up to that point Djokovic was mostly reserved and composed. At that moment we saw how desperately Djokovic wants to win this Wimbledon title, after failing in his previous two Grand Slam final appearances.

Dimitrov was spectacular. He showed some phenomenal movement and shotmaking from all over the court, at times superior to Djokovic. There is not a shred of doubt the Bulgarian is ready and is going to win multiple majors, in the very near future.

Djokovic was pushed to his limits today and this should be perfect preparation for the Sunday final against Federer or Raonic.

If Djokovic can win on Sunday he will regain the ATP number one ranking.

(Artwork by Andres Bella)

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32 comments

  • Scoop Malinowski · July 4, 2014 at 11:44 am

    Raonic quickly down 0-2 to Roger. Gonna be tough sledding for the Canadian who has never beaten Roger in four or five tries. You have to think the pressure of the moment could crumble Raonic but then again, he could pull a Del Potro.

  • Andrew Miller · July 4, 2014 at 12:18 pm

    Gilberts critique of dimitrov was spot on. Great result though. Future battles coming between Kyrgios and Dimitrov.

  • Andrew Miller · July 4, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    Raonic always strikes me as poor mans Krajicek. Big game bad movement.

  • Scoop Malinowski · July 4, 2014 at 1:31 pm

    For his first time in the big moment at Wimbledon, Super G did a lot better than I expected. He played almost perfect. If not for that netted forehand at 4-l in the last tiebreak, there would’ve been a fifth set and who knows, maybe it would still be going on, the way these two titans were playing and moving. Djokovic was very fortunate to get out of that mess in four.

  • BoDu · July 4, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    Early betting line has Djokovic as a relatively heavy favorite.

    $100 on Djokovic pays only $153
    $100 on Federer pays $250

  • Andrew Miller · July 4, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    Federer v Djokovic. Spike or no the old guard is smashing new guard. Bouchard more brave than dimitrov and raonic.

  • Russeljones · July 4, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    I feel sorry for Dimitrov but it was always going to be an epic battle for him to stop a Djokovic who has to be desperate to capitalize on Nadal’s absence.

  • Scoop Malinowski · July 4, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    Agree Russelljones, Djokovic has such an urgent desperation about him now, he said he lost his last two major finals which he thinks he should have won both. The FO was surely heartbreaking for him to suffer, we saw the near tears at the trophy ceremony. I don’t think anything in the world will stop Djokovic on Sunday, not even a rejuvenated Federer. Djokovic wants this one something fierce. He’s going to fight with a Rafa like intensity and fury, which we saw glimpses of today. I don’t know if Federer has that kind of desperation in him at this point. Gonna be a fascinating duel.

  • Dan Markowitz · July 4, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    I don’t know. I was watching what I thought was the fully taped match of Djoko-Dimitrov until 4-3 in the third set, and I’ll tell you, Djoko does not have a good grass court game. Even after hiring Becker, his volleys are not sharp. He hits a better swinging volley than regular one. I was impressed by his serving. He hit his first 19 first serves in. And Djoko’s cross-court forehand has become almost Sampras-esque.

    Even so, there’s no way he’s beating Federer on Sunday. I just don’t believe in Djoko’s grass court game where he can beat Fed in Fed’s slam final swan song.

  • Mitch · July 4, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    The crowd will be pulling for Federer very hard on Sunday, and that could put Djokovic in a sour mood and be a big factor, especially if Fed is able to get off to a strong start.

  • Hartt · July 4, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    Tomorrow’s final between 2011 champion Kvitova and rising star Bouchard should be a lot of fun. One thing the match will not lack is power. The big question with Petra is always will she hold it together mentally? She has been doing very well in that department during this tournament. Bouchard is always tough mentally. She’s bound to have some nerves but if anyone can handle the pressure of the big moment, and it does not get any bigger in tennis than the Wimbledon final, it is this young player.
    As the star of TV’s The Big Bang Theory and Bouchard fan, Jim Parsons says, Genie is a cold-blooded killer.

  • bjk · July 4, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    what was Gilbert’s critique of GD?

  • Jack · July 4, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    Federer will be the emotional favorite.

    I don’t Djokovic cares, will win in 4.

  • Andrew Miller · July 5, 2014 at 2:05 am

    Bouchard is so tough as to be almost not respectful – she has the champions pedigree in the mental category. Her will to win is very williams like even sampras . The way she responds to questions is as if she already is the champion and the final is a mere formality. I think petra kvitova is in for it.

  • Russeljones · July 5, 2014 at 6:54 am

    If Federer remembers to slice low and frequently, he may bamboozle Djokovic who, lest we forget, is not always happy to play before a hostile crowd. I expect at least 95% of the people on CC to be behind Roger.

  • Scoop Malinowski · July 5, 2014 at 7:58 am

    Djokovic is going to have a hard time with the pro Fed crowd. We saw his irritation at the FO final when fans applauded his faults at the end and he nodded sarcastically, as if saying, Yeah that’s really effin sporting of you to cheer my fault into the net here while I’m busting a nut trying to survive against this monster. The Wimbledon crowd will be gentler but their favoritism for Fed will bother Djokovic if he falls behind. It’s very very important for Djokovic to win the first set and establish control over the match. Because if it’s close and tight, the crowd will make the difference for Fed.

  • CS3 · July 5, 2014 at 11:45 am

    I think tomorrow’s Men’s Final will go a VERY LONG WAY in determining what the future has in store for the extremely talented but psychologically shaky “Serbinator”… Despite the fact that Novak feels he should have won his recent Grand Slam Finals, he didn’t & truthfully he had his spirit broken in those matches while looking like a guy who pretty much fell apart & wasn’t “UP FOR A FIGHT” like Scoop would say… Age is on Novak’s side but I feel even at age 33, Roger is arguably just as fresh as Novak given his more natural, fluid, easy flowing playing style which doesn’t require nearly as much physical strain as Novak or Rafa’s more athletic, punishing brand of tennis… Roger is better & a lot more comfortable playing on grass as well which I think is key here… Djokovic has the game to beat any Top Player on any surface which he has shown over the years but the MENTAL ISSUES he has going on these days in the BIGGEST MATCHES are something that I can’t discount until he shows he can get over the hurdle again… Since 2011, Novak has been by a pretty comfortable margin, the most consistent player on the tour in terms of producing excellent results & going deep into tournaments… Post EPIC Aussie Open Final of 2012, he’s also become the Ivan Lendl of the tour pre-French Open 1984… Always close but not able to close the deal… Federer’s LEGACY is cemented & another RECORD — Wimbledon crown/GS title would only enhance his “King Roger aka The Maestro” status… Novak’s LEGACY is still uncertain & another LOSS on 1 of Tennis’s Biggest Stages could permanently leave that legacy badly diminished especially should he lose his 8th Grand Slam Final against a 33 year old version of Federer, who despite still being great is not VINTAGE FED GREAT anymore…Novak would be reduced to what I have labeled him as in the past, “The Best #3 in the History of Tennis” in other words an All Time Great in his own right but still leagues below The Top 2 Players & Champions of his & probably any era… I am very much looking forward to tuning in tomorrow morning & I hope my fellow Tennis Fans/Lovers who both write for & contribute comments to this entertaining site enjoy the match! Have a pleasant afternoon everyone & enjoy the rest of your 4th of July weekend! 🙂

  • CS3 · July 5, 2014 at 11:48 am

    P.S The great thing about tomorrow’s match is the fact that either guy can win… The intangibles, who keeps it together during the highs/lows of the match & who comes up big in the most pivotal points will determine the outcome!

  • Andrew Miller · July 5, 2014 at 12:35 pm

    Kvitova d. Bouchard 6-3 6-0. Thats a steffi/zvereva result (see french open blowout from cerca 1980s). What happenned to this kid – maybe the lack of celebration post halep did her in. Kvitova is the most successful post stepanek girlfriend ever.

  • Scoop Malinowski · July 5, 2014 at 12:45 pm

    Kvitova was perfect today Andrew. She is devastating when she really wants it. Bouchard could not handle the power and was blown off the court. Kvitova has more putaway power and angled winners than just about any player, Davenport like. But Kvitova is lefty so it’s even more difficult. Bouchard didn’t do anything wrong she just ran into the wrong player, wrong day, couldn’t do anything to thwart Kvitova’s penetrating power. Bouchard will be back. When Kvitova plays her best tennis at Wimbledon, she’s about impossible to beat. Evert said she lost her first final to BJK 6063, so Bouchard is still in good company. I don’t see her regressing like a Zvereva or Safina. I see Bouchard winning a major within six months. Maybe 2.5 months.

  • BoDu · July 5, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    2011 Wimbledon winners: Kvitova and Djokovic
    2014 Wimbledon winners: Kvitova and ?

  • Andrew Miller · July 5, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    Cahill said seles hitting was better than bouchard and indeed true. I thought bouchard would master the post stepanek kvitova but this was a blowout – probably one of worst womens finals of all time. Shows again tennis is a game of matchups.

    Dan is probably right on bouchards current limits. Maybe she lucked out when halep knocked lisicki out and other players like cornet made the draw easier by upsetting williams. But three touranents in a row three semifinals shows a new force in the wta. I do think her court style is a champion demeanor.

  • Patrick · July 6, 2014 at 7:59 am

    Bo Du:

    A betting line would never look like that.

    If you could risk 100 to win 153 one guy and risk 100 to win 250 on another guy, casinos would quickly go out of business.

    The actual odds are:
    Risk 160 to win 100 to bet on Djokovic
    Risk 100 to win 140 to bet on Federer

  • Patrick · July 6, 2014 at 8:04 am

    Andrew Miller:

    “Cahill said seles hitting was better than bouchard and indeed true.”

    How did Monica Seles get into the conversation?

    And what did Gilbert say about Dimitrov?

  • Patrick · July 6, 2014 at 8:05 am

    I think Djoker wins today, btw. I’m with Scoop. Don’t get lured in by Fed’s play against a hurt Stan and a guy named Milos Raonic who simply isn’t that good at tennis.

    Djoker is a better tennis player right now than Federer, and he’s younger and hungrier as well.

  • CS3 · July 6, 2014 at 10:48 am

    HIGH QUALITY, VERY SKILLFUL Wimbledon’s Final going on so far… Would expect nothing less from 2 of the Big 3 Era ALL TIME GREATS! Match will be decided by who is better in the pivotal moments… So far, Roger is remaining steadier while Novak is blinking some however he just shook off a Federer break point opportunity to take the 2nd set & draw even… The most coveted trophy in the sport is truly up for grabs… The upcoming 3rd set will be key!

  • CS3 · July 6, 2014 at 11:53 am

    Djokovic the more steady player, who is younger & in his prime.. His superior shot making is why he is now 1 set away from his 2nd Wimbledon crown… Federer’s forehand really got away from him in the 3rd set tiebreak… The opening is there for Novak to: seize the title, regain his #1 in the world ranking & break his slump in Grand Slam Finals… DANGER TIME for Federer because it’s getting away from him… Something like the Late, Great Angelo Dundee would say, “you’re blowing Fed, you’re blowing it!” Maybe that HUGE BREAK to get back on serve in the 4th set may give Roger new life?

  • Andrew Miller · July 6, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Djokovic tightened up in the 5-3 game. Even down 5-6 he still might get the tiebreak and pull out the match. Federer did a nice (how about exceptional!) job in the 5-2 game – pounds out some nice serves, then switches racquets (presumably to a higher tension) to return serve without changing sides. Smart stuff out there – small, seemingly unimportant moment that changed set’s momentum. Federer pumps out a few big serves and a nice service game and suddenly has the belief he can get in on Djokovic’s serve (and does), serves himself even to 5-5, breaks again for 6-5, then finds himself up 40-15 in the 6-5 game, closes it out 7-5 to get himself in a fifth set.

    Djokovic starts playing a little less risky tennis (which is actually MORE risky in a slam final – wants to control the outcome by playing predictably, suddenly cant hit his forehand, starts missing first serves), Federer starts finding more range. Enjoyed that from the maestro, didnt think he could still bring it.

  • Mitch · July 6, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Looks like Djokovic just left the court to take a bathroom break and regroup. Going to be tough for him to bounce back after dropping the fourth set. Hope Fed can pull it out, but what a match either way.

  • Andrew Miller · July 6, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    Great match – not the best Federer’s been in, or Djokovic, but great match. Federer’s nervous version made a lot of appearances, the shanking off the forehand, backhand and overhead. I didn’t know who would win until Djokovic put it away – to Djokovic’ credit he stayed in it and kept going deep into Federer’s service games with 15-30, 15-40 advantages, shows that Djokovic loosened it up a bit and found his range in patrolling the baseline.

    Thinking Djokovic wasn’t going to be up on the winner’s podium has been a huge mistake – this guy keeps making slam finals and all it takes is ONE breakthrough (again) to revive the belief that the hard work is worth it. Remember that for the champion the sweetest moment is when they realize they won the match – not the trophy or anything else like that, it’s the joy and relief etc., and they live for it. Sharapova said as much when winning the French Open – all the endorsements etc don’t add up to that sensation that you and your team and the stadium etc reach this point where really, few people get there and get there as many times as they do.

    Look for Djokovic to win another slam in the near future, he enters US OPen as the favorite and will probably topple Wawrinka on the way in a form of mild payback (here’s the win back on you haha!). Nadal of course also.

    Final thoughts on the old guard vs. new guard: for now the new guard isn’t winning anything and judging from the past two slams they’ll change the composition of the semifinals and quarterfinals but not the name etched into the trophies. The old guard just has too much left on the table – too much time, too much desire and too much unfinished business, and don’t want the young fellas to have any of it. Maybe on the womens side Bouchard or Halep will grab the US Open.

    Let’s hear it for Boris Becker who keeps his job. Good work Boris!

  • Andrew Miller · July 6, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    On another note nice work from Federer – he had me convinced he had a shot up until his last service game. I’d think he takes a lot from this and believes the work he has put in in rededicating, firing Annacone etc is worth it. He is playing better even if some bad habits crop up (even with the new racquet – here’s my takeaway – if you lift up your head the ball flies – Federer’s famous ability to watch the ball at the point of contact has eroded somewhat in the past few years). The man’s human of course.

  • CS3 · July 6, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    Was a very long time coming & lots of physical/emotional torment has been experienced but Novak Djokovic has overcome his Grand Slam Final SLUMP to win his HARD FOUGHT & WELL DESERVED 2nd Wimbledon crown, which makes 7 Grand Slam titles overall… WHAT A MATCH & A JAW DROPPING DISPLAY OF HEART, SKILL & WILL FROM BOTH TREMENDOUS CHAMPIONS OF THE COURT…Djokovic regains his World #1 in the ranking as well which he did in the manner of a TRUE CHAMPION… I never had the opinion that Novak won’t win another Grand Slam… He likely has a couple to a few more left in him… TOO GOOD A PLAYER & COMPETITOR not to accomplish more great things as I have said in the past… This victory goes a long way in cementing Novak’s legacy… Not that he had to prove it because his standing as a WORTHY MEMBER of the Big 3 was already secure but Novak is officially a peer of both Rafa & Roger… Grand Slam Final victories over the Top 2 Grand Slam Champions/Players in history immortalizes “The Serbinator’s” rightful place among THE GREATEST TRIO OF CHAMPIONS competing at the same time in any era of Tennis… Congrats Novak, you deserve some good fortune for a change & you are a credit to the sport… Such a PRIVILEGE to be able to witness the best matches in history featuring 3 LEGENDS! Good Sunday afternoon fellow Tennis Fanatics/Lovers! 🙂

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