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The match we’ve all been waiting for, the matador vs. the bull
16 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
This is IT.
We have all known these two tennis titans were going to meet in the final of Roland Garros. The matador vs. the bull.
We don’t have to name names or cite stats. It’s on. Let’s get ready to rummm- bllleeee. The matador vs. the bull.
We know it’s going to be an epic match, a vicious battle until the last point is one. The matador vs. the bull.
We know these two both have enormous pride, guts and thirst for supremacy, and both will be willing to walk through fire to win this match, and stay ahead of the other.
We know it’s going to be a sporting spectacle, quite possibly the most physically demanding and exhausting final any of us has ever seen.
The matador vs. the bull.
Brace yourselves, everybody. Get your popcorn and adult beverages ready. Kick back and enjoy watching two of the greatest players in history wage war.
It’s a very hard call but I’m predicting the matador will slay the bull in four or five brutal sets.
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Harold · June 6, 2014 at 8:51 pm
Nadal in 4. 6-4,7-5,3-6,7-5
Scoop Malinowski · June 6, 2014 at 8:57 pm
I have a friend who’s better over a grand on Rafa, Harold.
Alex Bancila · June 6, 2014 at 9:13 pm
If Djoker wins I’ll be $300 to the good.
Dan Markowitz · June 6, 2014 at 10:24 pm
I say Nadal in 5 and watching Murray play the semis, I say he should be banned from ever playing in the French semis ever again. What an anemic performance. This has to be the worst semis of a slam I can ever remember. What a dud. Gulbis and Murray should be penalized by not being allowed to play Wimbledon.
Gaurang · June 7, 2014 at 12:30 am
If it is hot, Nadal in 4.
If it is not hot:
– 60% chance Nadal will win the first set, and then he will win in 4 sets
– 40% chance Novak will win the first set, and then he will win in 5 sets
Scoop Malinowski · June 7, 2014 at 7:53 am
Dan agree, Murray put up no fight, that was worst than a Rafa first round match against a wildcard. Murray had nothing, no hope at all, and unfortunately he knew that and played accordingly. But we have to credit Nadal for being on top of his game. It’s been a LONG time since a major SF was so one sided. Maybe decades, maybe back to the Seles or Graf days. Like Alex says, Murray’s self belief vs. Rafa is a whole lot different than Djokovic’s. Worlds apart.
Scoop Malinowski · June 7, 2014 at 7:54 am
No need to worry about the whereabouts of our dear friends Tommy and Gustar, they en route flying over to Paris now to try to get in the locker room to look for illegal spikes on Djokovic’s adidas. 🙂
gans · June 7, 2014 at 12:33 pm
I have said this before and here it is again: Djokovic in four tight sets! If he does, he will go on to win the next two French as well.
Cheers!
Dan Markowitz · June 7, 2014 at 12:55 pm
Murray has no game, no weapons to beat Nadal. He plays passive on the forehand and he doesn’t attack much with his backhand either. Couple that with a very mediocre serve and it’s a miracle Murray got to the semis.
gans · June 7, 2014 at 3:16 pm
Dan, I agree with you. I can’t stand his passive uninspiring tennis and thought he has overcome that by winning two majors. But I guess habits die hard. Even if he was tired after couple of five setters, he could have played more aggressively and lost. His tennis was hopeless and pathetic.
Well let’s forget that and enjoy tomorrow’s final. I have never seen better competition between the top two than Nadal and Djokovic.
Go Djokovic!
Alex Bancila · June 7, 2014 at 7:45 pm
Can’t wait for tomorrow’s final!
Matchup is straightforward: Nadal needs another major weapon in addition to his forehand. The serve won’t do it and neither is his return or net play – he is a great volleyer and has great feel around the net but that doesn’t win matches anymore nowadays. So we’re left with the backhand. If he doesn’t hurt Djoker with his backhand then title number 9 ain’t happening. Specifically, he needs to trust his penetrating backhand crosscourt when in neutral and – nota bene – his backhand down the line to finish points.
Cheers,
AB
Twitter:@TheAlexBancila
BigFourThreeTwoOne · June 8, 2014 at 1:05 am
Hey Scoop,
I like your angle on the Matador as well as your take on the current King of Tennis. What I’m most concerned about as a Nole fan is him losing the first set. The last 6 major finals he’s been in since 2011 USO, he’s lost the first set in all 6 of which he’s won 2 (2012 AO and 2013 AO) and lost 4 (2012 FO, 2012 USO, 2013 Wimby and 2013 USO). Since 2011 USO, he’s been in 4 semis in which he has lost the first set. Of those 4, he’s won 2 (2012 USO and 2013 USO) and lost 2 (2012 Wimby and 2013 FO). Since 2011 USO, he’s won all 4 semis in which he has won the first set. What this tells me is that he is a great fighter and refuses to wilt. In a nutshell, he’s a virtual lock to win it if he wins the first set and has a decent chance to win it if he loses the first set based on current form, notwithstanding the outlier loss at 2014 AO QF against Stanislas in which Nole won the first set and became frustrated with the multitude of unconverted break chances and let that get to him. However, in this case for the 2014 FO final, my instinct tells me this time around he will need to win the first set to win this thing. Obviously, I will hope he can turn it around and win it if he loses the first set, but something tells me it will be very difficult for him to turn the tide if he loses the first set against Rafa at Chatrier. Of course, if he loses the first 2 sets, I will hold out very very little hope. Anyway, here’s hoping that he does not have any crucial mental lapses and stays fully engaged in the match. If he can do that, Nole’s tactics and his skill set will carry the day.
Scoop Malinowski · June 8, 2014 at 8:26 am
Thanks Bigfour, first set is vital, and you know Rafa knows it too and can’t wait to see Rafa’s first set intensity, he’s going to be playing like his life is on the line. Djokovic has to be ready for that intensity and match it and give it right back to Rafa. Djokovic can’t play it cool he has to be ready for a Mike Tyson like assault on him. Of course Djokovic surely knows this and will be ready. John McEnroe called last year’s SF the best match he ever saw. Today might exceed that.
Andrew Miller · June 8, 2014 at 9:06 am
Murray hired Mauresmo. A+ choice.
gustarhymes · June 8, 2014 at 1:25 pm
Djoker had his chances. Both players were less than 100%. Djoker might win a future RG, but he only has a chance at one now. This was his best chance with Rafa a year past his prime and Djoker in his last prime year. Djoker appears to be slowing down. rafa is too but he is naturally faster and stronger and has better endurance, and can last longer. I think I will win that bet with Scoop that Nole will not get to 10 majors and have a second Wimbledon and 2 RG.
Novak will have to hope he has an advantage going into the bullfight the way they stab the bull and put vaseline to blind the bull. Vamos Rafa!
gusta
gustarhymes · June 8, 2014 at 8:40 pm
Rafa most likely will tie Federer’s 17, but less likely to break the record I think. I’m hoping he wins either another wimbledon or Australian to rightfully lay claim to GOAT status.
Gusta