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sumiit
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Posted on 06-04-08 12:52
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Can Rafael Nadal defend his Title again? He has not lost a single set yet. Or will Roger Federer get his share this time. Without the French Open Title, his journey looks so incomplete. How about the new sensational Novak Djokovic?
Men Semifinal
1. R. Federer (1) vs G. Monfils
2. R. Nadal (2) vs N. Djokovic (3)
Women Semifinal
1. D. Safina (13) vs S. Kuznetsova (4) (All Russian Game)
2. J. Jankovic (3) vs A Ivanovic (2) (All Serbian Game)
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AAAA
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Posted on 06-04-08 1:04
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I really want Federer to win at least one French open. He will be called the best ever if he has not been already.
At the same time, Nadal will also create a history in French open if he can win this grandslam again.
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sumiit
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Posted on 06-04-08 1:08
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Nadal - Djokovic: the dream semi-finalTuesday, June 3, 2008By Matthew Cronin
It was not written in stone before the tournament began, but the Roland Garros stonemason surely must have at least carved the initials of three-time champion Rafael Nadal and world No3 Novak Djokovic into his semi-final bracket.
On Tuesday, Nadal played one of his best matches ever in a 6-1 6-1 6-1 whitewash of fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro and said that he was in the best physical shape he has ever been during his four Roland Garros campaigns. He will certainly need to be in tiptop shape for Djokovic, who outplayed his friend Ernests Gulbis 7-5 7-6 7-5 to qualify nfor his second Roland Garros semi-final.
“There is no such thing as a prewritten script before the tournament starts, and anything can happen before any match,†Nadal said. “You never know if you'll make it to the semifinal, final, and win. This is something that we all have in mind. We all know that.â€
While Djokovic did not play his best against Gulbis in tough conditions, he seized all the big points, playing steady and smart while the 19-year-old Latvian was erratic when the pressure points came.
“Novak is a player who really plays well on the deciding points, and almost every deciding point he made me work so hard for the point,†Gulbis said. “Most of the time I made errors, because there were no errors from him at all when it came to important points.â€
Booming big serves, cracking his forehand, rushing the net and tossing in some soft drop shots, Gulbis had chances in every set, but he grew sloppy when it mattered, flying his ground-strokes over the baseline and becoming confused as to what the right strategies should be.
“That's what makes him No. 3 in the world, that he can play those important points with no errors at all,†Gulbis said. “I think my forehand is still a lot to improve, because as you could see, when it came to deciding moments it got a little bit shaky. It's not so consistent.â€
Djokovic played about as carefully as he is capable of and only cut loose when his former practice partner from the Pilic Tennis Academy made a major push at him. Even though he is only 21 years old, his experience showed.
“I knew he was going to go for the shots, so I didn't want to make the same rhythm,†Djokovic said. “I didn't want to try to overpower his game. He's very strong. He's very tall. He has a great serve. But I tried to play a bit more patient and more safe in certain moments, that's for sure. But this is not going to be a case in the next match.â€
Nadal, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Tuesday, played yet another relentless, suffocating contest against a man who he said before the match was one of the top five clay-courters in the world. But Almagro could not contain himself, nor deal with the heaviness of Nadal's strokes.
“I think there was a guy called Nadal on the centre court, and he played much better than me all the time, a bit like a flash,†Almagro said. “I tried to play it at the beginning, but I did not expect such results. Quite clearly today I am still far from Federer, Djokovic, Nadal, David, and that gives me strength to continue to work. Congratulations Rafa. I probably didn't play my best tennis, but, when Rafa plays like this, there is nothing you can say. Just congratulate him, wish him a happy birthday, and wish him all the best for the rest of this tournament. Quite clearly we'll have a champion for many years here in Roland Garros.â€
Nadal has lost the least amount of games in reaching a Roland Garros semi-final in open era history, equaling Bjorn Borg’s record which dates back to when the first two rounds were played as best-of-three sets.
“Centre court here is not easy,†Nadal said. “Always the wind is changing, and the court is very big. So if you are not playing a lot of times there it's difficult to adapt in the beginning, no? But anyway, I think I played a very complete match. He has a lot of mistakes. But I start the match, having the control of the point with the forehand, and touching better the ball with the backhand. So the most important thing I think was the forehand. Today I feel better the ball.â€
Nadal and Djokovic have played 10 times, with Nadal owning a 7-3 edge, having never lost to him on clay, including wins at 2006 and 2007 Roland Garros. But Djokovic nearly upset the Spaniard in the Hamburg semifinals two weeks ago in a classic three-hour, three-set match and with the confidence he displayed in winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, he will certainly be a bigger threat than he was here the previous two years. The world No2 ranking will be on the line on Friday.
“I hope it's going to be like the last time, especially if I win,†Nadal said. “But I know it's going to be a difficult match. He is very good so far this year. He plays at a very high level, but I also play well. I'm aware of the fact that if I'm not playing at 100% it's going to be very difficult for me to win this match, so I need to play at 100%.â€
While Djokovic is incredibly solid off both wings and has been serving and returning beautifully, he will have to step up a gear against the left-handed Nadal, who has a 39-0 record in best-of-five-set matches on clay. His defence is near impregnable and grinding types of players find it impossible to knock him off his stride. If the Serbian does not take risks, he will find himself caught in Nadal's spell once again.
“He's been playing better and better,†Djokovic said. “He’s improved I think the serve a lot this year, on clay especially, and he's going for some shots much more. He combines that with his great physical strength and then patience, and it's impressive on this surface. But I don't want to go out there in semis and just try my best. I don't want to do that. I want to win, and I think I have good quality and good chance. I know, of course, he's a favorite, and all the credit to that. But only with a positive attitude and approach in the match I can get the positive outcome.â€
Source: http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2008-06-03/200806031212515569171.html
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sumiit
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Posted on 06-04-08 1:17
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AAAA, I think it's now or never time for Roger Federer. He needs to win this title badly. But at the same time, look at the way Nadal is playing. Can't say anything at this time. It's tough.
Semifinal game between Nadal and Djokovic should be one good match to watch.
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*~Spring~*
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Posted on 06-04-08 1:28
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Seems like Federer is having tough time
Gonzalez 6 1
Federer 2 4
Last edited: 04-Jun-08 01:30 PM
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sumiit
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Posted on 06-04-08 1:37
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Spring, Here's the final score. Probably you are watching the recorded match. (I am sorry if I ruined it) :)
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*~Spring~*
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Posted on 06-04-08 1:40
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lootekukur
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Posted on 06-04-08 1:43
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what a fantastic tie for men's singles. i am already excited. would be really interesting. i think federer would make it this time to create history. let's see. spring, that match is already over. it was a QF match which federer won 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.
Last edited: 04-Jun-08 01:44 PM
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serial
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Posted on 06-04-08 1:47
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I want Federer to win this one. But Nadal is in great form but you never know.
Anything can happen.
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Kinaara
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Posted on 06-04-08 2:21
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I want Nadal to win Vamos even with his disgusting habit he seem pretty cute n' strong he deserve to win so keep pulling ur pants ehehehe
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CaMoFLaGeD
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Posted on 06-04-08 2:32
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.I am not sure about who's gonna win the French Open this time. I still prefer Nadal. Well, it's hard to say anything at this time. Anyone can beat anybody. Federer deserves this Grand Slam title too so does Navak Djokovic. But with Nadal in such a terrific form, it will be a great final to watch. If Nadal and Federer play the final, I guess Nadal will clinch a thriller again. :-)
The other day I was watching a match between Safina and Sharapova. That was one great match to watch!! I didn't know Safina was younger sister of Marat Safin. She has a good chance to take the French Open this time. Had Sharapova won the match, it would've been a perfect semi final between top four seeded women tennis players.
:-)
Last edited: 04-Jun-08 03:21 PM
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lootekukur
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Posted on 06-04-08 6:28
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Safin's sister re camo? wow, i must see her then :P...well actually i did. she looks just like marat :D since you seem to know all the family lineage, does Goran Ivanisevich has a sister? :P About final, my pick would be Federer vs. Nadal with federer winning the four setter. wanna bet? :D...whoever wins will get to drink JD (on the rocks) from sndy's hand
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waiyat
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Posted on 06-04-08 6:33
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I want Safina and Federer to win.
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CaMoFLaGeD
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Posted on 06-04-08 7:08
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.LOL@ LooTe bro, ha ha ha!! I told you I didn't know about Safina before the match. Those commentators were talking about her brother, Marat Safin and about how she looked up to him and got this far yada yada yada throughout the match. That is how I knew about her. "She just looks like marat :D" ha ha ha!! well she looks stronger than him, if you ask me. LOL
About Goran's sister, we will have to wait till she (if she exists and plays tennis, that is) beats another big name like Safina did. Even if she look stronger than Goran, she should be fine. What say? he he he!!
Talking about the match again, okay let's bet. If it comes out to be a Nadal vs Federer final, I say it will be either four or five setter and Nadal beating Federer with atleast one tie breaker set. Let's get sndy's sanction for JD (on the rock) in her place.
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sumiit
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Posted on 06-05-08 7:15
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Let us not forget Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils. They are as equal contender for the title as Rafael and Roger. Monfils has defeated David Ferrer in Quarterfinal match. Remember Ferrer's game in US Open last year? So he has got the potential to beat anyone.
Today's match:
Off the topic, regarding Ivanisevic's sister, this is what he had told about her: "When I started in my career, my sister was very sick so I play for her because we didn't have money." - Goran Ivanisevic . The Ivanisevic family picture for lootekukur bro, hope he will consider her :P (jk)
From left to right: Goran's Mom - Gorana (whom Goran was named after), Dad - Srdjan, and his older sister - Srdjana (named after their father)
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Maverick_
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Posted on 06-06-08 8:04
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Rafa is rolling like a bull dozer. Take that dJokers
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sumiit
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Posted on 06-06-08 8:05
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sumiit
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Posted on 06-06-08 8:11
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Djoker... ha ha
Maverick, we might have to wait. Djokovic can bounce back anytime. :)
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raascal
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Posted on 06-06-08 8:15
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Seems like I need to download some softwares to watch live match. I cannot download any software in my work computer :(
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sumiit
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Posted on 06-06-08 8:18
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raascal, you can watch it in windows media player also. Check the link shown above and scroll it down a lil bit then you will see so many links for windows media player.
:)
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