USO 2012: Nole Watch

Tenez wrote:

at least Nole was defending aggressively

That he can do. But not so much aggressive as "angled defense". Meaning his defense shots are not very risky (aggressive) but delivered with angle to still force the opponent to do some moving. This is the string technology effect. And this is how gets Nadal nackered before he does.

ok, so how would you have done it in that very point with the racquet he used, aaaaand, how would Fed dealt with the same bullets in that same point last night?

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:This clip is extremely revealing and does not work in Nole's favour for me. Nole is certainly a fantastic retriever but essentially a retriever and someone who relies on his superior stamina. It cannot be more clear in this short.

And the TB points exactly show what I have been talking about (2mn24s): Nole's want to extend the rallies and not finish teh point early so it can tire Delpo and give him more free points down the road. This is what Federer calls "throwing athletic" points.

Against Delpo, Nole had to deal with accurate power, just like Fed had to against Berd, it's called "moving the big man around". How would you have played Delpo?

That point from Novak was played with tennis sense. Many players play in a way just to dismantle their opponent. E.g. Stepanek would definitely play this ball in the same way, I can just see him. You always need to play the way, which works and Nole just did and did it perfectly

I bet Tenez has hopped over to his club to try out the options, look forward to his return.

noleisthebest wrote:
ok, so how would you have done it in that very point with the racquet he used, aaaaand, how would Fed dealt with the same bullets in that same point last night?

But Djoko is teh one serving and dictating first. He could have kept the aggression but clearly wanted to keep the rally going. Even the first drop shot was played with huge margins but the lob following that drop shot is a joke. A BH smash/volley was extremely easy and would have closed the point but he chose to make Delpo run more, smart but physical.

He plays like Leconte and Barhami play to keep the rally going and impress the crowd. You even feel that Delpo is part of the trick at times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dQLa55bQxg

paulcz wrote:That point from Novak was played with tennis sense. Many players play in a way how to dismantle their opponent. E.g. Stepanek would definitely play this ball in the same way, I can just see him. You always need to play the way, which works and Nole just did and did perfectly

Except that Stepanek gets lots of risks with his volleys, he is constantly attempting to control the point.

Tenez wrote:

paulcz wrote:That point from Novak was played with tennis sense. Many players play in a way how to dismantle their opponent. E.g. Stepanek would definitely play this ball in the same way, I can just see him. You always need to play the way, which works and Nole just did and did perfectly

Except that Stepanek gets lots of risks with his volleys, he is constantly attempting to control the point.

Stepanek takes risks, because his baseline game is not as good. His FH is worse than BH. He has a trouble with his back and perhaps shoulder. He has a very good feeling for a ball, so he tries to get to the net and play volleys. But no chance with big hitters. He can play doubles till his 40, I am sure. Semifinal of DC with Argentina is coming soon

OK then, I can't believe I've done this herculan LF-like effort, but here's a link .....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYyp2cVLMho

second point, Fed serves, fast conditions in O2....gutsy stuff after Delpo's return (oooh, I'm dying for a smiley!!!!)

I am not sure how those 2 points compare. Fed retrieves a good shot from Delpo but tries to hold his ground by sticking close to the baseline and dictate as much as possible. There is no sign of Fed trying to extend the rally unnecessarily.