Roland Garros - 2019

If fed chose to receive first then that will have cost him this first set.

Set 1 gone, Fed had his chances.

Both players playing well given the horrible conditions.

Jahu wrote:

summerblues wrote:Dear

Go back to.work SB, suckssss

I should I should, but now I cannot anymore.  Too invested in the match already.  It would almost have been better if Fed had not broken back the first time around.  That gave me hope and it is all too gut wrenching now to just let go of it.  Barry may be right about that hope thing.

Federer starting the second set also against the wind

We need second set!!!

Downwind - not a single break point.

Upwind - break points galore, all difficult holds.

The difference is that Rafa still held twice upwind, but Fed did not hold once.

Emancipator wrote:Federer starting the second set also against the wind

Which is only fair seeing as Rafa was starting the first set against the wind.

Jahu wrote:We need second set!!!

TBH, I think we needed the first set.

As strange as it sounds, watching this considering how long its been since they've played here and taking into account the conditions, it feels a right equaliser. Will be 2 or 3 points that will make all the difference. 

it's how Roger comes through those points that's quite interesting. What is fascinating is Nadal peppering the Federer BH and I think it's panic that might take hold of him when it doesn't break down like in yesteryear.

Demonstrated by the last point.

True, but Rafa losing the feel a little it seems.

Break him nowwwwwww

Yesss keep your serve now

Goes to the FH. Fed breaks. 

Nadal had nowhere to go. We could have a match on.

summerblues wrote:

Jahu wrote:We need second set!!!

TBH, I think we needed the first set.

Fed’s only hope is to get a quick second set

Whats the rush now, stay a few shots back ffs.

Nadal's CCBH cutting through the wind. Get him on the FH!

First serves. What the doctor ordered.

Federer already improved on his showing in 2008.  Little by little.  What's the next milestone?

Come onnnnn

Bollocks!

God sakeee

Getting broken downwind. Not good.

Take Nadals.serve now, compensate asap!!!

Set the point up beautifully. Maybe should've let it bounce.

I wonder if this wind is actually making the match look more equal than it is.  By having the good downwind side, Fed has some place where he can win games.  If it was all neutral, he might just end up coming up short all the time.

legendkillar wrote:Set the point up beautifully. Maybe should've let it bounce.

Or hit that overhead more properly.

I think the wind has equalled it up. It's certainly made Nadal tentative on the FH side. 

It's horrid conditions, but at least it's brought them closer.

summerblues wrote:

legendkillar wrote:Set the point up beautifully. Maybe should've let it bounce.

Or hit that overhead more properly.

Was hitting against the wind. The margin for taking the OH volley on the BH would've been more fatal. I think an extra bounce would've taken the risk out of it.

If Fed cannot win today (perish the thought) my preferred loss would be in 4 sets.

Straight sets is a bit too one-sided, and five sets is too emotionally draining.

legendkillar wrote:I think an extra bounce would've taken the risk out of it.

Not disagreeing.  I have seen quite a few points where I thought players would have been better off letting the ball bounce but did not.  Sometimes I think it is just their egos that force them to hit that OH.

summerblues wrote:

legendkillar wrote:I think an extra bounce would've taken the risk out of it.

Not disagreeing.  I have seen quite a few points where I thought players would have been better off letting the ball bounce but did not.  Sometimes I think it is just their egos that force them to hit that OH.

Absolutely. More so if they've made such shots so many times over the years. They sometimes forget the moment they are in.

Fed playing quite well, but it still has that usual Rafa vs Roger feel.  Even when it is close, it looks like Rafa is able to play within himself while Roger  has to play closer to his limits.  One feels that, first, Roger is more likely to not be able to keep it up and, second, Rafa has more room to step it up, if need be.

Part of me despite wanting Federer to break will cause much anxiety when it comes to him serving for the set!

Oh God he needed that.  How many times has Nadal clawed back from 0-40.

He cant keep his serve let alone break!!

What a bitter pill that will be to swallow

Some shit mistakes at the net today fuckk

That is such a huge huge break.  What a difference between serving to stay in and serving for 2-0.

Very strange to see Fed giving such easy balls to volley once he brings Nadal at the net.

Broken from 40-0. Horrible. I was already counting on Rafa having to serve upwind at 4:5, Fed breaking and taking the second set ...

This is why French Open is by far the worst slam. Nobody cares about the final now.

Ljubicic has no nails left today

Set 2 gone, Fed degrading quickly.

This match is over

Emancipator wrote:This match is over

Not if Fed wins next three sets.

But we do need set 3 now, if he is to win.

I'd prefer if Fed would just quit this match now and not give the Donkey the satisfaction of more match practice.

So we need some rain now to stoo the match 2h ahahah

From midway through the second set (maybe shortly after Rafa broke back), Fed's expression had looked to me like he did not believe he could win today.

Rafa jerking around now with his ball catching skills, prick