Wimbledon 2013: Day 11 Men's SF

Centre Court
1.00pm
Gentlemen's Singles - Semi-finals  

Novak Djokovic  (SRB) [1] v Juan Martin Del Potro  (ARG) [8]

Jerzy Janowicz  (POL) [24] v Andy Murray  (GBR) [2]

Here we are, at the business end of the tournament.  In spite of all the upsets, we ended up with a reasonably "grand-slamy" line up - top two seeds, plus a former slam champ, plus a rising star.  Both matches have something to offer:

In the first match, Delpo has the opportunity to show that he is really back and ready to mix it up with the big boys.  Nole will be trying to continue what he has been doing so well the last couple of years - keep winning the big matches in big tournaments.

The second match is a first one in a very very long time - in fact since Delpo's 2009 US run - that a young(ish) new talent is involved in a match of this magnitude.  Can Jerzy take one extra step?  On the other side of the net, Murray has yet another best chance to end the British Wimbledon drought this year.

Let's hope for a couple of good matches.

Unfortunately will not be able to see any of the action

Delpo, Jerzy

BTW, nitb, who will you root for in Andy's match?  On one hand, you are not a fan of Andy's, on the other hand - if I remember it correctly - you do not like Jerzy because you saw him cheat at a point challenge (or something like that).

How come you can't watch them buddy?

luvsports! wrote:How come you can't watch them buddy?

Some of us work.

summerblues wrote:BTW, nitb, who will you root for in Andy's match?  On one hand, you are not a fan of Andy's, on the other hand - if I remember it correctly - you do not like Jerzy because you saw him cheat at a point challenge (or something like that).

JJ any day!

He is a gutsy player, he is 22 and the only one of the young guns who seems to have the belief and nerve atm. Oh, yes, and that serve definitely helps.
As for that situation where he pointed to a wrong mark, I'll try to convince myself he was genuinely mistaken in his conviction. It's not impossible.


So for me, JJ and Nole tomorrow. Nole to take the final.

noleisthebest wrote:As for that situation where he pointed to a wrong mark, I'll try to convince myself he was genuinely mistaken in his conviction. It's not impossible.

You should do it the way I do.  I just assume they are all cheats, so if I see one of them cheating in action, it does not change my opinion of them much.

Speaking of pointing to a wrong mark, Soderling here must be one of the best ones ever :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2K8i_jpzEw

summerblues wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:As for that situation where he pointed to a wrong mark, I'll try to convince myself he was genuinely mistaken in his conviction. It's not impossible.

You should do it the way I do.  I just assume they are all cheats, so if I see one of them cheating in action, it does not change my opinion of them much.

Good one. I like to think some can still win being true to themselves....but actually those guys don't typically win.

summerblues wrote:Speaking of pointing to a wrong mark, Soderling here must be one of the best ones ever :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2K8i_jpzEw

 Yes...Fed tried a couple of times too.

Tenez wrote: Yes...Fed tried a couple of times too.

LOL did he?  I do not remember ever seeing Fed doing it.

A couple of times v Nadal....but not as bad as Soderling.

Tenez wrote:

summerblues wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:As for that situation where he pointed to a wrong mark, I'll try to convince myself he was genuinely mistaken in his conviction. It's not impossible.

You should do it the way I do.  I just assume they are all cheats, so if I see one of them cheating in action, it does not change my opinion of them much.

Good one. I like to think some can still win being true to themselves....but actually those guys don't typically win.

That's why I like Paire so much. He is one of them.

Yes..and Paire doesn't win either.

Tenez wrote:Yes..and Paire doesn't win either.

I don't think it bothers him THAT much. He isn't a winning machine but wins enough, a bit like Dolgopolov; hope Brown and Mannarino join them in the "enough" department soon.

Tenez wrote:A couple of times v Nadal....but not as bad as Soderling.

Second set Madrid 2011 IIRC.

Julia Santamaria wrote:

Tenez wrote:A couple of times v Nadal....but not as bad as Soderling.

Second set Madrid 2011 IIRC.

 Yes...that's one...and one earlier...like 2007/2008 in MC, ROme or FO....can't remember exactly.

A bit of pre-match hype to set the atmosphere does ot go amiss

JJ:

"Right now, I'm the most happy person in the world. This is what I was waiting for. This is what I was dreaming about. So as I can see, sometimes if you are dreaming about something really hard, it can actually happen.''

Murray:

"I'll certainly need to be sharp from the outset against Jerzy Janowicz, as I have to take every chance that comes my way. There's a lot more to his game than people might think - he's got good touch and plays a lot of drop shots - but at 6ft 8in and with a big serve, it's pretty obvious that I will need to return well.
That's always been one of the strengths of my game. I can remember beating Taylor Dent, who was one of the biggest servers around, when I played on the Tour for the first time at Queen's Club.
I have very short, compact swings on the return and quite a long reach, and they're two key things when you're returning.

Janowicz might be a big guy with a big serve, but I won't be intimidated by him.
I won't do anything out of the ordinary to prepare for his serve. I practised with a couple of lefties before playing Verdasco, but when I'm playing righties with a big serve I usually just get Dani Vallverdu, who works as part of my coaching team, to stand up the court and serve at me from there."



Long live the Dreamers 

I am quite impressed by Jerzy...to be in the semi despite his erratic results since reaching Paris final.I saw him live v Almagro on the first week and Alma was actually pretty close but managed to throw UEs on key points. He is 22 only and again he is a junior doing quite well thanks to a physical presence other juniors do not have.

Just shows that physique again is at the base, more than ever, to be a successful player. 

I still see Murray going through as he will try to throw soft, slice balls to slow the pace. One or 2 TB at most but Murray in 3.

Djoko in 4 for me. I wish Delpo woudl win but I cannot see it. Djoko won't give Delpo as many UEs as Ferrer.

Seeing him from close, what struck me even more was how his size is not noticable AT ALL in his movement. 
That was really impressive.

He is not quite the beep-beep, but although taller - moves much, much better than Berdych and Del Potro.

I would expect Murray to play passively in this match and hope of JJ to throw him some errors and Murray can capitalize. Murray was passive against Verdasco whose game wasn't solid enough to win him 3 sets.

JJ needs to serve big and can't afford to be chasing Murray.

yes he moves ok...but can he move for long enough? I'd love a tight match but cannot see it. Not that close anyway.

The heat should actually help Jerzy with balls flying through the air quicker and the higher bounce not forcing Jerzy to bend his knees too much.

Woudl help delpo as well.

Yes, you are right about if he can move long enough. The thing that worries me about JJ is, he chose to stay on the base-line most of the time against Kubot; if Murray starts returning his serves well (even though it may take him a set or two to get into them) JJ will have to go for the lines, and then God help him.

I remember seeing the JJ Murray match in Bercy, but can't for the life of me remember how JJ  beat him. I think he used lots of drop-shots and also really went for his shots with his FH, which I haven't seen much against Kubot, so we'll just have to wait and see.
I think JJ has his chance, just needs to be really focused and try to close it in max 4 sets.
If he doesn't show any nerves, (which you never know this being his chance to play in Wimbledon final) I can see him do it.
Murray will be watching him very closely and banking on JJ's inexperience.

With Delpo and Nole, it's a totally different story.

I heard Delpo has a very injured knee, so that will be a big handicap for him.

Although Delpo is a better player than Berd, he is a different kind of customer for Nole.
Berd was able to dictate & boss play from the BL and really push Nole behind (which he found very, very frustrating) for a set and a bit.

Unlike Berd, Delpo has shown a lot more variety in Wimbers (from what I saw against Seppi), his BH slice looked very good and useful, but for some reason, he too didn't use the court much.

I think Delpo's serve is easier for Nole than Berd's, and that will make the difference.

If the knee does not bother him too much, Delpo won't crumble like Berd always does, so it will be a tougher and a more competitive. 

I find it factinating to watch how  Nole handles power players like Delpo and Berd.

noleisthebest wrote:With Delpo and Nole, it's a totally different story.

I heard Delpo has a very injured knee, so that will be a big handicap for him.

Although Delpo is a better player than Berd, he is a different kind of customer for Nole.
Berd was able to dictate & boss play from the BL and really push Nole behind (which he found very, very frustrating) for a set and a bit.

Unlike Berd, Delpo has shown a lot more variety in Wimbers (from what I saw against Seppi), his BH slice looked very good and useful, but for some reason, he too didn't use the court much.

I think Delpo's serve is easier for Nole than Berd's, and that will make the difference.

If the knee does not bother him too much, Delpo won't crumble like Berd always does, so it will be a tougher and a more competitive. 

I find it factinating to watch how  Nole handles power players like Delpo and Berd.

Delpo is above all much stronger mentally than Berdych. If his knee was ok, he would actually have a pretty good chance....but without being able to run as much...especially since he chooses to rally too....he will be in trouble today.

What a gorgeous day!
Go Noleeeeeeeeeeeeeee   

Funny to listen to Tim having to justify why Nole is a favourite to the masses (should've beaten Rafa in Rg, liked that one  ) commenting on him being second behind Fed on the all time consecituive SF slam list (Fed first with 23, Nole second with 13, Laver 3rd with 10, but who cares, anyway....)
Obviously, no need to justify why Murray is THE favourite to British TV audience....

Has anyone seen Wimbledon on 3D?
I've had to endure Cars 2 in 3D at the cinema once, and couldn't see what the big deal was, I wonder if watching tennnis is any better.

Good opening game from Nole, just what the doctor ordered.
Le't see what Delpo is going to serve up.

Delpo and his BH rallying....winning, whatever's next!

Nole looking sharp as sharp can be. Very nice.

Nole is in the form of his life. Anything but win in Wimbledon will be a big surprise for me.

Djoko starting to throw the long rallies.

Tenez wrote:Djoko starting to throw the long rallies.

Good!

Poor Delpo, choosing to rally on his own serve rather then move in the court and get the business done in under 5 shots.

Glad Delpo won that game. He was unlucky with a net call and a DF due to bad line call.

Delpo is such a beast!

what a FH from Delpo!!!!

Ah Becker saying what I have been saying for years about Djoko's spinny and wristy FH!...when most of the posters think he has a flat FH.

Tenez wrote:Ah Becker saying what I have been saying for years about Djoko's spinny and wristy FH!...when most of the posters think he has a flat FH.

It's a nice looking shot, though, and he can really generate some pace on it when he needs it with a lot less risk.

Seeing Edberg in the crowd: how tennis has changed since his days....

Delpo is a lot more dangerous than JJ, but I still look forward to the other SF and see what he can do against Murray.

Playing Delpo is physcally and mentally so excrutiacing and draining.
Even watching him is, in fact

He is trying to engage the crowd at every opportunity. I think the crowd is not biting.

John Lloyd being anti-Nole, as usual, but only because Murray is in the tournament as well as Goodall (?) Saddos.

1st set to Nole  

Shoulders open now, FH sizzling, wristy but sizzling

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:Ah Becker saying what I have been saying for years about Djoko's spinny and wristy FH!...when most of the posters think he has a flat FH.

It's a nice looking shot, though, and he can really generate some pace on it when he needs it with a lot less risk.

 Please allow me to be frank. I think it's not . I even find Nadal's lasso shot nicer to the eye.

There is not much I like about Djko...except that he can beat Nadal and Murray....which is something I am very grateful of.

Tenez wrote: Please allow me to be frank. I think it's not . I even find Nadal's lasso shot nicer to the eye.

I knew you were a closet Nadal fan all this time