2013 Paris BNP Paribas Masters SF: [#2] Novak Djokovic vs. [#5] Roger Federer

[Murat B.]

Roger in straights.

Wooooooooo!!!!

A little contrarianism from 1972Murat. I never thought I'd see the day.:clap

Hey, gotta support my guy...maybe he did turn the corner with the Delpo match...

 

[britbox]

Who will win?

I posted a blog entry in my Masterclass Matches of the Day relating to this match - Goodbye Mr. Hyde, Welcome Back Roger Federer .

Please feel free to comment in this thread.

Respectfully,
masterclass

Thanks MC - A good read.

 

[Moxie]

Roger will win!

Hey, babe! Good to see you around. I think Roger has a good shot. He's been able to take Novak down even at his top level when no one else was. Plus, this is indoors. No one is better than Roger indoors. Djokovic looked sharp today against Wawrinka, but he looked like his head was exploding early v. Isner. The French crowd loves Roger, and Djokovic doesn't like to be the underdog. If Roger takes the first, look out.

 

[zalvar]

I don't have much hope for Federer, but I do hope he wins. That would be a nice win considering the marginal season he's had.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Novak in 3 sets
I was delighted to see Roger playing soo well in his match against Del Potro.

 

[BalaryKar]

The criticality of the first set! I had read earlier that Fed never won against Nole after losing the first set. I would hope that this changes here. Let Fed loose the first set and then the next 4, 2 in semis and 2 in the final

If wishes were horses, my underdogs (beyond the Top4 and excluding Fed) would be the king of the jungles, and then they would not be underdogs

 

[Fastgrass]

If fed have his day like against delpo , only nadal can stop him but its indoor , so
my prediction is Paris champion - Federer ( 22 masters)

 

[Kieran]

If Roger's here to make a statement, then who better to say it to than Nole? There's usually an edge to their matches. But he's gonna have to rise to a whole nother level today, whereas Novak looks relaxed and playing at a high level...

 

[NADAL2005RG]

I think its safe to say Federer has been trying to make a statement all year. And the slams would have been his top priority to do that. And if he beats Djokovic his reward will be a match with Nadal. Not exactly enticing. And I think that played a role in his shock US Open loss to Robredo. But, I haven't been impressed with Djokovic this week (although Wawrinka succeeded in making Djokovic look good), so I wouldn't be surprised if Federer won the semi.

 

[Denis]

This look like its going to be a great... oh no wait, a good match. Good points from both players. First time I see Fed since USOpen I think. He looks quite good!

 

[Denis]

First blood to the Fedster. A break up.

 

[tented]

Yes! Federer breaks.

 

[Kieran]

He looks sharp. Great rally there to break. Gifted too edgy double-faults by Novak. Good level of variety in the rallies by both of them. The problem for Federer is doing what used to some naturally: maintaining that level...

 

[tented]

He looks sharp. Great rally there to break. Gifted too edgy double-faults by Novak. Good level of variety in the rallies by both of them. The problem for Federer is doing what used to some naturally: maintaining that level...

True. That's why this first set is key. If he wins it, his chances are much better. He's still looking good so far.

 

[Denis]

I love those cross-court forehand exchanges between these two. The pace is just tremendous.

 

[tented]

I love those cross-court forehand exchanges between these two. The pace is just tremendous.

How'd you like that one?

 

[kskate2]

Fed still up a break 3-2

 

[kskate2]

Novak seems surprised w/ Fed's level so far. He's pressing and making more errors.

 

[tented]

Novak seems surprised w/ Fed's level so far. He's pressing and making more errors.

But can always count on Roger's crappy ROS for free points. :dodgy:

 

[Denis]

Somehow I have the impression that Fed always starts well against Nadal and Novak. Plenty of examples in which he takes an early lead in the first set. But often he ends up losing the set anyway.