2016 AO SF: Djokovic - Federer

[Federberg]

And this is the worst young generation that I remember. The players under 27 years old are not able to win any MS and GS . Maybe it's because the ones who now are over that age they started to win at very early age and the generation before too but now......I'm still waiting...maybe Raonic will be the first one?

This is largely just the flip side of having such dominant champions. They suffocate everyone else. But I do agree it would be good to see some of these young guys consistently making quarterfinals even if they get dusted off by the big guys at that stage. The main point I'm trying to make is that we can't on the one hand acknowledge that Roger, Rafa and Novak are all time greats then complain when they stop the young guys from achieving success. It's zero sum..

 

[MartyB]

Why not one for old time sake and Fed winning in 4 sets? It's doable. And yes the points cannot be long rallies and Fed has to serve brilliantly and take his opportunities when presented and change up the rhythm during the match. Keep the guy off guard. A herculean task but I'm rooting for you Fed. Take it home.

 

[Denis]

I'm really looking forward to this. Arguably the match of the tournament (together with the Nadal match) and winner will have the best chance to win the tournament.

 

[Denis]

Apart from serving lights out, what else would fed need? I imagine he is not doing any SABRs here.

We need Broken to give us the breakdown.

 

[Duck]

Hi Duck, welcome to the board.

The technology and physical demands of tennis game in the last 5-6 years is leaps and bounds different than before that. Poor guys just don't stand a chance with most top 50 professional players. Just the nature of tennis development. And when they do make top 20 or top 10 there have been 3 guys really above everybody else, it's darn near impossible and all stars need to align for somebody else to win a major.

Thought about this last night, and wonder if you turned back the clock and today's players had to use the same racquets used by the champs of the 60's to 80's, how well they would do against them. It WAS a different game back then, and I kinda miss it. I think playing with the smaller, less powerful tools, most would have to relearn the game. I'm sure this has been discussed many times, but it seems that there is a consensus that the players are so much better now, I don't believe that is accurate. Just my opinion.

 

[Duck]

Hi, Duck! If you haven't been keeping up with the youngsters, you might check out this thread, where they are discussed:

http://discuss.tennis/index.php?threads/favourite-juniors.286/

We're probably going to skip a generation to get to the next stars.

Thanks, I can watch their matches with my ESPN 3 that is part of my internet service, probably be fun, and I could see who is on the way up.

 

[britbox]

Apart from serving lights out, what else would fed need? I imagine he is not doing any SABRs here.

We need Broken to give us the breakdown.

Didn't Fed promise Courier in his on-court interview that he would throw in ONE SABR in his next match? Yeah, it would be good to see @brokenshoelace - hopefully be back soon!

 

[mikecase]

Djokovic in straight sets. Melbourne is like his second home. There is also a developing pattern in five set matches. He wins them all.

 

[Hernan Chousa]

Welcome aboard @Hernan Chousa! Great to have you here. I have added a link to your book in the Playing Tennis section (which will be building up).

Would be interested in your thoughts also on the upcoming semis? Let us know what you think on the semi final threads in the ATP and WTA forum sections. Always nice to have the perspective of a former ATP Tour Player!

About the main mens semi final Novak is the favourite but I think Roger has a chance, Playing agressive going to the next, cheap &charging, and the most important thing is to keep that game When he is up on the score!!

 

[shawnbm]

Roger in four sets. He is due and has been right there with Novak in their matches, but lost on the biggest points (kudos to Novak for saving a lot of break points in New York or Fed could have bagged the third set). They have been good, tough battles, and Roger is playing quite cleanly at the moment. If he starts well, I think he wins in four sets.

 

[calitennis127]

Tough call here, honestly haven't seen enough of the matches to know what will happen in this one. But I agree with shawn that Fed might be due. We will see. Beating Djokovic is quite a tall task in Melbourne.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Roger won the toss and elected to receive? interesting

 

[britbox]

Looking forward to this!

 

[Denis]

Novak breaks early. Very promising start of the match.

 

[Federberg]

that's not started well!

 

[Denis]

Novak hitting with way more pace than Federer.

 

[Denis]

Federer has made 2 points so far, lol.

 

[Federberg]

this is looking ugly. Novak looks like he's prepared some baked products for Roger today. Scents of RG 08 come to mind

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Novak is in the 'zone' just bullying Roger from the baseline,Roger needs to get his first serve percentage up ASAP

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

1st set to Novak 61,,,just a Joy to Watch,speechless,he has really stepped up.