Thursday 6 June 2013

French Open Semi-Final Predictions, Day 13: Djokovic-Nadal and Ferrer-Tsonga

1. Novak Djokovic v Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic
In a semi-final more fitting of a final occasion, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will go head-to-head in a mouthwatering semi-final.  Both players came through their quarter-finals in straight sets; Nadal had a walk in the park against Stanislas Wawrinka, 6-2 6-3 6-1.  Djokovic had a slightly tougher match as he converted at the second opportunity of serving out the match in a scrappy ending against Tommy Haas, 6-3 7-6(5) 7-5.  Throughout the tournament, Nadal has lost two sets to Daniel Brands and Martin Klizan, meanwhile Djokovic lost his only set in the 4th round to Philipp Kohlschreiber.

This will be the 35th clash on the ATP tour between Djokovic and Nadal and this one promises to be one of the most anticipated yet.  They last played in Monte-Carlo at the beginning of the clay court season where Djokovic came out and played a terrific final to beat Nadal, 6-2 7-6(1).  Since then, Nadal has gone on a complete tear, taking titles in Barcelona, Madrid and Rome, meanwhile Djokovic laboured falling before the semi-finals in both Madrid and Rome.  Nadal has looked head and shoulders above the field, but the one player who has shown on several occasions that he can beat him on clay is Novak.  

The weather is supposed to be warm for Friday, which will  favour Nadal more, but I think Djokovic will be extra motivated following the death of his childhood coach earlier in the week.  From the start of the tournament I had a feeling about Djokovic winning this match and I will be sticking by my original prediction.  I really hope it lives up to the expectation as the French Open final they played last year was underwhelming.  Djokovic for the win...

Prediction - Djokovic to beat Nadal in 5 sets

2. David Ferrer v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
The exit of Roger Federer has opened a door for a first time finalist at Roland Garros as David Ferrer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will be battling tooth and nail in the second semi-final.  Tsonga took out Federer in straight sets, 7-5 6-3 6-3 in a surprisingly one-sided contest, which saw a strong performance from Tsonga, but a lacklustre one from Federer that has had tennis pundits and fans calling the end of his time.  I hate it when people say this after a loss, but its not been a good year.  The grass court season will be a huge one for Federer so let's see how he gets on there.  Ferrer strolled past Tommy Robredo, 6-2 6-1 6-1 and will not have a better chance of reaching a first Grand Slam final, having avoided all members of the big four before the final.


This promises to be a very intriguing match, which could be swayed by the home support for Tsonga.  Ferrer leads the head-to-head 2-1 and won their last match in Bercy at the end of last year, 6-2 7-5.  Both players have been excellent this week and have yet to drop a set.  Ferrer is obviously the stronger player on clay and has the ability to frustrate Tsonga, but I have a feeling the Frenchman will have the weapons and the nerve to claim a second Grand Slam final appearance in front of a jubilant crowd...

Prediction - Tsonga to beat Ferrer in 4 sets

12 comments:

  1. I wish to Nadal luck in tommorrow match. I knew he could and might win. He should stay King of Clay. -)) We are with u Rafa! All your Fans!

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  2. I think the only way for any current player to beat Nadal in a sunny clay court 5 setter is in 4. 3 is almost impossible but more possible than 5! We might never see Nadal play 5 sets on a sunny day! or ever! Let alone lose the 5th! He'd lose in the 4th before going to 5. Also if the game continues to the next day-favors Nadal as well-the other guy won't be able to recover in time-esp Djoko who's able to zone in and play his best but the pace of his fitness requires that he gets plenty of rest afterwards. 1 night won't be enough. Look at the players who beat Nadal on clay-they get cursed with bad luck afterwards. Djoko knows this ofcourse and makes up all kinds of stories of injuries,half of them true and-'I'm ready to play 5 sets' which I believe was deliberately deceptive but the question is to whom? There's a positive word for Nadal to win!! Go Nadal!! U deserve ur 8th! If anyone deserved a career GS it should be Djoko-perhaps even more so than Agassi but he can wait another year:) Nadal is lucky to meet Djoko in the Semi's afterall-the weather! what a coincidence-its a sign! a sign !-from the Gods! it will be an 8th not a 1st!

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  3. Yes! the match starts at 1:00!! is that too good to be true? The sunniest warmest hours of the whole tounament lol! or is the Ferrer-Tsonga match first? cuz that match might be epic and delay Nadal Djoko for the next day...

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  4. Nadal-Djokovic is first up... gutted about the timing because I will be at work :-(

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  5. You should miss job Moo,pretend that you get ill, hahaha ))))) . So if its going to be in 5 sets, Nadal should win, i think first set Rafa,second Jok , then..... mistyc.hahaha,today Sharapova was playing with tragical face,from first ball, like she is gladiator,then she relaxed,and won.

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    1. I'm missing the first hour and 15 minutes or so...don't mind too much it will be like an emotional whirlwind for both of them and the fans wacthing-and I am a fan! with pre-match talk still a factor in the first set,the match should settle down in the second. If Djoko wins-Nadal will be crushed. Yet another pressure factor upon Djoko since I don't see him as the pitiless and ruthless type like some wta players who strive to bagel their opponents...or maybe he is-nah not on a 'Roland Garros' level. Djoko's pre-press talk reminds me of Gulbis when he said 'I think I'm the most dangerous unseeded player in RG' but the difference is he sincerely felt that. Rafa adds more fuel by acknowledging that Djoko is the best player in the world and that he wishes he faced an easier opponent:) haha-nice one.

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  6. My favorite from Djoko and the press was involving the passing away of her childhood coach. A mediterranean drama worthy of Mario Puzo. Djoko so talented he can afford these additional pressures? maybe not even he...if he wins he is obviously the king but kings are usually more noble and in sports where so much can be measured in numbers pressure takes it's definite toll-not just Nadal's topsin on a sunny dry day. I mean I'm feeling pressure the more I write trying to convince myself of more reasons Nadal will win tomorrow-I've come up with 4 or 5 for Nadal and 1 or 2 for Djoko. Clearly a difference of 3 sets in there!

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  7. Im sure Nadal will win

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  8. :) Nana u were right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great call Moo again-and about 5 sets. I was pretty sure Novak would win in 5th set even after it levelled again-Novak missed so many smashes how many was that? 12? Both players upped their level from that match-esp Nadal who really needed that for his future rivalry with Djoko. Only Djokovic can do that to Nadal. I'm a Rafa fan but Novak-pff what a great player! 9-7 in 5th on clay,on a sunny day...Rafa overexerted himself in the 3rd set though.

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  9. Congratulations so!))) Rafa could finish with 4 sets,but nerves... In the end he play fantastically

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  10. Nole vs El Toro

    superbe match dans le 5ème set et je très content de la victoire de Nadal

    Kinder Bueno vs Pulga

    E.T. avait pris le corps de Tsonga ?

    Pronostic de Moo...on ne peut toujours gagner et c'est pas moi qui te lancerai la pierre :-P

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