ROLAND GARROS 2012, 27/5 - 10/6: Main Discussion thread (open)

[wriggles]

oh my god..just seen rafa result.....Thank you Daveed for putting andy out!!lol..that is a scary scoreline...

[traveller7]

oh my god..just seen rafa result.....Thank you Daveed for putting andy out!!lol..that is a scary scoreline...

I guess he is proving why he is clay court King.

[Golden Lady]

I cannot believe Nole so far today! He does not look like the same player that he was against Seppi and Tsonga. He's showing flashes of his 2011 form here.

[Linda]

I think it's more that Fed is gifting it to him :rolleyes:

[wriggles]

rafa looks back to his best again. another mammoth final if nole gets through

[traveller7]

Looks like Nole will take it now.

[Sallydaisy]

Nole serving for the match at 6'4, 7'5, 5'3 ...

[Golden Lady]

Wow, some performance from Nole. I did not see that coming.

[DaveArneRiise]

Well done Nole. In all honesty I think Federer thought midway through the 2nd set "Ah well not point busting a gut to try and win now as I'll only have to play Nadal anyways."

He'll put his feet up ahead of Wimbledon.

[RoastLamb]

Well Rafa was simply sublime!!!!!!!!!! Unbelievable shotmaking esp. the one where he fell down and still won the point! :yahoo:

I don't know what happened in the second set of Fed-Djoko. 6 breaks of serve? Blimey! Glad Djoko put him away in three.

[jamie&andy's fan]

Well done Nole.I am disappointed but Roger is 30 and he can still play pretty well ! I must admit despite the outcome the match was rather exciting !!! :)

[RoastLamb]

Didn't Agassi win RG at the ripe old age of 32. Age has nowt to do with it.

[jamie&andy's fan]

Everyone is different RL

[davech]

I wasn't expecting either match to result in a straight sets win, so it's all a surprise to me.

[RoastLamb]

Everyone is different RL

I think if you asked Federer he wouldn't blame the loss on his age. Djokovic played better than him today that's all. I mean, Fed beat Djoko last year's semi after all.

[jamie&andy's fan]

I'm not saying that Nole didn't play better...but Roger's in the autumn of his years!

[RoastLamb]

I'm not saying that Nole didn't play better...but Roger's in the autumn of his years!

Ssh you'd better not tell Federer that. He'd not be too chuffed. :lol: He figures he's going to be around for the 2016 Olympics.

[traveller7]

I think the outcome was expected, myself and my dad think that fed winning GSlams are over (fed fans dont hit me!) and thats nothing to do with age but down to who is in front and who is coming up behind (murray, ferrer, tsonga)
well done nole bring on the final!

[RoastLamb]

Of course I'd love to see Rafa hoist his seventh RG trophy but I won't be too sad to see Djoko win and get his career slam coz he deserves to.

[Maza1987]

didnt watch much cause i'm working.
but i thought it was amazing how at one point fed was serving for the 2nd set and next time i looked nole was serving for it at 6-5.
then the third set seemed like fed didnt have the spirit. amazing from nole and it's the final i wanted.

just want rafa to win it all now.

[JAMES4578]

I must say nether semi lived up to the billing but it brings up the final many were looking forward to and hopefully it will be a great match! Didn't see either live but watched the recording tonight. Rafa was certainly in sparkling form, but must say I I was disappointed with Ferrer! Federer certainly had the momentum in the 2nd but couldn't capitalise and Nole proved far stronger on the big points and when it counted played some awesome tennis. However, he still needs to step it up for the final.

[traveller7]

Its either going to be a classic final or Nadal will just blast him off the court. We shall see.

[RoastLamb]

I rather hope Rafa blows him off the court but somehow I doubt it. Djoko has too much at stake.

[wriggles]

Its either going to be a classic final or Nadal will just blast him off the court. We shall see.

I can see the look in rafas eyes already he'll be out for a kill! I really hope rafa wins as much as Nole deserves it it would just feel all wrong for nole to be the new King of Clay!

[LC the fan]

Can't decide who I want to win this one. Have a feeling Rafa will do it - just cant see him caving in to Djoko and I will be delighted for him
Having said that - I would love to hear what Fed has to say if Djoko holds all four Grand Slam titles - something he will never ever achieve now :big grin:

[Alis]

Can't decide who I want to win this one. Have a feeling Rafa will do it - just cant see him caving in to Djoko and I will be delighted for him
Having said that - I would love to hear what Fed has to say if Djoko holds all four Grand Slam titles - something he will never ever achieve now :big grin:

Fed already has Rafa as the dead cert favourite. He tempered is by saying that Djoko might 'get lucky again' - what a jerk!!!!!

[super8]

Fed already has Rafa as the dead cert favourite. He tempered is by saying that Djoko might 'get lucky again' - what a jerk!!!!!

Excellent. Much more interesting than the usual 'take each ball as it comes, play my game' sporting cliches that most media-trained players spout. ;)

I actually agree that Nole does need a bit of luck to win this. The odds are in Rafa's favour. Rafa at anywhere near his best will beat Nole.

Nadal of course has denied that he is favourite. Of course he is!! But Rafa will never acknowledge that he is favourite against anyone.

[traveller7]

Sharapova taking control leading 3-0 so far

[JAMES4578]

Maria got off to a flyer, however poor service game at 4-0 and Erani who seemed tense at the start on the board and she holds for 2-4.

[traveller7]

Maria takes it 6-4 in the end

[JAMES4578]

It was 6-3 actually,Sara got something going but Maria too strong and she's just broken at the start of the 2nd.

[dewster99]

as long as rafa holds up his end looks like I'll be £50 richer tomorrow

[JAMES4578]

as long as rafa holds up his end looks like I'll be £50 richer tomorrow

Looks like you may be in the money lol! Hoping Nole can challenge tomorrow though. Erani got one break back but Sharapova broke again and serving for it at 5-2.

[traveller7]

maria is up 5-2 in second set serving for match/championship

[traveller7]

GSM Sharapova 6-3 6-2

[super8]

Masha, deserved winner.

Errani did not disgrace herself at all. The match was becoming quite competitive during the second set. Perhaps tactically she missed a trick or two. Possibly a bit of inexperience coming into play there.

A decent final. Have seen much worse WTA finals at RG in recent years!

[JAMES4578]

Quite a long final game but Maria takes the French title 6-3, 6-2, well done! Erani really needed a better start to have a shot here. Tried to battle and mix it up as the match progressed but it wasn't enough and her serve is a relative weakness. All credit to Maria for achieving the career slam, after the shoulder problems certainly an achievement.

[DaveArneRiise]

Well Errani can be proud of herself for a fantastic tournament. She has been the star of RG this year IMO. Reaching the finals in the singles against all the odds and also triumphing in the doubles. Stunning couple of weeks for her.

[Katie]

Really pleased for Maria! :) She managed to put the disappointments of the lost Wimbledon and Australian Open finals behind her to play excellent tennis all the way through this tournament.

Errani has had a great tournament, she put everything she had into each match she played. Amazing to think that she'd only ever got as far as the second round in RG before.

[RoastLamb]

Masha, deserved winner.

Errani did not disgrace herself at all. The match was becoming quite competitive during the second set. Perhaps tactically she missed a trick or two. Possibly a bit of inexperience coming into play there.

A decent final. Have seen much worse WTA finals at RG in recent years!

Yes Shazza deserved to win and well done to her esp. for achieving the career slam. But I don't think it was a particularly decent final. I was quite bored. Shame Sara didn't have any major weapons she could employ against Shrieky but she did awfully well getting to the final in the first place so well done to her as well.

[supergran]

Well done Sharapova...worthy Champion:trophy: She looked so happy! Off now to watch the Men's Doubles....Bless you ITV4.:clap:

[Alis]

Win, win for both girls here. Great for Maria after having so many problems and great for Sara - a doubles title and the first time in the top 10 - can't be bad!

[JAMES4578]

Miryni/Nestor take the doubles 6-4,6-4. Disappointed for the Bryans but Max and Danny were on song! I was expecting to be a closer affair mind you.

[super8]

Yes Shazza deserved to win and well done to her esp. for achieving the career slam. But I don't think it was a particularly decent final. I was quite bored. Shame Sara didn't have any major weapons she could employ against Shrieky but she did awfully well getting to the final in the first place so well done to her as well.

I thought that the final was a mismatch at the beginning - then as the first set finished, and at many intervals in the second set, there were glimmers that Errani might be able to make a match of it.

That probably sustained my interest. I was hoping that little Sara could really take it to Masha, and maybe steal a set to make it really interesting. I just thought that the occasion got to her a little, and hoped for more on-court guile. I really hope that she can continue to develop her game, and achieve more success. She probably needs to work on that serve a little more though.

It is interesting that, in times when the WTA players are often accused of being one-dimensional, that so many of the Italian players have such good all-court games. The likes of Errani, Schiavone, Pennetta, Vinci are all excellent at the net as well as the baseline. That probably helps them a fair bit in their recent Fed Cup successes.

It is down to their training from an early age, apparently. They are taught volleying etc, rather than the 'ball-machine' metronomic baselining, as mentioned in the art of tennis thread.

[Linda]

Thanks for that observation, Super8. I didn't actually watch the match as I went out shopping for a birthday present and haven't seen Errani play, but I've seen Schiavone and Pennetta play and do like them. There are not many women players that I really enjoy watching at the moment - I said once before that I like the 'quirky' ones, i.e. the ones that are a bit different from the rest.

[Linda]

Santoro: 'Nadal has not lost a set this season on the red clay. Do you really think he's going to lose 3 sets...?'

[RoastLamb]

So very happy! Well done to Danny Nestor and Max Mirnyi for winning yet another grand slam. Chuffed to bits. We got to see it on Canadian tv, which was a real treat even if it was tape delayed. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

[super8]

Santoro: 'Nadal has not lost a set this season on the red clay. Do you really think he's going to lose 3 sets...?'

Fabrice has been a great addition to the ITV tennis team.

My favourite has definitely been Amelie. I think that she has been absolutely wonderful. I really could listen to her all day.

[supergran]

I have been impressed with the whole team at ITV....so much better than the negative droning over at EuroSport. The only criticism I have is for John Inverdale who really needs to sharpen up, be more accurate and stop referring to England only when talking about our our tennis prospects.If I'm being really picky Jim Courier, who has been informative, objective and entertaining, could talk less during matches. But well done ITV....good job!!

[MurrayAOne]

Well we remember Dan Maskell who thought it was the worst error to EVER speak during play and would stop mid sentence when the umpire spoke!

[VamosVixs]

I love Petch and Jim commentating, just wish it was them during Wimbledon also.

[Linda]

Goodness me, what on earth is Chris Evert wearing? :shocked:

[RoastLamb]

Are we all ready for the main event??? I'm wearing my orange and blue Vamos Rafa! shirt. Hope it brings him good luck.

[Linda]

I never thought of wearing my Vamos Rafa shirt! Will get changed now. Vamos!

[Linda]

Now suitably attired and switching my monitor over to TV. See you later! Vamos Rafa!

[VamosVixs]

Are we all ready for the main event??? I'm wearing my orange and blue Vamos Rafa! shirt. Hope it brings him good luck.


I never thought of wearing my Vamos Rafa shirt! Will get changed now. Vamos!

Got mine on also, Vamos Rafa! :yahoo:

[super8]

Thought that this little blog about Nole v Rafa was quite interesting:

http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/09/for-djokovic-and-nadal-its-a-chess-match/?ref=tennis

[davech]

:shocked: This isn't a contest at the moment.

[Nina]

Rafa was leading 3/0 With 2 breaks and what we have now 3/3

[RoastLamb]

It's break-fest time. :lol:

[Nina]

Hold this time Rafa!

[JAMES4578]

:shocked: This isn't a contest at the moment.

More of a match now which looked doubtfull after strong start from Rafa coupled with Nole's tension but Djokovic won 3 games in a row! However couldn't keep the momentum going, Rafa just got another break to lead 4-3.

[Nina]

5/3 Rafa leads

[MurrayAOne]

Did someone say 'touch' before?!!!! I can't believe it!!!

[RoastLamb]

Did someone say 'touch' before?!!!! I can't believe it!!!

:confused:

[MurrayAOne]

:confused:

I think I saw a drop shot!!! - Jim Courier commented on 'touch' - you have different commentators I assume?

[RoastLamb]

I think I saw a drop shot!!! - Jim Courier commented on 'touch' - you have different commentators I assume?

Yeah we have Johnny Mac and two other Americans.

[MurrayAOne]

Nole looking toward the box again - as is his right. Will it be debated to the n'th degree though? No.

[supergran]

Nole looking toward the box again - as is his right. Will it be debated to the n'th degree though? No.Nole is entitled to grumble/moan/chat to his coaches...only Andy not allowed to do this.

[super8]

Nole is entitled to grumble/moan/chat to his coaches...only Andy not allowed to do this.

Neither should.

[RoastLamb]

C'mon Rafa! Just needs to hold. We need a :fingerscrossed: smiley.

[supergran]

They're only human!! Many players do it under emotional strain and frustration.

[JAMES4578]

Rafa's a break up at 2-1 in the 2nd and Nole's struggling for consistency,not looking good for those wanting a battle.

[supergran]

GP for Nole

[JAMES4578]

Nole takes 3 games in a row to lead 3-2 but he still needs to go up a gear.

[supergran]

Sportmanship from Nole...Rafa's point.

[supergran]

Rain break...thinks I'll make a cup of coffee.

[RoastLamb]

Crapadoodle. Rain delay. :grrr: Djoko is smashing his bat and the seat. :eek:

[JAMES4578]

Nole just not producing his top tennis today and Rafa despite a few slip ups pretty strong overall. Remains to be seen if the rain delay will help Djokovic much, he really can't afford to go 2 sets down. Thus far not the most gripping contest between these two, a bit disappointing.

[RoastLamb]

I think the weather is hampering both of them. Far from their best. Too bad.

[WimbledonAce]

Yep,not the best match in the world.

[RoastLamb]

Rafa wins second set breaking Djoko in the process. 6-3. Speedy is still in line for a PS!

[JAMES4578]

Doesn't look like we'll be going beyond 3 today, Nole had bp at start of 3rd but Rafa holds.

[super8]

Break point Rafa saved in first game of 3rd set, arguably best point of the match so far.

[MurrayAOne]

Serve and volley!!! Blinks!!!!!!!!!!

[JAMES4578]

Nole's broke Rafa's twice after going behind in this set to lead 4-2,can he make it count to extend the final!

[RoastLamb]

Speedy's PS is scuppered. :sad: And Rafa in this set is also scuppered. :crying:

[JAMES4578]

Real change in momentum and Nole breaks again and consolidates for 2-0 in 4th! Rafa isn't happy with the conditions. Another rain delay as Nadal holds for 1-2!

[RoastLamb]

Oh dear! This is would be farcical except it's so not funny. Rain delay. It's almost 7 p.m. as well.

[-J-]

suspension of play comes at the right time for nadal, nole on a roll

[RoastLamb]

suspension of play comes at the right time for nadal, nole on a roll

The first rain delay came at the right time for Djokovic.

[DaveArneRiise]

Not nice to see Nadal throwing his toys out the pram there. The conditions are exactly the same for Nole and to be brutally honest the Serb is handling himself better out there. Keeping his cool and it's showing.

[RoastLamb]

He didn't keep his cool when things weren't going his way in the first two sets, though? At least Rafa isn't smashing stuff. Funny how you kept quiet then.

[MurrayAOne]

Not nice to see Nadal throwing his toys out the pram there. The conditions are exactly the same for Nole and to be brutally honest the Serb is handling himself better out there. Keeping his cool and it's showing.

If the conditions are such that it's effecting play to a detrimental degree then they should come off anyway. The fact that one player is handling it better than the other should be irrelevant to the referee's decision.

[RoastLamb]

At least there's football to watch in the meantime. Yay!

[wriggles]

just quickly rushed home to catch up with the match and was really excited! but feeling a bit deflated after watching so far!...is it just me un-inspired by this? or is it because Andys not there? i dont know, i enjoyed their AO match..but its just such a slug fest its boring, maybe as its on clay..i mean i can see theres some amazing shots but i know whats coming...i am completely and utterly biased but andy is so much more interesting to watch!lol

[-J-]

be glad when its over & we can all move on to proper tennis

[-J-]

Play called off, match resumes tomorrow

[MurrayAOne]

just quickly rushed home to catch up with the match and was really excited! but feeling a bit deflated after watching so far!...is it just me un-inspired by this? or is it because Andys not there? i dont know, i enjoyed their AO match..but its just such a slug fest its boring, maybe as its on clay..i mean i can see theres some amazing shots but i know whats coming...i am completely and utterly biased but andy is so much more interesting to watch!lol

That's not bias - just fact!!!!!!! :)

[RoastLamb]

Play is called off for today so back tomorrow at 1 p.m. local. Hope it's better then.

[wriggles]

That's not bias - just fact!!!!!!! :)

:thumbup:

[Maza1987]

good for me.
at work at the mo'.

off all day tomorrow, so can watch this and queens.

[RoastLamb]

Just checked the weather forecast tomorrow and it's actually WORSE than today with thunderstorms, etc. Yikes. Doesn't look good until Wednesday. Can't imagine either player will turn up at Halle now. What a shame. Just glad they're not playing Queen's.

[Katie]

just quickly rushed home to catch up with the match and was really excited! but feeling a bit deflated after watching so far!...is it just me un-inspired by this? or is it because Andys not there? i dont know, i enjoyed their AO match..but its just such a slug fest its boring, maybe as its on clay..i mean i can see theres some amazing shots but i know whats coming...i am completely and utterly biased but andy is so much more interesting to watch!lol

I agree, both players have yet to play good tennis at the same time. Hopefully tomorrow will be better quality.

[traveller7]

Nadal only started moaning when he was losing yet it was raining before then
anyways....was just getting interesting and will miss tomorrows match unless its delayed until about 5pm!

[MurrayAOne]

Nadal only started moaning when he was losing yet it was raining before then
anyways....was just getting interesting and will miss tomorrows match unless its delayed until about 5pm!

That doesn't seem fair.He did make the point that conditions when they were pulled off were no better than when they were brought back on. He has a point. Sounds like he didn't want to come back on the first time.

[JAMES4578]

Pity we couldn't at least get the 4th set in but a 5th would have been out of the question. Obviously they've both showed their frustrations at diffeent times in the match but the conditions the same for both and you have to deal it. Don't know if conditions will be much better tomorrow but hopefully we'll have continuous period of play! Will miss it live too though unless it seriously delayed.

[traveller7]

Rain and thunder forecast so I think it will be delayed either on and off all day or cancelled and tuesday match.

[MurrayAOne]

Pity we couldn't at least get the 4th set in but a 5th would have been out of the question. Obviously they've both showed their frustrations at diffeent times in the match but the conditions the same for both and you have to deal it. Don't know if conditions will be much better tomorrow but hopefully we'll have continuous period of play! Will miss it live too though unless it seriously delayed.

Sorry but if they were brought back on and taken off again with no change in conditions then they shouldn't have been brought back in the first place and therefore, in this instance, it seems to me 'conditions same for both' standpoint seems reduntant. Nadal appears to have a relevant grievance.

[Linda]

I agree, MA1. In fact, the conditions were actually improving when they were finally taken off and it has now stopped raining! Apparently they had to start the match at 3pm rather than a more sensible 1 or 2pm because that's what the US TV companies wanted. Also that's why they tried to get it finished today in unsuitable conditions, because the US TV companies can't fit it into their schedules tomorrow. No wonder Rafa was fed up; he was probably remembering similar problems and similar reasons at the US Open.

[JAMES4578]

Just checked the weather forecast tomorrow and it's actually WORSE than today with thunderstorms, etc. Yikes. Doesn't look good until Wednesday. Can't imagine either player will turn up at Halle now. What a shame. Just glad they're not playing Queen's.

Nole's not playing either Halle or Queens actually,hopefully weather won't be as bad as feared!

[RoastLamb]

Never mind the tennis, I want to know how the players can play footie on grass in pouring rain like Croatia and Ireland are doing right now. Ick.

[Linda]

Because they have studs on their shoes!

[-J-]

Because they have studs on their shoes!not really just a difference in the role the ball plays in the two games
in tennis resilience of the court is critical, not so in footy

[Linda]

The trouble today was the balls were wet and soggy and heavy. A football doesn't pick up water like that.

[-J-]

The trouble today was the balls were wet and soggy and heavy. A football doesn't pick up water like that.exactly what i said

[supergran]

Rugby players play in pouring rain but like footballers boots have studs. Ball can get slippery though so passing can be a problem.

[DaveArneRiise]

Rugby players play in pouring rain but like footballers boots have studs. Ball can get slippery though so passing can be a problem.

Too right they play in rain, would expect nothing less considering the massive wage packages a lot of them receive!

[jamie&andy's fan]

I'm disappointed they had to stop ! It was just starting to get a bit more interesting !

[Maza1987]

from twitter
"if the weather in paris is like the weather in lille, the french open finals are going to be delayed again"

from a local

[Sallydaisy]

A few updates on twitter from the Britpack.

Jonathan Overend ‏@5livetennis (https://twitter.com/#!/5livetennis) Attractive hotel room view.. Nevertheless, it shows a nice bright Paris morning!!! #play (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23play) http://pic.twitter.com/QrYnowK9 (http://t.co/QrYnowK9)
(... With apologies to @NeilHarmanTimes (https://twitter.com/#!/NeilHarmanTimes) for breaching copyright on dull twitpics...)



Neil Harman ‏@NeilHarmanTimes (https://twitter.com/#!/NeilHarmanTimes) @5livetennis (https://twitter.com/#!/5livetennis) Never been duller!!
Preparing for the restart. Rafa revs up his famous leftie http://pic.twitter.com/J9WWpMGE (http://t.co/J9WWpMGE)
And strengthening the rightie too! http://pic.twitter.com/s5tUq6Wx (http://t.co/s5tUq6Wx)
Rafa is hitting with a left hander in practice this morning.


Jonathan Overend ‏@5livetennis (https://twitter.com/#!/5livetennis)

Arrived on Chatrier to find Rafa hitting away enthusiastically. Novak following on in 15. Dry. Splashes of sun.
"Changeable" is probably how the forecasters would read this http://yfrog.com/oe92phpj (http://t.co/DBW3nG7r)
Rafa and Novak pass each other on Chatrier and touch hands. Nice touch. Coaching teams also greet each other warmly.


Neil Harman ‏@NeilHarmanTimes (https://twitter.com/#!/NeilHarmanTimes)

Novak takes to Chatrier http://pic.twitter.com/PK4csXuR (http://t.co/PK4csXuR)
Looking in very decent shape http://pic.twitter.com/9npFhRPg (http://t.co/9npFhRPg)
(https://twitter.com/#!/NeilHarmanTimes)
Neil Harman ‏@NeilHarmanTimes (https://twitter.com/#!/NeilHarmanTimes)
The forecast unpredictable and unsettled. It looks as if we've three/four hour window of exactly same conditions as yesterday, then it pours

[RoastLamb]

They're warming up. Supposed to be getting breakfast and kids' lunches ready but I guess they'll have to wait. :rolling:

[JAMES4578]

At work bit see that Nadal broke at the resumption, it's now 4 all in the 4th.

[Caro]

I'm at work too and can't get live scores! Updates would be v much appreciated if anyone can ....

[JAMES4578]

It's now 5 all, there was a short rain break!

[Caro]

Nervous ..... VAMOS RAFA!!!!!!!

[JAMES4578]

Nadal held for 6-5, Nole must serve to stay in it again and take it to a breaker.

[JAMES4578]

Nadal breaks to take the title 7-5 in the 4th, all credit to him on the 7th title and looks like he he was a step ahead today. Personally would have liked a decider! A difficult situation for both on the resumption and well done Nole for extending the match last night. It wasn't ideal though when he left serve straight away.

[Caro]

Kind of glad I can't watch!! Don't think my nerves could stand a tie break .... or a 5th set for that matter!! Please do it in 4 Rafa!!!!

EDIT: Oh wow!!!! While I was typing that, Rafa was winning!!! Woo Hoo!!
:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

[RoastLamb]

WELL DONE RAFA!!! So happy. :yahoo: :trophy: :yahoo: :trophy: :yahoo: :trophy:

[hfwardhouse]

Disappointed that it ended on a double fault - great to see Rafa win though :cheer:

[RoastLamb]

Yeah it was disappointing but I'm glad it didn't go to a tb even though I had that in my ftm.

[Jan]

well done Rafa!

[Golden Lady]

Congrats to Rafa, he was the better man today.

[DaveArneRiise]

Congratulations Nadal, without doubt one of if not the best clay court player in the history of the game. Hats off to Nole for making it the spectacle it was aswell. Taking a set of Nadal on clay is no mean feat.

[Maza1987]

Well done Rafa. 4 sets is representative of the match.

Well done to Nole for winning 27 consecutive gs matches.

[Alis]

Glad that Rafa won in the end but disappointed for Djoko that it ended on a double fault.

[traveller7]

well done Rafa it obviously meant a lot to him, sad for Nole though that it ended the way it did, that first game back today was crucial and I do feel that if he had won that things might have been different.

[Katie]

Well done to Rafa! :cheer: 7 RG titles is such an impressive achievement. I admire him for the way he's kept on striving to improve despite all his consecutive losses to Nole last year, says a lot about his character.

Shame for Nole that it ended on a double fault after he'd done so well to get right back into the match. On faster surfaces I'd still put him as the favourite over Rafa - on clay it's so difficult as Rafa gets everything back.

[jamie&andy's fan]

That man is unbeatable on clay !! well done Rafa !!!! :):):)

[LC the fan]

You have to admire the guy - he's just done it and done it and done it. No-one can touch him and....sorry Fed....we will perhaps in a few years time call him the greatest of them all. Does that mean he is World no 1 ?

[VamosVixs]

So happy for Rafa, well done!! :trophy::trophy::trophy::trophy::trophy::trophy::t rophy:

[RoastLamb]

You have to admire the guy - he's just done it and done it and done it. No-one can touch him and....sorry Fed....we will perhaps in a few years time call him the greatest of them all. Does that mean he is World no 1 ?

No, he's still #2 and had he lost he would have gone to #3 believe it or not. :eek:

[Jan]

No, he's still #2 and had he lost he would have gone to #3 believe it or not. :eek:
that would have been quite ridiculous!

[RoastLamb]

Good news for Rafa is he didn't win any other tournies after RG last year so he could still gain some new points. Pressure back on Djoko. Also, today's win means Djoko won't get his career slam (yet) nor the golden slam (yet).

[jamie&andy's fan]

I am not the biggest fan of Rafa (as some on here know!) but I really think he is an amazing player.He is so physically strong!

[Caro]

I am not the biggest fan of Rafa (as some on here know!) but I really think he is an amazing player.He is so physically strong!

I feel the same about Nole - not a big fan but cannot help but admire his guts and never say die attitude! The way he came back and beat Jo was nothing short of miraculous!!

[RoastLamb]

Went to celebrate last night with my kids and ate the biggest banana split with three scoops of ice cream, hot fudge sauce, whipped cream and nuts plus a cherry on top. Felt so sick afterwards. :rolling: Heaven knows what I'd eat if Andy ever wins Wimbly (or any slam really).

[supergran]

Yes, well done Rafa!! I was rooting for him and so happy that he won.:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:

[Alis]

Me too and if only they had started earlier on Sunday it would have probably been done and dusted in 3. Selfishly, I was glad Djoko didn't make it 4 in a row - if anyone is going to do that I want it to be Andy!!!!!