WWW AO R16: Karlovic vs Nadal

Who will win this?

Ivo is on fire, so he deserves a chance:yeah:

Karlovic has beaten three quality players in Stepanek, Benneteau and Ljubicic but I still pick Nadal here. Nadal has is 2-0 vs. Karlovic with his wins coming on carpet and grass so I think he will be fine on the Australian Open courts.

Would be funny if we had a karlo/Isner quarter

Karlovic vs Isner would be fantastic. I think Ivo's chances to upset Nadal are bigger than John's chances to beat Murray.

Hard to say but I have to cheer for Ivo. I think Nadal will win but not rooting for Ivo is like the equivilent of killing a puppy or something.

Go Ivo!!

Why is rooting for Karlo hard? He's the underdog.

this one will be easy for rafa cuz tennis ball machine karlovic doesnt play tennis

i will get the exact score here

Nadal 6-4 7-6 (5) 7-6 (4)

wait and see

Its not really possible for Karlovic to pose a threat to Nadal, its not even likely we will see tie-breakers, and if we do they'll be one-sided. I was fearing Ljubicic a lot more.

Would be funny if we had a karlo/Isner quarter
Haha yeah :rolls:

Anyway Ivo in 4.

i will get the exact score here

Nadal 6-4 7-6 (5) 7-6 (4)

wait and see

That sounds about right.

RAFA in 4!!! i have a feeling 3 of those sets will be tiebreaks.

Don't be fooled, Karlovic won't win rallies v Nadal, and he won't get every 1st serve it, probably around 70%, and the 2nd serve won't be enough to prevent a rally.

ivo will kill rafa like tsonga did in 2008.

Ivo triple bagels moonballing clown 6, 6 and 6...wait and see

Rafa in 4 sets, something like 7-5 6-7 6-4 6-3

nadal 4

Karlovic in 3 , 7-6 7-6 7-6 ;)

Karlovic in 3 , 7-6 7-6 7-6 ;)

Sure.. he is great in tie-brakes

Dr. Ivo is not in Nadal's league. Even with Dr.Krlovic's monster serve, Nadal will still manage to win all the rallies and prevail. Nadla always takes care of the big guys.

Nadal in 4, but I'd like to be wrong and see Ivo win this one.

I think Nadal will win in 3, I think it'll be something like 6/3 6/4 7/6

Nadla always takes care of the big guys.

totally, just ask del potro :)

nadal will take this in 3, though. the real challenge will come in the quarters vs murray.

Would be funny if we had a karlo/Isner quarter

Federer also thinks so

i will get the exact score here

Nadal 6-4 7-6 (5) 7-6 (4)

wait and see

+1

Rafa in 4, head and heart agree.

Karlovic has never beaten Nadal. I don't see why this time should be different.
Besides the new clown in the forum says that Rafa is going to lose, so it is clear he will win quite easily.

Why do you guys think Nadal will return so well?

Ivo would need the match of his life to win it. Nadal will be superior in every department except serve. Ergo, Ivo needs to serve out of this world to win.

Nadal in 3, in 4 maximum if Ivo serves extremly well.

Parera in 3, 7-6 7-6 6-4

Karlovic vs Isner would be fantastic. I think Ivo's chances to upset Nadal are bigger than John's chances to beat Murray.

Yes, Amazing one.....

but it not go to happen. I think both of them do have a chance but ...under 10%

If the bookies promise 1.80+ for Murray in next round, i'll cheer for Rafa with all my heart :D

But even without me chearing, he should win in 4 sets or maybe in 3.

Ivo can hardly play the top players. Mental problems.
And Ljubo played nothing today, at all - no serve, no returns, no winners, no volleys (reaally bad volleys, terrible), many UEs, terrible.

Rafa played terrible as well. But he can always play better in next round.

Rooting for Dr. Ivo as ever, but I'll go Rafa in four.

Hoping for Ivo to pull a Soderling. The doc in 4.

Rafa in 4 :D

This is a match that will be decided by a few points here and there.Nadal would love to beat Karlovic just like Federer did at Wimbledon.1 break/set and maybe a tiebreaker should do it

Nadal better not take Ivo lightly.

For the first time ever I will be supporting the enemy of tennis, Dr Evil. Nadal will still pull through but not without a fight from the Doctor.

meh cant think of a more boring match up for me, i kind of hope it is nadal as i really cant watch that many ivo matches in one tournament.

Rafa in 3:bounce:

Rafa in 5

It will not be easy for Nadal

Rafa in 3.

Nadal better not take Ivo lightly.

Does he ever do?

Can't wait for this one, it's such an extreme match-up. :)

Rafzilla in 3, if he plays a solid match. He will take advantage of Karlo's slower movement and outgun him from the baseline. :rocker2:
If Karlo serves over 60% first serves in he has a chance, but can't see him winning the best of five sets match against Rafzilla.

I like Nadal's chances. Karlovic's backhand isn't good. We know which side Nadal is more comfortable at going to with his serve and shots. ;)

High bouncing top spin shot+ tall player= Disaster for Rafa

High bouncing top spin shot+ tall player= Disaster for RafaAlthough doc doesn't like to play on the baseline, so I doubt it'll matter much here.

Nadal better wins

Karlovic in three tiebreaks.

High bouncing top spin shot+ tall player= Disaster for Rafa
Good theory. I guess Davydenko missed the memo. A good backhand is the key to beating Nadal. Karlovic doesn't have a good backhand. It is one of the worst on tour actually. Australian Open is slower than Queens. Should help Nadal get a better read on Karlovic's serve.

Nadal 3-1 Karlovic IMO

easy win for Dr Ivo!

6-2 6-2 7-5

easy win for Dr Ivo!
ivo will kill rafa like tsonga did in 2008.
Jajaja.
Nadal easy in three, maaaaybe in four (also easy).

Nadull in 3.

Karlovic may have chances, but Sprint&Lunge will undoubtedly dig them out by drawing UEs from the Dr. while 9m behind the baseline.

Hoping for Ivo to pull a Soderling.

Meaning losing to a Spaniard? :D

I give Dr Ivo one set. In a tiebreak obviously.

I'll be impressed if Karlovic takes a set.

I would prefer Nadal to win but he will need to play his best tennis if Karlovic is in one of his days. My bet is for Karlovic in 4.

There's no way Karlovic beats Nadal in a 5 setter.

I'll be impressed if Karlovic takes a set.

+1

Very tie match

7-6 7-6 6-7 7-6 Nadal in 4

Very one-sided straight sets, joke of a matchup :yeah: most athletic vs least athletic :yeah:

You guys seem to forget Karlovic is on fire and has proven to be a pain in the ass for Nadal in the past ;)

You guys seem to forget Karlovic is on fire and has proven to be a pain in the ass for Nadal in the past ;)


Maybe result was close but nothing more

First match was in Milan 2004 on the extreme fast surface and nadal won 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-1

Second was Queens and the result was close but Ivo was not even close to break 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 7-6(4)




Even if Ivo get to the breaker I can't image scenario in which he won breaker . In entire match he will won few points on Rafa's serve

Lub was the more scary opponent that is for sure :)

Lub was the more scary opponent that is for sure :)

+1


Much more dangerous , That will be close match

Nadal 7-6 6-7 7-5 6-4

It will be supremely entertaining whatever the score! Uniquelicious :yeah:

Maybe result was close but nothing more

First match was in Milan 2004 on the extreme fast surface and nadal won 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-1

Second was Queens and the result was close but Ivo was not even close to break 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 7-6(4)




Even if Ivo get to the breaker I can't image scenario in which he won breaker . In entire match he will won few points on Rafa's serve

I know Ivo probably won't break, but as he showed in both matches, in the tie break, he CAN do some damage ;)

Yeah I mean if someone is having an off day and hitting lots of unforced errors then Karlovic has a great chance because all he needs is one break (or for his opponent to screw up in a tie-breaker), but Nadal even on his worst day is steady enough. Murray has a tougher challenge perhaps, his opponent has an equally dangerous serve plus other skills and is on a roll.

I wouldn`t be surprised if Karlovic would take a set of Nadal.But i would be surprised if Nadal would allow his serve to be broken.If it goes to a tiebreaker it`s anyone`s game.

Meaning losing to a Spaniard? :DNo. I meant making Moonballer eat shit in the fourth round in a slam.

The time difference between Australia and Sweden is 10 hours, but it's worth it to lose some 4-7 hours of sleep just for the HOPE of seeing Mugray and Nadull get squished.

Nadal 6-7 7-6 6-3 6-4

Nadal in 4 or 5

Nadal will not defend the title

Nadal is one of the very best returners in tennis. Karlo's serve will be no test. Nadal wins 6-4 6-3 6-3

Nadal is one of the very best returners in tennis. Karlo's serve will be no test. Nadal wins 6-4 6-3 6-3

Wrong. Try again.

No. I meant making Moonballer eat shit in the fourth round in a slam.



:worship:

The court is slow enough that Nadal should be able to get enough balls in court to win tie breaks or even break serve. Karlovic probably does not have enough game to break serve.

The time difference between Australia and Sweden is 10 hours, but it's worth it to lose some 4-7 hours of sleep just for the HOPE of seeing Mugray and Nadull get squished.This ^^^ Come on John and Ivo!!! (Don't mind if Muzza wins tho :o)

Ivo in 5.

Rafa in 3 no doubt. His returns have never really been a weapon, but he usually gets most serves back in to somewhat neutral rally position which is obviously enough against Ivo.

BTW he is still my pick for the title; Djoko, Fed and Davy will mess each other up on the top half, and neither of Murray and Del Potro look sharp enough.

This ^^^ Come on John and Ivo!!! (Don't mind if Muzza wins tho :o)

Agreed

Nadal will not defend the title

It scares the crapola out of you doesn't it, every Federer fan fears it like HIV and ebola combined :o

Isner 2nd serve is a lot better than Karlovic, I'm glad Nadal has Karlovic, Murray is going to have to win everything in tie-breakers (which he should) :D