[GugaBackhand]

The result thread is all about the inccident (and its fair).
I think PCB played really good the first set and deserve a thread itself. If not by this, the ball inccident would never existed.

 

[enlightenedth]

True. The way he turned that 0-40 was incredible.

 

[guitarra]

Indeed. It goes unnoticed but it's thanks to Pablo's clutch play and great hold at 4-5 that things evolved like they did.

 

[emotion]

Yeah, I hope he gets some credits. To save triple set point with 2 incredibly ballsy winners against the world #1 is an impressive feat. He really does have some of the best touch in the game too, was winning the drop-shot/volley wars consistently.

 

[JosGros]

I agree, still far from winning the match but he certainly had the highest chances to beat Djokovic from any player maybe this whole year, and Djokovic was notably tired and maybe even injured

 

[Haneul]

The way Busta came up with impressive shots when needed and frustrate the pusher into elimination was remarkable.

It's pretty clear Busta was the better player, now if he would've won it's another question RBA and Raonic were the better players as well but didn't pull it off.

 

[Yuma]

He was playing well. The first 7 or 8 games were both players easily holding serve. PCB with success in the longer rallies.

Then when Novak had the three set points he had a bit of luck, a winner in by 2mm - definitely an all or nothing shot. The next BP Novak made a poor decision. But overall he turned the tide nicely to get back into the set and then got a break in an already dramatic game where Djokovic had previously fell over, landed with his weight on one arm and saw the phsyio immediately. Then we all know what happened.

PCB will be judged ultimately by his quarter final performance. His target now has to be to profit to the very maximum from the incident, like every other player.

 

[WeakestTennisEra]

Now question remains, if the match had continued and PCB had won the first set, would he have been able to carry out the upset? Djokovic was visibly disturbed and maybe even injured with shoulder.

 

[danieln1]

shame Djokovid stole the glory from PCB

 

[just1ce]

Crazy to think.That lucky shot at 0-40 and then hawk-eye...Just some inches cost Nole tournament

 

[Johnny Groove]

If not for such a tough opponent, there would not be such a loss of mental

 

[Jolyon]

Excellent display of tennis from PCB. He went toe-to-toe with Djokovic, chased the balls well, and defended well.

It was a significant factor for the things unfolding in the way they did, on this unfortunate day.

 

[Servebots=GOAT]

Even I gotta admit PCB was playing some good tennis and hit some nice winners to save break points.

 

[Losange]

It was a decent set from both. PCB actually hitting the ball with enough pace and depth.

 

[Tennis cognoscenti king]

PCB was a shoe in to win this match. The most disgusting thing about the "incident" is that Djokovic's tantrum stole PCB's glory. The better player won the match.

 

[Fedjokodal]

True, all credit to PCB. We all dismissed his chances including myself. But he played a great first set and in a weird way earned his spot in the qf. Good job and congrats

 

[Javi]

He destroyed Nole mentally, after the 5-4 0-40

 

[Ilkae]

Yeah, I hope he gets some credits. To save triple set point with 2 incredibly ballsy winners against the world #1 is an impressive feat. He really does have some of the best touch in the game too, was winning the drop-shot/volley wars consistently.

I saw you credit his touch also earlier. Stellar level indeed. The drop shot has been a decent weapon for Djokovic during these two US tournaments. More often successful than not. PCB was able to dig them up just enough to not give Novak and easy put away. Then the counter dropper from PCB himself that resulted in the first far more agitated ball bash / release of frustration.

 

[Ilkae]

Crazy to think.That lucky shot at 0-40 and then hawk-eye...Just some inches cost Nole tournament

I've seen this called a lucky shot by one other person as well. But PCB actually went for that shot; a controlled FH DTL from a good position. I do get the point of luck since the margin could not have been much smaller (there have been a few even closer ones actually IIRC on some Hawkeye compilation on YT), but you can't take away all credit from PCB even in that shot.

1:27

 

[Martin12]

Agree. Djokovic with a service performance of which even Karlovic would have been proud, but PCB was nevertheless leading with break. For sure with some luck, but well deserved.