Pity it wasn´t a Murray vs Djokovic bc Nole would win that for sure at great odds and what it´s funnier I could laugh more at all this Murray´s hype. Monfils is a worst match-up for Nole I reckon, anyway I hope Novak can beat Rocky also.GeorgeWHitler said:I decided to go for Djokovic in this one, and good to see there is match between 2 of the 8 players I have in that thread, just hope Novak can outlast him.
No chance for Gael to win in str8 sets imobad gambler said:Monfils career on the ATP has somewhat kicked off in the last few weeks
Monfils in 3 or 4
They both are lacking in fitness (understendably, given their age). It's just the quiestion of whos is worse.GeorgeWHitler said:...hope Novak can outlast him.
Good points, vincayou. Maybe it´s too soon to speak bc of their age and it´s possible time will prove me wrong as they still have pleny of time to fully develop, but despite I think Nole is more used to play on clay I believe his game is better suited for hc and the opposite goes to Monfils, so maybe this time the outcome goes in the other way.vincayou said:They already met last year in a future and Monfils won 6-4 6-7 6-2 I think. So I'll give the edge to Monfils. Both are not physically ready for 5 setters, but I think that Monfils is slighty better in this compartment (he's one year older).
But I have been very impressed by Djokovic, strong on both side, good at the volley and very tough mentally. And it shows that he's very smart as well.
Monfils is more a rollercoaster, but he's tough mentally as well and has an impressive court coverage, big forehand and serve. Too bad that they meet so early because both could have easily reached 3rd or 4th round.
If Gael serves at 80 per cent of 1st serves then he can win in straight sets, though I don't think that will be happening.Deivid23 said:No chance for Gael to win in str8 sets imo
I disagree on this. Gaël hasn't good conditioning and moreover isn't smart enough about "managing" well his "energy reserve" during a match. He runs too much unecessarily without it necessarily showing on the scoreboard (=he still loose the points) then has to recuperate and loose points then runs again etc...sorry about this shitty explanation but my English is shit and it shows more today...vincayou said:Both are not physically ready for 5 setters, but I think that Monfils is slighty better in this compartment (he's one year older).
fair enough, but Novak is still too hit and miss, if he comes out blazing then will be hard to stop (similar to your man almagro), but on the flip side when he misses he can be terribleDeivid23 said:No chance for Gael to win in str8 sets imo
I don´t remember any match from Gael in which he was having a great 1st serve percentage, so that won´t happen and I´m convinced Nole will kill his 2nd serve. The bad thing for Djokovic is that he will need to have an inspired day cause Monfils will retrieve too many balls back for what Djokovic is used to.GeorgeWHitler said:If Gael serves at 80 per cent of 1st serves then he can win in straight sets, though I don't think that will be happening.
Actually the biggest challenge is being able to watch this match. I don't have anything against Monfils, but he has more than enough support.
Agree about Novak taking risks in his game and that´s why I say he will need an inspired day to win this, but there are a couple of facts (as that one about Gael´s 2nd serve) that make me feel optimistic about him today. Anything but a close match would be a surprise to me, honestly.bad gambler said:fair enough, but Novak is still too hit and miss, if he comes out blazing then will be hard to stop (similar to your man almagro), but on the flip side when he misses he can be terrible
Monfils isn't the smartest player and he isn't in great condition, but he plays with plenty of energy and Nole should keep hitting behind him when he has the chance and move him out of position at the same time Gael can make a lot of errors or make a lot of winners, he just needs to believe in his game and have a good strategy.Deivid23 said:I don´t remember any match from Gael in which he was having a great 1st serve percentage, so that won´t happen and I´m convinced Nole will kill his 2nd serve. The bad thing for Djokovic is that he will need to have an inspired day cause Monfils will retrieve too many balls back for what Djokovic is used to.
Monfils can hit a lot of winners indeed but Nole´s ball will be difficult to handle for him in order to get those winners. Gael has not enough precision (yet) to get a consistent number of winners off those flat and hard balls imo.GeorgeWHitler said:Monfils isn't the smartest player and he isn't in great condition, but he plays with plenty of energy and Nole should keep hitting behind him when he has the chance and move him out of position at the same time Gael can make a lot of errors or make a lot of winners, he just needs to believe in his game and have a good strategy.
He had matches with a great serve percentage in Cincy. First set against Stepanek (something like 10 aces, 80% first, 80% secondDeivid23 said:I don´t remember any match from Gael in which he was having a great 1st serve percentage, so that won´t happen and I´m convinced Nole will kill his 2nd serve.