2021 Roland Garros...ATP 2000...Paris, France

[arturohernandez]

As Morley, an older player who used to show up at the high school courts used to say "You have to pay good money to see tennis like that."

[stotty]

Poor game from Novak. An inexplicable unforced error and a daft trip to the net....next thing you know the game is lost.

Rafa's is supercharged now.

[stotty]

Novak is one metre nearer to the baseline than he has been all tournament yet still taking balls at shoulder height. Novak is hitting his forehand 5mph quicker than he has been the entire two weeks. He is really starting to time the ball so well also. A long way to go but it is doable.

Rafa is really upping his forehand which is worrying if he keeps it up.

5-4 Novak

[arturohernandez]

Novak to me actually has that ability. But it takes enormous mental strength and perseverance. Nadal is the only player that actually requires that level of commitment from Novak. That is a key reason to me why Novak struggles to get in that mood. Nadal is his unique challenge. But that is the only way for Novak. He is not going to beat him shock and awe style.

Shock and awe is difficult on clay. He does manage to beat Nadal on hard courts but that is much faster surface with clean bounces.

Nadal says that he does not like giving Novak an angle. But if Novak keeps playing that far back there is no choice.

To me last September's final was one of the few times that I have seen Novak not willing to fight. Today, he is actually gaining my admiration for the first time.

[stroke]

Novak playing like Borg. Staying deeper and neutralizing Nadal until he can hit a shot that bothers him. Very interesting counter strategy. Few players can out steady Nadal on clay.

Novak to me actually has that ability. But it takes enormous mental strength and perseverance. Nadal is the only player that actually requires that level of commitment from Novak. That is a key reason to me why Novak struggles to get in that mood. Nadal is his unique challenge. But that is the only way for Novak. He is not going to beat him shock and awe style.

[arturohernandez]

Novak playing like Borg. Staying deeper and neutralizing Nadal until he can hit a shot that bothers him. Very interesting counter strategy. Few players can out steady Nadal on clay.

[stroke]

He it appears to me he has accepted this may take 5 hours. Tough to accept, but I think he has. We all know Rafa has.

[stotty]

It sure is nice to see Novak going all in.

It is. He's doing a sterling job. Just needs a bit of luck and to keeping working Rafa around. Needs the third set...and the fourth.

[stroke]

It sure is nice to see Novak going all in.

[arturohernandez]

Did Nadal get tired about arguing over the time and so decided to just go to the bathroom where there is no clock?

[stroke]

Nadal down to am implied probability of winning to 66%. Novak needs to keep moving him. That is the ticket. Not shock and awe. Hard hat brutal tennis.

[arturohernandez]

1 set apiece. Novak needs to win this match because he's the only player on earth than can stop Nadal.

He is the only one on clay. Although in recent years, Nadal seems to have managed his five set matches well at the US Open.

It looks like Novak might be wiling to stay out there longer.

My dream is for them to tire each other out. The winner has nothing left in the tank and being older find recovery harder.

Then we have the second consecutive slam of the new era.

I know, it's a dream. But hey why not...

[stotty]

1 set apiece. Novak needs to win this match because he's the only player on earth than can stop Nadal.

[don_budge]

A special time in any tennis match. Time to serve out the set.

[stotty]

Getting physically brutal out there. Rafa has the ability to get one more ball than anyone else on clay. Novak refusing to bend though. Absolutely gruelling...

5-2 Novak