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[AB de Royse777]

Theory behind Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open demolition by Novak Djokovic revealed

It's all coming down to this theory that Nadal was not fully fit to beat Novak in the final. Why are not they are accepting that Novak was playing outstanding and deserved the win?

However Nadal was honest to admit his opponent, “It was unbelievable the way that he played - no doubt about that."

[Kemarit]

Theory behind Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open demolition by Novak Djokovic revealed

It's all coming down to this theory that Nadal was not fully fit to beat Novak in the final. Why are not they are accepting that Novak was playing outstanding and deserved the win?

However Nadal was honest to admit his opponent, “It was unbelievable the way that he played - no doubt about that."

I think we know that Nadal wasn't really 100% fit during the Australian open, but he had some amazing run himself. And we didn't think that he will be able to reach the finals, at least in my opinion because of his injury. I guess there's no explanation here, he really met Djokovic at his peak and really looks unbeatable at that stage. Its a day wherein Djokovic can't do anything wrong and very positive that he will steamrolled Nadal that day. 

[vennali]

Amazing comeback from Halep being 1-4 and break points down in the final set vs Svitolina. She managed to make a comeback and win 5 games in a row to take the match 6-4. Halep's mental toughness seems to have improved a lot as she's been playing a lot more attacking tennis when she's under pressure. Trusting her shots a lot more than before. Usually, she'd go into her defensive more like we've seen in the previous French Open and other finals. She has developed her game to the next level and is looking to take her world no.1 spot back. Next match is Kerber vs Mertens..which will be interesting as well. All the technically defensive styled players have made it through in Doha. Impressive feat on a pretty fast hard court.

[Kemarit]

Amazing comeback from Halep being 1-4 and break points down in the final set vs Svitolina. She managed to make a comeback and win 5 games in a row to take the match 6-4. Halep's mental toughness seems to have improved a lot as she's been playing a lot more attacking tennis when she's under pressure. Trusting her shots a lot more than before. Usually, she'd go into her defensive more like we've seen in the previous French Open and other finals. She has developed her game to the next level and is looking to take her world no.1 spot back. Next match is Kerber vs Mertens..which will be interesting as well. All the technically defensive styled players have made it through in Doha. Impressive feat on a pretty fast hard court.

Mertens takes the match on the other bracket overpowering Kerber, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. If I'm not mistaken, Mertens is unseeded so this is a big upset, specially taking out the number 1 seed in Kerber. She also won the last 5 game points so its going to be interesting finals match. Will Mertens continue her giant killing or will Halep get back the number 1 spot from Kerber? I'm not familiar with Mertens though, so I don't know how the final game with be played stylistically.

[vella85]

First I would like to say that they can't use the excuse that Nadal wasn't fit and that is why Djokovic won the Australian Open because in one of Djokovic's earlier matches he sustained a slight injury which set him back a little but his mental toughness is what got him through. Also to me Nadal looked fine to me and the injury didn't look like it effected him at all during the AO. Nadal was simply beaten by the better man on the night and even if Nadal was 100%, well I think he was close anyway but if he was then Djokovic still would of won the match as this guy is hard to stop once he gets on a roll which started mid way through last year.

Now it will be interesting to see what happens in the final between Halep and Mertens, it seems as though the top ranked Women actually play to win in these smaller tournaments unlike what we see with the Men so I think Halep will win but I have been impressed by Mertens in this tournament.

[vennali]

Amazing comeback from Halep being 1-4 and break points down in the final set vs Svitolina. She managed to make a comeback and win 5 games in a row to take the match 6-4. Halep's mental toughness seems to have improved a lot as she's been playing a lot more attacking tennis when she's under pressure. Trusting her shots a lot more than before. Usually, she'd go into her defensive more like we've seen in the previous French Open and other finals. She has developed her game to the next level and is looking to take her world no.1 spot back. Next match is Kerber vs Mertens..which will be interesting as well. All the technically defensive styled players have made it through in Doha. Impressive feat on a pretty fast hard court.

Mertens takes the match on the other bracket overpowering Kerber, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. If I'm not mistaken, Mertens is unseeded so this is a big upset, specially taking out the number 1 seed in Kerber. She also won the last 5 game points so its going to be interesting finals match. Will Mertens continue her giant killing or will Halep get back the number 1 spot from Kerber? I'm not familiar with Mertens though, so I don't know how the final game with be played stylistically.

I think Halep got this. She just needs to find consistency during the match. H2H Halep leads 2-0 and those matches havent even been close. Halep is the top seed for the tournament and Kerber was 3rd seed. The current world no.1 is Naomi Osaka. Its been a while since Kerber was World no. 1.  You are right about Mertens being unseeded for the tournament and is currently world no. 21(which will improve in the coming weeks). 

[FIFA worldcup]

Theory behind Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open demolition by Novak Djokovic revealed

It's all coming down to this theory that Nadal was not fully fit to beat Novak in the final. Why are not they are accepting that Novak was playing outstanding and deserved the win?

However Nadal was honest to admit his opponent, “It was unbelievable the way that he played - no doubt about that."

I think we know that Nadal wasn't really 100% fit during the Australian open, but he had some amazing run himself. And we didn't think that he will be able to reach the finals, at least in my opinion because of his injury. I guess there's no explanation here, he really met Djokovic at his peak and really looks unbeatable at that stage. Its a day wherein Djokovic can't do anything wrong and very positive that he will steamrolled Nadal that day. 

A loss is a loss and there should be no excuses that Nadal lost because he was not 100% fit.  Djokovic played an awesome game and i never see at any point he was at backend or was struggling against Nadal . Djokovic played aggressively and really was a deserving winner on the said date.

[AB de Royse777]

~snip~

A loss is a loss and there should be no excuses that Nadal lost because he was not 100% fit.  Djokovic played an awesome game and i never see at any point he was at backend or was struggling against Nadal . Djokovic played aggressively and really was a deserving winner on the said date.

That's my point too. Giving excuse of not being 100% fit is kind of insult for the opponent. Djokovic is a fine player and he can beat anyone in any day. He proved himself and dominating the tennis world. So against him nothing is an excuse.

[absy]

~snip~

A loss is a loss and there should be no excuses that Nadal lost because he was not 100% fit.  Djokovic played an awesome game and i never see at any point he was at backend or was struggling against Nadal . Djokovic played aggressively and really was a deserving winner on the said date.

That's my point too. Giving excuse of not being 100% fit is kind of insult for the opponent. Djokovic is a fine player and he can beat anyone in any day. He proved himself and dominating the tennis world. So against him nothing is an excuse.

I don't think he told it as an excuse , during the post match presentation on finals also Nadal claimed that he was happy that he could make it to finals and he gave proper credits to Djokovic for his tremendous performance . He just maybe updated to his fans is what I feel.

[babygun]

Amazing comeback from Halep being 1-4 and break points down in the final set vs Svitolina. She managed to make a comeback and win 5 games in a row to take the match 6-4. Halep's mental toughness seems to have improved a lot as she's been playing a lot more attacking tennis when she's under pressure. Trusting her shots a lot more than before. Usually, she'd go into her defensive more like we've seen in the previous French Open and other finals. She has developed her game to the next level and is looking to take her world no.1 spot back. Next match is Kerber vs Mertens..which will be interesting as well. All the technically defensive styled players have made it through in Doha. Impressive feat on a pretty fast hard court.

Mertens takes the match on the other bracket overpowering Kerber, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. If I'm not mistaken, Mertens is unseeded so this is a big upset, specially taking out the number 1 seed in Kerber. She also won the last 5 game points so its going to be interesting finals match. Will Mertens continue her giant killing or will Halep get back the number 1 spot from Kerber? I'm not familiar with Mertens though, so I don't know how the final game with be played stylistically.

I think Halep got this. She just needs to find consistency during the match. H2H Halep leads 2-0 and those matches havent even been close. Halep is the top seed for the tournament and Kerber was 3rd seed. The current world no.1 is Naomi Osaka. Its been a while since Kerber was World no. 1.  You are right about Mertens being unseeded for the tournament and is currently world no. 21(which will improve in the coming weeks). 

Even though I am from Belgium, I thought Halep would win this, but Mertens surprised us all! What a win for her and what a fantastic week she has had. Belgium has a new super star in the making 

[vennali]

Halep did what she does in big tourney finals. Win first set, go up a break in the 2nd set and then somehow manage to lose the match. This has happened way too often and its unbelievable. I think its some mental barrier which she's not able to get over and has been suffering for a long time. In the semifinals I was expecting that to happen and Halep to lose, and it almost happened as Svitolina was close to double break in the final set but was unable to close it out. Another Tourney starting in Doha from Monday, loads of tennis coming up.

[absy]

Halep did what she does in big tourney finals. Win first set, go up a break in the 2nd set and then somehow manage to lose the match. This has happened way too often and its unbelievable. I think its some mental barrier which she's not able to get over and has been suffering for a long time. In the semifinals I was expecting that to happen and Halep to lose, and it almost happened as Svitolina was close to double break in the final set but was unable to close it out. Another Tourney starting in Doha from Monday, loads of tennis coming up.

Arg it pisses me off seriously . It's not her fault anymore according to me , her team should gather stuff and see what's going on . Is it her mental attitude ? If it happens once fine , twice all right but so many times over the past 2-3 years she has such great potential but she isn't able to do it in finals and remain on top.

[AB de Royse777]

~snip~
I don't think he told it as an excuse , during the post match presentation on finals also Nadal claimed that he was happy that he could make it to finals and he gave proper credits to Djokovic for his tremendous performance . He just maybe updated to his fans is what I feel.

I was not talking about Nadal. I was talking about the media. Nadal gave all credits to Djokovic in the post match conference. He is a great player and do not hesitate to credits to his opponent.

[vella85]

Halep did what she does in big tourney finals. Win first set, go up a break in the 2nd set and then somehow manage to lose the match. This has happened way too often and its unbelievable. I think its some mental barrier which she's not able to get over and has been suffering for a long time. In the semifinals I was expecting that to happen and Halep to lose, and it almost happened as Svitolina was close to double break in the final set but was unable to close it out. Another Tourney starting in Doha from Monday, loads of tennis coming up.

Arg it pisses me off seriously . It's not her fault anymore according to me , her team should gather stuff and see what's going on . Is it her mental attitude ? If it happens once fine , twice all right but so many times over the past 2-3 years she has such great potential but she isn't able to do it in finals and remain on top.

I actually think it is her mentality on winning finals. Halep is a great player and is up there with the best with the way she plays however in finals and in some big matches she seems to let it slip when leading and going for the win so I think her mentality needs to change and get that winning mentality. Not sure how she is going to do this but she needs to do something.

[AB de Royse777]

Anyone watching Dubai Single?
What are your prediction for this tournament? Too many teams for me to decide now however may be once we will see the best 8 then it will be easier to find one or two names. We need to wait until today (I guess)

[Kemarit]

Gymnast Simone Biles and tennis player Novak Djokovic won the top prizes at the 2019 Laureus World Sports Awards.

American Biles, 21, was named Sportswoman of the Year after winning four gold medals, one silver and one bronze at the 2018 World Championships.

Serb Djokovic, 31, won the Sportsman of the Year award after claiming victory at both the US Open and Wimbledon.

Golfer Tiger Woods won the Comeback award, while tennis player Naomi Osaka won Breakthrough of the Year.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/47286364

Congrats to both Djokovic and Osaka for winning in the recent Laureus World Sports Awards. This is a annual award given every year for outstanding sport man in either individual or team sport. I think Federer holds the record for Sportsman of the Year winning 5 and 1 comeback of the year.

[Moonmanmun]

#1 Osaka just got blanked in Dubai 

[Kemarit]

#1 Osaka just got blanked in Dubai 

Yeah she was upset by Kristina Mladenovic 6-3 6-3, in the second round. My though is that she is under pressure to perform very well since she is the number 1 player now or the split with her coach has somewhat affected her performance. There's a lot of media scrutiny following her surprised split with Sascha Bajin last week, that could have a lot of impact on her.

[vennali]

Anyone watching Dubai Single?
What are your prediction for this tournament? Too many teams for me to decide now however may be once we will see the best 8 then it will be easier to find one or two names. We need to wait until today (I guess)

I think its gonna be one of the 4. Pliskova, Kvitova, Halep or Sabalenka. The court seems to be pretty fast and would surely help hard hitters. Kerber just lost to Hsieh.S and the top seed in Osaka is already out. Lets see how it goes. I'm personally rooting for Kvitova. She's been a little patchy as of now but hopefully she'll get into rhythm of things soon.

[AB de Royse777]

~snip~

I think its gonna be one of the 4. Pliskova, Kvitova, Halep or Sabalenka. The court seems to be pretty fast and would surely help hard hitters. Kerber just lost to Hsieh.S and the top seed in Osaka is already out. Lets see how it goes. I'm personally rooting for Kvitova. She's been a little patchy as of now but hopefully she'll get into rhythm of things soon.

Kvitova, Kuzmova, Halep, Hsieh already secured the quarter-finals. Match in play Mladenovic vs Suarez still now sure who will win however Suarez ahead by taking the 1st set. I will be watching Riska vs Pliskova. I am thinking Pliskova will get a win.