I made the mistake of live blogging the 2012 Australian Open final.  This time I will just add a few comments here and there as this could go a long time.

• Watching the US Open feed as my kids are running wild near the television.
• Nadal doing his OCD thing before the match starts
• To this point I like Novak’s demeanor 1-0
• Rafa is up an early break in what has been a long and kind of sloppy first 3 games.  Novak was broken early in both the first and second set of the 2011 final only to storm back.  I am not sure I get that vibe from Nole.
• Monday night football or not this 5 PM starting time is a joke.  Changeovers are flooded with late arrivals because people can’t get to the event at 5 PM.
• Djokovic may be letting a chance to break right back slip through his fingers.  2-1, 30-30 Rafa Does Novak want to pay the price is the key question?
• Novak carrying on with his box… never a good sign 3-1 Rafa
• 2-3 Given that Nole has had two deuce games as a returner I would not count on a one break lead holding up for a set.  2-3 28 minutes in this could take awhile
• The 2012 Australian Open was the best match I have ever seen.  Nole would need that type of effort to win here and I just don’t sense it at the moment.
• 6-2 first set – this could be over if Novak doesn’t mount some resistance soon.  Rafa playing well, and Novak seems flat.
• Novak gets some energy going to take a 1-0 lead in the 2nd set.
• I am not sure Rafa starting a rift with the crowd is a smart move when he is in control of the match.
• If Novak looks at his box one more time to complain, they should relocate to a less obvious part of the stadium.  It is not helping him.
• Novak looks ready to fight for this – good news for this match.  6-2, 1-2 for Rafa.
• 3 straight holds has Nole in the match again. 2-6, 3-2
• 54 shot rally ends with Novak breaking serve for a 4-2 2nd set lead
• 0-30 after a double fault … not the best way to back up a break.  Dumping serve in a love game?  Nope.  Stick volley leads to 15-40.  These are big points.  30-40 backhand error from Rafa.  BIG POINT  Rafa breaks 6-2, 3-4 w/ Rafa to serve.  First pumps and a near racquet demolition
• Novak’s chances at winning come down to if he can win this set.  He dumped serve but is still 8 points from leveling the match.  Rafa can absorb losing this set and still win the match.
• A quick hold from Rafa would put him 8 points from putting a strangle hold on this match.  But Nole gets it to deuce.  Another deuce.  Third deuce.  Can Novak get a break point?  4th deuce.  5th deuce.  We have a match.  2-6, 5-3 Nole to serve.  Rafa now broken twice after losing serve only once in 6 matches.
• Last time it was 0-15 after a break – Nole hit a double fault this time he hits a service winner 15-15
• Connors like backhand takes Nole to a 6-3 win in the 2nd set.  2-6, 6-3  We have a match and Novak is dialed in
• Rafa’s first big pressure since 0-1 deuce in the 1st set 0-30 1 set all
• Djokovic up a break early – has he turned this whole thing around?  For now at least, yes.
• Nadal going off of the rails?  Deuce after 40-15 for a 2-0 lead.  Nole wins 2 straight 2-6, 6-3, 2-0 for Nole
• Rafa avoided a double break and then Nole falls behind 0-15.
• Routine hold and this match is in Nole’s comfort zone at the moment.  2-6, 6-3, 3-1
• Another routine hold – 2-6, 6-3, 3-2
• Nole missed an easy shot to fall behind 0-15.  makes the easy shot for 15-15.  Rafa’s return lands in and now 15-30.  30-30 another FH winner.  UE from Nadal 40-30.  Nole has pushed Rafa back into a clay court position.  11-2 in 3rd set winners.  Deuce.  Big points coming up.  Forehand error Adv. Nadal break point.
• 3-3 and we’re back on serve and Nole is talking to his box again.  Rafa playing it safe working for now.
• Rafa’s conservative play has elicited enough errors to move to a 4-3 lead on serve in the 3rd.  4-4 dead even
• 0-40 to 30-40 after Nole misses a shot into the net.  Nadal as an escape artist may hold.  Deuce #2.  2nd Ad for Nadal.  6-2, 3-6, 5-4 for Rafa on serve in the 3rd.
• Rafa won the 3rd set by more or less goading Nole into enough errors to lose it.
• My 3 month old must be a Nole fan as he woke up crying as the 3rd set ended.
• 0-30 and 0-1 down.  Novak in trouble. 15-40.  30-40 from a net cord winner.
• My son cried from the end of the 3rd set to the end of Novak’s speech.
• The 4th set was an example of a player just putting the match on ice.  Funny thing is if Nole won the 3rd set he might have iced the match in a similar fashion.