Rome Masters - Day 6 thread (SF)

by lydian Fri 18 May 2012 - 22:17

First topic message reminder :

So, Federer didnt hang about in giving Seppi his much earned nights rest.
Great matches tomorrow...arguably the best 4 men on clay this year in the semis.
The order of play tomorrow...

Court CENTRALE

Not Before 4:00 PM
[6] David Ferrer (ESP) v [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP)
Nadal is moving up the gears and Ferrer is already in overdrive. Some cracking shots today by Rafa shows his confidence is starting to rocket. I fully expect Ferrer to be overtaken 6-4, 6-3.

Not Before 8:00 PM
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) v [3] Roger Federer (SUI)
Their first meet up since that epic USO SF last year...will it come down to 1-2 shots again?
Well both men are showing great form...but I expect the Swiss to roll over Novak after the maestro sprints out of the blocks early on. Djokovic doesnt like the ball coming at him so early and I think more than Nadal is vulnerable to being rushed. I'm expecting Federer to tear through the first set catching Novak cold. Novak wakes up and stretches the 2nd to a TB which Federer edges...6-3, 7-6 (if Novak can sneak the 2nd then I think he'll win the 3rd fairly routinely 6-3 but I'm firmly of the view that Fed will win, probability 80%).

Cant wait!!! Smile

by Guest Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:21

I think you're reading far too much into it. Sure Fed's not playing well. But at the end of the day it's just one match in the middle of the clay season. Besides a win for Novak against Rafa tomorrow could be the best thing that happens for Fed's RG chances.

I don't think Roger is gonna bust a gut to win this one. Novak on the other hand looks really focused.

by luciusmann Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:22

There is a sliver lining to this match after Djokovic wins this match...if he follows this up tomorrow, Fed takes second place in the rankings! That could be mightily good news for Fed!

by Jahu Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:22

Fed can't wait to finish up and go home. He should of called it sick today.

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:22

Will the real Mr Roger Federer please stand up! Where is he?

by Josiah Maiestas Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:22

This is just funny, sometimes its so bad you have to laugh, felt Novak would show his top form today but Federer has been so cold.

by Guest Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:22

In fairness lydian Nadal and Ferrer matches don't normally produce the fireworks we would like to see.

by Guest Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:24

Not really emancipator. Take the back end of last year. Federer bust a gut to finish ranked third in world.

by Henman Bill Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:26

Not over yet. Get the first point...

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:26

Yes but emanc. he'll still have to play Novak or Rafa at RG whatever to win it and a loss like this is a dent to his mental confidence ahead of that because he'll surely wonder that when the test came (today) against the very best his form, via mental twitchiness, deserted him.

by Guest Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:27

I guess the one positive Fed fans can take is that Federer can't play any worse than this.

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:28

Kind of how I felt about Nadal today LK.

by Guest Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:29

Thing is lydian Ferrer was always going to play a slow pace. It takes exceptional play to quicken pace and have Ferrer increase the pace too.

by Jahu Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:31

Come on Fed, give us the third set

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:32

Well well...what have we here...a comeback or dead cat bounce?

by luciusmann Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:33

OMG, he's back in the match.....is this a turning point....!

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:33

Agree LK...sometimes other guys can drag your level down to theirs, and below.

by Guest Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:33

Djokovic very passive. Begging to be broken there.

by luciusmann Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:34

This crowd just loves Federer!!!

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:34

Fed's game starts to flow as well!
And the crowd go wild!

by Guest Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:35

Djokovic is now going weak on the FH.

by Jahu Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:36

If Fed takes this set, he's getting the third 6;3

by Henman Bill Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:36

Well done Fed for playing some great points from 40-30 down to break serve. Saved this match from being a damp squib.

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:36

Funny how crowds never seem to favour Djokovic...

by Jahu Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:36

If Fed takes this set, he's getting the third 6;3

by Josiah Maiestas Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:36

Where was this Federer in the first 16 games? Pffffffffffffffffffkkkk!

by Henman Bill Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:36

Who wants to see a break here and a final set? Very Happy

by Henman Bill Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:37

is this the biggest title Federer's never won? Perhaps not, I guess it would be Olympics or Davis Cup..but in terms of a tour event...

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:37

Sumptious BH DTL from Fed...he's arrived!

by Jahu Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:37

Fed's feet moving properly now.

by Tropicalfruiter Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:37

Fecken Fed´s turned up! Hold the back pages!!!!!

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:40

They played 2 TBs in that RG SF last year....Fed won both.

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:41

Wow, what a ralley!

by Guest Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:41

Point of the match!

by luciusmann Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:43

Yup and Djokovic won that point of the match....it's good Fed got this to a tie breaker but there is only one winner in this match.

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:43

This isnt the time to tighten up Fed!

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:44

Well...what a BH DTL...it cant be said that Fed doesnt want this match or tanked it...oh he wants it alright.

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:47

Oh dear what a BH into the net after such great defence...you just feel Federer is vulnerable in 10+ stroke ralleys.

by Tom_____ Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:47

looking like a dead cat bounce to me - shame as a Nadal Fed match would have been great to see as always - always wondering when the 'last one' will be, as its got to be coming at some stage.

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:49

That BH return was too passive...should have hit it!

by Tom_____ Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:49

bit poor from Fed there at the end

by Guest Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:50

GSM Djokovic. Well played that man. Few blips but was far more solid on the day.

by luciusmann Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:50

With Djokovic playing like that Tom, I wouldn't expect Nadal to be winning tomorrow.

That will mean Fed will be seeded 2 for RG.

by Henman Bill Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:51

Factors in Today’s Match

Federer ground strokes much worse than the rest of the month
Depth of Djokovic’s returns
Djokovic hard low backhand to Fed’s forehand side making it difficult for him to run around the forehand all the time – great tactic well executed
Fed somehow not at 100% on timing (mental/physical?)
Fed first serve

Bottom line: He doesn’t miss.

This was well below the high standard in quality they set last year at Australia, Indian Wells, French Open and US Open. Djokovic was similar, but Federer wasn’t.

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:51

So there we have it...Fed did well to get back to the TB but I wonder if the way the TB went just further makes Fed wonder if he can cut it...

And the H2H between these 2 guys narrows further.

by Incrediblexman Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:51

Back to the Djokovic and Nadal duopoly again.

by Henman Bill Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:52

At least I can watch the Champions league final. Haven't missed any goals so far.

by Henman Bill Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:56

I said above that FEderer shouldn've be tired for the reasons I gave above. But, I'm not sure. He did look tired at times, or at least, something wasn't right somehow, if not physically maybe mentally or emotionally. Not an excuse though.
That's 4-1 Djokovic in the head to head last season and 1-0 this.
3-0 to Djokovic in slams last season vs Federer and 1-0 so far this season.
No doubt who is the better player.
Saying that, Federer could still get to no 1 this season. But surely he needs a win in his next match against Djokovic. Especially since it could well come in a slam and a big points swing would be at stake, who knows...maybe at Wimbledon for instance?

by Tom_____ Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:57

luciusmann wrote:With Djokovic playing like that Tom, I wouldn't expect Nadal to be winning tomorrow.

That will mean Fed will be seeded 2 for RG.

i haven't mentioned anything about a potential winner tomorrow, so i don't know why you brought me name in above. Maybe you need to re-read posts?

by lydian Sat 19 May 2012 - 20:59

Well thats the warm-up match over with...its Granollers time! lol (doubles-match)

by bogbrush Sat 19 May 2012 - 21:05

lydian wrote:So there we have it...Fed did well to get back to the TB but I wonder if the way the TB went just further makes Fed wonder if he can cut it...

And the H2H between these 2 guys narrows further.

I wouldn't read too much into it, Federer will pick the positives from his result since his break and will be delighted with a return of W & SF from two events.

Now if Djokovic can win tomorrow Fed's in a place he could only have dreamed of two weeks ago.

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