Can Roger Beat Rafa In Australia?

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Federer is being hailed as a favorite for Australia. But to put it bluntly however well Federer plays against other players he has a bit of a problem and his name is Nadal. Of course this year Nadal is just returning from injury and may be a little rusty. But if both players make it far enough to face each other can Roger beat Rafa in Australia? Or are Rogers chances dependent on someone else doing his work for him?

A lot of Feds poor '13 was down to his back though.

The only interesting thing about Nadal's game is whether or not Federer can beat it.

Thats true of Federer's game ..only thing interesting is to see if he CAN beat Nadal 's...

No.

JuliusHMarx wrote:No.

How sure are you?

The real question was: can Roger beat Andreas Seppi in Australia? The answer is no-no. Seppi is just a little better. Roger chances depended on someone else doing his work for him but nobody turned out and Roger had to do all the work by himself. Roger went out. Seppi is the GOAT.

Can Roger beat Rafa in Australia?  Well, we've got to wait for at least another year to find out but my guess is that whatever your opinion is, we'll never actually see the two of them play against each other there again given that it requires both to get through to Q/F - S/F stage which is increasingly becoming beyond Federer

Surely the answer is then, "I guess we'll never know"?

kingraf wrote:Surely the answer is then, "I guess we'll never know"?

Yes we will never know...

So the question has become irrelevant now, I did predict both would not reach thus far, lets see how Rafa handles his QF against Berdych.

DirectView2 wrote:So the question has become irrelevant now, I did predict both would not reach thus far, lets see how Rafa handles his QF against Berdych.

I like Berdy's chances frankly. If Nadal is off form Tomas can really trouble him because he can handle the spin with his height and take time away with his big flat shots.

socal1976 wrote:

DirectView2 wrote:So the question has become irrelevant now, I did predict both would not reach thus far, lets see how Rafa handles his QF against Berdych.

I like Berdy's chances frankly. If Nadal is off form Tomas can really trouble him because he can handle the spin with his height and take time away with his big flat shots.

A lot could depend on how Rafa deals with Anderson. If he can dismiss him in straight sets in around two hours or less then it boosts confidence and keeps some energy in the tank but a long drawn out four or five setter and a quick win for Berdych then you'd have to give the Czech a big chance.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

socal1976 wrote:

DirectView2 wrote:So the question has become irrelevant now, I did predict both would not reach thus far, lets see how Rafa handles his QF against Berdych.

I like Berdy's chances frankly. If Nadal is off form Tomas can really trouble him because he can handle the spin with his height and take time away with his big flat shots.

A lot could depend on how Rafa deals with Anderson. If he can dismiss him in straight sets in around two hours or less then it boosts confidence and keeps some energy in the tank but a long drawn out four or five setter and a quick win for Berdych then you'd have to give the Czech a big chance.

You get a feeling though that Berdy needs this win and needs to do something this AO if he has any hopes of matching what Cilic and Wawrinka now have done. He has to make a push and will be in better form and have more hunger. Yes if Rafa plays a grinder with Anderson it could take his legs out as he hasn't had a lot of time to get match fit.

Granted but Berdych has had reason to be hungry for ages now and not been able to use that hunger to inspire him to big wins. Also lets not downplay how hungry Rafa will be as he has had a few months out, missing a slam and eager to re-impose himself on the tennis circuit.

Well you never know Craig Goran got his at 29 maybe its finally this dog's day. If he can get by Rafa and someone else takes out Novak he will be in it. He just never seems to do very well against Novak.

socal1976 wrote:Well you never know Craig Goran got his at 29 maybe its finally this dog's day. If he can get by Rafa and someone else takes out Novak he will be in it. He just never seems to do very well against Novak.

Oh I am not ruling him out but a few things lead me to believe he will end his career slamless. Sure he is a threat to all of the top players but even if he beats a top player he always seems to lose the following match - back-to-back big match wins are key for you to win slams. Also there are certainly times when, at key moments, he gets mentally flaky. Don't get me wrong - a great player but I doubt he will ever win that slam.

I think Berdych will end slamless too. He can take anyone out on his day, but never backs it up. His game is so solid, but he lacks that X factor for me. With the old top 4, you would watch them in big matches and say to yourself 'how did they win that point?' A number of times. You never utter those words about Berdych.

He doesn't have the movement or imagination to pull something off on the back foot in an important moment. He's functional. He would have to have a very fortunate draw to end with a slam in my opinion.

Danny_1982 wrote:I think Berdych will end slamless too. He can take anyone out on his day, but never backs it up. His game is so solid, but he lacks that X factor for me. With the old top 4, you would watch them in big matches and say to yourself 'how did they win that point?' A number of times. You never utter those words about Berdych.

He doesn't have the movement or imagination to pull something off on the back foot in an important moment. He's functional. He would have to have a very fortunate draw to end with a slam in my opinion.

Yes I pretty much agree with that. He is the type that could knock out Roger or Andy in a Quarter but lose the semi against a player he should beat. That isn't a trait of slam winners.

So now everyone is wondering if Roger won't be there to beat Rafa who will?

socal1976 wrote:Yes if Rafa plays a grinder with Anderson it could take his legs out as he hasn't had a lot of time to get match fit.

Whatever happens in that match I doubt very much whether it will be a "grinder".

CaledonianCraig wrote:

He is the type that could knock out Roger or Andy in a Quarter but lose the semi against a player he should beat. That isn't a trait of slam winners.

Berdych could win a slam with a "draw opening up" in a similar way to how Murray or Cilic or Wawrinka won theirs. He got very close in last years US.

To answer your question HE, Djokovic for certain has the best chance to beat Rafa.

Murray has a small chance.

The rest no chance.

Hmm I  sat here pondering how the draw opened up for Murray when he beat the world No.1 in both his finals. That being the case can we say the same for each slam Fed and Rafa have won not beating the world No.1?

legendkillarV2 wrote:To answer your question HE, Djokovic for certain has the best chance to beat Rafa.

Murray has a small chance.

The rest no chance.

That wasn't my question. My question was about the anticipated FEDAL semi Others appear to have moved on...

CaledonianCraig wrote:Hmm I  sat here pondering how the draw opened up for Murray when he beat the world No.1 in both his finals. That being the case can we say the same for each slam Fed and Rafa have won not beating the world No.1?

Don't bite Craig, that was her intention when she wrote it.

As for who can beat Rafa, well the more matches he plays the stronger he will get. That incremental improvement could see him reach the final, but in my opinion he is miles off the level required to beat Novak. I don't think Rafa has a chance unless someone beats Novak for him.

I know Danny and she never has a comeback when her theory has been blown out if the water and then three months later at RG she will roll it out again.

hawkeye wrote:

legendkillarV2 wrote:To answer your question HE, Djokovic for certain has the best chance to beat Rafa.

Murray has a small chance.

The rest no chance.

That wasn't my question. My question was about the anticipated FEDAL semi Others appear to have moved on...

Really?

So you didn't ask who could beat Rafa now Federer isn't there?

CaledonianCraig wrote:Hmm I  sat here pondering how the draw opened up for Murray when he beat the world No.1 in both his finals. That being the case can we say the same for each slam Fed and Rafa have won not beating the world No.1?

Well beating a world number 1 isn't the same as beating Federer or Nadal apparently

Must be lucky.

I still await someone to tell me how many multiple slam winners have won all of their slams beating the world No.1. It had Gerry stumped and no doubt hawkeye will have one of her convenient bouts amnesia.

Well it's a bit difficult to beat the number 1 player when you are the number 1 player.

No there are many slams Roger and Rafa have won when not No.1. There very first for a start were in finals against much lower ranked opponents.

Have a look at who's Murray has had to play in semis and finals for the last 5 years or so; mainly Nadal, Federer, Djokovic.
He has not had it easy; and he won 2 slams playing Djokovic in the final.

If Nadal had stopped at two, he would have been one. Heck if he stopped at five he would have been one.

I actually think IF Berdy and Rafa meet which isnt close to a gimme yet, then Berdych would take him quite easily at the moment. If hes gonna win this open though, I think Stans gonna have to beat a nigh on invincible looking Novak for it.

temporary21 wrote:I actually think IF Berdy and Rafa meet which isnt close to a gimme yet, then Berdych would take him quite easily at the moment. If hes gonna win this open though, I think Stans gonna have to beat a nigh on invincible looking Novak for it.

Whilst the outcome may well be as you predict....EASY?? Im not so sure about that. Rafa whatever his form never gives anything up easily !!

I'd say Berdych has a very good chance of winning that QF...if he makes it.

But Falzy is right, if he meets Novak in the final then he has literally zero chance of winning. He needs Stan or Kei to do him a favour.

Yeah he needs some favours alright !!!!

I'd be surprised if Berdy done over Rafa.

Your looking for a Soderling-esq performance on that one give the very limits of his game.

He'll need 45+ winners at least!

Thats if he doesnt choke!!!

Exactly!!