Who’s the Pick for Wimbledon? Federer? Nadal? Someone Else?

by Sean Randall | June 20th, 2010, 6:29 pm
  • 346 Comments

I’ll admit, picking the Australian Open wasn’t terribly difficult. And picking the French Open was hardly a challenge. So picking Wimbledon with Grass King Roger Federer should be easy, right? But it really isn’t. ADHEREL

The problem with Wimbledon this year it’s hard to make a case that anyone of any significance is playing worth a lick on God’s green earth.

Federer just lost to Lleyton Hewitt last week in Halle. Hewitt’s a fair foe but an in-form Federer wins that match. But Roger didn’t because the Swiss simply hasn’t been in-form on any surface since his Australian Open victory.


I thought French Open champ Rafael Nadal played well but not great during his title run last month in Paris. And then Nadal stumbled at Queen’s. I made the case then that it wasn’t a big deal that Nadal was upset by Feliciano Lopez given is playing schedule (he just came off the red clay), and it still isn’t. But I’m just not convinced Rafa’s level is anywhere near where it was two years ago when he swept both the French and Wimbledon.

Andy Murray is the next favorite, but he’s gone into witness protection since his Australian Open final flop. Andy Roddick has become the sentimental pick, but the 3-time Wimbledon finalist just lost to Dudi Sela at Queen’s, and the tournament did him no favors with the draw. Plus, we all know that players who lose to Dudi the tournament before don’t go on to win Slams!

The other main contender is Novak Djokovic, however the Serb’s been lacking the confidence needed to put it all together for two weeks.

So that leaves me with the guys I originally though who would do well.

First, I think Federer’s draw is so breezy that he’ll get through. His only real test is Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals, and it’s a question mark if Berdych can even get to that point. So I think Federer gets to the semifinals.

Roddick and Djokovic are the big names in the second quarter, but I’m counting on another Slam winner in this group. His name is Lleyton Hewitt. The Aussie has a great draw and I think he can beat Djokovic. If Roddick can overcome Michael Llodra and Phil Kohlschreiber, he’ll have to face Cilic. And if that meeting happens I like Cilic. Then I’ll take the grass and big match experience of Hewitt over Cilic, and Lleyton gets into the semifinals.

In the bottom half, I think Murray walks into the semifinals. His draw is just too cushy for him to mess up. Gilles Simon hasn’t been playing much. Sam Querrey is a capable threat but unproven in Slams while Spaniards Fernando Verdasco and Juan Carlos Ferrero are at their weakest on the grass. Jo Tsonga is the real darkhorse but I think Murray gets through this section and into the semifinals.

So who’ll Murray meet? Well, I’m going to say it’s not Nadal. The 2008 champ faces Kei Nishikori and then James Blake (frankly I think Robin Haase beats Blake) and with Ernests Gulbis sadly still hobbled, Nadal gets his replacement Philipp Petzschner. But Nadal maybe gets stung by Mikhail Youhzny in the fourth round. If the Russian doesn’t get him Robin Soderling will. Soderling is playing at his best when it counts the most. And I think his draw should get him to the quarterfinals to meet Nadal. And in that match I’m going with the Swede who gets a small measure revenge on Rafa.

So my semifinals looks like Federer v. Hewitt, Murray v. Soderling.

My final pick? I think Soderling beats Murray, and in the other match I’m going to get crazy here and pick Hewitt to beat Federer. That’s right Hewitt over Federer and then I’m taking Hewitt to win the title!

There, I did it. Shout it from the rooftops. Hewitt over Soderling in the Wimbledon final.

(Did that really just happen?)

And no, I’m not hitting the backspace key.

I think if Hewitt can get to the semifinals he’ll close the door. He’s always played well on grass and well in the Slams, and there are just so few danger players in his draw that I cannot see him not getting to the quarterfinals.

Also, with the confidence he built from the Halle win over Federer, I’ll take that chance here on Hewitt. I can’t believe it.

C’mon, rusty!


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346 Comments for Who’s the Pick for Wimbledon? Federer? Nadal? Someone Else?

stu Says:

haha. that would make it a very exciting Wimbledon!


andrea Says:

what about the women? is this the first year since…what is it…1999?…that a williams won’t be in the final?

fed seems to always find his groove here. almost as if he becomes more super powered.

but the era of assuming it’s roger in the final is over.


zola Says:

Sean,
This is the second time I have seen a pick of Hewitt over Federer ( steve Tignor had the same pick). I don’t think a loss in Halle is very much relevant to Wimbledon. Hewitt played great, fed did not and he did not have to. He was saving himself for Wimbledon. I think Wimbledon will be a different story and especially with such a draw, it will be foolish of Federer not to take advantage. My pick; Federer or Roddick for the final.

On the other half, things are too complicated. It is almost unfair how all the aggressive players are crammed in the second half. I am hoping to see Rafa in the final and I hope he can win the trophy for the second time.


tennislover Says:

“But I’m just not convinced Rafa’s level is anywhere near where it was two years ago when he swept both the French and Wimbledon.”

I actually think Nadal is stronger in just about every department of his game now than he was two years ago and better equipped, game wise,now to win wimby. He is at a higher level now but that does not necessarily mean he has a better chance of winning it than he had in 2008. Circumstances are slightly different. Murray, at least on paper, is a much better player than he was in 2008. If he can handle the pressure cooker situation of playing a beast like Nadal in a wimby sf,he has the game to beat Nadal. Roddick can knock off Nadal if he reaches the final. Hewitt will have more than a chance although I think he will run out of gas by then……..

The point is that a loss to Lopez is somehow putting a question mark about his “level”. I think it is irrelevant. If someone asked me to name my favorites for wimby 2010, my first pick would be Nadal. By no means an overwhelming favorite but the guy knows how to survive the first week at wimby and once he is in the second week,he becomes an even bigger favorite.


FedRafaFan Says:

Interesting predictions, Sean. I, too, predict that Soderling will reach the finals from the bottom half. Murray will once again fold under pressure in the semifinals. As far as the top half, though, I think it’s a tall order for Hewitt to get to the finals. It won’t be easy beating Djokovic then most likely the winner of Roddick-Cilic. Sure, Sela beat Roddick but that was best of three. If Federer meets Roddick of 2009, there is no way Federer would win this time, so my prediction is Roddick vs. Soderling! Yup, and this time, Roddick will get his most elusive Grand Slam (then again this would be Soderling’s third Grand Slam so you’d think he should also win this time). I’m a Federer and Nadal fan, so I take my emotions out of my analysis. By the way I saw Soderling at 22-to-1 odds to win Wimbledon, and Roddick at 12-to-1 odds. Good value bets, in my opinion!


Sean Randall Says:

Zola, well that’s depressing!

Tennislover, I think Rafa can make (or survive to) week two, I’m just picking Soderling to beat him. This really doesn’t have a lot to do with the Lopez loss, I just wasn’t that impressed by his French performance as a whole.

Hit 2008 French title was sick, on the other hand!

Andrea, the women it will be the Williams sisters and the Belgians. And the Williams sisters will win!


zola Says:

Sean ,
what is depressing? Your picks or mine? :)

I am not one for predictions. But about Rafa’s level in RG, he played enough not to lose a set and win the championship. What else is needed? To bagel everyone?

I think Rafa is playing more aggressively this year and he will have more UF errors than before. He also plays as much as needed and does not kill himself unless it is absolutely necessary. As he did in the final against Soderling.

About the loss in Queens, I think it was very fortunate, biving Rafa some time to rest after a long clay season. Same as Federer, perhaps Rafa did not want to peak at Queens and saved himself for Wimbledon.

But I agree that Soderling is a very dangerous contender. He remains my main concern.

I am curious to see what Venus will wear in wimbledon!


tennislover Says:

Sean,
Nadal won the FO without dropping a set. The key thing was that he raised his level whenever he needed to. It was,to me, an extremely impressive performance considering the fact that he rarely hit top gear. The lower gears sufficed.

Now,if you have taken the big call about him getting knocked out by Soderling, that is fine except that any likely win by Soderling is unlikely to have much to do with how Nadal plays since Nadal rarely has bad days. It is all about Soderling’s level for the entire match. Nadal’s “level” is not that relevant then. In any case, I think Soderling will have to produce a performance like his 2009 or 2010 FO wins against Nadal/Federer. I think it is unrealistic to expect him to produce such outstanding performances so frequently. These were the exceptions for him. His normal level is more likely to be the level he showed in the FO final against Nadal. Soderling is a player nobody will like to play because of his potential to reach very high levels on a given day but such days are actually few and far between.

Supposing Nadal beats Soderling, how will you assess his chances then?


Von Says:

Zola:

“On the other half, things are too complicated. It is almost unfair how all the aggressive players are crammed in the second half.”

Are you kidding?? Please take a look at Roddick’s draw and tell me if you can unequivocally state the above without a moment’s hesitation, that what you say is 100 percent true.

I know everyone keeps saying that the Djoko/Roddick draw is the toughest, most probabaly because he’s one of the top four players and the draws center around and are focused on them, but I think that needs qualification. It’s Roddick’s portion of that Quarter that has the agressive and tough players. The Joker only has Hewitt to give him a headache, and after reading how much pain Hewitt had in Halle from his hip, but he pushed through nevertheless to win, I’m thinking that if he should meet the Joker he wouldn’t be able to put forward his best, or depending on his hip problem, they might not meet at all, thus, Djokovic will not have anyone really to stop him getting to the QFs.

On the other hand, Roddick has it tough from round 1 through to the QFs, that is if he gets past Kohls and Cilic. Cilic seems to be a bad luck charm (along with Wawrinka) for Roddick. Everytime Andy plays vs. Cilic, he has an injury, one tht’s existing or one thathappens spontaneously, and he ends up losing.

In sum, The Roddick side of the Quarter is the tougher one, and the Joker has it made in the shade with the dirtballers and qualifiers.

I’d like to know what’s going on with that Wimbles comittee. They need to shake em up more than they’re doing and also stop manipulating things to suit their agenda, which is so very wrong IMO.


Mitch Says:

I don’t think Hewitt is fit enough anymore to win a slam.


NELTA Says:

Hewitt will need some help to win Wimbledon. What I mean by that is he needs some of the favorites to be upset. Could he beat Roddick, Federer or Nadal in a Wimby match? Anythings possible, but could be beat all 3 of them consecutively at Wimbledon? That would be a very tall task. If he only has to beat 1 of the 3 to take the title then maybe he has a shot.

Hewitt will also need to win efficiently. If he has a bunch of 4 and 5 set matches by the time he gets to the quarters or semis then his level won’t be high enough.


Ben Pronin Says:

Hewitt beating Federer was miraculous enough as it was, but to do it in a slam, at Wimbledon? Let’s get real here.


funches Says:

Hewitt can’t beat top opponents unless they give him a lot of help.

Djokovic would have to play poorly (entirely possible considering his form for more than a year). Cilic (who I don’t think will get that far) would have to play poorly. Roddick would have to have a bad serving day.

When Baghdatis overpowered Hewitt at Wimbledon a few years ago, I realized he had no chance to win another slam. Even though grass clearly is his best surface now, he just doesn’t have enough game anymore.

I keep reading about Youzhny matching up well with Nadal. Hmm … After going down two sets to Youzhny a few years ago, Rafa has blitzed him in six consecutive sets at Wimbledon without losing more than three games. That’s a mismatch in Nadal’s favor.

I agree with Sean. If Nadal loses before the final, it will be to Soderling.

We won’t know whether the Halle lose hurt Federer until he plays a tight match at Wimbledon. He’s lost so many close matches this year, including the one to Soderling at Roland Garros, that it is unrealistic to say another one definitely doesn’t matter.


NELTA Says:

Baggy could be interesting. His backhand reminds me of Hewitt, very flat and not much wrist action. It’s an extremely reliable stroke and very effective on grass. He will probably face Soda in the 4th round. The best thing that could happen for Nadal is for Baggy to beat Soderling in a 5 set war. Invariably Baggy will have some sort of muscle strain and will be a shell of his former self in the quarters where Nadal will breeze past him to the semis.


Von Says:

Roddick has to get past Kohls to play in the QFs. I keep seeing flashes of his AO 4th round match vs. Kohls, and it’s not a good flash at all.


Von Says:

“Hewitt can’t beat top opponents unless they give him a lot of help.”

And, coupled with his hip problems, which was bothering him at Halle, I doubt it will be a tough match for Djokovic. I’d rather ss Roddick face Hewitt in his present form, than Kohls.


Von Says:

Correction @10:19 pm: ss, s/b see


Kimmi Says:

So, no one is talking about verdasco. does he have a chance at all on grass? last year he lost to karlovic in 3rd or was it 4th round? he could meet tsonga who also lost to karlovic last year..i would like to see that match-up.


dari Says:

I think you shoulda hit backpack on that Hewlett prediction


dari Says:

Excuse me, Hewitt!


kimberly Says:

I’m taking rafa and venus. But this is a tournament that who knows what will happen.rafa’s chances are better if he meets fed in the final. Against roddick I don’t like his chances as much.but federer is 19 and 2 against roddick. Not really sure soderling can move on grass. Bahgdatis might beat him (I think he’s played the semis and quarters here) Murray would be my guess to take rafa out and by second week that will be tough. But he knows. Maybe kevin anderson or carsten ball will win it all!


NELTA Says:

Kimmi,

I’m not a big fan of Verdasco on grass, but he has a good draw. He may have some trouble with Benneteau, but he should make it to the 4th round.


zola Says:

NELTA
Baggy is indeed a dangerous player. let’s see what happens. But by all means a 5 setter with Soderling!

Kimmi,
Verdasco is injured. I don’t know if he had or intends to have surgery. Besides he played too many tournaments before RG. I am not sure if he can be a real threat.

dari,
I think now I know what computer or printer you are using ! :)


Kimmi Says:

NELTA – I agree not impressive results on grass from him. but this year he has been a bit more patient, so maybe this will translate on his grass game too. 4th round should be good results if he gets there. we will see.


Kimmi Says:

zola – verdasco injured? was it the injury he sustain in RG? must be serious if he requires surgery then. i never knew that zola, whats the details, do you know?


Kimmi Says:

“Baggy is indeed a dangerous player. let’s see what happens. But by all means a 5 setter with Soderling!”

Zola – why do you want easy opponents for nadal? if nadal wants to be one of the best players ever, he should be able to beat most players. that is what winning grand slams is all about. If i was you, i would be happy when nadal beats everybody like federer used to do.

remember, during federer hay days, no draw was difficult for him. thats why he was able to win 3 out of 4 GS three times. nadal needs to do that if he wants to win many GS…just sayin’


contador Says:

hard to disagree with you, NELTA.

i’m amazed at your ability to analyze federer’s game and so on, really interesting posts on the other thread.

Kimmi-

hot sauce and soda pop should join EG and rest up for hc. tough loss for verdasco in madrid, tough loss for soda pop at FO, benny the fed killer injured poor ernie… benny the bad penny villain (joking )

this is the last time i will say it: i don’t see nadal having trouble with anybody. the only thing that could trouble him is a tweak in the knee(s). if he has a problem physically, i could see him walk out like at the AO and save himself to be healthy for US Open. if he feels fine, he’ll have his second wimbledon win.

i have murray in the semi v nadal. what a triumph for britain if murray could beat nadal there! i hate thinking of murray losing another wimbledon semi. he could make it tough for nadal, tho nadal wins.

djoko has the worst draw. i’m unsure he can beat hewitt at the moment and if he does get past hewitt, he’ll meet roddick or cilic. marin seems in a stalled out. roddick over hewitt, then roddick over federer.

wow, roddick will be psyched to beat federer. he could go on to beat nadal or murray. but nadal making the final? he’s not losing to anyone, not federer or either of the andy’s.

the pick is nadal. i picked him to defend AO too. ( : 0)

that’s my story. the end.


Kimmi Says:

Contador – Your story is great. and you got it spot on for the clay season.

do you know that djoko is playing his nemesis O.Rochus in the first round?

seriously though, their matches have always been close. And the miami win by rochus must give the little guy some confidence. but i say djoko will get his revenge this time. what do you think?


contador Says:

hahahaaaaa- Kimmi-

if rochus beats djoko again ( art wimbledon, no less!) i’ll eat my hat, arm, or something. it can’t happen!

and about murray, roddick and dudi sela? this made me really laugh!

“Andy Murray is the next favorite, but he’s gone into witness protection since his Australian Open final flop. Andy Roddick has become the sentimental pick, but the 3-time Wimbledon finalist just lost to Dudi Sela at Queen’s, and the tournament did him no favors with the draw. Plus, we all know that players who lose to Dudi the tournament before don’t go on to win Slams!”

sean randall:

hahahaaa….murray in the witness protection program….

especially this:

“…we all know that players who lose to Dudi the tournament before don’t go on to win slams.”

: ) i loved it!


blank Says:

Sean,

Hewitt over everyone else? I don’t think that’s going to happen. Sure he won Halle, and maybe if they both play the same way at Wimbledon, Hewitt could beat Federer again. But to expect Roddick or Nadal or anyone else that reaches QF and beyond to play that same way is asking for too much.


zola Says:

Kimmi,
I think Verdasco had an ankle injury before FO. I am not sure if he is 100% now. I remember reading about possible surgery but I am not sure about it. If I find the link I will post it for you. But the ankle injury is certain.

and why I don’t want siderling on Rafa’s half? perhaps for the same reason you do not want him on Fed’s half! lol!

but seriously, Rafa is coming back from injury and I do not want him play long matches and stay out again.that is one reason. the other reason is that I think the draw is very unfair and gives advantage to the top half and especially Federer. I know it is luck , but I just don’t like it!


Daniel Says:

I think Sean doesn’t like being spot on, he was right in AO and RG and decided to go back to the old jinxy Sean and predict Hewitt! I mean just because he get one good win agaisnt a top 5 in what 5 years and suddeny he is going to win Wimbledon.
As much as we had several up and comers plus djoko and Murray we are still in Fedal era, they split the first two Slams and in this, which is the prime event of the year I bet one of them will lift the trophy, or at leats make the final.


Kimmi Says:

zola – re: verdasco. ankle injury he got in madrid was not too serious, unless something else came up. And the surgery was last year…toe surgery. he got an injury when playing kohls on the 3rd round of rg..i don’t know how serious that was. If you find anything that will be great. But i agree with you that he played too many matches.

seriously though, nadal should be OK. most people are picking him to win. the draw is just been switched from the RG. Soderling, Gulbis and Murray were on federer draw..remember? and now they go on nadal draw. i think it is fair. federer could not beat soda. we all know he is not the same player as he used to be. i am looking forward to see how he fares up here.

nadal is young, enjoying his peak years. he should beat most of these players. i am hoping murray goes all the way to the semi. he is the one who needs easy draw to win his first slam. i hope we see murray vs nadal. i really do. enjoy the matches zola.


NachoF Says:

Sean,
you are wrong.
That is all


Huh Says:

Well, Hewitt at his absolute best CAN beat everyone on grass including even Fed!


zola Says:

Kimmi,
I don’t know if Rafa’s knee is 100%. I think last year he got injured in Rotterdam and then that 4-hour SF in Madrid took a lot out of him. If he is going to play a 5 setter, I prefer to see it in the final.

I agree Fed’s draw was not easy in RG, but most of the good clay courters were in Rafa’s half. here though, I can’t see anyone in fed’s quarter. I know it is not his fault. The draw system is just crazy. I think it was a couple of years ago when Serena and Venus had to play in the QFs.
we will see what happens.

Sure, if I find more about Verdasco I will post it here. Hopefully no need to sugery.


contador Says:

to anna, in answer to your post back to me on another thread

apologies. sometimes i miss a couple of the posters on TT. thought you might be one of them. : )

anyway, i like reading your posts and no, i don’t think diagnosing by watching TV is reliable.

i believe rafa’s problem with his knees truly kept him from playing wimbledon. also he had to be stunned from losses to fed, then the soda pop popped him on his turf, plus rafa was having to sort out heartbreak and subsequent loss adjustment from his parent’s divorce. personal and physical losses = very bad patch for nadal’s career. emotional stress and loss makes physical pain worse and vice versa.

and yet, there is no taking away from the winners. even if the above are valid reasons for bad last half of 09 for rafa, all players have those times. meanwhile, someone else gets in the door and capitalizes. life is tough; it’s a competition. no excuses.

rafa bounced back quickly, tho perhaps it didn’t seem that way for his fans. obviously he didn’t spend too much time crying on a shrink’s couch.

he’s back to number one in the world. djoko, and murray had their chances while rafa was out. federer again, was the one who took advantage of the situation.

i think rafa has enough of his 08 self back to defend his rank at wimbledon.

sure, i’d prefer a new slam winner but i imagine i’ll have to wait. ; )


Kimo Says:

So Sean and Steve Tignor are both picking Hewitt to win Wimbledon.

The question is: Have they gone crazy?

The answer is no. They are just forgetful. After Davy beat Roger then Rafa to win the Doha title early this year, everybody was like “This is it. It’s his moment. Davy will be unstoppable in Melboune.”

We all know how that turned out.

Now because Hewitt beat Rog in one match after 15 straight losses we’re going to pick him to win his first slam in, get this, EIGHT YEARS?!

There’s a reason he doesn’t win slams anymore, people. Let’s not forget that Roger won 2 of his last 4 slams and by all means should have also won the US Open.

But Hewitt? Blah. Don’t get me wrong. I respect the guy a lot, but he’s not a slam contender. Hasn’t been since he reached the final of the 2005 AO.


madmax Says:

Ben Pronin Says:
Hewitt beating Federer was miraculous enough as it was, but to do it in a slam, at Wimbledon? Let’s get real here.

June 20th, 2010 at 9:34 pm

The voice of reason!

Ben, will you be posting a bit more over wimbledon? You’ve been lying low recently?

I do however think the wimbledon tournament is more wide open that it has been recently, but I am sticking with Federer.

I know a lot of you are saying he has an easy draw, but I think that can work both ways. I feel the opponents in Fed’s draw can all “have their day”, now that a few haven’t already chipped away at his “invincibility”.

I am sure though that Federer will be well-prepared and positive and will fight to win this tournament.

Reported yesterday:

Though Samprass used to think that he would be out there on his own forever with his seven golden replica trophies, he said he would be happy for Federer to equal and surpass his record. Sampras even suggested that Federer has the talent to go on to win as many as 10 wimbledon titles.

“I think Roger is going to put together a number that’s going to take a long time to beat, it’s going to be a big, big number”, the American said in an exclusive interview with The Sunday Telegraph. “I dominated Wimbledon for a long period and now Roger is dominating. I think he can win eight Wimbledon titles, and nine’s definitely possible too; that would put him in ‘Martina Land’, level with Martina Navratilova on her nine women’s titles. Roger could win 10 Wimbledon titles, though it could be a stretch’.

If Federer can win this Wimbledon, and then retain his title for a further three years, he would only be 31 when he reaches double digits. Ten isn’t impossible.

“Everytime he plays he’s going to contend for that trophy”. said Sampras.”

Though Federer has not won a title at any level since he won his 16th grand slam at January’s Australian Open, put him back in his Wimbledon whites and he should be back to his best again.

Sampras went on to say, “he’s got the perfect temperament for grass. He’s calm and controlled, there aren’t great emotional highs and lows for him, and that’s the best way to approach it.

There’s an aura about Roger on a grass court. He doesn’t have any weaknesses and there’s nothing out there to scare him. When he stays back, he’s awesome and if he feels as though he needs to come into the net, he will”.

“Knowing Roger, he’s not the sort of person who will walk down the street hoping that people will be pointing and saying, ‘that’s the greatest tennis player of all time’.

He likes winning Wimbledon, but this isn’t about his ego. He’s a humble, understated man”.

Roger can do it! but it has to be match by match, great to have holding the trophy as the goal, but there is still a lot of hard work to do inbetween.


zola Says:

Von,
I was mostly comparing Rafa and Fed’s halves and quarters. Fed can play in his sleep and get to the QFs, where he meets who? Davydenko who is coming out of injury (if he can make it to the QFs).

For Roddick, I don’t know how difficult Ram is, but Kohli is definitely a very tough opponent for the second round. Cilic, I don’t know. Does not seem to be playing like last year, but you never know till they play. I think Cilic may not even reach the QF and lose to Fish.

There is no question this draw system is not fair at all and will always leave some people unhappy.


Thomas Says:

My quarterfinal predictions:
Federer over Berdych in 4
Tsonga over Murray in 5.(murray always loses to big hitters in slams,even at peak form.)
Soderling over Nadal in 4
Roddick over Hewitt in 5


Pops Says:

Sean, think you got it wrong! (Sorry for the harshness of my response…)any way I think the favorite is again RAFA, if he can get to the second week (by then the grass “becomes clay”, and gets a lot slower, especially close to the base line). Plus RAFA is now chasing less balls, comiung to the net a lot more, playing close to the base line, serving well, and hitting a good backhand. He’s a lot smarter than 2 years ago, ang less physical.


Huh Says:

Even if Fed’s given Laver, Borg, Mc Enroe, Connors, Becker, Edberg and Sampras in a row, still there’s ‘the logical one’ who’d come out and say:

“Fed can play in his sleep and get to the QFs, where he meets who?”

or

“Let’s just give the trophy to Fed already”!

Lolz at ‘the logical one’! ;)


Huh Says:

The smartless way by ‘the logical one’ to discredit Fed, I must say! ;)

And lolz again at her imaginary ill-treatment and unfair draw to Rafa! ;)


Huh Says:

If anything, ‘the logical one’ must be thankful that her darling Rafa wasn’t given as tough a draw as Rod/Hewitt/Nole.


Huh Says:

“Hewitt played great, fed did not and he did not have to.”

Well, I think there’s someone who seriously believes that there’s only one guy to whom Fed can lose despite playing great and that’s Nadal. It is being safely assumed here that Fed lost to Hewitt only coz he wasn’t playing great. Hell, how could it happen as it was not Nadal that Fed lost to, despite not playing mediocre, probably this is creating surprises to some. Well, to that I’d say:
Take it easy, it’s possible for Fed to lose to Hewitt even when Fed’s not playing medicore…


Eskay Says:

Hewitt – Wimbledon 2010 champion!!
You can’t be serious, as said McEnroe. Well that’s in lighter vein only. No disrespect or offence intended.
Hewitt does not have it in him to reach the finals, let alone be Wimbledon champion. Too much is being read into his victory at Halle. He does not have any single weapon to hurt top players. He can not run about retrieving every ball for five sets and he can not sweep off good opponents without losing a set. Prediction of Hewitt to lift the trophy – we are no longer living in the world of Arthur Ashe winning in 1975 or Connors winning in 1982.
Soderling doesn’t play consistently great, its not his habit. He has a tendency to upset great players and get upset by small players. He has played too well during French. Law of averages is waiting eagerly to catch up with him.
IMO Law of averages can also consume Andy R.
Andy Murray will prevail over Querrey/Stackhovsky since none of the latter has the mental strength to counter thousands of cheer leaders. His test will come in Quarters where Tsonga, if he reaches there and if he is fit, can give lot of trouble to him. But the equation has if*if, which makes lesser probability for Tsonga to reach there.
The telescope that sees Roger, Rafa and Muzza in semis appears to have the best focus.


Dan Martin Says:

Sean, your pick makes my French Open final pick look tame. I do think chances are good that someone other than Nadal or Federer wins this event. By that I think that this draw and this year set up more favorably for the other 126 players than those of 2005-2009. Still, Rafa or Roger may win this thing. I think if Rafa gets through the first week more or less unscathed and healthy he is the mathematical favorite. Still, Soderling in the quarters is a pretty nasty draw if Soderling holds up his end of things.


Huh Says:

“If the Russian doesn’t get him Robin Soderling will.”

Sean, you are being wishful here as a Fed fan that Youzhny/Sod would get Nadal early, as in that case Fed can avoid Nadal(should they both reach the final), I get it. Otherwise I don’t think you can be so arrogant as to declare Nadal going down to Soderling in WIM!


Huh Says:

Sean,

If only you had said, “If the Russian doesn’t get him Robin Soderling can.”, that’d be one thing. But you say ‘Soderling will’!!! Now that’s something.


Moki Says:

Sean,
I do agree with you. Now in Wimbledon, Soderling will beat Nadal, even the number one is going to lose soon before semis.


Polo Says:

Contador said: “…i don’t see nadal having trouble with anybody. the only thing that could trouble him is a tweak in the knee(s)…”

My sentiments, exactly. Nadal is mentally the toughest player in the field. He is also among the most powerful. If his knees are fine. He will fight for every ball from beginning to end. I just don’t think there is anybody out there who can play at an extremely high level without wavering a bit against Nadal. That is too much pressure for anyone, including Federer who has not shown great focus since AO. It is not an excuse but if Nadal’s knees are fine, this Wimbledon is his.


grendel Says:

The thing is, Sean doesn’t really believe Hewitt will win. He’s just being naughty, and aware that he is being naughty, too – look at all his jokey qualifications. Hewitt is a possible giant killer, certainly, but for the reasons many have made, he can’t be expected to win 7 in a row.

Roddick does have a hard draw without doubt, and imo the draws of Federer and Nadal are about equivalent. No need to linger on Fed’s draw, it’s all been said, and he ought to get to the quarters, although he will may find difficulties with Lopez. The idea that he can just sail past a newly confident Berdych is just silly. That is potentially a very tough match.

Nadal faces first Nishikori – a lovely young player who has been bedevilled by injury and not only offers no threat to Nadal, but will provide excellent warm up practice. Blake is a lovely old player who also no longer offers the least threat to Nadal – just because he did once, in the dim distant past!

In the third round, nobody, and in the fourth, say Youzhny/Isner. Considering Youzhny: I agree with Funches. I hadn’t realised that since a tricky match two years ago – an eternity in sporting terms – Nadal had won six consecutive sets against the Russian at Wimbledon for the loss of three games. But I had gathered that Nadal has very comprehensively got Youzhny’s number. Youzhny is a wonderful player who offers no threat whatever to Nadal and again will provide useful practice. And then Isner – apparently he has won one grass court game in his life. Isner is potentially a dangerous player, but until he can do something about a very weak return of serve, he doesn’t offer any threat at all to Nadal.

Finally, Soderling. Of course, he has the ability to beat Nadal. But those who insist on seeing him as a huge threat have in mind Soderling at his inspired best. But as tennislover pointed out above, it is asking a great deal of Soderling to reproduce the form with which he beat Nadal and Fed at RG. He just isn’t that consistent, whilst Nadal is exceptionally consistent.

When is comes to the semis, if it’s Murray and Roddick, then certainly Nadal has the easier ride. All in all, Nadal has, the more you give it proper consideration, a very simple journey to the final – with one possible, but not terribly likely, hiccup in the shape of Soderling at his best.

Fed fans can have no complaints with the draw – but nor can Nadal fans.


DH Says:

Why do so many people think Soderling is so good on grass? Last year was his best year and he made it to the 4th round.


Polo Says:

Federer vs Falla: Federer is not playing like the Federer who has won 6 Wimbledons. He looks more like the Federer who lost in the quarterfinals at the French. Not very encouraging for the rest of the tournament.


Polo Says:

Federer fans wake up and watch! This may be the last time we will see Federer play at this year’s Wimbledon.


Janadev Says:

Oh My God.. I cant believe it….


Maso Says:

How did Roger lose the first set? This is just incredible… I’m in complete disbelief.


TGiT Says:

Well, the kick in the pants has finally arrived.

Fed out in the first round? Could it be?


Eskay Says:

It is not unusual for Roger to change gear in G.S. No need for pessimism. Roger is going to win. Falla can not keep pace for long.


NELTA Says:

Fed is playing just like he was at the FO vs Falla. Falla was serving for the 1st set at 6-5 at the FO and lost it. Fed relaxed a little after getting through that set. Today Falla didn’t choke when he was serving for the set. Fed looks very tight today just like he has in a lot of his matches since the AO. He is missing and shanking backhands left and right.


Polo Says:

Federer has that loser’s look in his face entering this match. He has kept it on. He may survive this match but this type of play which has been his stlye recently forebodes of an unsuccessful Wimbledon venture this year.


Cindy_Brady Says:

God and Cindy_Brady want Falla to win.

Federer is playing awful, Falla isn’t doing anything spectacular. Roger is playing emotionless and tentative.

I can see half the blog committing suicide if Federer loses.

what a joy:)


Maso Says:

wow… this is painful…


Janadev Says:

Federer broken in second set … :-(


Colin Says:

Maso, where’s the mystery? Fed lost the first set because HE’S NOT AS GOOD AS HE USED TO BE! Why do people have such a problem with admitting that?


Cindy_Brady Says:

Get the ropes ready and open the windows.

Lulz….


Thomas Says:

well,federer lost the first set to andreev at the AO,but still went on to win the match and the title :)


Cindy_Brady Says:

The delusional stay delusional.


blank Says:

Even if Fed somehow finds a way to win this match, I don’t think he can win the tournament if he plays this way. If this year’s performances are anything to go by, he is not going to play better.

If Fed does get thru, I hope Roddick puts him away and wins the whole thing. I can’t stand another embarrassment Nadal would handout Fed if they both reach the finals.


gannu Says:

Just shocked and speechless.. I am stunned and in complete disbelief at what I am seeing.. I have no words


Eskay Says:

Falla has to serve out the set. But it is not that easy against Roger. Roger may not fail in foiling Falla, lest it becomes a herculean task.


blank Says:

I used to be a die hard fan of Steffi Graf. This is reminiscent of her 1st round loss to Lori McNeil at Wimbledon in 1994.


Daniel Says:

Omg what is going on, just arrive home and saw Fed hold his arm on break point!


NachoF Says:

oH MY GOd!


NachoF Says:

PANIC!


Polo Says:

I am a huge Federer fan but the way but whenever he plays like this, I am the first to admit that he deserves to lose. But instead of hanging myself, I think I will just defect to the Nadal camp. Hahaha!


blank Says:

Daniel, What do you mean ‘hold his arm’? Is he injured?


Eskay Says:

Do or die for Roger. I still believe he will survive.


Polo Says:

I hope Falla does not choke. He deserves to win this match. I am not the first one to lose confidence on Federer. It was Federer himself.


blank Says:

Polo – same here. Federer will not feel as much pain if he loses in the qtrs or semis or even the finals (to Rafa). A first round loss will sure sting. I hope he comes back strong. If he doesn’t, well…the motivation to play is gone. Sadly that will be his end…but I hope not.


Daniel Says:

Well, this is a way of hitting rock bottom. If he loses this match, he will enter history in all aspects even with the biggest upset in Tennis history!


Polo Says:

Nadal’s fans will be feasting on this if Federer loses. I cannot blame them.


Daniel Says:

Choking blank


NELTA Says:

Falla choked a few points serving for that 2nd set, but most importantly he didn’t choke on the final point of the game. This was the 1st game where Falla looked tight. Fed had his chances, but like every other game this match where he has had a chance to break he couldn’t come up with anything.


Maso Says:

Well… I’m behind Roger to the end on this. I feel embarrassed when I see him play like this, but I’m backin’ him up till the last shot.


Eskay Says:

Falla is targeting B.H of Roger, like Rafa does. Roger may attack the net in this third set more than in the first two sets. We may see the real champion in Roger.


blank Says:

The scores page here is acting weird. Is the 2nd set over?


Polo Says:

Yes, blank. Federer is now 2 sets down. 1-1 in the third.


Huh Says:

THIS WOULD BE, IF FED LOSES, BE A MUCH BIGGER UPSET THAN NADAL’S LOSS TO SODERLING. God forbid, if it happens, it’d be safe to declare that this might be the REAL BEGINNING of the end/END ITSELF of Fed.


Huh Says:

I NEVER THOUHGT I’D SAY THIS, BUT IT’S F****** UNBELIEVABLE! :(


blank Says:

Thanks Polo. The scores page is frozen. But I am glad I am not watching this though.


Huh Says:

OH GOD, PLEASE WIN THIS FED!


Maso Says:

What the hell kind of return was that?!? Damn it, Roger, get a hold of yourself, this is pathetic!


Polo Says:

2 all in the third, blank. Is your scoreboard working now. I am not happy bringing you sad news!


Huh Says:

Let whatever happen, happen. I would continue to be the fan of Fed.

ALLEZ FED DEAREST!!!


Huh Says:

I’M REALLY SPEECHLESS AND IN SHOCKED DISBELIEF, OH FED DEAREST! :(


Eskay Says:

Roger is down, but not out. He will find a way out, don’t worry.


Huh Says:

I don’t think this day belongs to Fed, I’d be so f****** glad to be proved wrong!


Huh Says:

“Eskay Says:

Roger is down, but not out. He will find a way out, don’t worry.”

I truly hope so Eksay, thanks for your kind and comforting words, I’m very sad right now. :(


Maso Says:

Break point, come on Rog.


blank Says:

Thanks Polo. It’s now working. Like you, I never really believed Fed could win this championship. But I wasn’t expecting a likely first round exit either. But I must admit, in a tiny corner of my heart, I hoped he would win.

Whatever happens, I have enjoyed watching Fed over the years. I hope he comes back stronger to win few more GS titles. If not, Thank you Fed for all fun and excitement over the years.


Maso Says:

Damnit, Falla’s serving well! I believe in Fed though, I think he’ll take this one.


Huh Says:

I still think Fed would win at least one more slam, if not more(regardless of what happens today).

GOD GIVE POWER TO FED DEAREST!


Cindy_Brady Says:

I’m deliciously watching Mirka and Roger’s father squirm nervously as their precious Federerina faces elimination.

I predicted this weeks ago, although I was laughed at by the websperts in here. The powers at be, tried to give Federer the most cup cake draw they could, but even that isn’t helping.

LMAO


Huh Says:

“Daniel Says:

Well, this is a way of hitting rock bottom. If he loses this match, he will enter history in all aspects even with the biggest upset in Tennis history!”

Can’t agree more, SADLY. :(


DH Says:

How far would the Fed’s ranking fall if he lost all 2000 of his points? Holy Christ!


NELTA Says:

Federer is hanging by a thread


Eskay Says:

Roger has changed gear. Saved 5 break points. 5-4 for him in the third. His confidence is soaring. Beginning of end for Falla?


Daniel Says:

This is could be the the turning point of this match. Fed´s defense in 40-40 was insane. This will add some pressure in Falla, if he doest serve great as he has being Fed will take this set.


Maso Says:

Wow… that was a close one!


Maso Says:

ALL RIGHT ROGER!!!! GO AND TAKE THIS MATCH!!


Eskay Says:

Roger is back. Got third set. No looking back for him now.


NELTA Says:

Falla hoping luck would get him through by making 2 challenges in that last game.


Daniel Says:

Where did that winner on set point came from?!

Falla also is having some muscular problems, if Fed takes the 4th set he may not even finish this match. He had twice being treated.


Vinod Says:

Comm’oon FED take this match please !!!!


Voicemale1 Says:

Regardless if Federer pulls this out, no one can say this is a good thing for Federer if he does. The rest of the Locker Room is already noting that Federer’s more vulnerable her than he ever has been.


Maso Says:

No doubt, voicemale, those are *terrible* signs for Roger. I still hope he makes it past this round, though.


Maso Says:

… Ok, this is not good.


Huh Says:

I want Fed to win this, even it means at any cost (including injury to Falla)! Forgive me for this, but I am being honest here.

GO FEDERER!!!


NELTA Says:

Federer’s volleying is horrible today. Terrible shot selection. He keeps pushing half volleys deep and then Falla passes him.


Cindy_Brady Says:

I hate Brad Gilbert. Saying the obvious like no one was ever a where , “This struggle by Federer will send a message to the rest of the field, Federer is not invincible.”

News flash Brad….

Falla wouldn’t be in this position, in the first place if the locker room didn’t already smell vulnerability.

Gilbert is a dope and his predictions rarely come to fruition. No wonder Agassi dumped his sorry Ass.


Daniel Says:

Fed is so afarid of Falla´s return that he made 3 double faults in the oppening game of the 4th set.
Another double fault as a type.


DH Says:

This is exactly the kind of situation Federer can escape from….it’s so hard to beat him in 5 sets


Vinod Says:

FED break him please !!!


Cindy_Brady Says:

Come on Falla, Let’s give Federer some much needed extra vacation time. Mirka could use some tanning.


Aravind Says:

Federer playing very passively… He needs to play aggresively


Aravind Says:

You have to also say Falla is playing incredible tennis.. He is defending like Rafa and ripping winners from both ends


Tejuz Says:

I doubt that fed will pull of this one.. but even if he does, rest of his matches gonna be as hard. he doesnt have confidence in his shots any more, he has lost it after the 1st set in the Halle finals.


Aravind Says:

Trouble for Federer is that Falla is reading his serve incredibly well.. He is just going for broke… And amazingly, being extremely consistent doing it… it was similar play that did Federer against Soderling in French open..


NELTA Says:

3 more holds and Falla wins. Fed has to hang in there, make a few good shots and hope Falla gets tight.


Voicemale1 Says:

Anyone else notice that Falla is using the same new Babolat SStrings used by Nadal, Stosur & Schiavone? Have we found the new Super Strings??


Daniel Says:

For now on drama, drama, drama….


NELTA Says:

Yes. Tsonga uses the RPM blast too.


gannu Says:

I am heart broken.. That’s wat I can say..perhaps the end of federer and last few moments of the death of an era…really sad.. I am gone


Cindy_Brady Says:

Voicemale1,

You mean the same strings that Falla used against Fed a week ago?

This potential upset has much more to do with a “learning curve”. That Halla match gave Falla a good look at the Fed serve and its’ tendencies on grass.

Hey, I made a rhyme. Do I get a prize?


NELTA Says:

Wow. Fed had 15-30 and also 30-40 on Falla’s serve and he missed 4 easy backhands. 2 of them were off 100 mph serves that he just dumped in the net.


Maso Says:

Best case scenario, Falla serves for the match after this game… Arf….


Daniel Says:

This game showed the history of this match. He had break point and couldn´t return.
His only hope is if Falla feels the pressure when serving for the match. Trully sad!


NELTA Says:

Here we go. Falla serving for the match at 5-4.


Huh Says:

gannu:

I’m also terribly sad. :(


Vinod Says:

FED its now or never comm’on !!!


Eskay Says:

Falla could not serve out the match. Many have tried to topple Roger at Wimby, only Rafa has succeeded. One can see more sting in Roger’s shots, and more grit on Roger’s face. And Falla is not Rafa.


Daniel Says:

Yeah!!!

Falla made 2 unforced errors and Fed is alive!


Believer Says:

Falla Flinched. Can Fed take advantage?


Maso Says:

Damnit, Fed, don’t lose your serve!!


Voicemale1 Says:

Cindy-Brady:

Here’s your prize: anyone who thinks a learning curve can rise that sharply in a week is well..about as sharp as the lisping Cindy


Daniel Says:

Even when he is not playing his best he can come with this shots. 2 drops save him already.

I hope he can break again, because a tiebreak will be very dramatic, imagine if it goes, set point Fed / match point Falla / set point Fed / match point Falla, too much for the heart…


Huh Says:

God give all the power in the world to Fed dearest!


yy Says:

Falla had too many chances.

Mini break to Fed now. I say Fed in 5?


Huh Says:

Please God, let Fed win this!


Huh Says:

MOST IMPORTANT TB OF FED’S LIFE IMO. TAKE IT FED!


Eskay Says:

Fourth set in Roger’s pocket. Falla has played the match of his life. He has succeeded where many of his more illustrated peers have failed. He should retire, if he does not want to lose.


Huh Says:

EKSAY:

LET FED WIN IT FIRST! GODSPEED TO FEDERER!


Maso Says:

Holy crap!! Going to a 5th. I feel Fed’s gonna take this and felt he would, even when he lost the 2nd set. The problem is, even if he does go through, it’s a really, really bad sign of things to come in this tournament and the rest of a season.


Daniel Says:

And some say Fed doesn´t have mental fortitude.


Vinod Says:

please FED break him early and wrap it up soon !!!


ILoveTennis Says:

People here are crazy rooting for Roger insanely. If Roger loses, it will hurt the tournament.


Daniel Says:

Fed needs an earliy break, he hadn´t none in the previous 4 set.

Falla start making mistakes he wasn´t making.


Eskay Says:

Falla playing with fire now. Already half burnt – trailing break of serve in the opening game of the deciding set.


Vinod Says:

yes !!!!


yy Says:

I would say it’s not Fed lacking in mental fortitude but Falla losing belief he can win. He had all those chances and just got broke in the 5th. 6-1 or 6-2 to Fed in this set at least.


skeezerweezer Says:

@Voicemale1

“Classic” :)


Maso Says:

Alright, early break. Come on, Rog, stay focused and take this one home.


Huh Says:

Godspeed and all the positive energy in the world to Fed dearest.


Aravind Says:

Falla seems to be tiring..


Eskay Says:

Falla has won many hearts today, but he will not win the match. Roger already up 3-0 with two breaks of serve. We have seen the script many a time before.


ertorque Says:

Bravo Roger!
4-0 fifth set. Now he is strutting with confidence.
Go Roger Go…….


Daniel Says:

Fed should change his last name to Fenix.

Last time we all felkt he was going to lose first round he won AO 2010, and last year french where he survive 2 5 sets. I say his aura in the locker room will only increase, everybody knows that he won´t make the same mistake twice. He will be charged with confidance, the thing he needs the most in this tourney.


yy Says:

No way Falla is going to get out of this. Will be lucky if he holds serve for a 6-1 or 6-2 loss. Which is a shame. Would have been nice to see a tight 5th set at least and yes this script is just as heartbreaking (for Falla) as Roddick’s loss in the final last year.


Huh Says:

Please God, let Fed win!


ertorque Says:

Anyone knows when was the last time Roger came back from 2 sets and won in a grandslam match?


the_mind_reels Says:

Cindy —

You’ve gone mysteriously quiet. Thanks for writing Fed off — I think you gave him the jolt he needed to wake up and blank Falla in the 5th. BAGEL.


skeezerweezer Says:

“Cindy_Brady Says:

Get the ropes ready and open the windows.

Lulz….

I’m deliciously watching Mirka and Roger’s father squirm nervously as their precious Federerina faces elimination.

I predicted this weeks ago, although I was laughed at by the websperts in here. The powers at be, tried to give Federer the most cup cake draw they could, but even that isn’t helping.

LMAO”

LMAO!
LOL!

Well you can and put away your ropes and your “Federina” comments and laugh at yourself for your usual false predictions, cause your dreams didn’t come true today. No worries, wipe away the tears. Fed will play again in a couple days and your hopes will live again. What did this guy do to you, give you a wedgy? Geeez!

Do you enjoy the game of tennis or do you just come up here to post hateful comments about tennis players?


Huh Says:

PLEASE FED, WIN WIN WIN!


Maso Says:

Alright! Congrats Fed for getting back in this one. Big up to Falla as well, who played incredibly well. … I have to say, I’m worried about the rest of the tourney as far as Roger is concerned, but he also worried us at last year’s FO, as Daniel pointed out.


Daniel Says:

Wow!! What a comeback.

Great win Fed, and as my mother says: Federe wins, but he make us sufer!


skeezerweezer Says:

Fed not a happy camper in the post interview, looked more dejected than optimistic………just sayin..:(


yy Says:

Not denying Fed any credit for winning but this must be terribly heartbreaking for Falla. This is where champions have the edge over their opponents. That’s why it takes a player like Nadal to beat Federer. It’s not just about the game but how mentally tough you are at key points. Falla really wasted BIG chances in both the 3rd and 4th.


Eskay Says:

It was a wake up call for Roger. I wish Rafa does not face the same. Superstars must progress and set up a lively climax.


Huh Says:

MY SINCEREST THANKS TO YOU OH MERCIFUL ALMIGHTY!

———————————————-

ALLEZ FEDERER!!!

ALLEZ FEDERER!!!

ALLEZ FEDERER!!!


Y Says:

ertorque: and anyone knows when was the last time Roger won a bagel in the first round and didn’t win the final? :)


blank Says:

Skeeze – what’s the Fed saying about the match?


Daniel Says:

First round matches are always tricky for living legends as Fed and Nadal, either the oponet just playu for the fun of the occasion or they decide to have the match of their lifes. I bet Nishikor will give some trouble to Nadal for at least a set. But Nadal has more focus then Fed and will treat the match as he should.
Fed losing serve in the opening game of the fourth set after winning the third is something he shouldn´t and didn´t do in the past.


Polo Says:

Please, Fed fans. Follow Roger’s lead. He did not gloat after winning the match. He was a complete gentleman which you can see when they shook hands after the match and the way he patted Falla on the back. He gave a very humble post-match interview. Federer was lucky to come out a victor on that match. Be happy and proud about that. There is no need to gloat.


blank Says:

I am glad you say he isn’t looking like a happy camper post interview. He should be pissed at himself for making this go the distance. Hope he wakes up and realizes that if he plays like this he will lose badly very soon.


Maso Says:

We’re not gloating, we’re just very happy he made it through =)


blank Says:

Looks like Davydenko is going to pull a Fed in his 1st round.


Huh Says:

I was surprised to see Cindy Brady writing that today both God and she herself wanted Fed to lose!!!

I was stunned!
I thought how could God and Brady have the same will as it would have been the ‘GREATEST EVER’ irony.
However I forgot at that time that it’s only natural that God’s will would differ from Brady. :)


scineram Says:

This was Haas all over again. Except Falla did not quit in the fourth.


Thomas Says:

glad that fed won.
To all the fed fans: The good news is that whenever fed gets into a dog fight in the early round,he normally follows it up with a beat down. He was nearly 2 sets to one down against andreev in AO,and he went on to crush hanescu. He was in a tussle with davy,pulled through,and gave a total beatdown to tsonga in what was one of the most one sided semifinals in grand slam history. Oh,and remember in AO 09 when he was 2 sets to love down against berdych,he snuck through and he went on to annihilate Juan Martin Del potro.Also,due to the fact this is the 1st round,he has plenty of time to fine tune his game as he wont be playing a high ranked opponent for a few more rounds. So in reality,IF federer keeps on playing this badly,he wont win the title for sure or even come close to reaching the final,but thats a big if.


Polo Says:

I threw up three times during that match. And had a few more bleeding ulcers. Hope this match will be Federer’s wake-up call.


andrea Says:

what a surprise to wake up to! i swear my eyes were playing tricks on me and i actually thought that fed won the first 2 sets.

i wondered when this was going to happen…fed having to play five sets first round. he looked alright but not totally sharp.

congrats to falla…he actually played a good match against fed at the french.


skeezerweezer Says:

@blank,

I can’t quote ver batum as it was live, maybe a transcript will come out later, was just reading his body language, hardly smiling, just my IMO. said the usual, Falla played great, he thought he had some chances but couldn’t do it, crediting Falla along the way. I don’t know maybe he is expecting more from himself and its just not there ( the game he expects from himself ). A win is a win, and he has always admitted the first round mentally is one of the hardest matches for him in a tourney, besides the final of course. We’ll see…


Huh Says:

I have no doubt that today only God has saved Fed.

BTW, I certainly don’t mind Fed improving upon his 5 set record. :) ;)

And again with this come from behind victory, Fed proved that he’s ‘THE KING OF COME-FROM-BEHIND VICTORIES’!


gannu Says:

Huh,skeez, madmax all fed fans wat a relief.. I am just happy that I get to see fed one more day..just can’t take anything granted anylonger wid fed these days..
Hope we all get to see him win as long as he can


Stefani Germanotta Says:

When was the last time a man was coached by a woman? See, e.g., Llodra–Mauresmo.


NELTA Says:

Skeez,

That interview was strange. He was looking to his left then to his right like he was confused. Was he getting questions from 2 different people? He appeared a little shell shocked in the interview.

There’s 2 ways to look at this match. One is that he is terribly vulnerable, can lose to anyone on any day and probably won’t make it past the quarters. The other way to look at it is this is a turning point. For the 1st time since Australia he was on the ropes and was able to survive. He was actually the one that turned the tables in a match he should have lost. I have seen players relax and feel like they have nothing to lose after this happens, almost like a near death experience does to people in real life.

We’ll know soon enough which it is.


Huh Says:

“Polo Says:

Please, Fed fans. Follow Roger’s lead. He did not gloat after winning the match. He was a complete gentleman which you can see when they shook hands after the match and the way he patted Falla on the back. He gave a very humble post-match interview. Federer was lucky to come out a victor on that match. Be happy and proud about that. There is no need to gloat.”

NICE POST POLO, COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU THAT FED WAS INDEED LUCKIEST TO SURVIVE TODAY.


Huh Says:

CONGRATS GANNU DEAR!!! :D :P :)


blank Says:

Thanks Skeeze. I am just glad he isn’t breathing a total sigh of relief. It’s only going to get harder for him and I hope he up’ps his level way above what it is now. Hope by the time I am back from lunch, the full interview transcript is up.


NELTA Says:

Stefani Germanotta Says:
When was the last time a man was coached by a woman? See, e.g., Llodra–Mauresmo.

———————————————

I was wondering that too. It’s very unusual that a woman is coaching a man or a men’s team in any sport. Well, at least Llodra’s wife doesn’t have to worry about their coaching relationship developing into something more intimate. I believe Amelie plays on the same team as Martina.


Aravind Says:

I think you have to give credit to Falla here. Two things gave Federer major troubles 1. The Falla return of serve. I thought even in French he really attacked both Federer first and second serves. There are not too many players who read Federer’s first serve well and you have to give credit here to him. 2. The groundstrokes, both FH and BH were great. Flat groundstrokes and he did not miss for a long time. All of Federer’s recent losses have come against players who have hit hard and flat. This may be a pattern to play against him in the future. He is not able to defend as well as he used to do in his peak…

All in all, a great game and hard luck Falla…


dc Says:

This results augurs good for Fed.Fed has shown all prospective opponents that even if they take 2 sets off and up a break (or break point); he ain’t gonna loose.
The same happened at FO last year.


Polo Says:

Jimmy Connors was coached by his mother at some point duringhis career.


Huh Says:

GANNU:

EXACTLY LIKE YOU, I’M EXTREMELY RELIEVED APART FROM BEING PRETTY HAPPY.


Thomas Says:

@huh
its like winning wimbledon is federer’s divine right:P haha,only jokin :)


Huh Says:

ALL CREDIT TO FALLA FOR PLAYING A TRULY GREAT MATCH, FED WAS LUCKY THAT FALLA TIRED TOWARDS THE END.


Huh Says:

MAY BE THOMAS! ;)


Huh Says:

Congrats to u too Thomas. :)


ycc Says:

I think federer was most lucky in the third and fourth sets than any. Crazy how he got out of that one.


Aravind Says:

This will be a good wake up call for Federer. I think the aura has diminished over the last year. Federer has to now rely upon hitting the 6th gear to win matches against top competition.
What has led to some of the recent losses is Federer having mental lapses during matches, the kinds that you never see from Nadal ever.

This might be the wake up call that could spur him to greater consistency in the matches to come..


skeezerweezer Says:

NELTA

Nice observation I hope your latter comment is the one that happens :)


skeezerweezer Says:

@Blanl

No Prob :). If you see or read it and have a different take on it please share….


skeezerweezer Says:

Blank,

Sorry still morning coffee for me., uhh the “L” is next to the “K” and my monster pinky missed it on the keyboard


Polo Says:

Davydenko vs Anderson: Those guys are thin!


Dan Martin Says:

Wild start to things – I agree Fed looks vulnerable at the moment


its all abt da game Says:

The game is back!!
and wat a game that was!!
simply amazing!!

Nelta,
Denis Istomin is coached by his mother


Huh Says:

Enviable list of Fed’s come from behind victories:

MIAMI 2005 VS RAFA

AO 2009 VS BERDYCH

FO 2009 VS HAAS

WIM 10 VS FALLA…

SORRY FOR GLOATING A LITTLE BIT HERE. :)


skeezerweezer Says:

Davy in a 5th set dogfight TB!!


grendel Says:

Federer remarked straight after the match:”I’ve lost many matches I should have won this season. This one I won and should have lost”.

There’s no doubt that Federer was comprehensively outplayed on almost all fronts, and in the end owed his win to a)terrific gutsiness at the crucial moments b)inexperience on the part of Falla and c)his superb fitness relative to Falla’s – Federer was actually looking a lot more lively in the last set than in the first.

What struck me, well, many things did. But how marvellously Falla pounded Fed’s bh, really up to Nadal’s standard. Fed’s bh looked incredibly vulnerable, for the first 3 sets hardly any bite at all – so the pressure on the fh was immense, and it didn’t stand up to it. Meanwhile, Falla’s fh was simply out of this world.

Falla’s swinging lefty serve punished Fed quite as sharply as Nadal’s, and meanwhile, his own return of serve was quite magnificent, prompting McEnroe to say:”it’s the best I’ve ever known anyone to return against Federer, it’s as if he knows where the ball is going”. This was said spontaneously in the heat of commentary, so was not considered, because I think it has also to be said that Federer was not serving very well.

Here, I think, lies the answer to Madmax and her comments on the other thread – namely that Fed’s serve relies on placement, not power. Of course that’s true, but the corollary is this: if the placement is not precise, then the relative lack of power becomes a weakness. It seems to me Federer operates within very narrow margins on his serve, and indeed to some degree, this is true of his play as a whole.

For instance, Fed is known as a very fluid type of player. But today, it was Falla who looked fluid, till the 5th, whilst Federer looked oddly awkward and somehow diminished. I wonder if that’s the price of his type of genius – get it right, and it’s sublime, don’t, and you start to look ordinary. I’m just guessing.

One thing is for sure, if Federer’s serve doesn’t improve dramatically, he’s not getting to the final, never mind winning.


NELTA Says:

Ok. How about a female coaching a male player who isn’t a relative?

Cilic is out. Davy is in a 5th set battle.


its all abt da game Says:

hey guys,
of late i have been visiting TT, the place which is often a hot topic of discussion here!!
and i just found a very funny stuff..
some guy/gal posted something which is funny and good at the same time..
my apologies to him/her if he/she is on this forum for lifting the thing..

A LETTER TO SOMEONE IN HEAVEN.

DEAR MR. HARRY HOUDINI,

HOW ARE YOU DOING?? I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO ENTHRALL PEOPLE UP IN HEAVEN WITH YOUR UNBELIEVABLE ACTS OF ESCAPISM. DON’T WORRY ABOUT EARTH. THERE IS A MAGICIAN NAMED ROGER FEDERER HERE, WHO, ON THIS FATEFUL DAY, HAS TAKEN UP YOUR MANTLE AS THE GREATEST ESCAPOLOGIST. FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS HE PROVED TO EVERYONE THAT HE WAS A GREAT MAGICIAN LIKE YOU. BUT THE GREAT ACTS OF ESCAPISM WERE MISSING.
HOWEVER, ALL THAT CHANGED A YEAR AGO ON THE CLAY OF PARIS, WHERE HE STAKED CLAIM TO THE TITLE OF HOUDINI II BY GREAT ACTS OF ESCAPISM, AGAINST TOMMY HAAS AND JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO. WITH TODAY’S ACT, HE HAS SHOWN THE WORLD THAT HE IS INDEED A WORTHY SUCCESSOR TO YOU. SO DON’T WORRY MR. HOUDINI. ENJOY YOURSELF IN HEAVEN. ROGER FEDERER IS THE NEW HOUDINI ON EARTH.

YOURS SINCERELY
CLAYKING

ain’t that funny?? :)

my apologies to this fedfan again..


its all abt da game Says:

Nelta,
don’t know.
I know about istomin because he played against fed last week, so i searched about him..


Huh Says:

VOICEMAIL:

CLASSIC INDEED, YOUR PRIZE FOR BRADY! :D


Polo Says:

Isn’t Mirka Federer’s designated coach? By the she looked really lovely today.


Polo Says:

…left out “way” in the “by the way” phrase.


sam Says:

M.Cilic lost in straight sets.

Sean predicted him to beat Roddick. Nice call :)


NELTA Says:

its all abt da game Says:
Nelta,
don’t know.
I know about istomin because he played against fed last week, so i searched about him.
————————————————-
I think you mean he played against Rafa at Queens.


Huh Says:

game:

Thanks for providing the timeless classic post of CLAYKING from TT. :D


its all abt da game Says:

nelta,
yes, nadal..
i thought it was fed since i will look up for smaller guys only when they play rafa or fed..
it was nadal actually..

huh,
you are welcome..
just found randomly since the person wrote it completely in capitals and it caught my attention..


jane Says:

Just checked scores – shocker that Cilic is out in round 1. He’s kind of gone off the boil post-AO. And Fed in 5 sets: looks like a tense, nail-biter for a lot of fans. But he pulled through. I guess Sean’s article is bang on; tough to call who’ll win this Wimbledon?


montecarlo Says:

I just noticed this prematch interview answer from Roger-

Q. What does it mean to you after the clay court season to come back to Wimbledon as No. 2 and Rafa as No. 1? Does it change your expectations, add more pressure? How does it feel?

ROGER FEDERER: No, I mean, it doesn’t change a whole lot, you know, because I don’t think I can get my No. 1 ranking back anyway.

Q. What does it mean to you after the clay court season to come back to Wimbledon as No. 2 and Rafa as No. 1? Does it change your expectations, add more pressure? How does it feel?

ROGER FEDERER: No, I mean, it doesn’t change a whole lot, you know, because I don’t think I can get my No. 1 ranking back anyway. It’s about winning Wimbledon again.


montecarlo Says:

Can somebody delete above post?

It was wrongly copy pasted.

Proper one should be like this-

Q. What does it mean to you after the clay court season to come back to Wimbledon as No. 2 and Rafa as No. 1? Does it change your expectations, add more pressure? How does it feel?

ROGER FEDERER: No, I mean, it doesn’t change a whole lot, you know, because I don’t think I can get my No. 1 ranking back anyway. It’s about winning Wimbledon again. Mentally I didn’t have any – how do you say – going crazy, you know, after my loss at the French. It was all digested very quickly. Played well in Halle. Here I am giving myself again a great opportunity to do well at Wimbledon.


Kimo Says:

“I came home from work, switch on the TV, frantically flip channels to get to the one I want. Ahhhh, there it is. Center Court. The grass still looks fresh, looks like I’m gonna catch a bit of the action at the tail end of the third set before Roger goes back to the locker room.

I look at the score. Next to Fed’s name, a zero. Next to Falla’s, a two. I think, hey, maybe the changed the way the score is written on the screen. And before the commentators mention the scoreline, I get a glimpse of the crowd. They look like they’re watching a horror movie, and then I realized, I’m watching it too.

It gets to 4-4 in the third. After three quick points, Fed is down 0-40. Falla is only five points away from the match, just like Haas at the 2009 French Open. Some insane shots from Fed to try and hold. He does. He wins the third set. Surely this thing is his now.

Falla comes back from the bathroom break to break Fed in the beginning of the fourth. The sense of inevitability starts to sink in.

Falla is serving for the match. I’m too shocked to even feel upset. I feel nothing. Fed breaks then goes on to win the tiebreaker then bake a fresh bagel in the fifth.”

That’s what that match did to me.


skeezerweezer Says:

@MC,

Thanks for posting that :)

Kimo,

Ha! Had the same experience but I was just getting up and saw Fed was down in a break in the fourth and lost the first two….not a good sign. Hoping I can see a replay of the match so I can see for myself WTF happened. Is this a lefty thing? I saw from earlier posts Falla was pounding Fed’s BH ( a lefty tactic that sounds familiar? ) and Fed’s BH was not happening. I also would like to know his first serve % and points won from that and also his percentage on break chances, and UE’s. IF someone can kindly point me to those stats I would appreciate it. :)


Gregorio Says:

I like the bold predictions, and after Federer’s near loss in 1st round today, it’s looking shaky for him. Soderling is a fun pick, but doesn’t move well on grass, and the ball doesn’t sit up for him and let him take his long swings like the clay does. Don’t think his chances are as good as some people think. Murray, Djokovic have multiple issues.

Nadal gets stronger and more confident with each match. If you think he had a so-so French, name the last player to win a Grand Slam (besides Nadal) without dropping a set. It’s almost superhuman and unheard of. Plus, he’s been in 3 finals here at Wimbledon, plus won here as a junior. He’s maybe #2 in the world on grass behind Roger. Nadal will cruise to at least the semis, and if he makes the final, just crown him. Straight sets. Not just because I like Nadal, just a sneaking suspicion that he’s turned into the Ogre again.


skeezerweezer Says:

Cilic out? Wow. Fish Fried Tomic, Davy won 9-7 in the 5th.


NELTA Says:

Never watched Ram before, but I know who he idolized growing up. His serve is an exact copy of Sampras except not as good of course.


NELTA Says:

Ram even cocks his elbow on the forehand just like Sampras. I feel like I’m watching an Indian Sampras.


Ben Pronin Says:

Kimo I feel you. My friend woke me up to tell me Federer lost the first two sets. I turn on the TV and Fed’s down a break in the 4th. I was angry, shocked, upset, but most of all in utter disbelief. I’m glad Federer won but I’m not sure what to think anymore. The last place I thought Federer would lose would be first round of Wimbledon. Phoo.


Ben Pronin Says:

Ram is my new favorite player. Every single stroke is a replica of Sampras’s. If only he had the natural power and athleticism. But boy is it fun to watch. I wish he could keep this match closer just to see him play more.


stu Says:

Wayyyy too early to say, but i’m quite pleased with the way Nole’s playing. Plus, his first serve on CC was an ace – a sign of things to come?


Huh Says:

KIMO:

Felt just the same as you when I saw it was written 2-0 40-15, when I suddenly realised Fed was down two sets to love! That was without doubt ‘THE’ shock and disappointment of my tennis fan-life. Phew! So relieved Fed won. :)


Huh Says:

WHAT A SPANKING OF N.KOREA BY PORTUGAL!!! I’m sure the n.koreans must be painfully mourning.


Ben Pronin Says:

Yes!!! Running forehand just like Sampras!


Huh Says:

Good to hear about Ram though I want Rod to send him home soon.


jane Says:

Andy R looking ready for a good run, straight sets, confident.

Nole already broken, sigh… oh well at least I can’t watch. Hewitt is also broken early. : /


Stefani Germanotta Says:

Ben Pronin wrote: “The last place I thought Federer would lose would be first round of Wimbledon. ”

Remember Bastl!


stu Says:

Nole is playing well, Jane….


Colin Says:

Laura Robson put up a creditable show against Jankovic, who is ranked about 230 places above her, losing the first set 3-6 but taking the second set to a tiebreak. Laura’s main weakness is her speed of foot, or rather lack of it. When she’s in position for the ball, she has some excellent ground strokes. Her first serve is good (she scored about a dozen aces against a good returner), though the second serve needs work.
Importantly, she didn’t seem overawed by the occasion. I wonder if she’ll play Hopman Cup with Andy Murray again next year.


Dan Martin Says:

I got in my car and had the radio on and they mentioned Federer in trouble in the 4th down 2 sets to 1. Crazy start to things, but I am glad to see the grass again.


madmax Says:

Just recovering from an incredibly “agog/jaw dropping” moment. What the **** was going on? I can’t wait to read his interview – what was HE doing? Did he prepare for FALLA or did he think it would be a walkover? Surely not? Surely Luthi would have been watching movement/shots, etc. of any of federer’s opponents.

It doesn’t help what some people wish others ill, no, more than that, wish really bad stuff to happen to Federer – but I see some of you already responded to her comment – cindy! what is the matter with you?

Cindy_Brady Says:
I’m deliciously watching Mirka and Roger’s father squirm nervously as their precious Federerina faces elimination.

I predicted this weeks ago, although I was laughed at by the websperts in here.

Well Cindy! You were wrong as others pointed out. Digest that!

So I am more than relieved, but now is time for some analysis – been thinking about this, digging stuff out and pondering what to write.

Gannu/Huh – listen. I am with you, every step of the way. Feeling EXACTLY what you are feeling, along with other federer fans – it’s tough – these moments. BUT, read on.

I’m not going to rewrite the stats that Huh/Daniel have written about fed coming back from behind. We all know that he is capable of this. What a champion! What a heart! Don’t ever take away the heart from Federer! It’s pure and I love it! Fantastic match from Falla – great guy. Oh My God, he “could” have pulled the shocker of the century! Respect.

So, what was I going to tell you federer fans to make you feel better? more at ease, perhaps? Is that going to happen?

A couple of things:

We all know that federer is vulnerable. Never more than now. However, all is not lost. I don’t believe it. I am still in a bit of shock, I am federer is too and there will be a lot of talking in his camp tonight. The wife will put it right!

But. Remember. (looking at some previous classic matches, in addition to what Huh/Daniel quoted above), I want to add the following:

Boris Becker said, “We all talk about the importance of being prepared for a Grand Slam.

Becker said in the Australian Open, 1991, he had a terrible run-up to the tournament, he was homesick, and didn’t really want to be there.

“I played the longest match of the Open era against the Italian Omar Camporese in the second round – over five hours – I had blisters, I felt dreadful, but 10 days later I beat Ivan Lendl in the final and I was the official No.1 in tennis. If you had told me that at the beginning of the tournament that was going to happen I would have given you everything I had because you were wrong. Anything can happen at any time”.

Secondly, Murray at FO, seeded 4 against Richard Gasquet? Remember he came back to win when he was two sets down, fight of a champion. What a 5 setter that was! And remember though he is currently ranked 48, I am sure he was ranked lower at the FO. And, yes you could argue that clay is not murray’s favourite surface, but gasquet has been seriously lacking match practice and he put murray well and truly through his paces! Respect!

4:6, 6:7,6:4, 6:2, 6:1

So I suppose I am trying to reassure federer fans that really, anything can happen, but only Federer can “make” it happen!

C’moon Federer. We are with you all the way!


Wimby_to_Fed Says:

” Gregorio Says: name the last player to win a Grand Slam (besides Nadal) without dropping a set. It’s almost superhuman and unheard of.”

2007 Aus Open – Roger Federer.


NELTA Says:

Looking at the scores it seems odd that Monfils and Montanes had relatively easy matches compared to the other seeds. Roddick is the only guy who I thought would win that actually did. There was no hesitation in his game. Anything that he could move forward on he would charge the net.

As I predicted I knew Istomin would give Wawrinka a lot of trouble after the close match I saw him play against Nadal. Great job by Istomin to actually close it out in the 5th.


NELTA Says:

Sorry I meant to say:

Roddick is the only guy who I thought would win EASILY who actually did.


Huh Says:

Wow, seems like the Istomin guy is good player. I’m very sad for Wawa’s loss though.


Huh Says:

Way to go Rod!


Polo Says:

Oh! Women’s tennis on ESPN with Mary Carillo. Time to turn off the TV.


grendel Says:

“I did play a great fifth set. Nobody will talk about that, I know. People will say he was tired, he choked already way before. I did play a great fifth set. I was able to read his serve. I was starting to play great with my backhand. Things were really clicking in the end.”

This is from Fed’s interview transcript provided by Blank. It’s funny, because that’s exactly what I thought – i.e. that Falla had already choked etc. It’s true Fed played much looser in the 5th, to say the least, but I couldn’t quite take it seriously, Falla had shot his bolt. I suppose this may be a misjudgement. One will get a better idea on Wednesday.

Like Polo, I thought Mirka was looking stunning.

Laura Robson has some weapons, no doubt. Looks like a real prospect.


madmax Says:

Federer fans. Don’t worry.

Here’s a short clip of the federer interview.

He’s not injured. He said he is “perfect”.

Enjoy and be happy!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/wimbledon/8752413.stm


zola Says:

What a crazy first day at wimbledon!

I watched Fed-Fella match from the third set. Fella chocked big time like many others and will remember this match forever.

But I knew Fed would win. Because this is a GS and because Fed wanted that win so badly.

Grendel, you wrote:
***
There’s no doubt that Federer was comprehensively outplayed on almost all fronts, and in the end owed his win to a)terrific gutsiness at the crucial moments b)inexperience on the part of Falla and c)his superb fitness relative to Falla’s – Federer was actually looking a lot more lively in the last set than in the first.
****

that terrific gutsiness at the crucial moments and superb fitness are the hidden assets of champions. To snatch victory from the claws of defeat….This is what separates the top guys from the bottom ones. Fella had twice the match on his racket and he failed. Good win for Federer and I think he will get better.

Djoko and Hewitt seem to have their second sets under control.

would be nice to reasses the picks after today’s matches.

—-
btw, for those of you who are watching the world cup, I would give a big F to the referees. This must be the worst refereed world cup of all times. They should have an academy award for the best actor in a world cup. So far the winner will be Keita who threw out Kaka by covering his face after kaka’s elbow touched his chest! and the second goal by Fabiani was handled twice!
I am not even talking about the Slovenia-USA match….


NELTA Says:

Polo Says:
Oh! Women’s tennis on ESPN with Mary Carillo. Time to turn off the TV.
———————————————–

I’ve seen you make this comment many times and I still laugh every time I read it. Right now it’s either Mary Carillo or Spain vs. Honduras. I’m not a big soccer fan, but I think I will try to be one right now.


zola Says:

Federer played a great 5th set, but Fella didn’t.
Partly because of Fed’s great game and partly because he was tired. Federer figured out how to play him at the right time.

Did Fella not choke? He was serving for the match “Twice”! and he lost his serve. To me that is major choking. Surely Federer likes to think positive about his game, but Fella’s nerves and fitness played a major role.

I remember watching Ram’s AO match and he reminded me a lot of Federer. He is just not consistent.


Fot Says:

I watched the match with Roger and after I came through from fainting (just kidding)..I am just glad Roger came through. I said you have to take it ONE MATCH at a time. No ‘oh this is an easy draw and just pencil him in the finals’ thing. With the talent of players today – everyone and anyone can beat anyone on any given day. I’m just glad Roger pulled through.

I had a feeling (in my heart) that if Roger could win ONE set, he would win the match. I just felt that so strongly because I knew the longer the match went, the better Roger would get.

So the positives I’m going to take out of this match are:
1. Roger won (don’t care how he had to do it – he won)
2. Sometimes you need a bit of luck to win a championship and he got some today.
3. He had way more winners than UFEs today, which is good;
4. At the AO this year, he lost his first set in round 1 and won the last set 6-0; today at Wimbledon, in round 1, he lost the first set and won the last set 6-0. We know what happened at the AO after that. I hope the same thing happens here. (hey, I can wish, can’t I?)

OK..Now I can concentrate on Round 2.


Fot Says:

One more thing that helped Roger – he finally started using that drop shot! That has turned out to be one of the best shots in Roger’s arsinal!


Ben Pronin Says:

Federer didn’t say Falla didn’t choke, he said he already choked in the 4th set. So in the 5th set, the choking was done. At least that’s how I interpreted it.

Federer isn’t wrong in saying he played a good 5th set, but I think it wouldn’t have been 6-0 if Falla hadn’t been tired.


Fot Says:

“…if Fella hasn’t been tired.” But that’s an important thing that I think is over looked with a lot of the top players – they ARE in shape to go 5 sets. Someone once said that there is only so much you can do to improve a stroke (serve, forehand, etc.), but there is NO excuse to NOT be in shape as a tennis player. You can control that. So that’s just one of the things in grand slam play on the men’s side that is a factor – your health and your fitness. Hence, the 6-0 set was what it was.


NELTA Says:

Fot,

Good post. The only thing I don’t agree with is #3. If you are talking clay then having more winners then unforced errors is a good stat. On grass it means nothing. It’s almost impossible not to have more winners than unforced errors unless you really suck. The question should be how many more winners than unforced errors were there or what is the ratio of winners to unforced errors.

If you look at the men’s matches and pick the player who got thumped you will see that he still had way more winners than unforced errors. Tursonov was beat 6-2, 6-2,6-3 and he had 6 UEs and 32 winners. Schuettler had 38 winners and 0 unforced errors. Yes, ZERO. Is that even possible? After looking at stats from a lot of the matches I suspect that the scorekeeper is a bit stingy in giving out UEs on grass. The numbers seem really low. Maybe when you miss a 2nd serve return on grass they don’t count it as an UE.


grendel Says:

Zola, Ben Pronin is correct – Federer was not denying for an instant that Falla choked, he was saying that because people saw that Falla had choked etc, people wouldn’t give him (Federer)credit for a well played 5th set, and in this he was right. That 5th set went by like a dream, it didn’t seem quite real. Federer actually repeatedly gave credit to Falla and remarked that he ought to have won. Federer knows he was very fortunate to survive.

Impossible to know how he’ll fare now. He may struggle in every match, in which case I suspect he’ll get beaten long before the semis, or he may pick up. Nobody has the faintest idea. Whatever happens, though, I’m reckoning on a Roddick/Nadal final.

Meanwhile, this match has been a lesson to those who are inclined to come to noisy conclusions about the nature of the draw. With Federer and Nadal I think this is particularly inappropriate. Federer because he is clearly struggling and what used to be an easy draw for him just isn’t any more. And Nadal because, on the contrary, he is right at the top of his game, and it is difficult to imagine what, right now, might constitute a hard draw for him. .


Ben Pronin Says:

I think this also proves that we can no longer expect Federer to suck at the Masters and play great at the slams. The question has been when will Fed’s poor play outside the slams catch up to him in the slams? Looks like now is it. Doesn’t mean he won’t win, but does he really wanna have to struggle in every match from the first round?


tennisfansince76 Says:

just one question. who is that guy playing under Djokovich’s name?


zola Says:

grendel,
Yes, I saw his post match intervew and he credited Fella for his game.
I think a match is played between two players. If Fella was not tired or was not disappointed, the match could have been different.

Although, I really knew at the end of the second set that a win for Fella would be nearly impossible. It needs major guts not to choke at those key momemts. It happened to Berdych.

The draw is uneven. There is no question about that. That federer or nadall play good or bad is another story. It is Federer’s responsibility to take advantage of the gift that is given to him.


zola Says:

I also think apart from being tired, Fella was treated several times for a hamstring injury or something like that.

nevertheless, he had his match on his raquet . No excuse for choking.

As for Federer, I think it is a great game, now that he has won it. He knows what he needs to do to get ready for the rest of the tournament.

FoT,
You are right. That drop shot was very effective and made a huge difference in the match.


NELTA Says:

There’s definitely something going on with the UE stats in these matches. Obviously they can’t have the same scorekeeper do every match, but I don’t think they are going by the same criteria.

They just suspended play in Djoker’s match I suspect because of darkness.


grendel Says:

Madmax – I remember Becker winning that AO final, and his dazed reaction to becoming #1. He walked around as if he’d just been transported to heaven and he wasn’t quite sure what the proceedures were. I don’t think he kept #1 long, unfortunately.

I disagree with you about the Gasquet match. Even before Gasquet had won the second set he looked blown, and I just hoped he’d pull the 2nd set off as a sort of consolation. Murray will have known very well that Gasquet had run out of gas. It didn’t stop him making some unecessarily sharp response to Gasquet’s complaint that they hadn’t held over his match till Tuesday.

Gasquet, if you recall, had won an exhausting final on the Sunday, and I don’t know why they didn’t hold his match over. Perhaps the authorities thought that, as Frenchmen, they’d have been accused of prejudice in favour of their own. This shortsighted obduracy ruined what could have been a classic match.


TGiT Says:

One Swiss in one Swiss out.

Tough one, Stan.

Bye Cilic. So many thought you were the dark horse.


Fot Says:

Play will resume shortly in the Djokovic/Rocus match. They went off court while they closed the roof. They will be back to finish the match soon.


Fot Says:

In the ‘no-news’ category – Ivanovic lost (again).


NELTA Says:

Fot Says:
In the ‘no-news’ category – Ivanovic lost (again).
—————————————————-

What a shame. I used to enjoy watching her, err I mean watching her tennis. She is too low ranked and never makes it deep enough for me to see her on TV anymore. There was just a quick highlight of the final few points she lost to Peer.


Seth Says:

Falla? Really? I mean, he played very well, all credit to him for nearly pulling off the upset, but . . .

Watching the match, Federer’s just not playing with the same sort of take-charge command and aggressiveness that he used to. He looks tentative. He’s often forced back behind the baseline. His groundstrokes don’t have the sting they once did. He continues to play not-to-lose rather than playing to win.


Huh Says:

“Fot Says:
“…if Fella hasn’t been tired.” But that’s an important thing that I think is over looked with a lot of the top players – they ARE in shape to go 5 sets. Someone once said that there is only so much you can do to improve a stroke (serve, forehand, etc.), but there is NO excuse to NOT be in shape as a tennis player. You can control that. So that’s just one of the things in grand slam play on the men’s side that is a factor – your health and your fitness. Hence, the 6-0 set was what it was.”

FANTASTIC POST FOT! :D


grendel Says:

Zola

“The draw is uneven. There is no question about that. That federer or nadall play good or bad is another story. It is Federer’s responsibility to take advantage of the gift that is given to him.”

You have said this several times on different threads. But endlessly repeating it doesn’t make it any more true. I made my case (at 7.47) for why I disagree completely.(I conceded Roddick had a hard draw, and you can argue about Djokovic) and I am not going to run over that again. But I will point out to you, Zola, that a strong Nadal fan, Guy, does not agree with you.

But in any case, tennis players are not statues, moulded for ever, they are people who are changing all the time and therefore what constitutes a good draw is itself always subject to review. Federer has been struggling for some months now, that is perfectly obvious, and this is NOT another matter,it is an important constituent in how you assess the quality of his draw. One year, so-and-so is easy for Mr.B, next year he absolutely isn’t. These things have to be taken into account. Of course, it is extremely difficult to do so, we’ll all have slightly different perspectives, and this is why – imo – it is not sensible to go on and on about the nature of a draw, especially not in a manner which suggests that everything is obvious and settled. That is rarely the case and facts, mere facts, have a way of making us all look pretty silly.

B.t.w., saying that at the end of the second set you knew Falla couldn’t do it strikes me as implausible. You feared, perhaps, which is very different. Do you really claim that during the third and 4th sets you weren’t fingernailbitingly excited, absolutely wondering what would the hell would happen? I knew Federer would lose. But I also knew that was my fear speaking. So I bit my tongue and hoped, like everyone else, all the commentators, and Federer himself, too – he had no idea, but he held on, just in case. He’s been in this situation a number of times this year, and has generally lost. This time he won. So it goes.


Huh Says:

Falla choked, Fed did not, that’s why he’s Federer. End of story.

I also remember the Nadal-Youzhny WIM match, Nadal-Verdasco match and countless other matches of Nadal, where Nadal took advantage of the classical and epic chokes by opponents to get through. No way, Nadal won those matches just based on his sheer talent/mental strength. And Nadal has benefitted from major chokes much more than Fed. Anybody remeber the Nadal-Muzza AO 07 match? There Muzza was outplaying Rafa until he became very very tired towards the end of the 3rd set, thanks to Muzza’s weak physique at that time, Rafa got lucky to survive. Otherwise Nadal would have in all probability lost the match to Muzza, simply no denying this! Rafa’s luck is the MOST enviable, whether it’s re:unravelling of opponents at crucial points in matches against him or with re: soft draws being handed out to him at majority of slams.


Huh Says:

Nadal fans must truly pray that Nadal take advantage of the ‘easy’ draw given to him here and get to the finals. God knows how much one Rafa fan’d be whining if he were handed out the draw of Rod/Hewitt/Nole!


Huh Says:

“Although, I really knew at the end of the second set that a win for Fella would be nearly impossible.”

Guys, have you heard any lie recently?
If not, then look at the above quoted smartless lie by one of the posters here..


Fot Says:

I’m with you Huh…because at the end of the second set, I was on my knees praying by that time! lol! With Roger down 2 sets to 0 – I thought I was almost all over. I still had faith, but I admit I was praying! lol!


Gregorio Says:

Wimby_to_Fed Says:
2007 Aus Open – Roger Federer.

” Gregorio Says: name the last player to win a Grand Slam (besides Nadal) without dropping a set. It’s almost superhuman and unheard of.”

Point taken. I forgot about that one! Federer won the Aussie ’07 without dropping a set. First time it had been done in 27 years, since Borg, that someone had won a Grand Slam without dropping a set. Since then, Nadal has done it twice, at the French in ’08 and ’10. So anyone who has done that lately is in pretty extraordinary form, I would say. Unbelievably good form.

Already some upsets in the first round. Seeds are dropping like flies. Federer almost lost, after being a couple points from defeat in round one. Gulbis out. Wimbledon has always weeded out the pretenders. This year is no different.


Huh Says:

Congrats to my guys: Fed, Rod, Hewitt and Monfils.

Also congrats to FLo, Davydenko and other winners.

I can’t really believe that Nole’s again trailing 2 sets to 1! :(


zola Says:

grendel,

you have every right to disagree with me on the draw. everyone is entitled to their opinion. Yo me having Isner, Gulbis, Soderling, …all in one draw, against having Fella and lopez, is not even.

You again may not believe me. But I knew it would not happen. Berdych is a stronger player and he could not pull it off. I was excited during the Hewitt-Federer final , because that was more plausible, but this one not. This is a GS and not any GS. wimbledon. For Federer to fall in the first round, something should be really really wrong. and today it was not.


J Says:

Fed is indeed very very lucky he was playing Falla today. He won’t get away with this kind of play against more experienced opponents. What a shocker of a match.

And a bit shocking to see how seriously some on here are taking this. Fed is losing and we get cries to God to help him? Really? It’s a GAME, not a life and death situation! Far be it for me to tell others want to do but I really think some fans had better start preparing themselves for Federer’s decline. It’s inevitable and from the looks of it, is happening sooner rather than later. It might make watching tennis matches a little bit easier and definitely less stressful. Just saying.


zola Says:

I am really sorry for Ivanovic. what is hapenning to her?


Fot Says:

J… don’t take everything we say ‘serious’ either. I was actually ‘joking’ about on my knees praying! lol! lighten up yourself! lol!

Zola, I’m kind of sorry for Ivanovic too. She reminds me so much of Coria – remember how he just lost confidence? She reminds me of him and he was never the same after he lost in that French Open final. She was never the same after she WON the French Open final! lol!


tennisfansince76 Says:

“J Says:

And a bit shocking to see how seriously some on here are taking this. Fed is losing and we get cries to God to help him? Really? It’s a GAME, not a life and death situation! Far be it for me to tell others want to do but I really think some fans had better start preparing themselves for Federer’s decline. It’s inevitable and from the looks of it, is happening sooner rather than later. It might make watching tennis matches a little bit easier and definitely less stressful. Just saying.”

as St. Augustine said about lust, “Lord free of lust, just not today!”


NELTA Says:

The Djoker moves on grass the same way he does on every other surface. He tries to slide into the shot instead of taking little steps. He’s lucky he is so flexible or he would have pulled his groin already.


Huh Says:

FoT:

You’re most welcome.

I am the FIRMEST believer in Federer, but today even my faith dwindled, so crazy today’s match was! Still drooling over Fed’s win, I have never prayed for Fed’s win to come at any or at all cost, but today was for the 1st time an exception as I truly wanted Fed to win it at any cost! I’d have gladly accepted even if Falla got injured in the 4th set and Fed was given a walk-over thereby(And I’m ironically not even ashamed of admitting it here!). From this you can imagine how mean I had to be to see Fed winning today, I really had to be so today, for the 1st time in my life, and this wasn’t like I was rooting vs Nadal in a Fed-Rafa match either!! This speaks volume about not just the uncertainty, but also the fear in me which I was experiencing apprehending a Federer loss in the third set itself!
Unbelievable Fot, Unbelievable!!!
I surprised myself today!!!…


madmax Says:

Seth Says:
Falla? Really? I mean, he played very well, all credit to him for nearly pulling off the upset, but . . .

Watching the match, Federer’s just not playing with the same sort of take-charge command and aggressiveness that he used to. He looks tentative. He’s often forced back behind the baseline. His groundstrokes don’t have the sting they once did. He continues to play not-to-lose rather than playing to win.

June 21st, 2010 at 4:15 pm

Seth,

I watched the match on record (it was easier second time around!), and trust me. Federer was NOT playing badly. In fact in the FIRST set Fed had more winners than Falla – he had more aces, more first serve %, and 15 more winners than Falla. He had 6 UE’s to Falla’s 3.

And to be honest, Falla was playing THE BEST TENNIS OF HIS LIFE. Simple as that. He was really THAT good. He was a level above federer for the first 2 sets, but then dropped it in the third.

He played (falla), amazing tennis. So really, congratulations to falla. The best tennis of his life. BUT what you have to remember is that Federer pulled it back. And this will tell you that despite the people who think he is “over”, he isn’t. Otherwise, he would have been out in the fourth set. Federer held it together in the key moments. I am going to post here what I said earlier, because there was a delay on it. Apologies to everyone for doing this. There is still hope. And federer fans need to remember that.

I hope that from now on Federer wins in straights, but I wouldn’t bank on it. Early rounds are rubbish for federer fans, but at least he’ll get his match practise in! Just heard that on the changeover, (for the final set), fed took a toilet break, as he was going through to the locker room he asked one of the Broadcasters here what the score was in the switzerland match! Can you believe it?!! Talk about cool as a cucumber!

Federer is just great.


madmax Says:

*15 winners in the first set to Falla’s 11* and Falla still won the first set!


Huh Says:

“you have every right to disagree with me on the draw. everyone is entitled to their opinion. Yo me having Isner, Gulbis, Soderling, …all in one draw, against having Fella and lopez, is not even.”

I wonder why the possibilty of a player of the caliber of Davy facing Fed in the QF is remaining unmentioned while unnecessary fear of an absent and pulled-out already guy like Gulbis is being expressed! And while Falla is being scoffed at despite giving Fed a hell of a challenge, an out-of-form guy like Nishikori is being expressed fear of for facing a in-the-form-of-life Nadal? Or is it again the myth of injured heart & legs taking over logic?


blank Says:

Even if Djokovic wins this, he is in the same boat as Federer – lack of belief and confidence.

Let’s see if Murray is any better…so far he has been pretty much at the same level as these two. If that continues, it’s Nadal vs rest of the field…maybe as Sean pointed out, Hewitt may come into play as a serious contender.


madmax Says:

Everyone,

this is what Tim Henman said of the match with fed today:

To see Roger Federer on the brink of an opening day exit from Wimbledon left everyone in shock.

The defending champion and greatest player of all time needing to come from two sets down to beat Alejandro Falla – who would’ve predicted that?

It just goes to show what can happen in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament if you’re not quite on your game.

On five of my 14 appearances at Wimbledon I started with matches that went the distance, and I can assure you it’s not an easy situation to navigate.

The grass is very green and slippery – it looked to me like Federer was struggling with his footing – and if your opponent attacks from the outset like Falla did, you immediately find yourself defending, which is awfully difficult on this surface.

606: DEBATE
Because of the injury to his opponent, Federer didn’t battle through this with great tennis – his opponent’s infirmness was enough to swing it back

bogbrush
A lot of people said Federer didn’t look his normal self, that there might have been something up, but I don’t buy into any of that.

Falla was simply the better player and deserves a lot of credit because he was the one dictating so many of the rallies in the first four sets.

Clearly Federer was not quite on his game but as the great champions do, he found a way to win when he wasn’t playing well.

As I said to Sue Barker on court before the match, you can’t win the tournament in the first week but you can certainly lose it. So it will be a huge, huge relief for Federer to have come through this test.

The result will have been noted with interest in the locker room. A lot of guys would have been willing Falla to win because Federer’s the best player in history and if someone else can do the job of beating him then all the better for them.

They can look at it both ways. On the one hand Federer perhaps isn’t playing as well as we’ve come to expect but, on the other, it highlights how ready you’ve got to be from the first round.

The bottom line is that he won three sets. We can analyse his game until the cows come home but he’s in round two and that’s mission accomplished

Tim Henman
If you’re not quite on song, the depth in the men’s game is so good that even Roger Federer can find himself in serious danger.

The Swiss legend hasn’t been quite as dominant this year as in previous years but back at Wimbledon, where he’s reached the final in each of the last seven years, not many people would be turning down his record.

And now that he’s through to round two, I can see him getting better and better.

The relief at surviving a major scare will probably relax him a little and he’ll have a good practice session on Tuesday. He’ll go away and work on his footwork and his groundstrokes to ensure that against Ilija Bozoljac, his next opponent, he plays more offensive tennis with greater aggression.

The bottom line is that he won three sets. People like us can analyse his game until the cows come home but he’s in round two and that’s mission accomplished.

Tim Henman was speaking to BBC Sport’s David Ornstein. Henman is part of the BBC’s commentary team for Wimbledon 2010.
game today –


madmax Says:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/wimbledon/8752413.stm

A short interview straight after the match – only just over a minute – it’s worth it!

C’moon Federer!


blank Says:

Djoko closes this out easily in the last set, but he can’t be proud of this performance either.


Anna Says:

Huh,
Don’t really know that Nishikori is out of shape. He won Wimbledon doubles as a junior (2 years ago) as well as Del Ray. His level of play was such that experts were expecting him to rise up in the rankings pretty quickly, but apparently he got hurt last year. I don’t think anyone is really thinking he’s going to BEAT Rafa, but it’s always a little dicy for top players to play someone who’s game is unknown. Falla on the other hand has been on the tour for 10 years. His strengths and weaknesses are known and he’s never been ranked higher than 58. That he almost beat Fed today is probably due to Roger’s level of play, rather than Falla’s level of play. Gulbis, well you know the story with Gulbis. The peanut gallery is still claiming he’s the next best thing, so we’ll have to wait and see. Davy nearly lost today as well. He’s just returning from injury and very short of match play. I think he went out in Halle early so I don’t see him being a threat to anyone after this week.


andrea Says:

oh no…saw novak’s mom in the stands tonight against rochus. hopefully someone keeps a muzzle on her.


Fot Says:

I don’t think you can say Roger and Novak will struggle the rest of the tournamentn based on one match. Usually a player will have that ONE match where he barely escapes and sometimes those type matches spur them on to great upcoming matches. So to the Federer and Novak fans – let’s just see how they both play in their next match before you give up on them.

And I need to write the ESPN folks because all during Roger’s match they put up the markee sign saying “15 Grand Slams”. I guess they forgot about this year’s AO! lol!


Fot Says:

andrea – I didn’t see Novak’s dad, did you? Wonder if the ‘rumors’ about the mom and dad are true? Maybe Jane knows. Anyway, he fought for that win, especially after being down a break in the 5th set. So hats off to him, Roger, Davydenko, and all the others who had 5th set victories today. It was an unusual day, to say the least! lol!

I hope the same thing happens in tomorrow’s matches!


Huh Says:

HI ANNA!

Nice analysis by you. I can’t disagree a whole lot nor do I want to, but someone by frequently calling Fed’s draw ‘a gift’ is forcing me to do so.


stu Says:

I’ve heard that his dad has a weak heart and cannot watch Nole’s matches. I don’t blame him – I can barely keep my nerves in check and I don’t even know the guy!


Fot Says:

Oh, I hadn’t heard. Thanks for the update stu!


RZ Says:

Nice to see an out-on-a-limb prediction for once. I don’t think a Hewitt win would happen, but it would be great if it did!


Fot Says:

One quote that stayed with me in Roger’s interview: (I like the way he thinks!)

Q. How are you thinking about the rest of the tournament coming up?

ROGER FEDERER: Scores are set back to 0‑0 when I start the match. That’s a good thing.


grendel Says:

Zola, of course everyone can have their opinion. It’s just that you expressed yours with such utter certainty, over and again, as if it was completely obvious to everyone (which it wasn’t) – and then you don’t ever respond to arguments, but just trot out the same stuff.

It just won’t do to say “Yo me having Isner, Gulbis, Soderling, …all in one draw, against having Fella and lopez, is not even.” as if this is a clincher. Leaving aside the fact that Gulbis dropped out some time ago now, Lopez has got a vastly superior grass court record to Isner.Not that I am saying that is conclusive, b.t.w; I understand the danger of Isner, though, with his very poor return of serve,a suspect temperament and almost complete inexperience on grass, not I think remotely a danger to Nadal. Still, I daresay one could make a respectable trade of Lopez for Isner – take your pick, there is nothing to get excited about here, nothing to complain about either way.

Then there is Soderling. Even supposing he gets past Baghdatis – questionable – how likely is it that he will be in the form of his life which will be necessary to beat Nadal? Frankly, not very. Still, there is a slight chance there, and you ought to be glad,not wringing your hands. Surely you would like to see your man tested? And the true comparison with Soderling is Berdych. Who is more dangerous to Federer right now, Soderling or Berdych? I for one don’t know. Of course you are entitled to your opinion, but the point is, it is not at all obvious. An excellent case can be made for either player. Both Berdych and Soderling have come to late maturity. Berdych has recently beaten Federer, and if they meet in the quarters unless things change very rapidly, Berdych will certainly be favourite. It’s not the least good pointing to the fact that Berdych has choked before against Federer. He’s a different man, now. This happens. Players change, develop, get better get worse, whatever, they’re not lumps of stone.

If you still want to say Fed has the better draw, fine, but it’s very marginal – which is why there is no consensus. It also happens to be utterly irrelevant – Nadal is so superior at the moment it is just laughable to imagine Federer beating him. b.t.w., about Falla, I don’t agree you knew he was going to lose. That’s just hindsight. Nobody knew. It’s meaningless to refer to Berdych. This is a different day and, b.t.w., a very much weaker Fed. Anything could have happened. But what has happened always seems ordained. That’s just a trick the mind plays.

Anna
“That he almost beat Fed today is probably due to Roger’s level of play, rather than Falla’s level of play.” This is unfair to Falla. he very nearly took the first set off Federer in Paris, and today played an absolute blinder. As Baghdatis used to say, anyone can beat anyone. Both John Lloyd and John McEnroe were astonished by Falla’s level of play, which was truly outstanding. he was vastly Federer’s superior today for the first 3 sets – and this can happen. Maybe Falla will never play as well again. But today, he expressed himself, it was awesome, and in a way it’s a shame he didn’t win.


Huh Says:

ANNA:

This is for fair-minded fans like you and Mindy. Believe me, I take no pleasure in calling Nadal lucky or his draw easy. But when sometimes some Nadal fans repeat ad nauseam about the so-called forever easy draw of Fed or regarding the perceived unending luck of Fed or needlessly and sometimes even completely with anti-Fed bias claim that Fed coulda/woulda/shoulda lost the match but he didn’t due to his opponent’s unravelling/choking BIG TIME or stuff like that, thereby taking the credit away from Fed for his hard-earned victories, I am forced to break my silence and am unable to resist myself from mentioning some similar perceived stuff re: Nadal. For example, I have to bring out the instances too where one can argue that Nadal too was lucky that his opponent choked/he was handed a easy draw or similar other perceptions which some might be nurturing with re: Nadal. By pointing this out, I want to make them realise that it’s not that they alone can attribute much of what Fed has achieved or earned to mere luck or stuff, particularly coz others also have points about Rafa having benefitted as much from ‘circumstances conspiring/factors playing’ in his favour as Fed might have. So don’t take me badly, my intentions are not bad at all.

As I have always felt deep within, Rafa never was nor is my problem. My problem lies with only some Rafa fans/anti-Feds who’re always busy trying to discredit Fed in every possible way, that too while pretending fairness towards Fed.


Anna Says:

Huh,
Alot of the pundits have said that Roger’s draw is easy, but Tipsy, Melzer and Berdych (possibly)to get to the semis doesn’t sound that wonderful to me. Frankly, I think alot of this first week is a crap shoot, even for top players. I’m holding my breath so much I may as well be swimming under water.


Huh Says:

BTW Stu:

Congrats on Nole’s win!


stu Says:

Hardly a win to be excited about, Huh :). But in the same vein, congrats on the Roger win!


Huh Says:

Thanks for your 7.03 pm post Anna, it contains sound logic, that’s why I liked it. It’s not like the posts of those who refuse to deal with facts or are unwilling to include logic in their arguments.


Huh Says:

Stu:

Whether it’s you or me, can you imagine what’d have happened if our respective faves actually lost??!!
I tell you, it’d have been the most terrible feeling on earth! Today at least we are relieved and sure that they live to fight for the next day, that’s in itself so reassuring! :)


Anna Says:

Grendel,

Don’t mean to be unfair to Falla. I’ve seen some great tennis from him this year but he can’t seem to come up with a win against the big boys. To be honest I only watched the last set (to early for this Cali girl) and by then Falla was hurt and pretty much toast. Much has been written about Roger needing to step up his level play etc. and so I assumed (I know it’s not nice to assume) Roger was probably off his game. If Falla beat an in form Roger then hats off to him. I’m sure it will give him much confidence for the next tourney.


Fot Says:

To Fed Fans (and anyone else). Here is the Video interview with Roger after his match. (It’s about 30 minutes long because they interview him in English, then Swiss German, then High German, then French). So Enjoy:
http://www.livestream.com/wimbledon/video?clipId=pla_bab6ac22-5aaa-492c-9990-891a9624eb7a&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb


Anna Says:

Huh,
I hear that stuff about Rafa quite often as well. Most of the time I can skip right over it but every once in awhile I “blow” myself. Rafa said over a year ago that in tennis today there are no easy draws, and through the course of 4 slams I’m pretty sure it all evens out.


Fot Says:

You can also get other interviews from that site. Roddick’s interview lasted a total of 10 minutes and he’s out. Roger was there for 30 minutes because of the different languages. Most of the American players have it made because they only speak English and don’t have to answer the same questions over and over in different languages! lol! Oh well!


Huh Says:

“Rafa said over a year ago that in tennis today there are no easy draws, and through the course of 4 slams I’m pretty sure it all evens out.”

Can’t agree more Anna! :)


grendel Says:

Well, Anna, wonderfully as Falla played, it wouldn’t be accurate to say Federer was in form. But some of his lack of form may justly be attributed to Falla’s inspired play. At one point, Federer shot off a serve of 130 mph – unheard of for Fed. McEnroe instantly attributed this to Fed letting off steam, to being actually angry – he didn’t know what to do. Falla was smashing his serve all over the place, and treating the Fed sliced bh with contempt.

Anyway, you’ll find out for yourself if Falla can maintain this improvement. Columbia is due to play the US in Davis Cup, I understand. That should be pretty interesting.


Fot Says:

grendel, I saw all 5 sets of that match and yes, early on Fella was playing the best I have ever seen HIM play. I have that FO match on tape, I have the Halle match and the other matches that they have played and Falla was hitting lights out. He was actually outhitting Roger from the baseline; he was returning serve as it he knew exactly where Roger would serve. Even after he got treatment for his thigh, he still played well.

Believe it or not, when he was serving for the match, I really did think that was Roger’s best chance to break because I knew he (Falla) would be nervous about serving out the match. And he was nervous, but Roger took advantage of it as well.

In the 5th set, it felt as though Falla was still heartbroken by losing the 4th set, and Roger turned it up a notch to take it 6-0.

I don’t know how well Falla will do the rest of the year or in Davis Cup, but as for this Federer fan – I really don’t want to see him anymore this year! Seems like every tournament, Falla is scheduled to play Roger in either the first, or 2nd round. Enough is enough! I’m tired of him!lol!


Anna Says:

Grendel,
Yikes! If McEnroe is right then Roger needs to get angry a little more often. We have two new Davis Cup players in Isner and Querry. It would be great if they could win a few matches.
They’re young and a little wet behind the ears but they’ve definitely made inroads this year in both their singles game and DC.


grendel Says:

Fot, I agree that Falla serving for the match was Fed’s best shot at breaking for the reasons you say – and that, I am sure, is what, from a different perspective, Zola thought too. We’re all agreed there. But it wasn’t cut and dried. Falla had proved strong up to then (unlike in Paris),and it wouldn’t have been outrageous if his nerve had held, and it wasn’t inexplicable that it didn’t. It was real hold your breath time for everyone who was interested in the outcome. Naturally, afterwards, we all shake our heads wisely, come out with weary “could have told you so’s” and so on, and conveniently forget that we suffered palpitations at the time, shouted at the dog and in general did not conduct ourselves with the calm deportment of those who know exactly what is about to happen.

Of course, the funny thing is, this continued. McEnroe is calmly saying it’s all over, and Federer immediately gets broken first game next set. McEnroe at a loss for words. That’s a new one.


jane Says:

Phew – just checked the scores. I am relieved to see Djoko and Hewitt are both through. I don’t know what to make of Djoko’s chances against Dent as they’ve never played before plus I didn’t see Nole’s match today (thanks for the reply though stu).

For Roddick’s fans/supporters, I read a good article on him in today’s USA Today newspaper; not sure if it’s available online as well, but it was interesting.


Fot Says:

Hey Jane – miss you in all the excitment today! Glad we still have favorites left in the tournament! lol!


Kimmi Says:

I agree with grendel who said the draw depend on a lot of factor, its not an obvious easy or hard.

djoko draw is turning out very difficult too. Rochus is a bad match-up for djoko, as we saw it was a very difficult first round match for him.

happy federer got out of that hole. just finished watching the match..recorded. falla played very well in the first 4 sets. hope he continue to improve and improve his ranking.

jane – its quiet without your posts. hope you are enjoying the holiday. i am sure you are happy djoko came out of that tough match. i like litte Rochus, always a smile on his face.


steve Says:

Such is the depth of men’s tennis today, that even lower-ranked journeymen have a chance to beat the best.

At this point in his career, Federer will have to start adjusting his tactics to adapt to each player. Can’t rely on being able to produce winners at will, as he used to be able to do.

He did make adjustments throughout this match, and that’s why he got through. Plus he came up with the goods on the crucial points, which is something he’s not been able to do in recent matches. It’s an encouraging sign.


Kimmi Says:

grendel says: ” I understand the danger of Isner, though, with his very poor return of serve,a suspect temperament and almost complete inexperience on grass, not I think remotely a danger to Nadal. Still, I daresay one could make a respectable trade of Lopez for Isner”

NELTA put up some stats yesterday on isner grass record. he is 1-5 career win-loss on grass. only won one match and now we are expecting him to reach 4th round and give nadal a run for his money. it could happen, but compared to lopez, he (lopez) has a much better CV on grass.


Mindy Says:

Huh,

Regarding your post at 6.58 pm, I just wanted to respond by thanking you for clarifying your previous comments about Rafa winning when his opponents choked. I appreciate it. Thanks for the shout-out about being a fair minded Rafa fan.

Just to show you how fair I can be, I am going to refrain from discussing the draws of the respective top players. I have strong opinions about all of them, however, if I said what I thought, then we would be going at it like cats and dogs! :)

I honestly don’t really care to discuss the draws at this point because it is what it is. A tough draw can just as easily become much easier if one or two prospective opponents don’t get through. Things have a way of changing once play has begun. I consider the early rounds to be both tricky and potentially dangerous. We have seen that day in Fed’s match with Falla. These lower ranked players come in with nothing to lose, no pressure and can play lights out tennis on any given day against even the best players in the game. I take nothing for granted.

I like to get a look at the top players in the early rounds, to get a sense as to their form, fitness and confidence. Then I feel more confident making some predictions as to who may go deep in the tournament. I want to see Rafa play his first match, if at all possible given the insane time difference out here on the west coast. I have recorded so many of his matches and go back and replay them and look at his movements on court. I have them practically memorized. I can tell if Rafa is moving well, check out his body language, see the expression on his face and get an overall sense as to where his game is at now. I have heard so much talk about a prospective quarterfinal matchup with Rafa and Sod, however, they both have to get there first. I don’t like to look ahead to the second week when we have barely started the first round matches. By the time it happens, IF it happens, I will have a good idea as to Rafa’s chances. I see that Sean Randall has picked Sod to take out Rafa. We will see. For now, I am focusing on Nishikori. Nobody can be taken lightly.

The key for the top players is to get through these minefields that are the early rounds. Whether they win ugly in a tough five setter, or easy in straight sets, the goal is to get through the first week.

I do read quite a bit here, but sometimes feel uncomfortable when I see people “baiting” Rafa fans or throwing cheap shots at Rafa. I don’t want to spend endless amounts of time and energy defending Rafa against attacks from people who will always despise him and never change their mind. I never engage in cheap shots or attacks on Fed and never will. I don’t condone any Rafa fan going after Fed. I am just interested in discussing the matches and the prospects of each of the top players.

I also see references to making arguments with “facts”, “stats” and “substance”. That is all well and good, however, anyone can find an article online that will support their position. Stats don’t always tell the whole story. Facts can be skewed. I think one can make a cogent argument using deductive reasoning, one’s knowledge of tennis, the players and their games, strengths and weaknesses, and also common sense, logic, and inference. Everyone should feel that their voice can be heard.


tennisfansince76 Says:

“stu Says:
I’ve heard that his dad has a weak heart and cannot watch Nole’s matches. I don’t blame him – I can barely keep my nerves in check and I don’t even know the guy!”

If I were a Nole fan I’d have a bad heart or a nervous breakdown or something. although Fed is starting to do the same nowadays. maybe that’s why i am a Fed fan. In a world of uncertainty, he seemed a bastion Platonic excellence. but no more


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Wow. That was a shocking match. Falla played some amazing tennis. Though Fed served ok, he really didn’t look great. Early on, I felt he wasn’t chasing shots down, and I think that kind of laziness infected his whole game. Later (3rd, 4th set) he began to look quite tentative in his shot making, really afraid to be aggressive. When Falla served for the match, end of the 4th, he really choked on 2 points. He gave Fed 0-30. And Fed was away at the races.
As great as Falla played, as sub-par as Fed looked to me, that boy is opportunistic. Very similar in a way to the Davydenko match at Oz- an opponent clearly outplaying Federer, gives the tiniest crack of an opening, and Fed lifts his game. The thing is, in both those cases, Fed really DID lift his game. The shots he was making in the fifth set he really wasn’t making, even going for, before that.
If he doesn’t remember how to raise his game by creating his OWN opening, he’s going to find a hotter player and still be waiting for the opening after getting knocked out. And he’ll never live up to his potential as a player.He he. But seriously, if he’s playing a Nadal, or an in form Murray or Djokovic or Soderling or Roddick or Del Potro… those guys, if they get on a roll, they may not give him that moment to regroup and ratchet up a level.

Still, VERY similar feel to the Korolev match at Oz, and we know how that all ended. That’s the thing about Fed at this point- he’s won majors in every conceivable way, so there’s really no counting him out.


madmax Says:

Facts are important. They do not lie.

Federer said yesterday he had difficulty reading falla’s game – which is highly unusual. He said it took him a while, (about 3 sets), before he could get a grip on which strategy to adopt.

I disagree with those of you who said Federer played badly. That was my initial reaction when I watched the match first time around, but I think that was more disbelief, because not only the general consensus that this was going to be Federer in straights, but I believed it would be a straight set affair. Not the case.

Never to be taken for granted.

When you look at the stats for the match (checkout the wimbledon official site), you will see that the first three sets were very close. First set, Fed had 4 more winners than Falla, and 3 more U’E’s. It seemed that Falla was able to take his chances more during the opening of the game.

It was very obvious that Federer was playing passive tennis. This is not the usual ploy. He is an aggressive player. He attacks, takes the lead and was not used to his opponent taking charge, especially someone so inexperienced in playing on centre court – that in itself can be an overwhelming occasion – he misread his opponent and possibly underestimated his potential at that time. (Not overall). He gave tremendous credit to Falla at the end of the match – deservedly.

Federer was NOT coming to the net as much, he seemed to be caught on the backfoot – this is not like federer and I think it threw him. Really threw him.

The next match, he needs to be much more aggressive and attack – I don’t know why he didn’t do this here? Falla took the initiative more and it showed.

One of the broadcasters here asked fed if he thought that Falla’s level was above his and Federer’s level was below the usual. Fed said “No. I just couldn’t read his game”.

But, one cannot but marvel at his tenacity and sheer determination to dig deep at the pivotal moments. This really was a fantastic win for fed.

It also confirms that nothing can be taken for granted.

It was a great match, but I only really enjoyed it watching it the second time around!


grendel Says:

“Federer was NOT coming to the net as much, he seemed to be caught on the backfoot ” – but Madmax, the trouble is, when he did come into the net, he got roasted! I recall him once coming into the net on a truly nothing approach shot, giving a very very easy pass for Falla. That looked like a novice error, and was frankly puzzling.


madmax Says:

grendel. i think i know you?

Anyway, I dont really know what else to say about Federer except that I am someone who will not doubt his game.

I dont know what the hell he was doing yesterday, but I posted a longer article that I read in the independent this morning and I felt happier somehow.

The guy who reported on the match yesterday was actually there and witnessed it first hand. I wont print the whole lot again here, as I see you posting on the other thread, but what I think is important, is in those “negative” moments that we all have as a worldwide “gang”, is to keep believing. I must admit, my faith wobbled (ever so slightly), BUT it did and I felt guilty for that. I just hope that Federer doesn’t put us through it again. But he will. We know he will.

I am trying not to get too emotionally involved, and trying to rely on statistics, experts reports about his game, dotted with comments from people I respect on this forum – you know who they are as they post well, informatively and frequently.

One of the commentators said the grounds were “slippy” yesterday and Federer had problems getting a grip? Can this be true? – a little bit perhaps, he was the FIRST MAN on the centre court, but I think it was quite simply that Falla was on a tear. He had nothing to lose, shone in the moment of the centre court – and great for him. What a huge honour to play on the centre court. and a huge honour to play Roger Federer. I thought it was a lovely gesture by the ATP yesterday to sit Roger’s mother and father in the Royal Box.

Federer has proved so much to us as fans, I can’t imagine the game without him in it. Who knows what goes on his mind. He was throwing everything at Falla, but I think Fed was still weighing him up in the third.

Certainly some of the shots at the net were poor and he even hit them into the net – which was unbelievable to me.

Another thing. Mcenroe gave an interview for BBC around 8pm with Jonathan overend, (good sports writer), apparently Mac said that he had spoken to Mirka at the French Open and she had disclosed to him that Roger wants to sleep in the twins room! He doesn’t want to let them out of his sight!. I just thought that was so sweet! But Mac said that roger MUST sleep in a separate room and get some sleep when he plays tournaments! It made me just love Federer even more –

But the game yesterday, did send a message. I guess you can read it one of two ways.

1) All other players now think they have more of a chance than ever before – but really. Is that any different? He has been under so much pressure for 6 years at the top – that is a helluva peak to maintain in sport for that long – and we are still greedy for more!

OR

2) big kick up the back side for Fed. Personally, I think he underestimated Falla. I think that he thought he would be able to do what he did at Halle, but Falla had other ideas.

Did you know that Federer has played 887 matches in his career and NEVER quit in a single one. What does that say about this guy? THAT is just incredible. No one comes close.

First round is never easy, Novak, Davy struggled yesterday and they are great, great players.

But there is no one in my view who can deal with the pressure better than Federer.

I do think yesterday was a bad day. I am hoping that tomorrow is a better day for him. I am hoping today that Federer will have evaluated his game and really raises it tomorrow.

I am at wimbledon tomorrow – on centre court – and am pretty certain that Federer is playing – I am dying with excitement and hoping for a great result for Federer tomorrow!


grendel Says:

Madmax

How d’you mean you think you know me? I mean, how could you? My real name isn’t grendel, you know.

About the slipperiness – did you notice, Fed slipped over on two or three occasions, and I noticed Nadal slipped today? The grass is very green now, it looked an absolute picture, didn’t you think, yesterday, amazingly serene and beautiful. John Newcombe, the great Aussie player of the late 60’s/70’s, said he used to like to come to Wimbledon when noone was there (as an exchamp, he’d have privileged access) and just gaze on the centre court. He said that to him, it was like a cathedral. I found that a terrifically evocative description, especially coming from a former player.

Well, you know, no one goes on for ever. We’ve been pretty privileged to be able to watch Federer, but it seems to me we’re approaching the twilight years. Happens with everyone, after all. You sound young, and although it may seem unlikely to you right now, I am sure you will find in the course of time that another great tennis player will emerge who will give you great pleasure. I hope so. Your enthusiasm is most refreshing to a cynical old codger like me.

Lucky you to be going to Wimbledon tomorrow – but a word of warning, I gather Federer is (most unusually) playing on Court 1, which will be very disappointing for you – perhaps you can arrange a swap or something.

Have a wonderful day!


skeezerweezer Says:

@Mindy

Great post. Sincerely. You and I know nice words don’t come easy :)LOL

Seriously, Rafa’s first round is over so I am interested to hear your take on him since you are a good observer of him. No fishing here….

?


Mindy Says:

Skeezer,

Thanks for your comments. I will accept the sincerity of your words, of course! I actually already did post my thoughts about Rafa on the most recent blog. I also wrote a few things about Fed, too. They might surprise you, but they shouldn’t. I think Fed is still in this for real. He survived and that’s what it’s all about. I think he will rise to the challenge.

I am happy about Rafa’s first match! Check out the comments on that blog and then feel free to chime in with your thoughts!


The Strategy Master Says:

FUNNY DAT COZ CILLIC HAD JUST LOST!!! AND JAMES BLAKE IS OUT AND ALSO FEDERER AND NADAL HAS BEEN HAVING A ROUGH TIME NADAL NEARLY LOST TO HASSE!!!! O WELL ITS BEEN REALLY UNPREDICTABLE


William Ramez Says:

hey sean randall, looks like you almost got it all wrong.. anyways, i understand that it’s fun chosing who’s who in what… it’s fun to play nostradamus for a moment so here’s my take on wishful thinking this coming US hardcourt Slam …. Federer vs Nadal (i know, i know, he’s on the slopes this season..blame it on the aching back & knee perhaps. & nadal needs the new knee treatment after wimbledon) – if we can’t get it right, then a daydream isn’t bad either.

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