Federer Crushes Nadal, Clinches SF; Murray Withdraws From ATP Finals

by Staff | November 23rd, 2011, 12:10 am
  • 125 Comments

Roger Federer put on a sparkling performance crushing rival Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-0 during round robin play Tuesday at the ATP World Tour Finals.

Federer was never threatened during the 61 minute affair, breaking Nadal four times and running away with the last seven games to hand Nadal his worst career loss to the Swiss.

“It was a great match for me basically from start to finish,” said Federer. “I was able to do what I was hoping to do: dominate from the baseline, play close to the baseline, serve well, take his time away. [It] hasn’t always worked.”


Federer never faced a break point and finished with 28 winners to Nadal’s four.

“The score is true, and today he played too good for me,” said Nadal. “Just accept that today when you play against Federer and he’s playing like this, the only way to stay in the match is have free points with the serve, because for the rest his level was too high in this surface. And I didn’t had these free points as usual.”

Nadal still leads Federer 17-9 in their historic rivalry, but indoors Roger’s been dominant winning all four encounters including the championship match at the Finals a year ago.

The win sends 2-0 Federer into the semifinals while Nadal will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Wednesday for a spot in the final four.

“Is not the moment to say good bye,” said Nadal. “Is not the moment to go down; is the moment to keep fighting. I’m still in the tournament. I still have the chance to be in the semi-finals because if I win the next match I will be in semi-finals. So it’s the moment to keep fighting with positive attitude and is the moment to accept when [Federer] plays like this he is better than me.”

In the first match of the day Tsonga eased past Mardy Fish 7-5, 6-1.

“It’s really good to win for the first time here,” said Tsonga. “Today I started better, even if he broke me back in the first. But I played well today. I have felt really good on the court. When I’m very aggressive and I put lot of pressure on my opponent, I’m able to play with everybody.”

The loss eliminates Fish from the competition but could play the role of spoiler against Federer on Thursday.

Tomorrow, Novak Djokovic meets David Ferrer while Tomas Berdych battles Janko Tipsarevic who replaced Andy Murray in the field.

Murray withdrew from the tournament Tuesday due to a groin strain he sustained just after Paris.

“It’s just a really difficult decision to make because it’s one of the best tournaments in the year to play and it’s something that you also work all year to play here, as well,” Murray said.

“There was no real positive sort of coming out and playing because yesterday I was really unhappy on the court,” he added. “I wasn’t enjoying it at all. This is one of the best tournaments in the year, one that I think me and all of the players look forward to playing. I couldn’t give anywhere near my best, so that’s what was disappointing. It would probably do myself more damage by playing than not.”

The Serbs hold the edge on Wednesday in Group A competition. Tipsarevic has won four of five meetings with Berdych and Djokovic leads Ferrer 5-1 on hardcourts, 6-4 overall.

If Djokovic beats Ferrer he’ll qualify for the semifinals. If Ferrer beats Novak in straight sets he’ll do the same.


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125 Comments for Federer Crushes Nadal, Clinches SF; Murray Withdraws From ATP Finals

Michael Says:

A very honest assessment by Nadal accepting that Federer was too good. What appeals to me is the mutual respect the two Legends give for each other. I do not think this has happened before in some of the biggest rivalries in Tennis. Tennis is indeed blessed to have this two best sportsmen and humanist.


jane Says:

Okay, I know this day is all about the Fedal, but it would be nice to have a headline, a thread even, about the other days and matches as well.

Nadal was very accepting of the defeat. He remains positive, which is the best way to be.

Nole was honored today, receiving a big spanking trophy for finishing number one! Couldn’t resist mentioning that, even if it does fall on deaf ears.


jane Says:

And he wore a really great jacket to accept the award. ;)


Skeezerweezer Says:

jane,

This whole year has been about Nole, and deservedly so. So to have a day or 2 talking Fedal and I am sure we all can partake a tiny bit, no? After all, they have 26 Slams between them in todays era. They will continue to be dominant in the tennis news, and Nole now, is there, deservedly. Is it not a good thing? :)


Skeezerweezer Says:

jane,

To add, if Nole winds up winning WTF, a real possiblity, these threads will pass quickly and he will once again he will dominate the tennis headlines, which he will so surely deserve :)


jane Says:

Of course, of course: although skeeze, about 7 years have been spent shedding ink, virtual and real, on Fedal. I just was thinking it’d be nice to have write ups on the other matches too, and not just Nole’s, but Ferrer, Berdy, Tipsy, Tsonga, Fish: the usual predictions, summations, that’s all.


M Says:

Wait a mo.

How come Ferru has to beat Novak in straights to make the semis? He can’t do it in three sets …?


jane Says:

skeeze, it feels like Fed will win if he is able to crush Rafa like he did today and maintain that sort of form. The other guy besides Fed that most pundits were picking, i.e. Murray, is now out. So Fed is definite fave. Nole is just not in top form, I don’t think, though I haven’t been able to see full matches as am stuck at work when they are on. But he barely got past Berdy.


M Says:

“And he wore a really great jacket to accept the award. ;)”

That thing was … well, it scared me. I’m surprised the cameramen didn’t make him take it off; stuff like that makes it hard to focus coverage.
Who dresses him in the morning?


Wog boy Says:

Jane, it didn’t fall on deaf ears. I have seen it , too. He looked very smart .
As for Federer, i have seen match in replay and he is on fire, though with Nadals help. I don’t want to take anything from Federer but this is not best of Nadal. His balls are falling to short don’t have a sting and giving Federer and his game just what he wants. He looks sharper than anybody and unless Novak finds his game and MOTIVATION ( more important ) nothing is going to stop Federer of wining this one.
I am neither Federer nor Nadal fan, so this is just how I saw
match.
Tsonga is waiting for brokenspirit Nadal, I honestly hope Nadal can pull this one and win, he needs it more than anything regardless of what is going to happen in SF.


Ben Pronin Says:

I don’t get the qualifications either. One would think that, since Djokovic went 3 and Ferrer only needed 2, that Djokovic would need a straight sets win to qualify and Ferrer just a win.


Skeezerweezer Says:

jane @ 1:07 post. Yours is not a unreasonable request. Agreed and smiled :-)


alison hodge Says:

hi jane i agree its nice to see nole also getting some recognition for a change,hes had a fantastic year,and richly deserves that trophy and the number 1 ranking,congrats nole.


alison hodge Says:

micheal yeah could not agree more, win or loose its always nice to see the mutual respect these two greats have for each other,on and off a tennis court,although roger played fantastic and congrats to him,im sure rafa will do as he always does and bounce back,i think its between him and tsonga as i cant see fish beating roger,anyway go rafa.


Nims Says:

Typically Nadal plays best tennis on alternate years. He had a great 2006, 2008 and 2010. Expect him to be fully dominate tennis in 2012. Nadal knows his body. That’s why he has been talking about 2 years rolling ranking system than 52-weeks. There is nothing to be concerned for Nadal fans. Infact they should be happy that 2011 has been soo good for Nadal.


dari Says:

I loved the jacket, too, Jane. Big moment for novak!

Also, I loved the interviews after the fedal match, rafa is speaking English so well and expressing himself so honestly.

Here are full interviews, for on your commute or whatever, cause they are ten+ mins!
Rafa even does finger quotes, why I don’t know, but he does!
RT @DSDispatc- Rafa’s http://t.co/egCSSPJQ

Fed http://t.co/oH9zJw5f


alison hodge Says:

nims thanks your post has just cheered me up no end,people tend to see the glass half empty where rafas concerned,i prefer to see it half full,like jane said hes still been a solid number 2,2011 has still been a great year when alls said and done,hes been written off so many times as a fan you kind of get used to it,just the haters who love to hate,but then again a haters a hater and you wont change that,im still pretty happy by what hes done this year,and if next years a repeat of this one ill still be delighted,11 grand slams like borg and laver who would not be happy with that.


Michael Says:

Alison, Nodoubt Nadal had a very good year but by his high standards he fell short. That is pretty much evident. Losing so many finals to the same player should be demoralizing for any player leave alone Nadal. What must ruffle Nadal is the fact that he has become vulnerable on his favourite court surface. Remember in the French Open where he won, in the very first match against Isner, Nadal was down in the dumps only to recover and win a very tight contest which could have gone either way. Even against Federer in the finals, Nadal had loads of luck which saw him through. He was also in a way lucky not to meet Djokovic at the French which could have spoiled his only major of the year. What is starkingly evident is that Nadal’s level of play is going down of late. Either it is due to the fact that suddenly other players are getting a measure of Nadal or his own retrieving ability is letting him down a bit, we never know. But Nadal today appears confused about the way forward to lift his game especially against players like Djokovic, Murray, Tsonga, Berdych and ofcourse Federer. My prescription to Nadal is that he should become more aggressive on the court instead of being too defensive wherein he should take it to the opposition instead of just resolute defence. Somehow the Nadal of 2006,2007 and 2008, 2010 has suddenly disappeared wherein he appears quite tentative even against lesser ranked players and content with spirited defence. Sure, you can never discount a Champion like Nadal. He will find a way out and may be we will be seeing a newer version of Nadal in 2012, who knows ? But for now, Nadal appears quite vulnerable.


alison hodge Says:

nims just to add to my post, i dont know how likely it is about rafa winning the wtf,before his career is over, i mean no disrespect to daveydenko but i very much doubt rafa would swap any of his 10 slams for one wtf,i think i know whos shoes i would rather be in,anyway as long as he remains in the top 8 there will always be a chance,so alls not lost just yet,although obviously it wont get any easier.


Michael Says:

Alison, WTF is the most important tournament in Tennis next to the Major. It also awards more points to players next to the major and by that the Tennis Council has acknowledged its importance. It is also the most difficult tournament to win since you are tested right from the start with the World’s best playing. Just because Davydenko won it once does not belittle its performance. Not being disrespectful to Davydenko who was a seeded player when he won it, even in many of the majors we have had instance of unseeded players winning the tourney. That doesn’t diminish the importance of that major.


Michael Says:

Not to say Nadal needs to prove anything of his greatness. But not winning a WTF will be a black mark in his remarkable career. He is still only 25 and has many more chances, but time is running out.


alison hodge Says:

thanks micheal for sure the scales will tip one way or the other,for rafa in 2012,like you say you cant write off rafa and his fighting qualaties are second to none,one thing is for sure rafa certainly is not scared of a challenge,whatever happens next is an added bonus anyway as hes done it all,the wtf been the only thing left,if hes meant to do it he will if not he wont,not exactly the end of the world,sometimes you dont always get everthing you want thats life i suppose.


Michael Says:

True Alison. Let us hope for the sake of his fans that he makes it atleast once.


Daniel Says:

Guys,

The scenarios of qualyfication is simple match.

– Djoko is 2-1
– Ferrer is 2-0
– Berdy is 1-2

If Ferrer wins in 3 and Berdy wins in 2

– Djoko is 3-3
– Ferrer is 4-1
– Berdy is 3-2

If Berdy beats Ferrer in 2 and Djoko beats Tpsy in 2

– Djoko is 5-3
– Ferrer is 4-3
– Berdy is 5-3

Djoko and Berdy qualifies and Ferrer not.

That’s why he needs to win in 2 to secure qualyfication. But if he wins in 3, only this secanrio will not have him in.


alison hodge Says:

micheal yeah i here you i did not mean any disrespect to davey or the wtf,i was just saying that i think rafa would much rather have his ten grand slams,i wont lie i will be dissapointed if he does not do it before his career is over,but not exactly heart broken as he has won so much more ,sorry if my point didnt come off too well.


alison hodge Says:

micheal whatever happens as long as he continues to play, and do his best, is all i ask of him ,win or loose ,i love to watch him ,always have always will,vamos rafa.


Wog boy Says:

I wander whether Berdych is still having hangover from Novak’s match and whether Janko is going to be overcome by the occasion. This is historic moment for Serbian tennis to have Two players at WTF , his record against Berdych is more than good,4:1, it should be good match, they can hit the ball. Good luck Janko, I hope your beautiful wife is in London too, you play better when she is with you.
Message for Andy Murray: Get well mate, I am waiting for you in Melborne as every year, you are my second favorite, you good man ! ! !


Wog boy Says:

“Melbourne”


carlo Says:

Janko is off to a good start! I love the O2 arena – nice to see so many people there enjoying tennis.


jane Says:

5-1 fir Tipsy so far. He really has Berdych’s number, for whatever reason. Let’s see if he can keep it up next set.


Daniel Says:

Tipsy likes the ball to sati waist high, and there is exactly where Berdy keeps it. Remember one match between him and Djoko, can’t recall where now, they were hitting the hardest as it gets.


alison hodge Says:

hope t.berd can make more of an impact in this second set,then take the match,although i have nothing against nole i feel he was lucky to win that match,i feel the tennis gods owe t.berd a bit of good fortune jmo.


jane Says:

Much tighter second set.


Dave Says:

Like it or not, Federer-Nadal remains the biggest news in tennis, so this article is appropriate. This BBC report (and the fans’ favourite award to Federer, with Nadal second) indicates why it is so.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/15847838.stm

This was the most lop-sided match between Federer and Nadal. Federer won 67% of 81 points in only 61 minutes. In 2007 WTF, Federer won 60% of 87 points over two sets in just 59 minutes. In their 2008 French Open match — where Federer probably tanked the final set 0-6 with no likelihood of victory (he was lucky just to defend his FO final points given he was recovering from mononucleosis… so he wanted to move on to grass without wasti more energy or risking injury) — Nadal won 63% of 144 points in 108 minutes (this is similar to playing 96 points over two sets in 72 minutes, through they probably played those first two sets in about 110 points over 90 minutes). In 2011 Miami, Nadal won 60% of 103 points over two sets in 79 minutes.

Nadal has never beaten Federer indoors in 4 matches, while Federer has twice beaten Nadal on clay in 14 matches. Nadal has won only one set indoors from Fed, while Fed has won 13 sets on clay from Nadal (including a straight sets victory at 2010 Madrid and a bagel set at 2007 Hamburg). Since 2009, Nadal has cut down playing during the indoor season to avoid losses to various players. Given that 14 of their 26 matches were on clay, what if Federer had cut down his clay season to avoid losses to Nadal?

It’s disappointing to hear top analysts downplay Nadal’s indoor losses to Federer because the surface and conditions do not help his game. Tennis was originally played indoors before it evolved into ‘lawn tennis’. Indoor tennis (hardcourts/carpet) has a rich tradition in tennis that has been overlooked in recent years partly because a few top players have been whining that the season is too long, even though they no longer have to play six rounds in most non-GS tourneys and five-set finals (like it was up to 2006). In 1998, Pete Sampras played 9 indoor tourneys. Sampras played at least 7 indoor tourneys every year during the years he was ranked No. 1 from 1993 to 1998. Indoor titles made up a significant part of the accomplishments of the greats like Connors, McEnroe, Lendl, Sampras and Borg — and as well Laver, Rosewall, etc. The clay king Bjorn Borg (who actually has a slightly better winning percentage indoors than Federer) has won 23 indoor titles before Nadal’s current age — including 3 year ending championships from 8 year-ending finals. In the ATP era since 1973, the only great players (at least 5 Grand Slam championships) who have failed to win a single year-end championship are Nadal, Wilander and Newcombe. The very greatest players have all won multiple year-end titles. Ivan Lendl, for example, proudly emphasizes he “won 5 year-end Masters Championships” as a highlight of his career. The picture you see on the top right corner is his 1982 WCT year end championship finals victory over McEnroe.
http://ivanlendl.net/Tennis_Career.html


Dave Says:

While the news media tends to misleadingly embellish Nadal as gracious and sensationalize Federer as ungracious, we really have to read full transcripts of Nadal’s press conferences to find interesting snippets. Had Federer made similar comments, you can bet some schmuck tennis writers would take it out of context and blow it up — and Federer’s critics would say it is just more evidence of his ‘snide attitude’ to his top rivals.
– Nadal making sure we know he was not 100% while claiming he is not using it as an excuse: “he did admit he had been unable to practise on Monday due to the shoulder injury. “I woke up with the shoulder problem so I had to work to recover from that and I didn’t get a chance to practise,” he said. “I didn’t know if I would be able to play today but it didn’t affect my match because I felt perfect.” And, like in Doha this year, we were told about his illness in previous days (but was it a real stomach flu, or just an anxiety attack from fear of losing?).
– Nadal making sure we all remembered his whipping of Federer in 2008 French Open (which of course, the news media later reminded Federer about): “When I beat him in the Roland Garros final in 2008 it was a similar thing but the difference is that was the final of a Grand Slam and this was a round-robin match.”
– Nadal reminding us that Federer has a harder time beating him like this outdoors: “”But his level is probably higher here because all the conditions are perfect for him as the bounce is not too high and there is no wind. In these conditions he can attack better than on other surfaces.”
http://tinyurl.com/btmadgr

Federer’s comments after losing to Nadal at 2008 French Open finals:
http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2008-06-08/h.php

On another issue: “Djokovic beats Ferrer he’ll qualify for the semifinals. If Ferrer beats Novak in straight sets he’ll do the same.” is just a realistic assessment. Does anyone seriously believe his buddy (they will be vacationing in the Maldive togteher next week) and countryman Tipsarevic will stop Djokovic from qualifying… unless djokovic wants to lose to avoid facing Federer in the semifinals?


Contemperory Says:

That is exactly what Berdych is doing. He has won the second set. This has turned to be a good second set so far.

Daniel now that Berdych can only win 3 sets, how does your calculations appear?


jane Says:

A set apiece now. Berdy could still win, as he has momentum.

Dave Nole was actually voted second for fan favorite this year.


Brando Says:

@dave: I find it hard to understand why bloggers like yourself and trufan rather than laud your favourites success, as others who like federer do, have to embark on a petty character assasination trip regarding rafa. It’s completely unnecessary and childish to do so.


skeezerweezer Says:

Dave

Great post at 10:27. I am totally impressed with your Tennis history. Tennis did not start outdoors as u say. Another fun trivia, the court layout started out as an hourglass, not a rectangle.


van orten Says:

i want a fed vs nad semi final in down under…with the roof closed( indoor atmosphere) and hopefully organizers do something with speeding up the courts a little ..or the balls..i think rogers best shot of winning a gs is still us open where he only has one true enemy: himself…he blew multiple matchpoints the last two years and vs delpo he didnt play his best either..dont want to take away anything from djoker or delpo but the same is done when those guys lose vs fed and at least the last two years vs djoker he had it set up very nice before screwing it up..so i am pretty confident that roger can still win grand slams starting with the AO in january..as long as fed still plays like this when winning or losing depends on a few points here and there why giving up the hope …

i believe in RF and the ones who still believe in rafa are also very right…next year is going to be awesome!!!!


jane Says:

Wonder if we are heading towards another third set tiebreak??


alison hodge Says:

brando weeeell bloody said,as you said to me yesterday the most sensible post ive heard all day.


alison hodge Says:

van orten thank god for sensible posts like yours,it is possible to be a fan of one player without feeling the need to belittle or under value the achievements of the other players.


Dave Says:

skeezerweezer: As I am totally impressed with your Tennis history as well :) If only, more fans shared your passion for the history of the game.

jane: You’re right. My mistake. Djokovic is runner up. In past recent years it has been Nadal.

Djokovic — as the season’s best player, by far — deserves a massive publicity plug. Besides, there are some aspects of his personality that are positive for the promotion of Tennis.

Brando: “have to embark on a petty character assasination trip regarding rafa.” Your bitter attempt at assassinating the character of my message is totally off the mark. In fact, I did not claim that Nadal was ungracious — what I said was that had Federer made similar remarks, he would be misrepresented as ungracious. Many tennis commentators have created this misleading perception that Nadal is ultra gracious while Federer is not (e.g., see link for this British article “Nadal was monumentally gracious in defeat”, even though he had made the remarks I had quoted) based on their selective quotation of what both players say. The same standards should be applied to all top players, instead of one set of standards for Federer and another set for Nadal, etc.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/nov/22/roger-federer-rafael-nadal-atp-finals


jane Says:

Third set tiebreak!


Brando Says:

@Alison: no worries. I don’t mind when the opposing fans celebrate their favs win at all- even when they may raise it to mean of greater consequence than it actually is! As let’s face it we all do and it’s normal to do so. However I’d like to ask a question: how many djokovic fans have brought up stats this year whenever nole beat rafa that just UNDERLINES rafa’s shortcomings? Or how many nadal fans brought up stats this year, post Miami, Madrid and FO when rafa beat roger supporting claims that federer cannot be great since he has a losing h2h against his main rival? I bet very few, if NONE. Even kind fed fans like madmax, skeez, Dari etc have not brought up stats against rafa after last nights loss! It’s just ONLY dave and trufan who in so many of their posts just seek to dismiss rafa at each and every single oppurtunity. Well as in life it’s easy to kick someone when their down, try when they are at their best. And also to suggest that rafa skips indoor tourny’s due to fear of defeat when their is ZERO evidence supporting such a ridiculous claim, only brings up one response, just like rafa said about Yannick Noah’s accusation: complete idiot!


alison hodge Says:

brando exactly, again well said,is all i can think to say back really,lol.


jane Says:

Berdy with the minibreak: looks like he will win this one in three.


alison hodge Says:

great match between tipso and t.berd,still cant tell which way this one is going to swing,i would love for berd to take this.


jane Says:

Turn of events: Tipsa gets minibreak back and it is 6 all. Hard to predict anything here!


alison hodge Says:

omg t.berd will have nightmares if he chokes again.


jane Says:

Berd wins, 8-6. So close!


Dave Says:

I suspect Federer has planned his schedule so that this indoor stretch is the lead in to the 2012 season — from Doha/AO to at least Wimbledon/Olympics (US Open as well). He will probably not be able to take advantage of another Olympics year again.

Federer has to make the decision to sacrifice part of his off-season vacation to make sure he practices even more and maintains his momentum from the indoor season for the Australian Open. He finished 2010 so well (won 3 of last 4 events)… but may have gotten a bit complacent during the off-season, expecting only Nadal to be his major rival in his quest to regain the No. 1 ranking (though almost everybody was fixated on Nadal winning his fourth major in a row). Instead Djokovic — who was only the bookmaker’s fourth favorite for the 2011 AO — stepped it up a level and took everyone by surprise at the AO, especially Federer but even Murray (who had practised with Novak in Australia in early January). I hope Federer doesn’t waste his time in exhibitions like his December 2010 ‘Matches for Africa’ with Nadal. He had better focus and prepare for two to three unexpected players to step it up at the AO. And he had better find a solution to playing on cool nights on the slow AO surface.


alison hodge Says:

so glad for t.berd i think he deserved a bit of luck after his match against nole,hope tipsos ok after his fall.


dari Says:

That’s a nice lunchtime read, Dave. Like your shedding light on the importance of indoors.

Just be sure to include that press asked how this related to RG 2008, rafa didn’t bring it up. And the next line of the nadal quote where he says these conditions suit roger,but, no matter what surface, if roger plays like tonight he would beat me, no worry.

I don’t want/need to search for a lack of grace between these two, the respect is there, no question.


Dave Says:

Brando:

I’m glad your keep stats on which posters do use and don’t use stats to back up their assessments and opinions. Some readers may not like hard facts to validate opinions, while others prefer to read such stats and facts. IMHO, tennis writing can do with a lot more stats and facts, even relating to Fed’s losses. There’s too much unsubstantiated opinions which keep the respective KADfans in ignorant bliss about their favourite players. One of the best sources of stats and facts is WSJ’s Carl Bialik (see link):
http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2011/11/18/for-final-act-tennis-season-moves-indoors/

Let’s not presume that I bring up stats/facts only when Nadal loses, just to kick him when he is down. I’ve often posted stats/facts before such matches, and sometimes even after Nadal etc. beats Fed.

Lol, in the one instance I used reasonable conjecture (without to the stats), you portray it as the “ridicuolous claim” of a “complete idiot”. When a top player like Nadal skips the WTF in 2008, reduces his indoor schedule to just Paris and WTF in 2009 (where he suffers four defeats in two weeks), and then further reduces his indoor schedule to just the WTF in 2010 and 2011… I guess it takes more than average intelligence to see a pattern here. Given that Nadal is a top player, and one of the tennis greats, it is absolutely appropriate to conjecture why Nadal has cut down so much of his indoor schedule.

As for what Yanick Noah said, the Le Monde newspaper which carried his remarks is one of the two ‘newspapers of record’ in France (i.e., they are like the New York Times and Washington Post in the USA). If they thought he was a complete idiot, they would not have published his remarks or ridiculed them. Those who accused Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong of doping were also once rubbished as ‘complete idiots’. Now, do I think Nadal takes performance enhancing drugs. Personally no. But it would not surprise some of us if some Spanish tennis players are exposed as drug cheats in the future. Until Spain cleans up their sports drug problem, it taints all Spanish athletes.

E.g., with respect to athletics, Travis Tygart, the chief executive of the US Anti-Doping Agency: ‘There does currently exist a divide between a number of nations that are running the most effective [anti-doping] programmes. You look at the UK, France, Norway and, hopefully, the US. They are in stark contrast to the quality of the [anti-doping] programmes in Spain, Jamaica, Russia. That’s troubling particularly because our athletes will be on the world stage competing against those athletes. ‘Frankly, athletes from those countries [Jamaica, Spain and Russia] deserve to be able to say: “Hey, we’re clean. And not only are we clean but we’re held to the highest standard”. I feel bad for athletes from those countries, because they don’t have the ability to say that.’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-2033444/Nick-Harris-Britain-takes-gold-comes-testing-drugs.html


Fot Says:

I have a serious question for any Nadal fans out there.

Remember when he won the US Open, the one shot that I saw was just ‘unbelievable’ was his serve. He was serving at 130+mph regularly and he and his Uncle said something like they only had to change his ‘grip’. He was getting a LOT of free points on that serve and the percentage wasn’t bad either.

My question – what happened to THAT SERVE? Nadal hasn’t hit serves like that since then. In his interview from the match yesterday, he said something like he wasn’t able to get any free points on his serve. My question is – then why? Why not STAY with that ‘grip’ that won him his only US Open? It helped him then – couldn’t it help him on these type indoor surfaces too?

Just wondering…

And in the meantime – GO ROGER!!!!!!


Dave Says:

dari: Thanks.

However, what’s the evidence to substantiate your claim that the “press asked how this related to RG 2008, rafa didn’t bring it up”? What question do you assume the press asked?

As well, it was not the next line of the nadal quote “where he says these conditions suit roger, but, no matter what surface, if roger plays like tonight he would beat me, no worry.” It was 3 lines down (and in a different area in the full interview transcript) where he said “But his level is probably higher here because all the conditions are perfect for him as the bounce is not too high and there is no wind.” “In these conditions he can attack better than on other surfaces. But if he plays like this in the other surfaces he will still beat me. That is true.”
http://tinyurl.com/btmadgr

This is not an issue about the lack of grace between these two. Roger and Rafa have shown an unusual and admirable degree of mutual respect to each other for some time. The issue is that the news media applies double standards to portray Nadal as gracious while sometimes misrepresenting Federer as ungracious, by how the media selectively quotes and omits to quote the top players. I merely used Nadal’s comments to show that, had Fed made the same remarks, they would likely be sensationalized as ungracious by his critics.


Daniel Says:

Brando, Dave took the words out of my mouth regarding Nadal and indoor, you have to be blind to not see. It’s not like he “fears” losing, but he is so used to duirng indoors and deep down he knows in order to win it will have to be an alignemnt of stars, he just prefer to play minimum as possible. Usually, he starts droping after Wimbledon, he plays 2 masters, US Open, 1 more Master and WTF, when he plays. Last year where he played 3 asians tourneys were an unsual. But he was in such a perfect year winning so much that he didn’t bother to just keeps playing.

His focus on the season always is and always will be Clay and Wimbledon. US Open he figure it out and have some draw helsp as well. I will be very surprised if he manages a third straight final next year (But not chocked as he sustained 3 Slam finals in the last 2 years). Eventually Murray will have to come together and new comers will raise as well. Plus the age factor, he will be 26 next year, but in Nadal years it is like 27-28. Remember that Nadal is a prodigy who is in the circuit since 2001. His milage is differen than the regular tour.


Daniel Says:

haha, Chocked shoud shocked:)


Skorocel Says:

Dave: „In their 2008 French Open match — where Federer probably tanked the final set 0-6 with no likelihood of victory (he was lucky just to defend his FO final points given he was recovering from mononucleosis… so he wanted to move on to grass without wasti more energy or risking injury)“

Yeah, and he tanked that 5th set of their Wimby final as well (probably focusing on winning the US Open or Basel)… LOL :-)

——–

Dave: „- Nadal making sure we all remembered his whipping of Federer in 2008 French Open (which of course, the news media later reminded Federer about): “When I beat him in the Roland Garros final in 2008 it was a similar thing but the difference is that was the final of a Grand Slam and this was a round-robin match.”

What’s wrong with that? Grandslam final > WTF RR match. Always.

——–

dari to Dave: „Just be sure to include that press asked how this related to RG 2008, rafa didn’t bring it up.“

Are you listening, Dave?


skeezerweezer Says:

@Fot,

I posed the same question some time ago. I was guessing that it was because this change in his serve caused injury. Note after his USO win with the big serve he hurt his shoulder was hurt shortly thereafter. After coming back from it his serve was back to the same ole for the most part. Just a guess, but circumstances cannot be ignored.


Daniel Says:

Damm, I lost a huge post with the math fro Group B.

Right now they are:

– Djoko 2-1
– Ferrer 2-0
– Berdy 3-3
– Tipsy 1-4 (He carried Murray’s lost)

1 – If Djoko wins, he will be in the semis as Berdy and Ferrer will battle for the second win, leaving just 2 players with more than 2 wins.

2 If Ferrer wins losing a set they will be

– Ferrer 4-1
– Djoko 3-3
– Berdy 3-3
– Tipsy 1-4

This not guarantee Ferrer is in, beacause if Djoko wins agaisnt Tipsy in 2 and Ferrer loses to Berdy in 2 they will be after 3 RR

– Ferrer 4-3
– Djoko 5-3
– Berdy 5-3
– Tipsy 1-6

Ferrer is out, that’s why in order for Ferrer to qualify he needs to win in straight sets cause they will be after 3 RR

– Ferrer 4-0
– Djoko 2-3
– Berdy 3-3
– Tispy 1-4

This way, even if Djoko beats Tipsy in 2 and Fererr loses to Berdy in 2 they will be after 3 RR

– Ferrer 4-2
– Djoko 4-3
– Berdy 5-3

Djoko is out,

if Djoko beats Tipsy in 2 and Berdy beats Ferrer in 3, Djoko is in, Berdy is out, Ferrer first, which means, Djoko x Fed semi.

– Ferrer 4-2
– Djoko 4-3
– Berdy 5-4

We have 2 interesting scenarios, and bith involve Djoko losing:

1 – we can have a 3 way tie or if Ferrer loses to Berdy and Djoko beats Tipsy or

2 – Ferrer wins 3 matches and Tipsy beats Djoko, leaving Djoko, Berdy and Tipsy with 1 victory and 2 defeats.

Ferrer will be firts and Djoko, Tipsy and Berdy will have sets won-lost to break even.


Dave Says:

Fot:

It does seem there is more to how Nadal got his fast serve than from just changing his grip.

As for what happened to that serve, I’ll try to partially answer your question with facts. It appears, according to his official claims, that serving fast gave his shoulders tendinitis… so the presumption is that he had to stop doing it. Of course, there could be another reason we don’t know about.

After the 2010 US Open, Nadal played and won the Japan Open. His first serve was reaching 125 to 130 mph in the final against Troicki (see clip).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21hxFr2c32E

In his next event, Shanghai, Nadal flamed out to Melzer and blamed tiredness multiple times. As well he said that his arm felt tired from serving fast at the US Open, Bangkok and Japan.
http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=66965

After 2010 Shanghai, Nadal took a few weeks off the tour. Then later he pulled out of Paris claiming he had tendinitis in his shoulder from practising his serve in Mallorca.
http://www.france24.com/en/20101105-nadal-pulls-out-paris-masters-with-shoulder-injury-tennis


andrea Says:

nice display from tipsarevic..he almost scored the win! tonight’s match should be interesting. ferrer can’t be counted out yet. still don’t believe berdych can hold it together when it counts, so tsonga to me is the real dark horse still in the mix. i have a feeling he will take out nadal based on how nadal was against fed last night….if tsonga gets going on serve, he’ll hold easily and put pressure on nadal.

would be nice to see fish put up a fight against fed but with him being so injured, don’t give him much of a chance.

i watched the fed nadal match on the PVR last night and the final point played to give fed the break in the first set was off the rails!

what’s interesting is that roger was pushing rafa back all the time instead of the other way around. nadal pretty much gave up on some points later in the second set which is rare to see.


Dave Says:

Skorocel:
I presume you understand the meaning of “probably” as in “Federer PROBABLY tanked the final set 0-6 with no likelihood of victory”.

I’m not sure whether I wrote that comment having read Fed’s post-match comments such as “it’s very difficult when I was two sets down, 4-Love. I mean, I realized there was nothing I could do… it’s easier to lose this way as today, because all along the match you realize that there is nothing you can do. You’re not going to win”.
http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2008-06-08/h.php

Or maybe I got the notion that federer tanked the final set of the 2008 FO final from reading the highly-educated, intelligent tennis writer Jon Wertheim’s views in his book ‘Strokes of Genius: Federer, Nadal, and the Greatest Match Ever Played’: “(in 2008) A bout with mononucleosis had cost Federer twenty days of practice during tennis’s winter off-season… Still a step slow, Federer slogged through the next few months… On sheer talent, Federer carved his way through the draw of the 2008 French Open. He was to face Nadal, the three-time champion, in the final… Midway through the match, he became convinced it wasn’t his day. And he could not or would not try to trick himself into thinking otherwise. Federer shook his head, furrowed his considerable eyebrows, and scowled as he lumbered to his chair on changeovers. Once he gave himself no chance to win, he figured he’d do the next best thing and get the hell off stage as soon as possible. Operating at an auctioneer’s pace, he made only halfhearted efforts to retrieve balls. The third set flew by in twenty-seven minutes, a soufflé-like collapse that ended 6-0. It was strictly a cover-your-eyes affair… Nadal claimed that he barely noticed Federer’s vacant effort. Not so the rest of his entourage. Before the match had ended, Toni Nadal, Rafael’s numinous coach and uncle, nudged his neighbors in the stands and used the word “bizarre” to describe Federer’s disposition. “I must read the papers tomorrow to find out what was going on in his head,” Toni said after the match. “I never sensed any determination. He never put himself in that state. I was watching his face. Closed. He wasn’t sending any messages to Rafa. He didn’t have a winner’s mentality. It wasn’t the real Roger.” ”
http://tinyurl.com/cgqc64k

Unlike Uncle Toni and Jon Wertheim, I used “probably”.

Skorocel, you ridicule Federer for losing the fifth set of their Wimbledon final. But it just shows that — despite suffering mononucleosis, which left him with a dangerously enlarged spleen after the 2008 AO and impeded his recovery (according to the chief medical doctor of the entire Swiss Olympics team) — what an exceptional athlete Federer is to have the capability to endure a fifth set at the 2008 Wimbledon against Nadal as well as reach the semifinal of the 2008 AO to face Djokovic. The end of their epic Wimbledon match was played in near darkness (TV technology made it look brighter than it was) — it was like a crapshoot as Nadal also had a chance of making a mistake in that darkness. Remember, in 2007, he won three GS titles, FO finalist and won WTF. And he had a winning record over Nadal (having beaten him on all surfaces clay, grass, hardcourts). Had Federer not suffered mononucleosis six months earlier, he would have probably carried his 2007 form into 2008. A healthy Federer (without the mono in 2008 or the groin injury from the 2007 FO) would probably have beaten Nadal at the 2008 Wimbledon.

As Pierre Paganini (Federer’s respected conditioning coach) has said, Federer played the 2008 tpurney’s while less than 100%. “(in 2008, Federer) lacked always two or three percent. Glandular fever is a really hard thing. And then the back pain came in the fall, that did not help either…But it was sensational, the way he fought through everything in 2008, even though he was limited. That limitation makes a big difference at this high level, and challenged him mentally to the extreme. 2008 was from the mental side one of his best years.”
http://gototennis.com/2009/10/27/pierre-paganini-on-roger-federer-as-long-as-he-plays-he-will-be-strong/

Unlike a number other top players who chicken out of the tour when they don’t feel 100%, Federer wasn’t scared to play matches while not feeling his best. he wasn’t scared to take losses. That’s courage and sportsmanship, if you understand the concept.


Fot Says:

Thanks for the Nadal serving explanation guys! I guess it does make sense. I thought – heck, if Nadal can improve his serve that fast with just a change of grip – why aren’t the other players doing it! lol! But if it hurts your arm…I can understand.

Looking forward to the Ferrer/Novak match next!


dari Says:

Dave, in the link above I posted the full video interviews from rafa and roger, it is the first question he takes the reporter asked the comparison between this and rg 08

I also meant that just after he talks about the surface suting roger, he says roger like this would win on any surface. All in the video

I absolutely understand your point and agree with it
Just having watched the video, I could see how the write up skews things a bit and was pointing that out

I like to maintain the rafa/roger love story alive in my mind, so I just wanted to defend nadal a bit there and give the context.
BTW, it is quite easy to do that when roger has just played fantastic tennis and beaten rafa, another day, maybe not ;)


marrisv Says:

Ferrer leading 5-3


marrisv Says:

Ferrer wins first 6-3


jane Says:

Just checked scores; it looks like there is little hope for Nole here. But that’s okay with me. He’s been so successful this year that frankly a little rest would do him more good than battling on methinks. Ferrer might be better equipped right now to duke it out with whomever makes it through.


marrisv Says:

Ferrer up 2-0 in the second…


alison hodge Says:

wow ferrer playing really well so far,a set and a break up,nole will have to do it the hard way yet again.


alison hodge Says:

hi jane yeah but noles nole,i agree it does not look good but hes such a fighter,even if he doesnt win this match,he may still qualify depending on other results,is that right? mathamatic possibilities are confusing me a bit.


marrisv Says:

Ferrer can still do that one slip up that can turn this match around. I think this 1-4 game is important for Novak. Looks like there was a BP chance for Ferrer to go two breaks up, but Nole is dragging him back.


marrisv Says:

never-mind. Ferrer is at match point.


marrisv Says:

Ferrer did in two again. Looks like he may be through to the Semis.


BT Says:

Good win for Ferrer, congrats to him.

Also belated congrats to Berdych. Quite poetic saving a match point of his own vs Tipsy!


alison hodge Says:

oh dear i did not see that one coming,pretty similar to the rafa roger score line last night,comisarations to jane,nina and the other nole fans,but congrats to david on a fantastic performance.


Eric Says:

marrisv, “may” be through? He is through!

What a shocking result, though – especially the thoroughness of the victory Ferrer broke Djokovic in four out of eight service games, while facing just one bp of his own. Solid stuff.


alison hodge Says:

great tennis and a very open tourney,t.berds win and noles loss,just blew group a wide open,nole has to beat tipso and t.berd has to loose to ferrer,if both win or both loose,then it will get complicated lol.


Colin Says:

If, as noe seems probable, Federer wins the tournament, I hope someone at the press conference will remind him of those remarks about Murray winning against a depleted field!


Colin Says:

Wake up, Colin – for “noe” read “now”.


marrisv Says:

Congrats to Ferrer. Commiserations to Novak Fans.

Novak still has a chance to get to the semis.

Yes,Eric. Ferrer is indeed through to the semis!.


Ben Pronin Says:

Djokovic’s form has definitely dipped since the US Open. I don’t think it’s injury-related here, just that after so much tennis you’re bound to play some loose matches.

Colin, you can’t call the top 8-9 players in the world a depleted field.


Wog boy Says:

Can Ferrer do Davydenko, no I don’t think so. Federer will not let this one go. So Ferrer is through to SF, well Novak is not sure , Janko is not just tourist in London and lot depends on Ferrer – Berdych. If Novak goes to SF , fired up Federe is waiting for him. It looks to me that Novak finished his year right after USO, I don’t blame him.
Congrats to Berdych and Ferrer, not really good night for me.


NK Says:

Nadal making sure we all remembered his whipping of Federer in 2008 French Open (which of course, the news media later reminded Federer about): “When I beat him in the Roland Garros final in 2008 it was a similar thing but the difference is that was the final of a Grand Slam and this was a round-robin match.”

The difference is also that Federer in 2008 was just coming off a horrendous start to the year with the glandular fever, food poisoning, mono, etc. Nadal has to be delusional to think that Federer was in great health and form when he lost at the FO that year.


Brando Says:

@wog boy: it doesn’t matter if nole loses now he’s made history this year. He could lose 6-0 6-0 to tipsy and it still would not dampen the quality of his year. He’s made history baby! Lol, but yeah nole fans unlucky tonight, and I was surprised since there were no signs of injury and I thought ferrer would be perfect for nole to get his groove going again with. Thought wrong obviously. But congrats to ferrer, tennis’s very own version of the running man, he was brilliant and would have been very difficult to beat today for anyone!


Brando Says:

@NK: I agree completely. Rafa MUST be an idiot to think that a player who is in the final of a grand slam is fit and in form. Well spotted- people like dave, Daniel, trufan would not have figured that one out!


Wog boy Says:

@Brando:

Thanks Brando, your post made me feel better:-)
It was lousy night, it is lousy morning ,cold and raining and windy ( Melbourne weather ) it is 9 am and I feel lousy, but still have to finish day and not let my coustomers realise what kind of night I had. I can do it, it is not first time :)
Cheers


Brando Says:

@wog boy: no worries, hope you survive the day well:-)


jane Says:

alison and marrisv, sweet of you, thanks for the kind words. After the fact, but right back at you both for Rafa’s loss y’day. Both guys took it on the chin – similar beatdowns!. Nole and Rafa were warriors this year, though, winning titles and in a lot of finals.

Credit to Fed and Ferrer for being the better players in their matches.

Agree that Tsonga might still be a darkhorse but Fed looks like the obvious winner at this point.


Colin Says:

Ben, I think it’s fair to call the field depleted when one of the top 4 (Nadal)is off form, having been in one of the tournies Murray won, but unable to reach the final, when another (Murray) is injured, and a third (Nole)is either not fully fit or has suddenly forgotten how to play. Even Federer’s next opponent, not a top 4 player, has had recent injury problems.
Still, it would be fun if Ferrer won the whole thing!


Brando Says:

@jane: ‘ Both guys took it on the chin – similar beatdowns!. Nole and Rafa were warriors this year, though, winning titles and in a lot of finals.’ completely agree. Nole’s got absolutely NOTHING to prove and rafa: a slam, master series, 500 point title, RU in 7 finals including 2 slams and every title he held last year- boo hoo him, poor guy what a dreadful year!:-)


jane Says:

Nole’s words:

“All the credit to Ferrer, he played great match,” said Novak. “It was the worst match I’ve played this season so far definitely. So many unforced errors. I’m not playing well – that’s a fact. At this level you know that you have to deliver your best tennis. I wasn’t on my best in the first match, but I managed to kind of get into the rhythm in the second set. This match, I have no words to explain. Nothing was going really for me. Nothing was going well.”

“He was playing smart, changing rhythm. You always can kind of expect and predict what he’s going to come up on the court with. He doesn’t drop with the level that much. He’s always focused, always fighting for each point. He’s a great player. He deserved to win.”


alison hodge Says:

your welcome jane,i agree i think its feds to loose now,with tsonga as a dark horse.


jane Says:

Brando, yeah, realistically we cannot really complain too much can we? :) Never easy to see your guy lose like that (bagels and breadsticks) or even watch scores. But all in all, it isn’t a biggie. Nole is a little like a roller-coaster, we fans have to take the ups with the downs.


alison hodge Says:

great posts from jane and brando,taking the defeats with the same dignity as the wins,as a fan you have to accept the lows as well as the highs.


Ben Pronin Says:

Ferrer didn’t really do THAT much. He kept the ball in play, hit deep, moved Djokovic around. But Djokovic definitely could have won, he was just unable to execute. He was missing a lot of his signature shots (forehand dtl, backhand dtl). One huge positive to take is that he hit some monster second serves well above 100mph. So we know the shoulder isn’t bothering him (at least it doesn’t seem like it is).

Ferrer, though, never missed. 11 unforced errors against Djokovic’s defense? Without a doubt, he’s playing extremely well. The win over Murray surely gave him a lot of confidence, and now this? He did storm through the field in 2007 until he got blitzed by Federer. Could be a repeat?

Is everyone resigned to Nadal losing to Tsonga? I don’t think that’s a given at all. Nadal may not be playing his all out best, but what the hell was he supposed to do against Federer yesterday? Throw his racquet at him? Nadal is still in it, like he said, he’ll keep fighting. And considering Tsonga’s flakiness, I see no reason Nadal won’t pull through.

Colin, I know you’re trying to make Federer out to be a hypocritical jerk for somewhat bashing Murray, but I’m not buying it. I don’t buy into what Federer said, I think it’s funny, because it obviously bugs Murray, but I think it was a dumb statement. And I’m not going to buy into a tournament specifically made up of the top 8-9 to be a depleted field. It’s not Federer’s fault everyone else is struggling. And it wasn’t Murray’s fault others were too lazy to go to Asia.


Kimmi Says:

Djokovic must have a burn out. Nadal is looking burned out too. They killed each other this year. Look like they both need a long rest..wait a minute, the rest is only 4 weeks. will it be enough?


Ben Pronin Says:

Nadal and Djokovic can stick to exhos in the first few weeks of the season so they won’t have to kill themselves again until the Australian Open. But if they’re still tired it looks like Federer might have a serious opening, not that he needs one but it wouldn’t hurt.


marrisv Says:

thanks jane. I do hope that Nadal and Novak bounce back in their last RR match.


NK Says:

Never count Nadal out. He could beat Tsonga and Ferrer to get to the finals. And if Fed makes it to the finals, who knows…will he in the zone or back to his inconsistent self.


NK Says:

Djoko’s “burnout” may be legit, but Nadal’s is suspect. He just took several weeks off, no, while Fed was playing back-to-back tournaments and going all the way to the finals?


andrea Says:

another blow out match? crazy. will check it out later. can’t say it’s overly surprising. novak has been on last legs.


Swiss Maestro Says:

In the open era, only 3 men have won atp finals without losing a match. hewitt/edberg (or was it lendl?) and fed. fed man did it 4 times (03,04, 07, 10).

he looks good to repeating a 5th time. the finals has got to be one of the toughest tournaments to win. top 8 players – no easy matches and you gotta be a real ironman to be able to be fit and ready to play at the end of the year. to win this tournament at his age outlasting all this younger athletes is a tribute to fed’s fitness regime.

Allez Rogi.


skeezerweezer Says:

^ Agree I will count Rafa out “when he is out”. He has proven a dangerous cat in a corner more than once!


Tarzan Says:

Jane……… Have I told you lately that NOle has NO class and is an absolute miserable representative of the sport???? Well……. He is. Can’t stand him……


Hunter Says:

@tarzan:

You sound like you misjudged the distance from the tree. Go for a scan, if there is anything in your empty head.


skeezerweezer Says:

And the trolls come out….ugh. Sorry jane, but jealousy is always a friend of hate…..


Kimberly Says:

Sorry Jane, you deserve better.

what I want to know, is where did the Ferrer voters we laughed at, who refused to out themselves, get the inside info as he is leading right now at 4-0 (even Fed is 4-1). Jamie’s psychic?


Tarzan Says:

Jealousy is not a friend of hate… that’s just stupid… it doesn’t even make sense. I know… I’ve heard people use the saying before… but it really doesn’t make sense. Not trying to hate. Just can’t stand the guy. I admire what he’s done but over the years I’ve gotten to where I can’t stand him.


skeezerweezer Says:

Yadayada


jane Says:

Thanks for the comments Kimberly and skeeze. The scroll button is my friend. ;)


jane Says:

Kimberly, wouldn’t it be even crazier if those 4-6 voters turned out to be right? Well, Ferrer did make the final in 2007. But I can’t see him beating Fed. I don’t know if he has ever beaten Fed in fact.


Tarzan Says:

???
Love Ferrer
Love Federer
Love Nadal
Love Murray
Love Most everyone……………

cant stand Nole
cant stand Roddick

Love Carl Edwards….. (different sport…not sure you would figure that out) but he too lost…


Michael Says:

I suspect that Djokovic’s shoulder problems has aggravated a bit and that is the reason why Ferrer was able to beat him so convincingly. Else you can never imagine Ferrer winning in such a fashion. But Djokovic should not offer this as an excuse like some of his counterparts. If he is playing then he is fit to play and has no business to lose.


Michael Says:

With Djokovic not in good stead, it should be cake walk for Federer to win this WTF. He must never miss this opportunity and go on to win a record sixth title. That will be another crown in his achievement.


Michael Says:

It seems Rafa is lucky once again. He might not have to meet Djokovic in the semis if infact he scrapes through against Tsonga. Djokovic if he displays his best and beats Tipsaveric who is also injured may end up 2nd in his group and will most probably face Federer.


steve-o Says:

Congrats to Ferrer, sorry Djokovic fans.

Nadal will be inexplicably physically stronger in the next match, just like last year.

Mentally is a different question–last year he gained confidence from grinding out each match, this year that confidence took a huge dent after losing to Federer, whatever he may say to the press.

Still Nadal’s game is so mechanical, the defeat might not affect him significantly. He’ll go out there and just grind away.

I wouldn’t count on Tsonga winning, but he could theoretically do it.


Michael Says:

We could still have a Federer-Nadal finals at the WTF. It is possible.


laslo Says:

Looks live Fish, Nole, Nadal, Tipsy, Murray either have injuries or burnout. It’s a good opportunity for Fed to pick up the scraps.


Hunter Says:

Ball is in Berdych court. Everything depends on him, if he wins in two he is going to SF regardless of Nole’s result. If Betdych doesan’t win in two than there is a lot of maths, I will leave it to Daniel, he is better in maths.


skeezerweezer Says:

I would not say Rafa has injury, burnout, a hangnail, hangover, etc, until he is out of the tournament. Rafa still has Tennis to play and unless he withdraws prior to the remaining matches there is NO excuse. Look, if he didn’t think he had a chance to win he would not enter. Tired of all the setups for Rafa in case he loses. Besides, he still is in and has a chance and could take the title.

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