Goffin Finally Prevails Over Nadal; Federer v Zverev Tuesday

by Staff | November 13th, 2017, 10:31 pm
  • 139 Comments

David Goffin had chance after chance against Rafael Nadal Monday at the ATP Finals. The Belgian, making his ATP Finals debut, ultimately prevailed over the hobbled Spaniard 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-4 for his first win over Rafa.

But Rafa made him work, and made him sweat.

Goffin served for the first set but tossed in two double faults, yet somehow recovered to win the breaker.


In the second, Goffin against served for the match even holding a match point, but he couldn’t pull the trigger on a short forehand.

Not soon after, he then held three more matchpoints with Nadal serving 5-6, 0-40, but again Rafa denied him.

Ultimately, with his knee visibly limiting Nadal’s play, Goffin got a break then another in the third, and after giving one back he finally held on for what he called the best win of his career.

“It’s the best win of my career, for sure, to beat Rafa. But, yeah, I saw that he was struggling a little bit with his movement on the court, and his knee was suffering a little bit,” Goffin said.

“It was tough even if he was not moving 100%. He was hitting the ball really hard. It was not easy. It’s never easy to finish a match, to finish a set against him. Even if I lost four match points in the second, I had no regret. I kept going in the third.”

Nadal was a question mark to participate at the start. He fought hard and after opted to withdraw from the tournament.

“My season is finished. I had the commitment with the event, with the city, with myself. I tried hard. I did the thing that I had to do to try to be ready to play. But I am really not ready to play,” Nadal said.

Nadal will be replaced on Wednesday by countryman Pablo Carreno Busta who will face Dominic Thiem. Meanwhile, Goffin will take on Grigor Dimitrov who won his ATP Finals debut against the Austrian 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.

“It, for me, was just one of those new experiences that I think I’m going to remember for the rest of my life, I think appreciate for the rest of my life,” Dimitrov said. “This is where I always wanted to be at, among the top players, also being able to come through in my first match, it’s only positive.”

With Nadal out, what a chance for Goffin and Dimitrov in the Pete Sampras group. And the win slides Dimitrov past Thiem into the 4th spot in the rankings for the time being.

On Tuesday in the Boris Becker group, the winners from Sunday collide as do the losers.

Roger Federer resumes his bid for a 7th ATP Finals title against Alexander Zverev. The two have split their four career meetings.

“I played him a few times this year now,” Zverev said of Federer. “I played him three times, if you count the Hopman Cup match we played. Obviously, all of them were great matches. Hopefully it can be another one.”

And in a virtual elimination match, Jack Sock takes on Marin Cilic.


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139 Comments for Goffin Finally Prevails Over Nadal; Federer v Zverev Tuesday

Roman Says:

Well, Murray screwed the US Open draw, Federer did it in Paris and now Nadal does it in London. Too bad for Carreño Busta, who could have played three matches overall and maybe fight for the semis.


Tennis Magic Says:

This shows how slow the US Open courts must be for Rafa to have won there. I don’t think the knee is an issue. If it was, he wouldn’t have come at all http://www.138mph.com/tennis-did-rafael-nadal-go-down-to-david-goffin-or-the-court-speed-at-the-atp-finals-in-london/


Daniel Says:

Sock wins, the best result for Federer. If he beats Zverev tonight, regardless of score he already qualifies first in his group, as Sock and Zeverev will play last match with the winner qualifying second. direct confront with Fed and both would have lost.
So, everyhting on Fed’s racquet now.

If Fed loses to Zverev, he will have to either beat Cilic, or Zverev also beat Sock and lead the gorup with 3 wins. Than 3 players will would be 1-2 with Zevrev 3-0 and it will go down to sets won/loss.

So, Fed can still lost tonigh as long as he wins a set to favor him later.


FedExpress Says:

The numbers of chokers who play in this year’s WTF is beyond belief

Thiem
Dimitrov
Goffin
Cilic


Margot Says:

FedExpress: They wouldn’t be top 8 if they were choking all the time, c’mon!
Surely you aren’t saying it’s a very weak field are you? If Fed wins that might come back to bite you.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Margot, I’m a Fed fan and I’ve no problem confirming its a thin field. It was already a thin field before rafa dropped out. Now its anemic.

(I mean, looking at past years, I just don’t think Goffin and Sock quite hold up as replacements for Novak and Andy, but that’s just me)

Why does Zverev always look like he’s about to burst into tears?


Van orten Says:

Because he can’t believe how well he can stay with roger in rallies


Daniel Says:

They are playing too fast, 6-5 Fed in 34 min. After first 2 games when both struggled to hold serve the serve is in an impressive pace.

Looks like tiebreak it will be. Zverev first serve is on fire.


FedExpress Says:

Zverev is a tough match up for Fed


FedExpress Says:

SOOO CLOSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEE


FedExpress Says:

Glorious backhand


Daniel Says:

Yeah, that BH DTL was a winner to me, he anticipated and unleashed it. Missed the one by inches.


FedExpress Says:

SP Federer


Daniel Says:

Another Set Point, Second serve now Zeverev


FedExpress Says:

Saved followed by a big come on from the German

lolllllllllllll


Daniel Says:

Damm it, lucky cord even now;-)


FedExpress Says:

What a lucker Zverev is


FedExpress Says:

I feel Zverev might this set now after that fortune


Van orten Says:

Typical to play well against fed ! He makes you play better


FedExpress Says:

Vuck


FedExpress Says:

Unreal luck


FedExpress Says:

Sometimes you knew that the other is gonna win the set


Van orten Says:

The problem for zverev is … he does not play every match v Federer so it is strange to see him play that consistent here but completely rubbish v number 24 or 30 of the world sometimes


Van orten Says:

still … he is number 3 for a reason I guess


FedExpress Says:

Vuck

plays chit vs everyelse after the USO and then he peaks vs Fed


FedExpress Says:

All the hard work for nothing in the end.

Vuckkkkkkkkkkkkkkk


FedExpress Says:

Come onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn


jatin Says:

Rough rough tiebreaker
Prevails at the end :)


jatin Says:

Zevrev serve is such a difficult shot to read even for fed most of the times.
Hope he closes the match in this set only.
Comon


jatin Says:

Great way to start the 2nd.
Breaks zverev


Madmax Says:

Jatin thank goodness you are there. the voice of calm and reason. The match is awesome and I put my faith in my mans game. He is totally awesome and zverev is completely enjoying himself out there. Pressure is definitely on roger and wow, is he really coming up with the most beautiful, and very fast tennis.

Awesome federer.


Madmax Says:

I can’t breathe when Federer plays such high impact tennis.


Madmax Says:

Hes such a champion out there jatin each time he plays; just an incredibly strong iron will. imagine the pressure and the intensity of having to outwit, to out manoeuvre, outgun the oponent. I feel sick sometimes at the thought and level he puts himself through. So ambitious.


jatin Says:

Agree Madmax, the quality of the shot making has been awesome, specially at the tail end of the 1st set. Fed intelligently went for Zeverev’s forehand after being 4-0 down and draw some errors from that side.
Fed’s serve is almost untouchable today as well :)


FedExpress Says:

WTFFFFFFFFFF

2 DFs


FedExpress Says:

BP Zverev

WTF is going on


FedExpress Says:

Federer you clown


Madmax Says:

Agreed jatin. 100%.


FedExpress Says:

federer got lucky very lucky


Madmax Says:

Just having that coolness under immense pressure. Breathtaking.


FedExpress Says:

you clown


FedExpress Says:

GOAT Ace


FedExpress Says:

WTF has happenedn to Federer


FedExpress Says:

Federer you clown

what did you do there


Madmax Says:

Fedexpress you make me feel depressed. Tennis has nothing to do with luck. It’s keeping cool under immense pressure. Something you don’t handle so well, sadly.

I have every faith in federer I really do. And will always expect a high class match to be played by Zverev who is amazing.


FedExpress Says:

Led 30-0

then 2 Dfs in a row


jatin Says:

And there comes a game when This happens. 2-2


FedExpress Says:

Federer shanking every ball


FedExpress Says:

One way of bringing back the opponents confidence


jatin Says:

The match is going to be much more gureling and physical for fed as Zeverev has upped his game a lot.


FedExpress Says:

Federer is the only above 30 in the WTF remaining lol.


FedExpress Says:

and then serves without problems


FedExpress Says:

netting netting netting nearly every ball


jatin Says:

He has to focus on his serve now and try to take this set to another tiebreaker


FedExpress Says:

is federer injured again?


FedExpress Says:

Oh man Federer

wtf are you doing bro? like really


FedExpress Says:

FFS you clown what are you doing


FedExpress Says:

Chum jetze


FedExpress Says:

Federer is pissed


jatin Says:

Great way to finish the game.
4-4.


FedExpress Says:

It should have not come that far


jatin Says:

Fed has to keep on holding serve


FedExpress Says:

Federes BH has been shitty the whole match


FedExpress Says:

netting so many balls


jatin Says:

Such a big hitter zevrev is.
Fed is frustated.
Comon.. Hold


FedExpress Says:

Zverev has been garbage after USO and now suddenly he peaks.


FedExpress Says:

WTFFFFFFFFFFF


FedExpress Says:

0-30

what a clown


FedExpress Says:

Federer you mug
0-40

3 SPs


FedExpress Says:

1 to save


FedExpress Says:

no first serves


Van orten Says:

3 set points no first serve to bail him out of jail welcome to a third set


FedExpress Says:

what a clown


Van orten Says:

This match up v zverev reminds me totally of the one v delpo ! I don’t like these matches at all .


jatin Says:

Onto the 3rd set.
Zeverv is playing amazing from back of the court.


FedExpress Says:

And serves also 2nd


Madmax Says:

Leave him be FedEx you are a disgrace. this is tennis and so it shall be.

He is a fighter but zverev is loose and free the way he should feel. If federer is able to grab the win you should disappear and not come on thanking fans. You spoil the atmosphere of a tough match through your selfish posts.

Sad man.
Come on Fed, go for it and give it your best.


jatin Says:

Van orten
Same here. It’s gonna be a tough ride.
His Next match is also against Cilic. Another heavy hitter.


Madmax Says:

Annabel Croft said it would be a tough call and she would be right.


Margot Says:

Young Lochinvar has come out of the West. C’mon!


FedExpress Says:

Federer has to won tonight to be sure of a semi place


Madmax Says:

Jatin no worries now let him play with nothing to lose. Proud of him.


j-kath Says:

Think Fed. is tired – a while since he’s had to play 3 hard sets….the age difference is tough.


FedExpress Says:

Federer netting and mishitting balls so many times


Madmax Says:

Fedexpress you are not worthy.

I hear you Margot. A gun fight.


FedExpress Says:

Zverev ball bashing and lucky to get the lines on some shots


jatin Says:

Fed has to find his first serve somehow in this set.


Madmax Says:

Probably right Jkath. But these are the tough ones the round robins – one match at a time.

High intensity drama


FedExpress Says:

The court is slow.


Van orten Says:

It’s strange to see that fed is not goin to the net for most part of the match v the kinds delpo zverev . It’s like an inner voice tells him to slug it out from the baseline against these guys . The moment he is more offensive he is successful though it seems


jatin Says:

madmax
He will find a way for sure


FedExpress Says:

0-15 come on Fed


FedExpress Says:

0-30 lets go roger


Van orten Says:

Vamos roger Vamos


FedExpress Says:

15-30

come on fed lets do this


FedExpress Says:

2 BPs

take one


jatin Says:

Thats more like it F3d :)


FedExpress Says:

CHUM JETZE ALLEEZ COME ON


Van orten Says:

Zverev will learn to be more aggressive himself. Then he will be hard to beat for sure on the future because he is very solid from the baseline getting a lot of difficult balls back


FedExpress Says:

Thats it Roger. Thats it


Madmax Says:

Jatin I hear you. I just have an enormous belief in this man that with his experience and willpower; he will find a way.

Just how I feel; how I choose to think and to think his shots ; well he has everything ; he can and has dug deep so many times. And hey! i don’t think we ever give Federer enough credit for his mental strength. Its huge on occasions like this.


FedExpress Says:

Deuce

Come on Federer


FedExpress Says:

BP Federer


FedExpress Says:

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

4-1 federer


Madmax Says:

Come on Fed. COME ON@@!!!!


jatin Says:

Zverev crumbling under pressure.
4-1


Madmax Says:

We are with you maestro!

Come on you beauty!


FedExpress Says:

the only occasion where Federer didnt reach at least the semis was 2008 I think


Madmax Says:

The Fed is swinging more freely. Love it when this happens. Roger at his bezt.

Love him.


FedExpress Says:

Zverev hitting as hard as he can

0-30


jatin Says:

Madmax
Absolutely.
He has won so so many close matches like this throughout his carrier and even in this year alone.
His mental strength is certainly among the best in the game. Never gives up without a fight until the end.
And he always seem to find a way in the end these days :)


Madmax Says:

So you are thinking now FedEx?

I don’t much like your style in Federer matches these days. You are in complete freefall. Not pleasant.


FedExpress Says:

30-30 come on

Does it feel like or doesnt Fed cant hit through?

BP Zverev


Madmax Says:

I’m with you Jatin.


FedExpress Says:

Good save


FedExpress Says:

WHATTTTTTTTTTT A POINTTTTTTTTTTTTTT


Madmax Says:

Come on Fed. Hang on in there.

Just do it now. Get it done you beauty!


Madmax Says:

You’ve got the break now go for it!

It’s time Fed. It’s time.


FedExpress Says:

Bad miss


Madmax Says:

Champ. Come on!!!


FedExpress Says:

Why do lynette and robert sit seperatly all the time?


Love Tennis Blog Says:

As a Federer fan I really was a little uneasy about this match. Zverev has shown that he can take the racket out of anyones hand. He is also extremely hard to break. Federer was certainly not at his best but was able to work out the key to success. Variation….


Madmax Says:

Find a way ; find the way ; you can do it Fed.

Been here so many times before.


FedExpress Says:

Difficult to hit winners on this court


FedExpress Says:

MP Federer


jatin Says:

Congrts fellow fed fans.
He is in the semis :)


FedExpress Says:

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

COngratz Fed and Fed fans

i know i am harsh sometimes but i am an emotional guy


j-kath Says:

Well done, Roger…U came back strongly.


Margot Says:

Well played Fed gritted it out.
Hope Young Lochinvar gets to the semis at least.


FedExpress Says:

heehhh

the table on sky is wrong

fed lost one set


Madmax Says:

He absolutely gritted it out Margot.

Jatin you are the best of all fans.

FedEx. You are not. Will ignore you from now on.

So proud of federer. What a fighter. What a man. What a match.

Just love him win or lose.


Madmax Says:

Nice one J-kath (seeing as it’s you!) :-)


Willow Says:

I Really worry about Fedexpress state of mind ;-)


skeezer Says:

Awesome win, Awesome opponent, awesome venue!
Allez Fed!


Daniel Says:

Federer qualified first in his group and Cilic out. Zverev and Sock will play and the winner qualifies second.


madmax Says:

Willow Says:
I Really worry about Fedexpress state of mind ;-)

November 14th, 2017 at 6:39 pm

It’s definitely weird.


squirrel Says:

yayy for the Fed win!

@Willow, agree with you, FedExpress needs to see his shrink asap!


Margot Says:

FedExpress is so very sniffy about all the players. Given his level of expertise about what they should and shouldn’t do, I’m guessing he must be a very successful tennis pro. Or not.

Top story: Sinner Swallows Up Zverev For Second Straight Australian Open, 3rd Slam