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Ricky Dimon

  • French Open final picks: Nadal vs. Federer

    2011-06-05 04:03:28

    We didn't get a fifth 2011 title match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, but we did get arguably the best rivalry in the history of tennis. It's Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer in the French Open final, and the Tennistalk panel is back to offer its predictions. Post your picks below to see you can beat the "experts."
     
    (1) Rafael Nadal vs. (3) Roger Federer
     
    Ricky "Golden Racket" Dimon: Nadal-Djokovic would have been great, but it doesn't get any better than the 25th installment of probably the best rivalry in this sport's history. And Nadal-Federer XXV should not disappoint, because both men are in fine form. The Spaniard has been getting better as the tournament has progressed and the Swiss, of course, is coming off a monumental win over Djokovic.

    The edge has to go to Nadal, but this time (as opposed to their 2008 Roland Garros final) that edge is slight. Nadal leads the head-to-head series 16-8, including 11-2 on clay, 4-0 at the French, and 3-0 in French finals. Federer, though, looks like he rejuvenated player and he is not about to get blown out like he has on the slow stuff in the past. In fact, they played each other earlier this spring in Madrid and Federer took it to three. Count on this one living up to expectations. Nadal 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-6(6).
     
    Cheryl "can't BELIEVE Ricky had Federer" Murray: The fact is that Federer played better than Nadal in the semis. The Swiss pasted lines and his backhand held up admirably against Djokovic. Also, the new balls favor Fed and his big serve. Until the quarters and semis, Rafa seemed to wage a war against the new balls, the wind, himself and everything else. He's played better for sure; he looked almost back to his normal brilliant clay-court self against Murray.

    That being said, Federer was BETTER than his normal clay-court self. The match against Djokovic was perhaps the best I've ever seen Federer play on the dirt. In the most unlikely of venues, Mr. Federer might just add a 17th Grand Slam title to his stockpile. Yes, I know all about Nadal's record against Federer especially on clay. But those new balls have me thinking that Sunday might just provide an Upset. With a capital U. Federer 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.

    Kelli "Super" DeMario: Federer is riding the high of playing semifinal spoiler and will have the best chance to beat Nadal in a major for the first time in years. Although Nadal has always been a terrible mental matchup for him, Federer's level has exceeded the Mallorcan's all tournament long. Provided he keeps the backhand errors to a minimum, expect to witness a resurgent Swiss add Grand Slam title #17 to his resume on Sunday. Federer 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-4.
     
    "perfect" vmk1: Rafa has been constantly improving through the tournament and would be boosted by Nole's loss. He knows how to win against the resurgent Federer, especially in Paris. Fed's backhand, which has been untested so far, is sure to receive a stern test in the final.

    Finally, Rafa should be relieved to find an opponent other than the Djoker and he should sail through to his sixth RG win with a competitive straight-set victory. Nadal 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.

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Comments

rafa in 4...6-7,6-3,6-4,7-6

vrael , 6/5/11 4:32 AM


cheryl you think federer can beat rafa in a 5th set and guess what on clay....this is a gutsy pick from you....NADAL IN 4 7-6,4-6,6-3,6-2

husmah2007 , 6/5/11 4:37 AM


yesterday i predicted murray to win in 4 and i had also given my reasons...murray is pathetic to convert 3 out of infinite opportunities...nadal's serve is weak as usual

but unlike murray, fedex is serving better than ever...so i expect atleast 3.5 hrs classic 4 set match

fedex vs nadal

7-6,3-6,6-3,7-6..

scoreline may be of any order..i am expecting atleast 2 tiebreaks..

chenna21 , 6/5/11 6:12 AM


Nadal
6-4, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3

ts38 , 6/5/11 7:20 AM


Sigh.............I have a bad feeling about this one. It has WTF 2010 finals written all over it for me...............as in then, Roger has a glint in his eye.........HE WANTS THIS.

I think the championship will be decided by each player's hunger, desire.........it will be mental more than physical.

Rafa has to exorcise all the demons which have plagued his attitude all season to win.............

I am wrecked by nerves.........cannot bring myself to make a prediction.


Vamos Rafa!

rafaisthebest , 6/5/11 7:33 AM


This will be close, but Rafa will win in 4 sets

6-4,4-6,6-4,6-4

atul1985 , 6/5/11 8:20 AM


Its Roger written all over this FO.... 6-4 7-5 4-6 6-3 ... Roger in four sets !!!! :D

Come on!!!!

tomnjerry2 , 6/5/11 9:08 AM


2 players at final as usual, i m happy cos of no Djo at final :)

and again as usual, Nadal will be champion ( 7-5 3-6 6-1 6-4)

Vamos Rafaa!

hsyngkan , 6/5/11 10:17 AM


I'm chuckling to myself because I can't believe how elastic the facts are in some people's eyes.

Ricky, does 'everyone' not agree that Madrid plays like a h/c, what has that got to do with RG? Similarly, everyone agrees that Rafa was not playing his best up until he beat Sod, at the same time no account is taken of the fact that in Rafa's 'lack of form' state he beat Fed in Madrid - 57 61 63.

If the stats beweeen these 2 players were reversed, form or no form, no one would have given Rafa the time of day today. So much bias against Rafa in favour of Federer. People move the goal post all the time to taylor the facts to their opinions. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but no one is entitled to ignore the facts.


Vamos Rafa!

nadline , 6/5/11 11:32 AM


Hilarious that people are picking Roger over Rafa in 5 ON CLAY!!!! Rafa knows how to play Roger and he will employ his good ol'e tactics to beat Roger in 4(6/4,3/6,6/3,7/5)

jaskarans , 6/5/11 1:07 PM


Ricky, nice pick of Fed over Nole in the semis! Not even I, one of the biggest Fed fans on the planet, picked Roger to win that one. But now that he's in the Finals, i'm back on the bandwagon....Fed in 4. Scoot from atl.

scoot , 6/5/11 1:55 PM


If Rafa was playing Stepanek, Kelli would pick Stepanek so no change there then.

nadline , 6/5/11 2:17 PM


Shoot can't beleive I missed the chance to do expert picks.
Maybe next time. :-)
Anyway my pick is Rafa in 4 7-5,6-4,3-6,6-4

TopDog , 6/5/11 2:23 PM


Everyone is full of advice to Roger on how to beat Rafa, I wonder why.

nadline , 6/5/11 2:46 PM


I'm so excited, I can hardly breathe.



Vamos Rafa!

nadline , 6/5/11 3:04 PM


1st set Rafa!



Vamos Rafa!

nadline , 6/5/11 4:20 PM


Nadal in 4. Don't mess with me.

RickyDimon , 6/5/11 7:16 PM


I predicted Nadal in 4 too....dont mess with me either:-)

atul1985 , 6/5/11 8:11 PM


AND me too....:D

vrael , 6/5/11 8:14 PM


Stepanek and Nadal is the same sentence is a crime against humanity.

Two words- "reverse," "jinx." Always works, because if I'd picked Nadal to win, he would have lost. I respect Federer, but I'll be fine if he stays at 16. He looks just lovely with his collection of cookie plates. :D

Kelli , 6/5/11 8:17 PM


Congrats Ricky! I hope you had a cup of coffee riding on this one! LOL

Fed was better than in past finals in Paris, but again it was Rafa who had the answers today and he was just as surprised and pleased with his match as anyone.

chopcus , 6/6/11 6:15 AM


Sorry, Kelli.

I'm glad your anti-jinx worked.

nadline , 6/6/11 12:37 PM


Ricky :bowdown:

The rest LOL

acionescu , 6/6/11 7:27 PM


Ricky's predictions have been very good this year. He must be having some tie-up with a good crystal ball gazer.

holdserve , 6/6/11 8:19 PM



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