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5/18/08 2:11 AM | Jonathan Morgan
#1 vs. #2
(Insert tournament here) Final
Alot at stake
Nothing new for these men, as this will be the 16th meeting between the two. Nadal leads the head to head by a score of 9-6, with the most recent victory coming in Monte Carlo final a few weeks ago.
By winning over Djokovic, Nadal secured his #2 seed for the French Open, meaning these two could only meet in the finals. But this is not Roland Garros. This is Hamburg.
The same Hamburg where Nadal has never won a title. The same Hamburg where Federer has 4 titles. The same Hamburg where Federer scored his only win over Nadal on clay, one year ago.
This year is different, however. Last year, Nadal was clearly fatigued and in the latter stages of that match, didn't bother running some balls down, a clearly anti-Rafa trait. This year, he has had a taxing clay season, but his early loss to Ferrero last week in Rome gave him some unexpected rest. Despite his 3 hour affair with Djokovic yesterday, Nadal should still come out with guns blazing.
Federer's favorite clay is here in Hamburg. The ball stays relatively low as compared to the clay in Monte Carlo or Roland Garros, effectively neutralizing Nadal's heavy topspin that Federer has so much trouble dealing with, especially off the backhand side. This will even up the matchup a little bit.
Federer will still need to be extremely aggresive, like he was in the first part of the second set in Monte Carlo. If he can consistently play like that, he has a good shot here. Nadal will do everything he can to make this a knock-down drag-out slug fest like his semi with Djokovic. Nadal will be the favorite, but Federer has a shot.
Either way, it will be fine cinema for all tennis fans, regardless of fan base.
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ricfol - I think you have it exactly right. I believe Federer will win today - perhaps even with ease - but even if I does I believe he has little chance of beating Nadal at RG. I just don't see how anyone can sustain a good enough level to win three sets against Nadal on clay....
RickyDimon , 5/18/08 2:27 PM
already several shocking momentum swings in the first set
RickyDimon , 5/18/08 4:10 PM
this could very well be 7-5, 6-0 Nadal
of course that probably means it's time for another momentum swing and Fed will take the 1st set in a tiebreaker!!!
RickyDimon , 5/18/08 4:21 PM
It's just inevitable, Nadal prevailed over Federer on Clay! Like the semis with Djokovic, it's the determination and the trade mark FIGHTING spirit that made the difference. Anyone would have thrown the towel and wilted the way Federer started the match. There 's no way the #1 player would have lost against any other player the way he played in the beginning of the finals... very intimidating. No one would ever imagine Nadal would seize the set at 5-1 down, but this is Nadal on CLAY. The way he played against Djokovic and Federer, no one would dare to go to the other side of the court in Roland Garros when Rafa is there!
agf25agf , 5/19/08 12:13 AM
Did you know that... Andre Agassi has won all four Grand Slam tournaments.
kaitepai, Dec 2, 2008 4:51 AM
tennisfan2, Dec 2, 2008 3:42 AM
tennisgirl, Dec 1, 2008 11:48 PM
lendl, Dec 1, 2008 6:17 PM
jorgeedu72, Dec 1, 2008 3:34 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:33 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:21 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:15 PM
Roger Federer
Rafael Nadal
ATP Masters Series Hamburg
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What a great final, although as a Federer fan it feels kind of hopeless. Even if Federer would manage to pull it off today it is hard to see that he would be able to repeat such a feat in Paris i two weeks. Nadal is simply ruthless on clay and Federer has to play out of this world tennis for at least three sets in order to succed against Nadal in Paris, which he hasn't even been close to do so far.
ricfol , 5/18/08 10:54 AM