I say Davydenko wins in straight sets.

I go with your prediction Ricky. Davy will have had a scant 12 hours recovery time after last night's gruelling 3-setter whereas Roger has had a 36 hour break. This is not the moment for him to end that H2H record.

No way Fed will miss out on the final against Davydenko. I am sure Fed wants to meet Delpo again and play against him again and get more ideas on how to beat Delpo becoz Delpo will be a consistent GS threat in the future.

Fed looked a lil bit baffled by Delpo's power and would really love to find a way against Delpo.

This match is practically going to be a routine affair for Federer, and I don't think he will find much problem to head to the final, where he will have to face DELPO again. And there he has to find out ways to beat him in the clash of titans, because through the most of 2010 GS, the tennis world is going to see Fed Vs. Delpo rivalry, a more riveting and thrilling experience than perhaps Fed-Nadal and Samprass-Agassi rivalry. Everything else is secondary.

Yeah... Delpo is like the new prince coming to dethrone the King.. This prince plays the same aggressive style which is why this will be intriguing.

Fed Vs Nadal is a battle of Attack Vs Defence. This is all-out-attack Vs all-court game at the highest level.

CMON!!

I would agree with Ricky here. Davydenko has been playing very good tennis lately, but can he overcome his mental block against the "MIGHTY" FED... having played a tough match yesterday? For your EYES ONLY... " the FED" in ACTION mode! C'MON!

Davydenko loses the first six points of the match...but eventually gets the first break

when watching Roger Federer play like he did in this last game, one gets the impression he is prone to becoming a slave to mode swings, I hope he willsnap OUT of IT! Go FED go... 2 double faults and already broken C'MON make it happen FED

Davydenko 4-1, up a by a double-break

Roger needs to focus BIG TIME!!! Will he do it?

well if we are following Rogers performance in this tournament he is on track (losing the first set, but bouncing back)... Davydenko is ON right now and will be a TOUGH customer

whoa!! samdaman is the only one here whose prediction could still be correct.

Davydenko by the laws of averages has to win a match against the FED someday, will it be today?! NOT OVER YET FOLKS :)

I'm consoled by the fact the FED is going to ATTACK! ATTACK! ATTACK!

Federer picking up his game (ie, his serve). I expect him to win.

Wow!!!! Go FED go.... :)

D A V Y D E N K O !!!!! FINALLY!!! Well deserved!!! Congrats to Davydenko fans

Well if anyone ever deserved to finally get a win, it's Davydenko. I'm sure Fed feels Davydenko deserves it too, since they've had some pretty tight matches over the years.

unbelievable

Can't wait to hear the excuses.

WOW, My prediction was right, plus a set!!! GOOOOO DAVY!!!!!!!

Great performance by Davy! Congrats to him and all his fans!

can you believe this? man who had barely enough time to sleep before match started has won?? congrats kolya, this is such a huge win on many levels.

I'm SO HAPPY for DAVYDENKO!!! What a win!! Please continue the good form into the final and beat whoever there; after beating Fed on the 13th attempt, he really deserve a big prize, ie winning the WTF Championship!! GO DAVY GO!!

13 is not so unlucky for Davy ... he is playing so well ( great for him after having to come back after injuries earlier this year.)

Me neither Jean.
He looked like he was going to cry walking off.
He didn't feel like signing autographs i guess.
Now all the good lookers are out of the tournament.....WTF indeed.
I hope it's Koyla and Sod in the final...just what the organizers would love.

what a year for Davydenko. Missed the first three months, and now he is in the final of the year-ender. Hope he gets some respect.

'Hope he gets some respect'. After that performance, in buckets I would hope. I am more than happy to have wrongly predicted the outcome.

alik - even the commentators said he was teary walking off. wouldn't be the first time. Funny how at AO the same thing happen. Rafa got 1 less day to rest, now Davy had half a day compared to his nearly 1.5 days and he still lost. Looks like he's not only going to be Rafa's whipping boy!

looks like the "respect" issue was addressed at Federer's press conference

Q. Nikolay has finished top five in the world for the past four years. Do you think he gets the respect he deserves?

ROGER Federer: Well, I don't know if you guys have. I have. I think it's most important that he has respect from his fellow players. I think he didn't have the easiest of last few years, you know, where people suspected him of doing bad things in the sport, you know. He had a cloud over his name for quite some time, which was not very fair at the end now. I think he handled it very well towards the end.

To be able to continue playing this well by being asked always the same stupid questions must not have been very easy for him. So I respect him not only for that, but obviously for the player he is. Proved it was worth hanging in there. He finally beat me today. I wish him all the best for the final.

match recap - http://www.tennistalk.com/en/match_report/Barclays_ATP_World_Tour_Fina ls/2009/Roger_Federer_-_Nikolay_Davydenko

well, federer was in good form, but somehow....Nando(of all people) took a set off him.Lost in Basel,Lost to benny,Lost the USO,now has lost to Davy...not hurt and had a good rest break before this tourney....man..good luck in the 2012 olympics.

I wouldn't worry about it alik, Roger Federer is a GREAT champion, bar none! :)

I'm definitely not worried about him, AT All.
I know he is a great Champion.
He's the "GOAT" for Pete's sake!

Alik, what is your problem?

Nadal fared far worst than Fed in recent tournaments.

And also no one was close to Fed to be no.1 in the end. Come next year when Fed is fresh and ready for a new year again, it will be a different story all over again.

Murray was the hot stuff last year towards the end but in the end, it's the Slams that people remember most.

It's been about 2 and a half months since I posted here at TT,tho have read some posts along the way - and I dont know why it surprises me that people still want to have a dig at roger,its so immature. mainly you Jean. I remember once you defended me, way back and I will always remember that about you Jean.but after reading your posts over the last couple of weeks in particular, you have become sour and bitter.what's the point?just enjoy the tennis for crazies sake.we get it. you dont like roger.well have a guess jean. he doesnt know you,has had a great year,i mean a really great year,and continues to still be at the top of his game,we accept as fedfans that roger wont always be at the top, but you know what, i am glad he is still out there and playing great tennis.maybe not as consistently,but get used to it. hes still around and he still counts. the same cannot be said of you can it jean?you havent posted a great,balanced post in quite a while. At least federer will come back even stronger,i guess when you are at the top like roger has been for so long, it embitters some fans and you just proved that.

maxi, yes, I've tried to be fair to RF but people like chr18 and fedexfan take every possible dig at RF. So now, 2 (or more) can play at the same game, tit for tat. You guys play nice, and so will I! It's very simple! If you guys don't like it, why don't you stop the nonesense?! It's not rocket science!! You keep at it, than expect the same.

They can dish it out but can't take it,Jean.I don't have a problem with federer,I'm a tennis fan, i know what he's accomplised and all that yada.yada...
But every since i've been here Rafa has never gotten any respect(from some people).
and he will be in the hall of fame just like federer.
But when federer losese everyone is suppose that bow down and feel sorry for him and all that stuff..I don't think so.
It don't work that way.We care about our player just as much as you guys care about yours..so if you want some respect show some.
That's the problem on most of the tennis site.Most people don't have a problem with federer, it's his fans... they are out of control.
Just like now ,where is ATR?..why no post on predicting federer's fall from grace..no, you want see any, cause all the hate is directed at rafa, like he stole you guys lunch money or something...just makes me sick.

alik: we were having a blissful rest from atr, for goodness sake stop trying to tempt him out of his lair.

Federer's fall from grace?

The guy was the only 1 from the top 4 who went to the semis. At least he showed that the ranking meant something.

Rafa just showed that no.2 doesnt mean u will even win a set off no.3, no.9 and no.6.

no you did not torres ! haha ...

maxi , welcome back ....i missed you calling me out on my comments :)

oh btw , atr is a rafa fan ....i remember him saying so very clearly ....he just hates defensive tennis . go figure ! its probably the only matter we agree on .

Fed lost .... a 3 setter to a better player ....2 points from the match and suddenly you get broken and loose the match ...its tennis . Congrats to Davy boy . I think this win means the world to him as his press interview clearly indicates . Finals ain't gona be any easier , but i reckon he has the baseline game to win it .

C'MON !!

Hi fedex.am still here. alik gave me a great piece of advice a few months ago as i kept talking about tennis.x for a lot of the time(sometimes didnt even realise i was doing it!), so that is where i have been and I feel i have grown in terms of tennis knowledge.
there isnt the bitching that goes on here. but i still read the posts from all of you. and will come back properly around slam time. I used to enjoy reading the posts from jean who always seemed neutral to me, objective, and lovely. and sort of became a friend at times, defending my lack of tennis knowledge, once or twice. but hopefull jean will say also, that i never really got involved in the fighting.what's the point?but i dont like ridiculous, 'well if roger is this, rafa is that'. pointless.and jean, i just commented on how bitter your posts have become when they used to be insightful.like i said before, dont put us all in the same category,if you want to have a go at people, be specific, address your posts to chr18 and fedex,but dont you find it non-sensical and boring to do this? doesnt it take away your great posting skills?I cant see the point. Sodont generalise.it just isnt fair.we are not all the same. at all.
alik, my conversations with duro on tennis.x have been interesting and has proven to be a very balanced poster over there. you should try it some time.
so fedex, whilst i may not be around all the time, i will see you at the slams along with the rest of the crowd, hopefully.it's been nice to take a break though.i hope that rafa comes back strong.And i know that roger will too.it's been a long year for all players, they deserve the rest. i just wish the fighting would stop.It spoils this forum.

wow maxi!! sounds to me like you are the one who is bitter!

hi homos. how are you? no. not at all. last thing in the world that i am like.because i have said that people having a go at each other, brings down the forum??-you call that bitter??dont be ridiculous homos. you obviously want to get a rise from me and your not going to get it.

Jean and alik.i would love to have tennis conversation with you about rafa.as you obviously know his tennis, follow him more closely than i do, so if you get the chance to respond, this is an honest question to the both of you.

1)Having seen rafa at the 02, and how much body mass he has lost (he looks skinny, i mean toned, but completely different in physique). Do you think that this has been the reason why he seems to be playing differently? and is the reason he is losing his matches? that he is "frightened" to run for the ball as much as he used to in case - by running - this will trouble his knees or injure them permanently?.
I read that uncle toni told him he MUST lose the body mass as this will take away the stress from his knees. but having done this, do you think that he needs to put on the body mass to get back to the player he was before? and I am genuinely interested in your thoughts by the way.

maxi: i'm not trying to pick a fight with you. i read your 11:58pm post and i was quite shocked, it sounded bitter to me. a whole post attacking jean when you hadn't done your research. certain fans here have been taking frequent jabs at rafa. you must know know how it feels. like alik says, it's sickenning. anyway, enuf, i see you are trying to sort it out so i take it back. i didn't see your 2:23 pm post til after i posted my comment. peace and welcome back. i hope you stay x

1)Having seen rafa at the 02, and how much body mass he has lost (he looks skinny, i mean toned, but completely different in physique). Do you think that this has been the reason why he seems to be playing differently?

Maxi, I'm in Cincy for the holidays, and when you drive past the Mason tennis complex outside they have massive banners of Fed, Rafa and the Williamses, and the 21-inch pythons on Nadal are most prominent. When I saw Rafa at WTF, I was shocked at how slimmed down he was, having not seen him in a while.

I've said that I'm a big-time baseball fan, and it's very easy for someone like me to jump to a very simple and logical conclusion as to why the sudden loss of "presence" and big-time victories have happened. There are no more illusions.

Them's fightin' words SP !!!

Homos. Peace.No problem. My real home is tennis.x. we dont get the childish bickering that happens on this forum.you should come over for a while. I'll look out for you.
SenorPlaid. I am probably being a bit thick,but i dont understand what you are saying - seriously, 'no more illusions' about what?

I can answer that for you maxi. As a baseball fan many baseball players are on steroids and when they stop there is a dramatic fall off in performance. SP is implying that Nadal was on steroids and recently stopped. To make it plainly clear, I don't think that's the case but SP must be feeling mischievous today.

according to this he is 85 kg

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Rafael-Na dal.aspx

can't believe he was 90 kg or more unless atp web site info is obsolete?

top players go through strict, frequent anti-doping controls, so rafa using forbidden substances is absolutely ridiculous notion.

Chr, I don't think that it is the case either, but I definitely don't think it's NOT the case. Maxi brought up the sudden decline, not only in the performance, but in the physical makeup. I noticed it right away, too, so I went there. It's just one in a number of explanations, but in this day and age, it's unfortunately the easiest explanation.

And as to the anti-doping controls, two months ago, I bet no one on this here site would've thought that ATP would cover up for one of its biggest stars, either. So who really knows what goes on behind closed doors? Sports is a funny thing, which is why we watch: As much as we know, we really don't know what's going to happen next.

Again some people are still talking about Nadal; I can't understand why. People, just have to understand that there would soon be no Federer-Nadal rivalry anymore. The way things are going, it could very well turn out to be Federer-Del Potro rivalry in the Majors and the ATP Masters tournaments; In a few days, the shift is surely going to be seen and the Federer-Nadal rivalry is going to be a thing of the past. Those of Nadals fans who think of "Federers fall from grace" might bask in the past glory and would painfully witness Nadal turning to be another Brugera or Ferero, whom almost no one remembers that way till this day.

Jean and alik, i hope you are able to answer my above post.
Senorplaid and chr18,thanks for your reply.
Really? I just dont see it.No way. Rafa is ATP vice president,a beautiful human being.i have always loved his play.my point was about the article i had read from uncle toni, "advising" he loses some body mass,my point was asking both jean and alik as diehard rafa fans, if they thought that by putting on the muscle mass again, (by pumping iron in the gym by the way), would solve the problem of rafa's different style of play.
solitudine, i for one, love the rafa/roger rivalry and long may it continue.

Rafa lost weight intentionally to release the pressure of his knees...If he was taking steroids during his whole carrier, and was able to fool everybody and apparently ATP covered for him?!!! (Ha,ha,ha-when did ATP become so merciful?) why would he decide to stop right now?! It makes no sense! He could go like that forever....uh, isn?t that ridiculous? You guys can do better than that! And thinking, even for a second, that Rafa?s success came from him taking banned substances is so intimidating, beyond comprehension, so degrading and just unacceptable...I am speechless! Anyone who claims to know about tennis and who is considered to be a tennis fan would never buy such nonsense! Unfortunately it speaks more of them than of the tennis itself...

Rafa lost weight intentionally to release the pressure of his knees...If he was taking steroids during his whole carrier, and was able to fool everybody and apparently ATP covered for him?!!! (Ha,ha,ha-when did ATP become so merciful?) why would he decide to stop right now?! It makes no sense! He could go like that forever....uh, isn?t that ridiculous? You guys can do better than that! And thinking, even for a second, that Rafa?s success came from him taking banned substances is so intimidating, beyond comprehension, so degrading and just unacceptable...I am speechless! Anyone who claims to know about tennis and who is considered to be a tennis fan would never buy such nonsense! Unfortunately it speaks more of them than of the tennis itself...

maxi, I know you didn't ask me ... but where did you read that Toni Nadal told Rafa he must lose weight? I know there are many people writing about this ... what is interesting is that Rafa keeps saying he hasn't lost ANY weight. What do you think? Is there a good reason to lie about this? He and his team are invariably honest about what is going on with him ...

maxi: thanks but i will decline your kind invite. i am told tennix is pro fed and rafa fans have left that site. maybe you can tell me if you think so but i will refrain for now. anyway i'm quite busy sometimes and can't be on too many forums. i think you should stay maxi because you show respect to all the players but i understand that the bickering can drive some fans away. we have lost many good ones already and it will continue, i don't doubt it.

Maxi,Rafa said now he's wearing sleeves,people don't see hisarms and they think he's lost weight.I can only believe him cause i don't have a scale.

he was instructed to lost weight (by his doctor not toni) to relieve the pressure off his knees so that he will have a longer career.His body is changing and i believe it has to do with a combination of things.1)he turned pro at a young age and his body was not fully developed(he even said that his bones were not developed) 2) in the process of trying to help his knees,he's lost some power in his shots and his endurance level is low.

He was scared to run after balls cause he was afraid that he would hurt himself.His goal has always the Davis cup Final.With the Final being next week ,no way was he going to push himself to try andwin.(like nando,now he might can't play in the DC final) he didn't care about the WTF.

In the off season rafa said that he will recharge his batteries.Build up his strength and get use to his new body.He is one of the most mentally tough competators there is.After 4 months,no way has he lost that mentality.He'll be fine.he will work hard and come back strong.all great champions do.

I hope i was able to answer your guestions a little.Since you are such a balanced poster,next season come around more often,not just when federer has lost a match.

(lol) and anyway,come to think of it.Maxi,why would you start up a question session about rafa in a thread where federer is the topic.was it to distract the conversation away from federer's problems and everyone trying to analysis what his problem lossing to Davy?
Seems like if you was so concern for rafa you would have asked in a thread where rafa was the subject..that's just me.

Great post, alik! Love it! By the way, Rafa is training in Barcelona and he looks good! Not sure about Nando, though...DC is going to be so exciting! I can?t wait to see it! Ok. Enough of Rafa in this thread...it is just that I couldn't resist...

No problem Natashao(xo):) since we were steered away from discussing federer's tactics on how and why he lost to Davy here, it's ok to talk about Rafa.Seems like that's where some wanted the convo to go anyway:)so...
Yes,i saw he's training in Barcelona.I bet he's happy to feel clay under his feet again.
Did you see his shoe?:)

No problem Natashao(xo):) since we were steered away from discussing federer's tactics on how and why he lost to Davy here, it's ok to talk about Rafa.Seems like that's where some wanted the convo to go anyway:)so...
Yes,i saw he's training in Barcelona.I bet he's happy to feel clay under his feet again.
Did you see his shoe?:)

solitudine....rafa is a 6 time major champion,a 15 time masters champion and a davis cup champion too.....nd he is only 23..he has achieved a lot more than the likes of ferrero and brugera or alberto costa or other spaniards.....and people certainly wont forget him....even people like pat cash,becker,safin,hewitt will always be remembered for their personalities and their tennis......nd i feel rafa has a lot more than all of them....so dont be dillusioned and live in denial....

VAMOS!!!!!

alik, no particular reason.i often find that conversations take different turns and what one thread is supposed to be about, changes with a topic introduced by another equally curious poster. i asked the question of you as I know that both you and alik love rafa.So, I know you would follow his career more closely than me. And I appreciate your answer by the way. I read mainly fed reports as you know,but because I am a great fan of the rafa/roger rivalry, i dip into the rafa reporting, just not as current as you.I had read that he had fallen out with his uncle, and there was a new guy who was accompanying him on tour, but then i read another that said that uncle toni was taking a break, and had sent someone else in his place.but I too, believe alik, that rafa is going through a transitional phase, only in so far as he is still trying to find his game after injury and there is nothing wrong with that. cheers to you alik.

homos,

this isnt the case. you will know that i have posted on tennis.x for about 2 years now, and it really depends who you want to have a conversation with over there. It is certainly not a pro rafa site, that's for sure. I would say it's a very even site, homos.and i wouldnt lie about that.there is a lot of grerat conversation over there,and it would be really good to hear your views. you will be in good company and may be you will change your mind? never say never!

I hope that come the slams, we can all get on a lot better and not have to fight so often about ridiculous things. The question I asked both Jean and alik was a genuine one, and I respect alik's reply. I happen to agree with him and I am a federer fan. It is possible you know.

Federer's still the man to beat

Mumbai: By winning the prestigious year-end ATP World Tour Finals, Nikolay Davydenko added an extra conversation starter to the wrap up of the year's tennis. He was the unlikeliest of winners, although a solid performer and therefore a legitimate contender. The Silent Assassin, he was dubbed by the commentators.

Along the way to his victory over US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, he lost only to defending champion Novak Djokovic and then went on to defeat Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal, French Open and Wimbledon champion Roger Federer and French Open finalist Robin Soderling. Each one of those players had been given better odds by bookies to win the title. Davydenko however hit the ground running after his first defeat and then sizzled on the courts. A new champion was born.

The year began it seemed with the end of one champion and the meteoric ascension of another. In Australia, as Federer wept after losing another massive five-set final to Nadal, there were murmurs that the king was dead...Federer was coming off a pretty bad 2008.

Yet, you write him off at your own peril, as everyone discovered. Sadly, it was Nadal who faded and by May, was ousted from Roland Garros by Soderling.

A resurgent Federer went on to win the French, the one slam that had eluded him. He won his sixth Wimbledon title, denied him by Nadal in an epic five-setter the year before. In this year's five-setter against Andy Roddick, Federer made no such mistake.

The No.1 ranking was back and he had 15 Grand Slam titles overtaking Pete Sampras's record of 14. He had a career slam, got married to his long-time companion Mirka and also became the father of twin girls.

When he reached the US Open final, it showed a consistency which was frightening. Federer has reached 22 Grand Slam semifinals or better, as well as 17 of the last 18 Grand Slam finals. Therefore, even losses in Basel, Paris and London have not affected his position for 2010.

It is the rest of the field which is now worth conjecture. Nadal must recoup fast and recover his lost form. Djokovic has not been able to defend his one Grand Slam (Australia 2008) or his year-ender title, though he was been a quiet achiever in the latter part of 2009.

Del Potro took time to come down from the US Open euphoria. The biggest hope of 2009 was Andy Murray and he still remains a hope for 2010. Will this be his breakthrough year?

Federer has a few advantages here -- he saw out the greats of the generation before him, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi; destroyed many of his own generation -- Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick -- and is not allowing the new boys, Murray and Del Potro, to have a full run of the rankings.

Can someone please clarify for me what 85 kg is in pounds. Being from the US, we use pounds for weight measurement. I wanted to know what this is, compared to what Rafa's weight has been in the past.

If Rafa has indeed lost weight, I have to believe that it was on the advice of his doctors. It would take some of the stress off his knees. If it's about Rafa's longevity and ability to continue playing, then it would make sense to try and take off some extra weight if it will help keep his knees healthy.

Native...85 kg is 167 pounds.

native, you can just google for a weight or any unit calculator/converter online.

eg: http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/body_weight/weight_converter.htm


threre a many to choose from.