Final previews and picks: Federer vs. Falla, Dimitrov vs. Lopez

Fed 3Roger Federer will bid for another Halle title when he takes the court against Alejandro Falla on Sunday in Halle. At Queen’s Club, meanwhile, Grigor Dimitrov is squaring off with Feliciano Lopez.

Halle: Alejandro Falla vs. (2) Roger Federer

Federer and Falla will be going head-to-head for the seventh time in their careers when they battle for the Gerry Weber Open title on Sunday. Amazingly, it will be their fifth encounter on grass. Less surprisingly, Federer has won all six of their previous meetings–four on grass and also two on clay. The Swiss won 11 consecutive sets in their first four matches, but the last two went the distance. Their most memorable showdown came in the Wimbledon first round in 2010, when Federer came back from two sets down to prevail 5-7, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(1), 6-0. They also faced each other at the London Olympics and Federer scored a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 victory. A 2010 Halle date went the favorite’s way via a more convincing 6-1, 6-2 decision.

To say Federer is tough to beat in Halle would be an understatement. The 17-time Grand Slam champion is 45-5 lifetime at the tournament with six titles. He is one win away from a seventh following scalps this week of Joao Sousa and Kei Nishikori (he also got a walkover past Yen-Hsun Lu). Falla advanced by taking out Lukasz Kubot, Robin Haase, Peter Gojowczyk, and Philipp Kohlschreiber. Still, the 69th-ranked Colombian is just 9-8 at the ATP level this season. Federer improved considerably against Nishikori after a struggle in round two and Falla is coming off a tough three-setter against Kohlschreiber, so this should be one-way traffic.

Pick: Federer in 2 losing 8 games or fewer

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Queen’s Club: (4) Grigor Dimitrov vs. Feliciano Lopez

Dimitrov and Lopez will be squaring off for the second time in their careers when they collide in the final of the Aegon Championships on Sunday. Interestingly, their only previous meeting came at this same Queen’s Club event, with Lopez rolling to a 6-2, 6-4 win in 2010. Dimitrov, of course, is a much different player now at 23 years old. The Bulgarian is 29-9 for his 2014 campaign and he is up to No. 13 in the world. So far this week he has taken out James Ward, Edouard Roger-Vasselin, and Radek Stepanek (he also got a walkover from Alexandr Dolgopolov).

Lopez booked his spot in the title match with victories over Dusan Lajovic, Lleyton Hewitt, Kenny De Schepper, Tomas Berdych, and Radek Stepanek. The 32-year-old is now 19-14 for the season and he registers at 29th in the world. He is perhaps the only relevant Spaniard who is far more dangerous on grass than clay. Lopez is bidding for his fourth title in his 10th career ATP final. Dimitrov has also lifted three ATP trophies, including two this season. Those recent experiences and the fact that Dimitrov has enjoyed a much simpler week should see him through to the winner’s circle.

Pick: Dimitrov in 3

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55 Comments on Final previews and picks: Federer vs. Falla, Dimitrov vs. Lopez

  1. Fed;
    Grisha, aka Baby Fed

    Expert to see realms of copy on the return of the SHBH, the beauty of the SHBH, how REAL tennis was on display this Sunday blah, blah, blah.

    • rafaisthebest ( at 8:28 am),

      SHBH is awful to watch. I am always scared that a player may break his chest.
      This so-called experts are actually Fed fans. They are embarrassed to admit that they are his fans – that’s why they call themselves REAL tennis lovers.

      • They can’t even control where the ball ends up. It’s a case of hit or miss. They want us to believe that it’s beautiful to watch because there is not much going for it. Same as Fed’s game.

  2. SHBH is more natural and quite pleasing to watch, but nowadays every coach insist players to use DHBH.
    I am not an expert , but I guess SHBH will always be classic but will be more fragile.
    and the curvy dipping balls are very difficult to play with DHBH.

    If SHBH is executed perfectly, its great to watch even in club level matches.

    • SHBH is now a relic of the past, nice to watch at exhos and club level matches. Any tennis pro learning to play the game with a SHBH nowadays is not serious.

    • That’s because they know how Nadal toys with Federer’s SHBH. Rafa says he doesn’t even have to serve big against single handed-backhanders, all he has to do is serve to their backhand and he can pencil in the point even before he hits the ball.

      Why would any coach want to teach an outdated skill? Tennis has moved on.

  3. I realize more now how boring SHBH are after watching them play against each other so much at Queens. There is very little variation in the shots.

  4. The entire BBC group of commentators spent the better part of 30 minutes telling up what a special match, what gripping tennis, blah blah we were about to witness. I wanted to phone them up and say at least wait for the match to start instead of over-selling it in advance. From the opening four games I have the distinct feeling it’s going to be a let down.

  5. Hairy chest alert!

    Honestly, Mirka needs to take Fed along on her next trip to the aesthetician…………..

    #Fed

  6. RT @Mike_Dickson_DM : “Real old school grass court tennis in Aegon final, serve dominant, few rallies, the charging Lopez takes 1st tiebreak 10-8”

    All that’s missing are Remmington typewriters, gramophones, vinyl records, bell-bottoms and we are truly off……

    @nostalgia

  7. RT @bgtennisnation : “FILO Lopez playing some excellent Grass court ball up a set on Showtime Dimitrov, but has developed of late most annoying scream grunt”

    There’s always a fly in the ointment eh, Brad? Leave him alone, tosser………..

    I hope Rafa schedules some intensive training sessions with Feli this week…………

  8. well done fed…. good for him to take some confidence into wimbledon… He will be 33 now in August.. wow..33 is quite some age in tennis

  9. ^^^^^^Agree, it got better as it went on. Liked his comment during the interview on court. “……..there’s not a lot to say when you’ve lost the match……..”.

    Gut wrenching for him after holding match point.

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