Roger 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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For the reasons stated by Ricky:
Federer in 2
Dimitrov in 2
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.
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.
Makes you wonder about the motivations of those who were penciling Stan in as a possible #1
Better to watch Dancing With The Stars then. The antiquated and obsolete SHBH could make a nice dance move.
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.
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.
I’m glad I’m not the only one. I don’t even think they are sincere, especially John Lloyd. Sometimes when John Lloyd is heaping praises on Andy I can see the green in his eyes, wishing he had 10% of Andy’s achievements, and thinking, that could have been me.
ed251137.( at 1:38 pm),
Commentators are paid for talking. (But, what match were they talking about?)
Queens
^^^ talking it up.
Hairy chest alert!
Honestly, Mirka needs to take Fed along on her next trip to the aesthetician…………..
#Fed
Mirka looks pretty shattered. Too many sleepless nights.
Dimi-Feli match finally came alive in the tie break. Feli takes the first set.
Feli didn’t read the script then? He was supposed to lie down for the ATP’s “future”.
When will they start rigging the draw for Dimitrov?
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
^^^Lol 😀 :D:D
The good old days
https://twitter.com/augustazeight/status/478183343218237440/photo/1
Roger has got the gear.
Anyone for tennis?
Lol……….good one!!! How dare Rafa challenge such a gentleman’s sport and make the game so ugly…………yuck………he he!!!!!!
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…………
Fed retains Halle !!!
Many positives….
Fed was schooled by Falla! 😀
Unfortunately, Falla didn’t catch faya………..
250s are the New Slams
#HBO
The 250 streak is alive!
#7 at Halle for Fed. Undisputed 250 GOAT!
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
winner: R. Federer (SUI)
far from a dominant week for Fed. Can’t be too confident.
agreed…but winning does give you a good feeling…..holding the trophy again ! that happens quite rarely for him now…
how do you see his chances at wimbledon, Ricky?
C’mon Feli!
Rolex cannot possible have a better Brand Ambassador!
Feli goes a break up in the 3rd set. Now the acid test. He has to consolidate.
Dimi serving aces like they’re going out of fashion. Will Lopez hold his nerve?
Answer no. Finally Dimitrov gets the break back helped by double fault on BP.
Dimitrov has been studying Djokovic’s acrobatic techniques.
5:6 Feli serving to stay in the match.
And that’s why Feli’s ranking is what it is.
Congratulations to Dimi. Well and truly deserved win.
🙁 🙁 🙁
Boring TB points.
(Masha loves Grisha)
https://twitter.com/SI_BTBaseline/status/478206370320502784
^^So, there were no ball boys on duty?
It was a good match in the end, but I wanted Feli to win.
^^^^^^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.
Anybody but Fedal to win Wimbledon and temporarily save the sport.
Won’t be Fed, that’s for sure.
Wimbledon is not a 250.
#GameOver
Congrats Fed on your Major 250 slam win.
I’ve changed my avatar in your honour.
#AvertYourEyes
Get lost! you fan girl.
What an intelligent, well argued reply.
Federazzi I presume.