Arguably the greatest rivalry in tennis history is picking up steam in a major way. And it is doing so 13 years after it first began–at this same Miami Open.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will be facing each other for the 37th time in their careers and for the third time already this season when they battle for the Miami title on Sunday afternoon. Federer and Nadal went 15 months without a single meeting before colliding at both the Australian Open and the Indian Wells Masters earlier this year. The Swiss survived a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 thriller to triumph Down Under before destroying Nadal 6-2, 6-3 in an all-too-early fourth-round showdown in the California desert.
Nadal still leads the overall head-to-head series 23-13, but it is now tied up 9-9 on hard courts. The two all-time greats have squared off three times in Miami, where each of their first two encounters took place. Nadal cruised 6-3, 6-3 back in 2004, Federer prevailed 2-6, 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-1 in the 2005 final, and Nadal got the job done 6-3, 6-2 in 2011.
This one almost did not come to fruition. Federer has been the dominant player of 2017 with an 18-1 record and titles in Melbourne and Indian Wells, but it was far from one-way traffic for him in the quarterfinals and semis. After saving two match points to outlast Tomas Berdych 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(6), the 35-year-old returned one day later and battled past Nick Kyrgios 7-6(9), 6-7(9), 7-6(5) in three hours and 10 minutes. Federer preceded those results with more routine defeats of Frances Tiafoe, Juan Martin Del Potro, and Roberto Bautista Agut.
“He’s playing so good,” Nadal commented. “That’s all, no? He’s playing great. When (a) top player like him is playing that well, then it’s always a big challenge for every player. That’s all.”
Nadal endured only one real scare on the way to his fifth Miami final. The sixth-ranked Spaniard got bageled in the first set of his third-round date with Philipp Kohlschreiber, but he recovered to win 0-6, 6-2, 6-3. Nadal also boasts straight-set victories over Dudi Sela, Nicolas Mahut, Jack Sock, and Fabio Fognini.
The 14-time major champion is still in search of his first Miami title, currently saddle with an 0-4 record in finals. This one should be more competitive than what transpired in Indian Wells, but Federer is battle-hardened thanks to Berdych and Kyrgios and a full day off will restored whatever energy was sapped in those thrillers. Given the way he is hitting his backhand, which had been his waterloo against Nadal in the past, Federer should make it three in a row at his rival’s expense.
Pick: Federer in 2
[polldaddy poll=9713040]
who ya got?
Correction: should make it FOUR in a row.
Tsame as Ricky.
Only Rafa has the potential to save tennis from the rampantly spreading fedfawn weeds.
But unfortunately the belief in himself is still somewhat lacking.
Vamos Rafa no matter what.
Sadly, fedfan in two is the easy pick.
I really don’t see how Nadal will have any answers to GOAT’s current form.. Federer in 2, one tight one easy. WWW?
Only 2008-2013 Rafa or 2011-2016.5 Nole could beat this Fed.
2000-2016 fed couldn’t beat this 2017 35.5 year old fed.
Defies nature.
Fed has been sharp but maybe not as sharp as in IW so I give Rafa a set. Fed in 3.
Nadal in 3.
Maybe Nadal in 2. He’ll be getting very keen about the clay court season. 2 losses to Fed. A player of his ability will have worked out where he’s gone wrong. He’s only dropped 1 set in Miami and made amends. Fed has had a tough road to the final. 3 tight tiebreakers against Kyrgios must surely take its toll. Nadal will be happy to make this physical. Nadal in finals is a different beast to R16.
JC must be a fedfan.
#Hedging
Agree with JC. If a Rafa who comes out playing better than all his matches here so far, Rafa can win. Fed has started missing easy shots, hitting into the net more often as he progresses through the draw.
Both Tin man and Bad boy were not gutsy enough when they had the upper hand so Fed had his narrow escapes. Unless Rafa behaves like them, Rafa should be able to beat this Fed. Rafa in two or three sets.
When has Rafa last played at a level to beat this Fed?
Pfft revisionism is everywhere.
I agree that Rafa in finals is a daunting idea to face….but Federer is playing the best tennis ever after his 2004-07 dominance. And both his forehands and backhands are sprinkling the lines. If his serve works out well in the final, I fail to see how Rafa can survive…
agreed
Agreed about #GOAT2.0. I’ve said for a while that this is the best level of his career.
The question is how.
How at almost 36 I mean.
Why Rafa can’t survive? If Berdych and Kyrgios can survive three sets and barely lost, I don’t see why Rafa can’t, as if Rafa hasn’t/hadn’t faced a Fed who had fired on all cylinder.
In one word confidence and belief.
However, even then, both players lost it in the final moments surrendering the last seven points combined.
UNDOUBTEDLY, ROGER IN 2……………
well there is some doubt, but yes probably Federer in 2
Whatever the result in Final…but one thing is sure Federer will find Nadal’s serve heaven after what he faced tonight. I think a day off will certainly boost energy and I can see Federer beating Nadal in 2 sets playing super aggressive tennis…I think Federer’s ROS has been so underrated…I feel there will be a return from Federer against Nadal’s every serve almost.
Wow we actually agree on something.
(except for the part about any aspect of Feds game being underrated by anyone ever)
If there ever actually was anyone who ever thought Federer has a bad ROS, they haven’t watched his match against Sampras in Wimbledon 2001.
His ROS is the most significant aspect of his magnificent tennis that has improved after his 6-month layoff. Even more than his backhand. His backhand was already extra-ordinary….he is just hitting the slash more often than the slice which is giving less time to his younger and swifter opponents – thus neutralising their advantage over the aging Federer.
well said
Fed’s backhand was considered great till Rafa came along in 2004.
Pre2015 Rafa would have whooped this Fed’s ass.
I think pre-2014 IMO.
I guess that since I have to pick Rafa, I’ll say in 3.
Ooooh.
Some wavering noted there lol.
Hahahaha NEVAAAAA Sir Hawkingtons!!
Contractual obligations are everywhere.
I was about to ask you what it’s like to want the guy to win that you think will lose, but then I recalled that I’m an Agassi fan haha. I remember desperately wanting to think Andre would win against Pete at US Open 2001 and 2002, but deep down I knew the truth… As Andre says, “Always Pete.” 🙂
I was a Pete fan.
Another #Humb1e great.
It was always tough for me to see Andre lose to Pete, even though I respected Pete’s game. But now I’m a downright Sampras fan. Lately I’ve actually been watching more old Sampras matches than Agassi ones.
If Rafa manage to lose this time around when he got less physical matches compared to Rog and a rest that a slightly longer than Rog…I admit that Rafa is in deep abyss than I originally thought…I picked Rafa in my Bracket,but this new Rog is scared me to death…urgh!!I don’t want to predict!Let the nature decide who’s winning..i’m okay either way although I wish Rafa to win this time…Bring it on guys!!
Nature has little to do with this.
Nature,fate,luck…anything hawks…
None of the above I suspect MA.
That’s alright hawks…I’m a Muslim and clearly we have a very different view and belief on many things Hawks..that’s okay…
No no sorry MA that’s not at all what I meant.
I doubt you and I are all that different.
Although I wish I had your tolerance.
Huge respect.
… and your patience, love and understanding.
Maybe you’re right after all MA LOL.
Peace.
Hawks!!Thank u thank u thank u for your nice and sweet words!!Oh my God!You’re awesome!!I’m very honoured to have your respect and nice gesture Hawks!I’ve seen you’re interacted with other people with less tolerance and sarcastic behavior and to see u with a sweet and nice attitude like this..urgh!it makes my heart and head swell with love for u Hawks!!hahaha…
This Fed is quick and aggressive and always moving forward to take away time from opponents. When Kygrios stayed at baseline most of the time in set one, he struggled but when he decided to move up to the court and played with more aggression, he did better in set two.
If Rafa continues to play from so far back, he will play into Fed’s hands; he has to play with more aggression instead of always counter punching against this Fed. He should mix it up instead of going to Fed’s BH all the time. Kygrios made that mistake by gong CC most of the time to Fed’s BH but at least Kygrios had his serve to bail him out of troubles. Rafa can’t afford to do that and expect to win.
Confidence is what makes the difference at this elite level.
Kyrgios is much more confident than Rafa at the moment.
#GOAT2.0 is more confident than either of them.
Luckystar…Very agree with u!!That’s why I don’t dare to predict..we don’t know which rafa who would come out to play tomorrow..if the version at IW then tired or less rest Roger or not,i think Rog has a big chance to win here…but seen Rafa in 2nd sets against Fog also not very encouraging…he still kept hitting to Fog’s BH side repeatedly..and believe me Rog will feast on that mercilessly tomorrow..
MA, I doubt it’s the IW version. This is a final of a Masters we are talking about; I expect something like the AO, this time the role is reversed, with Rafa a bit fresher than Fed.
He had faced Fed twice already so he’s not unfamiliar with this Fed; it’s unlike facing the on fire Querrey in Acapulco final (perhaps Rafa didn’t expect that version of Querrey).
Of course there’s also a possibility that Rafa is ‘afraid’ of this Fed, just like he did against Djoko in 2014 final, and so may produce a one sided quick short final in favor of his opponent. I hope this possibility is low to non existent and the right Rafa comes out to play.
Oh Lucky…I wish you’re right!Hope Rafa will feel less gobsmacked like he did at IW…also I’m very happy to see his body language in Fog’s match..very very positive..hope he will carry that positiveness to the final…Can’t wait to see how Rafa will handle Roger this time…
On another note, it’s all Fedal now because of Djoko and Murray are injured. I’m not sure that if the Djoko of Doha and AO2016 came out to play, Fedal would have their way so far this year. Their (Djoko and Murray) absences or poor form open up opportunities for others and Fedal are ready to take them (to their credit).
RT @Dimonator: Kyrgios on what he showed: “A lot of fight. I thought I competed for every point. I wouldn’t be surprised if [people] found something bad.”
: Kyrgios: “I got a lot of work to do. I’m 16 in the world. There are 15 players better than me.”
That’s the spirit nick.
F<*k the crowd.
That “spirit” is why the “crowd” hates him. Treat fans like dirt and they respond in kind.
A big part of why Nole is burned out and in a chronic funk.
Tennis fans lose and rabid fedfawns win.
Maybe Nole sold Fed his oxygen chamber.
The best thing this New Federer has learnt is his sheer will to fight almost every point and having almost certain belief to make comeback no matter what score says….This ‘competetive’ Federer with a super confidence and always willing to put a fight, if falling behind in score, will be the highlight of his success this year, and may be it is not a good news for opponents.
Who knows? He may stay undefeated on hard courts in 2017 at least until summer!
#FedfawnMaths
This is nothing new; Fed is used to fighting all along; you shortchanged him.
This is the first time Rafa has lost 3 in a row to Fed and Nadal dominates the rivalry. Nadal wont let it be 4 in a row. Nadal will be on heat in this final.
Yeah but rhetoric don’t count for much in tennis last time I checked
TTFN y’all. It’s been fun.
Need to get my beauty sleep ?
Hugs ? and kisses ? to my BFF Augusta wherever she is.
#WheresRafa2013???
Hawkeye, if he actually went undefeated on hard court this year, like literally, I am not sure how would you respond….
Remaining hard court matches I mean…
#HawkeyeWillFireDonskoy
I would say hmmmmm….
(except I am already)
Hope Rafa wins..not sure though of it
Roger realizes he has planted a seed in Rafas head and will look to grow a tree out of it now by making it 3 straight losses this year.
It depends how badly Rafa wants this. Hope he has learnt from IW and AO 5th set.
Mind game! I’m sure Rafa and his team know that. I think Rafa will win this time, I feel that Fed is a bit fatigued and makes more errors; it’s just that Berdych and Kygrios aren’t good enough to exploit.
I’m sure Fed will come out super aggressive as he wants to hurry Rafa into errors and also wants to shorten the match as much as possible. Rafa needs his FH DTL shots to attack Fed’s FH as much as possible. I hope Rafa is calm enough when under pressure and stays focused. Vamos Rafa!!
Nah, this Rafa is not the Rafa of 2015 where he lost thrice to Fog. Rafa has since overcome Fog. Not everyone can live in Rafa’s head, so far only Djoko.
Even if Rafa were to lose to Fed here, I’m sure Rafa knows he will beat Fed elsewhere going forward, for it’s not likely that Fed can sustain this for long. It’s unlike Djoko since 2011 to early 2012 ( Rafa found the answer in 2012); and then since FO 2014 onwards (Rafa yet to find an answer); Djoko is around Rafa’s age and no one knows for sure when his dominance is going to end.
Of course now we know Djoko is in a slump, so perhaps it’s a good chance for Rafa to beat him now when they meet, to drive that ‘demon’ out of his head and hopefully once and for all no more ‘demon’ living in his head.
Nah this Rafa is also not the Rafa of 2013.
He’s somewhere in the middle.
Fed is better than any other previous model year fed.
And the fedfawn crowd is more rabid than ever before.
Rafa in 3 after losing set 1. If he wins this he will sweep the clay season?
Vamos rafa!
Rafa in Miami is not the same as Rafa of IW. His game has evolved to close to his AO level and his fighting spirit and belief are back (unlike in his IW match!). Fed should have lost to both Berdy and Nick, with former choking at key points and poor Nick having to fight with the disruptive crowd all the time. Fed’s level is lower than in both AO and IW, although still high no doubt about it! But this is not fast AO surface. Also, Rafa is fighting for his FIRST Miami title and he will leave his all on this court on Sunday. Fed did not face such Rafa this year. This one will be whole different.
Further, Miami crowd has sure been pro Fed last night maybe because Nick with his behavior made “enemies” all around the world and he gets to taste some of his own medicine. It will take time and great play from Nick in the future to win them over. But this crowed screams when Rafa addresses them in Spanish, they adore Rafa, so I don’t think Fed will have as much support as last night. At least they will not be as disrespectful of Rafa’s game.
Lastly, to say Fed won’t be a bit tired in the finals is too preposterous. Fed is 35 years old and the match will be played at sunny hot weather! Also Fed showed a nervous side of him last night. Rafa has always known how to handle a nervous Fed.
One thing I must admit: Rafa’s inconsistency may be a factor tomorrow, but I hope determined Rafa shows up. I hope Rafa has studied his wrongs of their previous encounters and will come up with his smart tennis and solutions!
Vamos Champ!
Well said Nats, agreed.
How badly I am yearning to see Rafa hold Miami title
Fed in his post match interview said ‘ First time ever I have beaten Rafa 3 times in a row..Hope and looking forward to make it 4’
Don’t be too upset in case Rafa loses here. He’s not the only one not winning at a Masters after being to so many finals. Djoko has his Cincy and Fed MC and Rome having being to so many finals and still not getting the trophy.
Maybe Fed wins this one. But that’s where his winning will stop. Clay tennis is real tennis. ?
Ha, I’ve the same feeling as you Atul, that Fed’s winning will stop at Miami and perhaps continue on grass.
I think Kyrgios will give Fed lots of problems on grass should they meet. I feel Kyrgios is hurt by the spectators behavior towards him, and the next time he meets Fed, he’ll be more determined to beat Fed.
Fed had a narrow escape here, Kyrgios let his lead in set one slipped away; he should learn something from this match and never let a lead slips away that easily.
Rafa in 3