Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will be squaring off for the 47th time in their careers when they battle for a place in the Rolex Paris Masters final on Saturday.
Djokovic is leading the head-to-head series 24-22, including 3-0 in their last three contests dating back to the title match of the 2015 year-end championship. The two all-time greats have faced each other just once this season, with Djokovic triumphing 6-4, 6-4 to win the Cincinnati Masters for the first time.
Djokovic’s Cincinnati success was part of a seismic mid-year shift on the ATP Tour, as Federer and Rafael Nadal dominated the first half of 2018–seemingly on their way to a two-man race for the No. 1 ranking. Since the start of the grass-court swing, however, it was been all Djokovic. Buoyed by titles at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, the Serb will regain the top spot from Nadal following this week’s festivities even if he loses to Federer.
Since falling to Marin Cilic in the Queen’s Club final, Djokovic is an incredible 30-1 in his last 31 matches. The 14-time major champion is 8-0 since the U.S. Open, with a title at the Shanghai Masters and victories this week over Joao Sousa, Damir Dzumhur (via second-set retirement), and Cilic.
A minor slump by Federer’s standards saw him lose to Kevin Anderson in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, to Djokovic in Cincinnati, to John Millman in the U.S. Open fourth round, and to Borna Coric in the Shanghai semis. Although the 37-year-old was rarely at his best last week in Basel, he still managed to capture a ninth title at his home tournament. Federer has maintained momentum in Paris with straight-set defeats of Fabio Fognini and Kei Nishikori after getting a walkover from Milos Raonic.
“I think for me it was really important to go through two sets and not get broken,” the No. 3 seed reflected after beating Nishikori 6-4, 6-4. “Winning straight sets is always nice. It saves energy for not only what is to come tomorrow or the following week, but for your career. That’s why you could be more successful if you win quick matches. I’ve done that well throughout my career and it was nice to get one again tonight.
“I want to play well,” Federer said of the upcoming semifinal against Djokovic. “I know he’s on a hot streak so I think it’s going to be tough. But nevertheless I think I’ve got nothing to lose. I also like this type of surface; I like playing indoors. Indoors has treated me very well, winning Rotterdam and Basel (this season). I think I’m ready to do something tomorrow.”
“I’m just pleased to be in the semis,” Djokovic assured. “I know I can play better. At times [against Cilic] I was playing really well; at times, not that great. So there are things that I have to obviously improve for the next one, and I’m looking forward to it.”
The soon-to-be world No. 1 should have an edge from the baseline against Federer, just as he does against everyone else these days. If his service return–which is the best in the game–can once again neutralize the Swiss’ serve, Djokovic may come out on top in what will likely be a more competitive contest than what transpired in Cincinnati.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
[polldaddy poll=10154515]
who ya got?
Djokovic in straight sets.
Probably Fed in 2 or 3.
What’s your reasoning for that outcome, Lucky? Not saying it’s a good or bad pick, I’m just genuinely curious.
Fed plays with more varieties, unlike Cilic. Cilic is so one dimensional – staying at the baseline to rally with Djoko is asking for trouble unless you’re Stan.
Both Fed and Rafa have to employ all sorts of varieties when playing against Djoko in order to have a chance to beat him. Djoko is the ultimate retriever in tennis, no one can outlast him from the baseline.
Fed played badly in that Cincy final, I don’t think he’s going to play the same way this time. If that inconsistent Cilic has a chance to beat Djoko, I give Fed bigger chances. Djoko imo isn’t playing all that well, it’s his ability to hit one more shot to stay in the point that frustrates his opponents, I always wonder why his opponents keep staying at the baseline to try to outhit Djoko, no one except Stan could do that with success, not even Rafa.
PS. I think a Shapo who’s playing well will have a chance against Djoko, as his net rushing and big serving game is more difficult t counter than the baseline game.
Also, I don’t understand why time and again,Djoko’s opponents tend to wait for the ball to come back to where they were standing, to hit it, rather than moving forward to attack the ball early, when Djoko was busy retrieving well behind the baseline. To me, the player should move forward to take the weaker retrieving shot from Djoko and then slam it as hard as possible to the open court, or better still hit a deft drop volley close to the net so that Djoko doesn’t have time to reach it! Time and again, his opponents just wait for the ball to come back and many times they do not expect that Djoko could retrieve the ball, which Djoko always disappoints them!
When playing Djoko, expect the ball to come back at all times no matter what!
Djoker in straights. Hoping otherwise
Hard to predict anything at this time of year , but Djokovic in three.
Fed in 2
Novak is in god mode, but Roger is the god of tennis. This post says that and more … Here’s a bold analysis of the semifinal between Roger and Nova… http://www.138mph.com/atp-tennis-fearless-analysis-of-the-47th-meeting-between-federer-and-djokovic-at-the-paris-masters-1000/
Djoko in 2 or 3
Vamos NOle! What an opening Set!! And Nole takes it
Federer is terrible! It’s a winnable set but his second serve is not up to par; and Djoko is clutch when it matters.
I think Djoko is really in Fed’s head these days. Fed got pinned to his BH corner and he’s not moving his legs quick enough to hit more DTL shots and ended up going CC all the time, allowing Djoko to hit all those CC angled shots. Fed has really slowed down these days, and as I had said before, he would be late for his FH shots when made to move from one corner to the other but not many players could exploit that, unlike Djoko.
Fed is/was rushing through his serve and I don’t understand why. He just couldn’t string two good first serves together, whilst Djoko took his time, bounced the ball so many times and then served so well when it mattered.
Fed couldn’t win the CC BH battle yet he’s still continuing with the pattern, not going to help him.
Let’s be honest here, it would be pretty bad if Novak lost to Fed these days… Sure, Fed is still playing pretty well for a 37 year old, but there is good reason why all the great players of the modern era are either retired or are a non-factor once they start entering their late-30’s. It sort of looks like taking candy from a baby at this point…
To me it’s clear as day- the guy is done is on the verge of retirement. At his age, he needs to be serving SO lights-out in order to even have a chance at a guy like Novak.
He may have a flash of greatness here or there, but it’s really not enjoyable for me to watch anymore. I understand and he is still playing because he loves the game, but as someone who always enjoyed watching him play, it’s just not really that enjoyable anymore now that Father Time has caught up to him.
True, especially when he no longer has his great serve working all the time, and he’s overhitting so often these days. He no longer has his laser sharp precision tennis and it’s understandable at his ‘ripe’ old age.
Still, had he served a little bit better, he could win the first set. Despite his poor second serve and his overhitting, he’s still very close to Djoko’s level and that’s remarkable.
OMG and you were saying.. the maestro just came back to steal set 2
Haha, I did say he still has flashes of greatness! 🙂 But overall, a 37 year old in the modern era usually just doesn’t have the sustained physical ability needed to compete consistently at the highest level. That’s all I’m saying. And it’s very clear for the eye to see, with all players, not just Fed. IMO.
Yes! Fed wins the second set. See, as long as Fed plays with some varieties, he’ll have his chances! He varies the way he returns the serve, not simply blocking back but varies the pace, maybe he should employ some of Murray’s junk balling tennis and not give Djoko any rhythm dealing with his shots.
Fed is so slow to cover his FH corner, just like Rafa these days!
Fed hitting more DTL BH now and wins the points, see, it can be done and should be done more often.
This is the best I have seen Fed play after Wimby initial rounds. And probably his best match against a quality opponent this year.
Sigh, what a way to lose for Fed! DF during TB?
He’s playing so well until this TB! What is Fed thinking???
Vamos Nole!! Did not expect it to be this close but way to go!!!
Why vamos Nole? I would rather Fed wins and breaks Djoko’s winning streak! Djoko will be hard to beat if he continues like this, and Rafa will suffer further under Djoko’s hands! I can’t find myself cheering for Djoko really!
That I agree. But I would rather somebody else break Nole’s winning streak. If Fed wins and gains his confidence back, Rafa will suffer under both of their hands 🙂 And I prefer Rafa suffering at Nole’s hands than Fed’s.
And another thing is I find it extremely hard to warm up to Fed
Fed is not playing at his 2017 level so I doubt Rafa will suffer at Fed’s hand! Can’t say that about Djoko! VMK, did you watch how they play this year??
Personally, if Fed plays Rafa at O2, I would pit Fed as the favorite as I assume many others would. When’s the last time Roger lost to Rafa on a hard court? 2014? It’s not like 2018 Fed is insanely worse than 2017 Fed.
Yes Benny! I think so too. Rafa is not beating Roger at the O2. I think rafa’s best shot is to be in the group that does not have Novak or Roger. And then see how hte draw pans out.
I think the only way Rafa has a chance at o2 is qualify for the semis from the other group and hope he does not have to face Djoko or Fed in the semi and hope that Fed or Djoko get knocked out in the other semi.
Benny, Rafa playing at O2 that means he’s coming in cold as he’s away injured! If Rafa had not injured his knee, and if he’s playing the way he played at USO, I’ve no doubt he could beat Fed! Rafa was playing at a high level then despite not having his usual good serve.
Fed not at his 2017 level and Rafa is playing better than his 2017 level so Rafa imo can beat Fed on the HCs. If Millman can beat Fed, Rafa can too! Rafa is playing much better tennis than Millman!!
To me it’s crazy that any Rafa fan would want Djoko to become his invincible self again! I certainly don’t want Rafa to lose to Djoko seven times in a row again!
Yeah I guess we just have the common factor that we support Rafa. You prefer roger, I prefer Djoko after him. To me that is not crazy at all. TO each his own
And Roger does the lame handshake.!! Hahaha!
This after the fake bonhomie shared during the laver cup
So True.