It will be the 38th installment of arguably the greatest rivalry in tennis history when Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer meet again in the title match of the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Sunday afternoon.
Nadal is leading the head-to-head series 23-14, but Federer has narrowed the gap to the tune of four consecutive victories–including three in 2017. Prior to this stretch, the 36-year-old had never won more than two matches in a row against Nadal. On the heels of a 2015 Basel triumph, however, Federer got the job done earlier this year at the Australian Open (6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in the final), in Indian Wells (6-2, 6-3 in the fourth round), and in Miami (6-3, 6-4 in the final).
The hard-court surface once again favors Federer, but there is some good news for Nadal. Currently No. 1 in both the rankings and the 2017 race, the Spaniard has captured two Grand Slam titles (the French Open and U.S. Open) since his early-season struggles against Federer. Nadal is also without question the hottest player on tour right now, with a current 16-match winning streak that also includes a winner’s trophy from Beijing. This week’s top seed has maintained momentum with defeats of Jared Donaldson, Fabio Fognini, Grigor Dimitrov, and Marin Cilic, surrendering only one set to Dimitrov in the process.
“(I’m) very happy,” Nadal said after beating Cilic 7-5, 7-6(3) on Saturday. “Of course I played I think a very high level of tennis. (It) was a great match again. In my opinion, he played well, too; was a great, good quality of tennis this afternoon.”
“I was hitting unbelievable shots off the ground, and against other guys they would be winners,” Cilic commented. “Or just with serving, serving well, that would be either an ace or winner, and he makes you play another shot.”
Federer fired winners past his friendly foe with surprising consistency in Australia, Indian Wells, and Miami, but the tide may have turned. Whereas Nadal is positively on fire at the moment, Federer has not been at his absolute best. The 19-time Grand Slam champion coasted through a favorable Wimbledon draw but was plagued by a back problem during the hard-court summer in Montreal (lost to Alexander Zverev) and New York (lost to Juan Martin Del Potro). Federer is much healthier in Shanghai, where he has taken out Diego Schwartzman, Alexandr Dolgopolov, Richard Gasquet, and Del Potro–the latter via a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 decision.
“It’s nice at this late stage of the career that we still have these matches going on,” the world No. 2 said of the rivalry with Nadal. “There is only going to be a few chances for either player, and sometimes it’s just who blinks at the wrong time.”
Based on current form, Federer is more likely to blink. The Swiss has always been forced to bring out his absolute best in order to prevail in this matchup–a matchup that he once trailed 23-10. Federer was able to do that earlier in 2017, but the tables have now turned. A relatively fast hard court will level the playing field, but it won’t be enough for the No. 2 seed to stop Nadal’s incredible winning streak.
Pick: Nadal in 3
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This year Rafa becomes world no. 1 is not as satisfying as in 08,10 and 13 where he beat everyone. This year in every tournament he played where Fed is in, Fed went deeper expect USO. Seeing the prospect of the remaining three tourney, if they both play looks unlikely for Rafa to go deeper. Anyway, let’s see.
USO was the big daddy. 🙂
agree a win over Fed will make YE No 1 seem sweeter..however not undermine if he is YE No 1 without beating Fed too..
Fed was No 1 in 05 06 07 09 with losing record against Rafa all those years…
Sanju- He actually had a winning record over Rafa in ’07. That was arguably Fed’s best season in terms of head to head with Rafa because he beat him on all three surfaces. But this why head to head is very limited in measuring a player’s greatness- you need to be able to beat 4 to 7 guys to win a tournament, not just 1 guy. Fed has done well to beat Raf this year, but Rafa has won more matches against the field and that’s what matters in the end!
Rafael Nadal speaks out on knee problem v Roger Federer as he considers skipping Basel
George BellshawSunday 15 Oct 2017 1:58 pm
Share this article with Facebook Share this article with Twitter Share this article with Google Plus Share this article through email 34 Nadal’s knee was taped (Picture: Getty)
Rafael Nadal was reluctant to discuss the strapping on his knee against Roger Federer during the Shanghai Masters final and admitted he is not sure whether he will play in Basel.
Federer turns up the heat on Nadal for world No. 1 spot with fine Shanghai Masters win The world No. 1 was thumped by the 19-time Grand Slam champion in a 6-4 6-3 defeat, with the Spaniard never truly looking as if he was going to win the match.
There was plenty of focus on the strapping around the 31-year-old’s right knee during the clash and he seemed to be playing at a lower intensity than he had been in previous matches in Shanghai and Beijing the week before.
Nadal has been plagued by injuries in the past, with knee and wrist problems hampering him throughout recent years. Nadal will hope the problem is not serious.
It was Federer’s day in Shanghai. But the 16-time major winner refused to talk extensively about the problem he was suffering against Federer, while admitting he would think long and hard about whether he would participate in Switzerland in a week’s time. ‘I don’t want to talk about that [the strapping on his knee] now, sorry,’ he said in his post-match press conference. ‘After losing final is not the moment. I am not worried, though. ‘I don’t know about Basel. I need to think about it. I cannot tell you now.’ What the exact nature of the injury is remains to be seen, but Nadal was keen to congratulate his opponent on what was a scintillating performance. Nadal may skip Basel (Picture: REUTERS)
Federer is chasing him for top spot. And he also revealed his delight at his performances during his time in China, despite coming up just short in Shanghai. ‘First of all I want to congratulate Roger and your team for a great year,’ he said immediately after the defeat. ‘Today, I think you played a fantastic match – so well done. ‘This year for me has probably been the most successful year for me in China. Winning in Beijing and making the final here in Shanghai – it’s been a great two weeks. ‘I feel very happy for the things I have achieved after everything that’s happened to me to be able to come here and do well – it’s very important for me. ‘Thanks to my team, they’re always there for me and supporting me. There have been some tough moments over the last few years so to be here where we are today is fantastic.’
Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2017/10/15/rafae…considers-skipping-basel-7001559/?ito=cbshare
anyways rafa..please skip bercy and basel..take good 2.5 weeks rest..see you at WTF
Its beyond me to understand why is Rafa not learning from his mistakes..why does he need to play so much..he has already played 70 matches..he should not play more than 50 in a year now on..why cant someone drill this in his and his teams head..
skip whole february..skip barcelona…skip grass pre wimby..skip beijing..skip basel and bercy…
but he wont learn..even next year he has entered in acapulco
He even entered Rotterdam this year and pulled out in the end. How much he wants to play is beyond me !!
I am getting very frustrated reading about how Rafa never learns! Enough! He skipped Queens, most likely costing him at Wimbledon without any preparation. With the extra week between RG and Wimby and Rafa not playing at Queen’s, he got a few weeks rest. Then he lost in the fourth round at Wimby and that gave him extra time off before the NA summer hard court season.
Rafa got knocked out early in Montreal, losing to Shapo. Then he lost in the quarterfinals at Cincy to Kyrgios. So he came into the USO undercooked. I thought he could play himself into good form and he did.
We need to stop with this nonsense about Rafa not scheduling wisely! Did Fed fans criticize him when his back flared up in Cincy and he came into the USO not looking good? This is the sport! You play and try to schedule to avoid injuries, but it happens!
Why not criticize Rafa for playing in the Laver Cup? That was an exho. Anyone can sit back and scold Rafa or say – I told you so – but the truth is that there is no way to know when the body can break down.
It’s matches like the one with Dimi where Rafa should have won in straight sets but lost his focus in the tb and then had to play another set. That is what takes a toll on him.
Now Rafa wil have to take a break. I expect him to pull out of Basel. I hope he addresses the knee and gets some rest. I also hope it’s not a serious flare up. But this is the risk Rafa will have to deal with as long as he is playing.
Fed playing Montreal was an atrocius decision , a decision that cost FED USO. Its upto Fed fans to accept it or not.
Yes, so let’s not pretend that Fed doesn’t make mistakes with his scheduling. He should have focused on Cincy. But that’s the way it goes. Maybe he wanted to try and win Montreal for the first time.
No one is perfect. As players get older there are going to be problems. Nobody can predict when the body gives out.
True fan and wise words, i love u.
Rafa will definitely bounce back, we win some, we lose some that’s sports.
I think Lucky made a good point about Rafa needing match play to get going. He almost got knocked out of Beijing in his first match with Pouille.
I agree with her that he may not have gone deep in Shanghai without playing Beijing. Some are assuming that it was playing back-to-back hard court tournaments in the Asian swing that caused his knee to flare up. Does anyone remember the video footage of Rafa practicing before the USO? He set ed to come up lame with the knee at one point. I think it was vamosrafa who posted it and then found a longer video showing that Rafa was okay.
Maybe that was a warning sign with the knee. We don’t know why it flared up now. But if we are going to criticize Rafa for scheduling, then why not mention the Laver Cup?
Anyone can say things after the fact. But there are risks when you play in a sport. Rafa has a history of knee problems. It can happen at any time. The only way to avoid it is for him to stop playing altogether. I don’t want that. Not yet.
But I think Rafa deserves credit for trying to schedule as well as he can. The important thing is for him to get rest and take care of the knee.
Carlos Moya addressed the Laver cup. He said it was moral obligation towards Fed who had personally asked him and he could not back out.
Yes, moral obligation and truck load of appearance money . Heard it was more than a couple of million dollars.
NNY, Rafa was playing very well at Beijing, after surviving the Pouille match. Beijing is not a slow hard court, it’s also a quick one and Rafa was simply amazing there. I do feel playing B2B HC events after the year that he has winning the USO again, may be too much for his body and his knee as usual is the first to get affected.
If after a few weeks rest and he’s back to normal again, he may be able to produce that kind of tennis of Beijing, when playing at WTF. Seriously, Rafa was awesomely good at Beijing, I almost forget that he had such a tough draw at Beijing and he beat all of them! He’s hitting with so much depth there at Beijing, and most importantly, he was aggressive and not counter punching.
I was ‘angry’ with Rafa for the slip up against Dimi, not once, but twice – at Beijing and Shanghai. Against Cilic too, when he was serving for the match but lost serve and had to fight hard not to go into a third set. I don’t know at that time was his knee giving him problems already, but he had wasted precious energy having such lapses.
Rafa has played the most matches among the players this season, so conserving energy is all the more important for him, when he’s prone to injuries all his career. I think playing a more aggressive or offensive style is the way forward for him, especially when playing on the HCs (and grass). He should play more like at Beijing this year, and come to the net more often.
@NNY
Playing Laver Cup did not help either. It was a problem as well but LC is only a two set match and its still an exho.
I still think his knees are not that bad but he is feeling it. rafa should keep Fed guessing about the schedule and withraw from Basel and Bercy one at a time so that last minute suspense is maintained.
Roger maintained suspense while withrawing from RG and Murray did the same in USO.
Fed withdrew from RG a good 2 weeks before the tournament. I remember it was immediately post Madrid.
Yes, but that was still pretty late. When Rafa won in Madrid, he withrew. He wanted Rafa to be worried about his place in top 4 and his RG draw.
But, after Madrid, he knew Rafa would end up in top 4 even if he played. So, at that moment, he announced.
Rafa should do the same.
Lucky, Rafa doesn’t typically play an ultra aggressive style like Fed. It’s tough to completely change up the style of play that has won you sixteen slams. He just won the US Open playing Rafa Nadal tennis. I don’t think he should or wants to play super super aggressive, particularly against guys like Cilic who make it tough to do so anyways. I mean you don’t expect Rafa to have smooth sailing each match he plays do you? You shouldn’t be annoyed or “angry” with Rafa for having long matches with Dimitrov and Cilic. I’m certainly not annoyed at Roger for having long matches at the US Open early on even if that probably hurt him in the long run there. He just struggled but got the job done and that’s all you should want from your fav player. A win is a win no matter how it gets done.
Benny, I’m not talking about Rafa playing super aggressive tennis. Watch his Beijing matches, he’s playing suberb tennis there with a good mix of defense/Offence, more offense than defense and that’s how he beat Dimi, Isner and Kygrios there. He’s more willing to move to the net there but I’ve not seen him done that often at Shanghai.
Beijing was also a quick court, I doubt it’s much slower than Shanghai, but having played B2B weeks on HCs, and after a busy schedule playing USO and Laver Cup, his level wasn’t as great at Shanghai (his first two opponents didn’t offer much resistances to him) and had to fight hard to beat Dimi and Cilic. He wasn’t as aggressive here compared to at Beijing imo.
There is a lot more criticism of Nadal scheduling after he has lost to Fed. It’s just stupid excuses. I agree Rafa scheduling isn’t even that bad or anything. And yes Roger shouldn’t have played Montreal. That was a dumbass decision.
This comment is in response to NNY @ 4:00 pm by the way. The comment is pretty far up there lol
Damn I didn’t watch the match live but from the looks of the stats and highlights, Roger was on fire!! Now go win Basel and skip Bercy to recover for the WTF you beast😄 Also I’m hoping Rafa’s knee ends up alright. He should probably skip Basel at least
Really happy for you, Benny!
Roger Federer is Amazing, more than Incredible, he has won 94 titles, 19 are majors.
Roger is the G.O.A.T.
http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/11082507/roger-federer-wants-to-be-known-as-tennis-greatest-player-believes-greg-rusedski
Dont go exactly by what Rusedski says. Rusedski claimed Pete Sampras was step slower in 2002 USO and rest is history.
The only sad thing about US Open as a major is that a shit player like Rusedski made it to the finals once.
Yeah, if I were Fed I would tell Rusedski to keep my name out his mouth haha! After that 2002 salty US Open comment, he forever looks like a whiny bitch. Who, after losing a match at a major, immediately talks shit about the game of the guy who just beat you?? Someone should have responded to him, “Man, you must really suck then if you can’t beat a guy who is that slow!” Pathetic. Arguably the saltiest moment is all sports history. Now that he is older and, presumably, a bit wiser, I wonder if Greg would say he regrets that comment and that it made him look like the biggest sore loser. If not, I can’t believe tennis media networks have that sore loser bum as a commentator…
I am feeling very bad for Rafa..not coz he lost but coz he got injured too (:- I thought the knees were behind him as not heard of it since past 3 years
We will get to know the state of his knees once he does a full examination. Most probably its the tendinitis inflammation. If need be, he can skip WTF and rest for complete 7 weeks.
Knees can’t be that bad. If they were so bad in Beijing, Rafa would have withdrawn from Shanghai.
Nadal had smacked the racquet on his right knee yesterday twice in match against Cilic when he dropped his serve. Hope its not inflammed due to that?
I have an important question..If the bigger racquet has helped make his serve consistent, hit over his BH etc and change the dynamic vs Rafa..why has it not helped much vs Nole. For all of 14, 15, 16 that Roger played with bigger racquet he lost to Nole in 4 slam matches and other tournaments too..
Djoko simply could change directions so easily from both wings; he’s less predictable than Rafa hence he’s in better position to beat Fed esp on medium-fast surface. They met once at Shanghai after 2011, in 2014 and Fed won that one, on quick surface.
The Nole issue was largely mental. In 2014 and 2015, Fed beat Novak countless times in best-of-three sets, almost every single time in straight sets. He had no problem winning two sets in a row against Novak when it wasn’t a big important match at a major, but as soon as it was a big major final, he couldn’t win two sets period, let alone two in a row. It was painfully obvious how mental it was. 6 times in two seasons, in Dubai, Monte Carlo, Shanghai, Cincinnati, and WTF, Fed beat Novak, only losing 1 set in those matches. That is six times he came out firing, dictating, playing like how he has played against Rafa lately. But when it was a major, he completely froze up, especially in the big moments. If he could have won two sets in a row at one of those major matches against Novak, like he did many times between those majors, he could have won one. If he played with the confidence and aggression he did in the best of three matches when he played Novak at the majors, and got two sets in a row, I can’t imagine Nole coming back to win in a major final from 2 sets to live down. But that confident aggressive Fed never showed up to those major matches. Look at Wimby 2015- Fed was arguably playing the best tennis of his career leading into the final. He disposed of Murray in the semis like he was just Berdych. That Fed didn’t even remotely show up for the final. It was kinda sad, actually. Where was the Fed who blew Novak off the court in all those best of five matches in 2014-2015? US Open 2015 final he played better, but he choked badly on the big points because he was thinking too much about how badly he wanted another major. He only converted on like 2 or 3 break points out of like 25! That match was on his racquet, but he had this horrible mental block against Nole at the majors. I’m actually not convinced that he wouldn’t still have that Novak-block at the majors. I’d like to think maybe it would be better since he’s gotten a couple majors under his belt again, but who knows? I really think it helped Fed a lot at the AO this year that he was considered the underdog in that final. In those finals against Novak, a lot of people were picking Fed because he had played so well leading up to them. He had just destroyed Novak in the Cinci final in 2015 right before the Open, and he was playing vintage Federer tennis leading up to the final, so he felt immense pressure in that final and it showed. I really think that the difference between Fed then and now is that he just started being even more aggressive in the bigger moments, and started playing more freely. But also, Novak in 2015 was one of the most dominant periods ever for a player, and he was just really hard to beat in big matches.
Kevin, note that Fed beat Djoko in BO3 on quick HCs; he hadn’t beaten Djoko at IW/Miami and also AO. He beat Djoko at WTF in 2015 at RR stage but come the final, Djoko beat him.
I would say big racket or not, Djoko has the upperhand on slower HCs, Fed the upperhand on quicker HCs.
Fair enough. But I feel like Wimby and US Open 2015 were quick enough where Fed could have played at the level he played at against Novak in best of 3 matches…
The six months rest made a huge difference last year. Beating Rafa at AO overcame a huge mental hurdle. Roger is in better shape to beat Nole now, and he was very close before (should have won in ’15 at both Wimby and USO, but choked). Hopefully we’ll get to see next year.
Fed presser, pretty much sums it up
‘I thought I might struggle maybe a little bit early on because it was a late finish last night’.
Turnaround was fast. Woke up, went straight into the car. Came over early to make sure I get, you know, the practice underway and enough time to get ready for the match. I had no nerves really before the match, which was nice, you know.
Sometimes you visualize points and points and plays. I didn’t have that. I was, I think, pretty clear about how I wanted to play the match. And then I came off, started off very well. Felt relaxed from then on. I always know that Rafa can come back at any moment if he connects well, picks the right sides, and does the right things.
I think that settled my nerves, because I was returning well from the first match here I played against Schwartzman. The serve only got better. I guess I saved best for last. I played some good matches now against Del Potro, Set 2 and 3, and also now these two sets.
In a way, not surprising, because I did feel good all week, and it does pay off to arrive early to an event. You can’t do it all the time, but, you know, I was here since Thursday late night, and that’s five, six days to prepare for a Wednesday match.
So I was ready. It’s definitely been the best I felt since Wimbledon. Montreal was tough to play. It was fast conditions. Anything after the Montreal was never the same with my back issues I had. US Open was all a struggle, really.
Laver Cup was good. I played some really good tennis there, but this was different because I was able to back up good performances, five in a row, so it reminded me a little bit of Wimbledon maybe to some extent.’ Federer also considered the week Just After Laver Cup a very important one. ‘I went straight into training again on the next day, on Monday.
When I thought about it, I thought, oh, I can’t believe I’m doing it. I called my fitness coach up, and he goes, So are you ready for tomorrow afternoon? I’m like, Oh, not really, but okay, I’ll do it, because that’s what we planned to do regardless of what happens at the Laver Cup.
I had a great week from Monday to Friday. I worked extremely hard and then started to take my time. Everything mellowed out, and I came here super early, and coming here early paid off, so I’m very happy and I feel really good right now.’ Rafa seemed to be limping when he came earlier.
I wonder if you noticed anything except the tape he had on the right knee during the match? ‘That’s all I noticed. I didn’t see any problems with him in defense, to be honest. You know, when the body goes cold after the game, it’s normal to, you know, feel it, you know.
I know how it is. Sometimes when you are in a car for a long time where you sit for too long or stand for too long, whatever it is for too long, it’s not good for our bodies. But in the match itself I thought he looked good.
He looked fast. I didn’t see any problems, to be quite honest. I was surprised to see a tape, but I didn’t see any problems.’ You have managed to beat Rafa five times in a row for the first time in your career.
What’s changed for you in the matchup? ‘I think I’m maybe serving consistently better. I get easier power ever since I switched to the bigger racquet, the RF97. I feel I’m connecting better on the backhand and I’m serving good, and that consistently.
Before I had to slice more just because the racquet was good for the slice, and it was good for the coming over, but I would always shank too many balls, you know. So I think it was hard for me to consistently just keep on attacking with the backhand.
Today it seems almost not a problem anymore to do it. Plus I have done it in many other matches other than Rafa, you know. I return usually coming over and sometimes using the slice; whereas before it always a slice normally and sometimes coming over.
So because I have gotten used to returning that way, I think it’s also easier to play Rafa these days, and I just think I’m not so scarred like maybe I have been in the past, not that I was horribly scarred in any way, but I did lose against him sometimes, a lot of the times especially on the clay courts.
I do believe I still lost that Wimbledon finals in ’08 because of the French Open beatdown he gave me. It just affected my first two sets when I played him at Wimbledon. Down 6-4, 6-4, and okay, I got lucky to win the third, but maybe if I don’t lose both first sets it might be a different match.
But, yeah, I think I have also played him well. Clearly avoiding him — not playing him on clay has helped. So I’m able to stay on the hard courts or on faster courts against him, but I have been playing very well when I have faced off against him.
But the Australian Open also I had to get a little lucky, to be quite honest, because it was on the edge there for a while.’ You played great tennis this season. So the schedule of next season, are you still going to quit all the clay season and include the French Open? ‘I don’t know yet.
Hasn’t been decided. I know I’m playing the Hopman Cup and the Australian Open. I know that.’ Now Nadal leads head to head 23-15. Is it an ambition to overcome him? ‘It’s not gonna happen. We don’t have enough years left on the tour, and we’re ranked too good that we play each other only in finals at the moment.
It looks like that’s going to stay like this for a few months more. So can’t win them all against Rafa, to be honest. He’s too good of a player. Whatever happened in the past has happened. I’m just happy I’m on the run that I am right now.
I don’t know what it takes for year-end No. 1 for both of us. It seems for me that he seems extremely close to clinching it. Like I said, I will I figure out my schedule, regardless of No. 1 or not, when I come home to Switzerland and figure that part out.
No, it’s been a terrific season and didn’t overplay. Still have energy left. Like I said before the event, I’m happy it paid off again. Usually when I’m well prepared and I’m ready to go physically and mentally, good things do happen.
I think myself also in the past or maybe other players in particular always think having to play enough is super, super important, but with me I have come to realize that if I’m ready, I’m ready.’ ‘London is my priority now and I really want to win the World Tour Finals’, added Federer, who plans to play Basel next. ‘I am very excited to have had the year that I have had and everything that comes from here is a bonus.
Most years Rafa has tailed off sharply post USO. So to keep on winning right up until today has been a bonus for him and for his fans.
Nothing but admiration for Fed who was on fire.
Thanks ed. And of course complete admiration for the godly season your boy Rafa has had. What an incredible year for tennis 😄
Will catch up on the discussions later. Just came here to add that I saw the highlights and Rafa played poorly 2-2 onward in set 2. That was the part I had missed. Don’t know why he took his foot off the pedal. He was doing a good job of holding his serve in set 1 after that shaky opening game. So yes, he got defensive and was just counterpunching 2-2 onward.
Rafa was quite predictable in his play, going CC most of the time. I watched the final again; Rafa wasn’t playing badly but Fed simple knew where Rafa’s shots were heading and he was there in time for them.
IMO, Rafa didn’t hit his FHDTL shots when the chances were there for him to pull the trigger. Rafa mishits or over hits his shots more than usual because Fed played so quickly and rushed him. Rafa losing his first service game was crucial, putting him immediately at a disadvantage when Fed was serving so well the whole match.
The point when Rafa moved to the net (was at BP) but hit the ball right back at Fed at his BH corner, was a dumb one by Rafa, as Fed immediately hit a BHDTL for a winner and thus broke Rafa’s serve in the very first game. Rafa’s usual habit was to hit his shot CC, even when his opponent was waiting there expecting it, that’s also what happened during the first set of his match vs Delpo at USO.
I don’t think his knee affected his play, perhaps only when serving but not when he’s running. He was outplayed by Fed because he was too predictable and Fed had obviously studied how Rafa played and hence was ready for Rafa’s shot placement most of the time. Two breaks of serve by Fed, one in each set, was enough to send Rafa packing.
Luckystar, NOW your assessment is a lot closer to mine!
Good news is that next year Djokov and Murray will be back. So more players to take out Fed before he meets Rafa:-)
Yeah, Federer simply took Nadals time away on a very fast court.
I think Rafa was impaired today! He obviously was not moving well, was late on his shots and Fed took advantage of it! I felt Rafa was not even fighting, probably saving his knees as Fed was just too good today! Irrelevant of the fast court Rafa did have a chance against Fed. Fed did not play well at this tourney but had huge help from Rafa to allow him playing freely abd
execute his brilliance!
I am not sad about the loss today! The better player won fair and square! I am only worried about Rafa aggravating injury agin..hooe he is ok!
Vamos Rafa!
Nats, I think Rafa’s knee injury isn’t serious, a few weeks rest should be good enough for him to recover.
I feel Fed was playing well in the final, esp after Rafa threw him a gift during that first service game BP. From then on it’s hard for Rafa to contain Fed, as Fed was playing ahead all the time and Rafa was playing catch up. Rafa looked slower when running because Fed was rushing him, IMO.
I think Rafa was too predictable when playing Fed, going CC most of the time and rarely hit his DTL shots to change the dynamic of the rallies. You got to keep Fed guessing to have a chance on this quick court.
I even think that had Rafa played like he did at Beijing, ie he’s more willing to step inside the court and changed direction of his shots more readily, he would have a better chance of beating Fed here. I did see a better Rafa at Beijing, playing superbly against a tough draw there – Pouille, Khachanov, Isner, Dimi and Kygrios and came out winning in flying colors.
Rafa was just a little bit not as great in Shanghai, when he could’ve finished off Dimi in straight sets but allowed Dimi to hang around longer than necessary. He got his serve broken by Cilic and then while serving for the match, lost serve again and had to play a TB to win. His mental focus was better at Beijing, and he’s more willing to move to the net or move to the forecourt there.
I dont think the court speed was the main reason for his loss, when Beijing was also a quick court. He’s simply not playing as superbly at Shanghai, the draw wasn’t necessarily as tough as Beijing either, with only Fed making all the difference in the final.
In response to Luckystar’s comment on page 4, october 16, 2017 at 6:30 AM.
Let’s post in the current page( page 6).
R. Federer was also finding his groove, he beat R. Nadal 4 times this year fair & square no excuses, he is the best.
Most times in an embarrassing way except for Australian Open, in all 3 masters the played in, fed schooled rafa and R. Nadal couldn’t win more than 7 games.
6-2, 6-3( Indian wells), 6-3, 6-4( Miami), 6-4, 6-3( Shanghai).
This doesn’t mean that Rafito is not a good player, it just means that he met THE BEST and the best player this year, no matter what happens at the end of the season/year R. Federer is the best and the best tennis player this year.
Thanks R. Federer, we are proud of you.
#36
#4-0
#iwant6-0
#5winsinaroll
#4finalsin5meetings
#wow
#iamdancingbaby
Currently, whether it’s quick or slow courts, hot or cold weather, clay, hard, grass or indoors, raining or shining, R. Federer will still defeat rafa multiple times, it might not be a flawless victory but Fed will still come out on top because he is THE BOSS.
Who’s your daddy now?
When Fed schooled rafa early in the season, you guy’s said rafa wasn’t in form, 4getting that Roger Federer was also recovering 4rm an injury and he is 36, the older u get the slower you recover from an injury or from an exercise or match.
Rafito was riding more than 10 wins in a roll and most of the predictions was that R. Federer will lose cos “this rafa is not the same in AO, IW, Miami” silly excuses.
What’s the excuse 2day?
The are countless, i don’t even know where to start.
Fed is the best and deserves all credit without any denigration or excuse 4 his victories.
#Yesbaby!