Eight years later, Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro are finally set for an encore at the U.S. Open.
Federer and Del Potro, who squared off in one of the tournament’s most memorable title matches back in 2009, will be facing each other for the 22nd time overall when they clash during quarterfinal action on Wednesday. Although the Swiss leads the head-to-head series 16-5, the high point of Del Potro’s career came in this matchup when he lifted the trophy in New York with a 3-6, 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 triumph.
That result is simply a sampling of their list of epics. Federer prevailed in five sets on his way to the 2009 French Open title, stormed back from two sets down at Roland Garros in 2012, and survived 19-17 in the third at the 2012 London Olympics. From that 2012 battle on the red clay of Paris through the end of 2013, these two friendly rivals played seven consecutive matches that went to final sets–four won by Federer and three by Del Potro.
Speaking of final sets, Del Potro produced an improbable and dramatic performance on Monday just to give himself another shot at the 19-time Grand Slam champion. Looking like “death” due to illness (in the words of commentator Darren Cahill), the 28-year-old Argentine appeared to be down and out after listlessly dropping the first two sets against Dominic Thiem. But out of nowhere, and with some help from Thiem at times, Del Potro roared back for a 1-6, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(1), 6-4 victory.
“I [played] one of the epic [matches] of my career here in the U.S. Open, which is my favorite tournament, in front of a great crowd,” the No. 24 seed said afterward. “I’m so glad to go through.”
Federer echoed similar sentiments after each of his first two rounds, glad merely with getting through even though his performances were out of the ordinary. Clearly due to a lingering back issue, the 36-year-old needed five sets to scrape past both Frances Tiafoe and Mikhail Youzhny. Feeling better and once again getting into a grove as an event progressed, Federer raised his level to oust both Feliciano Lopez and Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets.
Thus after a total of 30 total sets played between them, another Federer-Del Potro showdown is here.
“Everybody loves him,” Del Potro said of his upcoming opponent. “(It) is going to be (an) interesting match. It will be after eight years again in the [center] court of this tournament. I know how to play if I want to win, but I will see how physically I feel after this battle. But always (it) is a pleasure to play the greatest guy [in] history.”
“It’s just really nice to see him back playing these kind of matches,” Federer added. “That’s what he came back for, to get crowd support the way he got it. We could even hear it on center court…. He’s a good guy. I know him well. So I’m really happy for him. It’s a good match to look forward to; reminds me clearly of the 2009 finals that we had, which was an epic. I hope we can produce another good one.”
There are two obvious roadblocks that could prevent another good one from happening: Del Potro’s health and Federer’s back. A day off, however, should cure whatever ailed the Argentine, and Federer has looked much better in his last two matches–even though he needed a brief visit from the trainer against Kohlschreiber. If both former champions are 100 percent, an edge goes to Federer based on his showings in rounds three and four combined with Del Potro’s grueling contest against Thiem.
Pick: Federer in 4
[polldaddy poll=9823197]
who ya got?
C’mon Fed! Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
Like a goat to the slaughter…………..Friday beckons.
Fed in 3 easy sets.
Ironic you say that because Fed seems a lot more excited to play that blockbuster semifinal than Nadal does. He’s running TO that match!!
What gives you the impression Rafa is not excited to play the semis Benny G? Don’t confuse Rafa with Toni……………Rafa will be ready.
It’s Fed who’s cashed in his excuses early, ahem……….THAT MTO against Khols..
I was referring to this link: https://www.google.com/amp/www.tennisworldusa.org/amp_tennis/news/Rafael_Nadal/46703/rafael-nadal-i-d-not-like-to-face-federer-in-the-semifinals-/
And how is getting an MTO an excuse. Never mind that just read the link that was what I was talking about.
LOL! Rafa always says that. He’s relentlessly non-macho. Until he hits the court, anyway. Always said the same re Djokovic.
RITB 3.0 (AT 4:13 PM),
Rafa said (smilingly) at his pre-tournament press conference 10 days ago: “I prefer to play against another player [not Fed], an easier one.”
Fedfans have kept repeating Rafa’s words verrry seriously 24/7 (on different websites).
An excerpt from Rafa’s pre-tournament press conference on Aug.26.
Question. “Roger was just in here saying he would love to play you here, especially if there was a night match. I mean, would you love to play him if it got to that point?”
RAFAEL NADAL: “If I am in semifinals, not. I prefer to play against another one. Is obvious, no? I am not that way. Sounds very good, but the real thing, I prefer to play against another player, an easier one if it’s possible (SMILING). I KNOW YOU WANT to hear the other way, that I would love to play with him…”
https://twitter.com/TennisAtlantic/status/901496872061341697/photo/1
Benny G, amazing that you and your fellow Fedfans take Rafa literally on this very issue but parse his words elsewhere.
Rafa is a well brought up young man, he truly respects Fed and is being his truly humble self. This is what this is about..
Rafa is being self-effacing because he does not want boxing-type, pre-game nonsense. He will do his talking DURING the game.
When did I “parse his words” lol. I’m not even taking Rafa that seriously you just said Fed can’t run and hide and he seems to actually be excited for that matchup to happen. My point isn’t even about Rafa.
Fed is more vulnerable than he has been this year but he seems quite carefree in his attitude, that’s dangerous. After surviving two 5 setters, Fed seems quite relaxed and has made amends winning his next 2 matches in straight sets.
I think Del Potro got the hitout he needed against Thiem, he was acting like a 40 year old bum for the first 2 sets but the involvement from the crowd got him motivated to pull out the 5 set upset. Del Potro wont have the crowd advantage this time and thats very important because it seems to be a major motivating factor when things get tough in his corner.
Fed always gets ready to boogie against Del Potro, so Fed will bring his best in this one. There’s a chance of an upset if Del Potro brings close to his best but i think the odds are for a 4 set victory in favour of the great man, Fed.
I would have no complaints if Del Potro won this and went on to win it, IMO, he deserves it after returning to the game after a serious injury and taking the best players head on and beating them.
Unfortunately for Del Potro, Fed is still in the draw otherwise he might be a chance of bagging another US Open.
Fed in 4.
Fed in three
Fed in 4, Rafa will beat him on Friday and win the title on Sunday. Reasons: back still a mental problem, Fed not playing as well as AO where Nadal was nearly the winner, Nadal is better than in AO, Feds slicing way too much!
Nadal better than at AO? Debatable.
His serving is better. In fact every one of his shots (e.g. Forehand, backhand, serve) at this years USO are better than in 2013
2013?! No.
https://mobile.twitter.com/oliverpaton1/status/905141611801309184
thanks for sharing this!
Yup, he is hitting bigger. I am not surprised at all. It is the consistency and the ability to play big points that was better in 2013. Having said that, he is getting there now and this match is crucial.
Fed in 3 or 4, assuming his back is ok. It is true that Fed is slicing more returns than he was earlier in the season; I’m not sure why that is. However, he is still returning well and is playing extremely freely in general the last two matches. If he continues to serve like he did against Kohlschreiber, he will cruise in this match, and indeed to the title.
Fed in four. While I cant see Delpo at his 2009 level, he can still trouble Federer but it should be a comfortable win if he serves well/back is OK.
What I can remember of the 2009 final, was that Federer missed a lot of first serves .Some of them were halfway up the net. It was a match he could easily have won ,just a couple of points away.Taking nothing away from Delpos achievement.
Fed is easy 3 sets possibly less if Delpo retires. Don’t see any other outcome.
Fed back is 100%. That MTO after the 2nd set was bs. He just wanted to go to the locker room to check who his next opponent is.
I dont think Fed is so concerned about Delpo/Theim match that he would take a break for this . This is all crap.
Youzhny taking Fed to 5 sets literally means Fed is not playing 100% , whether Fed is not 100% or his game , is a different question altogether.
Federer is 1.20 to beat Delpo
Nadal 1.08 to beat Rublev
The bookies dont give either of these underdogs much chance of winning.
Andersen 1.40 to beat PCB
PCB to beat Anderson. Fed in 3. Ruble got star struck
PCB definitely has a chance
Delpo forehand looks on
I just now started focusing on the match — hope it’s good! I just want some good tennis..
join the company, RC.
Wow, just heard roars of ‘Delpoooo Delpooo’ after the big man held serve for 5-5!
Delpo keeping a very high % of first serves in and that is keeping him alive so far.
Vamos hehehe
SICK game from Delpo! Fed has no answer to that MIGHTY forehand in that game. First blood to Juan Martin!
LOL, Delpo is fired up……Delpoh, Delpoh….
Will serve for the first set!
I like Federer but I really want Delpo to get this win, sorry, Fed fans, I’m not trying to be a troll! Either one winning is okay. I’m just cheering for Delp-oh 😀
Not a troll to cheer for Del Po rc. Del Po is awesome ?
Wow, Delpo! That FH! 100mph, and then that CC FH winner at BP! Please hold serve now and wins the first set! Come on, make it more interesting!
Wow, did not see this coming! Delpo played some great FHs, serve is doing damage to Fed but TBH Fed looks out of sorts out there…
my Fed in 4 pick looking good!
You’d be out of sorts too with Delpo hammering you! But it ain’t over til it’s over.
Incredible hitting from Delpo. Fed played a good set but just made a few mistakes in crucial moments. Highlight was obviously Delpo’s forehand.
I told you all, I am not gonna buy those theories that Delpo will be a spent force or that he is already content with his run here bla bla. He has come out to play and it’s a big big challenge for Roger given how well Delpo is serving.
Rog needs a bit more frequent approaches to the net as well IMO.
My pick is Delp-oh in 5 ?
DelPo certainly has a chance to upset Roger tonight rc!!…But,at the same time,Rog also can weathered his brutal assault & prevail in 4 or 5[which is very good for us Rafans ofcoz]…
The ESPN commies said before the match that Delpo’s camp said he felt much better after getting some rest. They said he was feeling good.
Well he’s come out and shown that he’s ready. His forehand is doing a lot of damage. Fed not returning all that well. I think Fed didn’t expect Delpo to come out this sharp.
Also the Argentine fans are in the house! Fed is used to having the crowd on his side.
I guess this is going to be a battle. But Fed is staying in there. He’s not going anywhere.
I said it before, that Delpo should be fine with two days rest. He was playing well the last two sets vs Thiem after his medication took effect.
As long as he’s fit, his serve and FH could do some or even much damage but if he wants to win, he has to do it fast; the longer the match goes, I think Fed will have the upper hand.
Fed has 0-40 on Delpo’s serve.
That’s it! Fed breaks!
Actually I’m happy Fed broke and I hope he gets this set. Then Delpo gets the next…..and so on.
Such a well played game from Fed! 0-40 Delpo serve AND he breaks! That was a genius game from Fed.
Fed uses his slices so well and Delpo just hits his shots too flat, bound to net them more often than not.
still haven’t seen a proper backhand DTL from Delpo ! MIND BOGGLING it is for me!
Overall Fed looks the better player apart from one bad game at 5-5.
I agree
But Delpo can come back from 2 sets down – you never know.
This match is surely far from over…
Delpo really has some bad net approaches, keeps approaching it at the wrong time and when he’s there, doesn’t know how to guard against Fed’s passing shots to the open court.
18 winners to 5 UE . SICK set from Fed!
Delpo’s patterns became predictable. As much as I love his forehand, his backhand is perhaps the most annoying shot out there.
shots*
I feel this will be a 5-setter. Just see Delpo squeezing out at least one more set
Wow! You don’t see that very often!
Fed DF’s away the break.
30-30, 30-40 and oh my DF from Fed! 2-0
Vamos Delpo!
This is for vr.
On ESPN they showed a graphic illustrating how Delpo is going cc with his backhand at 87 % and only DTL 13%. They said that Fed is reading that pattern.
Now Fed’s forehand seems to have gone amiss.
Well, Fed knows how to attack Delpo but maybe Delpo has his own plan 😀
thanks NNY!! I was really looking for that stat! So you see, 87% ! those 13% were also kind of forced DTL’s. I haven’t seen a proper rally backhand DTL used to open up the court or just move fed around.
vr,
When they put up that graphic I immediately thought of you! So you were spot on with your observations! Even ESPN thought it important enough to highlight with a graphic!
Yessssssss, Fed attacking Delpo’s backhand but Delpo passed him with a forehand.
Delpo looking quite awesome out there, very impressive!
He may not have as much varieties as the big four, but when his game is on, it’s just awesome to watch, and on his day could beat any of the big four!
Lucky,
I so agree with you! I was thinking exactly the same thing!
?
Oh no. Too many mistakes. Hold Delpo, hold.
It’s been kind of up and down from both guys. Lots of great shots but lots of lows and highs with their consistency. Sort of like Anderson vs Querrey. Good quality overall but a few lapses in the level of play. Gritty hold by Fed. Allez Roger!!
Honestly though it’s really just because they’re both playing so aggressive. Overall a really high quality contest. That was just a really good game from Del Po. Each guy is gonna have to dig deep to take this set.
lets not get carried away. this is mediocre at best.
It’s not that high quality with Fed’s mishitting quite often but it’s also not mediocre; it’s just a reasonably good quality match. Delpo is the one providing all the excitement imo, as he exceeds our expectations, when many of us think he’s no competition for Fed.
The better server will win this TB
Massive inside-in forehand from JMDP there. A big serve now! 4-4
That was a MASSIVE point. Delpo had a forehand lined up and missed it. 5-4 Roger
MASSIVE ROS from Delpo! That was Djokovic like! A huge serve and it is 6-6! two set points saved.
Unbelievable! Fed missed it!
Delpo chokes. DF! He has not been in the lead even once in this TB!
Roger will play probably this all the way to reach fifth set match point, and then give it up like 2010 and 2011 to avoid Rafa.
This is unreal! Both guys had their chances!
Delpo needs first serves here
He got one in and set up the forehand. Needs another one
I don’t believe it! Delpo won the tb! Now Fed will have to do it in five sets!
Delpo!!!
delpo wins set 3!!!
That was a great TB!
Delpo will win 🙂
Vamos! Delpo takes the third set! I thought Fed is going to win the TB as usual, but credit to Delpo for fighting back!
Fed didn’t handle the pressure well there. Kudos to Delpo!
Even if Fed managed to pull a 2009 French Open here, I don’t see how he could have enough left in the tank to face Rafa who will essentially have 4 days of rest leading into the Semis. Same with DelPo, unless he can win the 4th set quickly.
4 days of rest? It is a standard 2 days of rest
4 days?!
he means nadal’s last two matches were so short that its practically 4 days of rest. Doesn’t mean it literally.
Is Fed again going to deny us a Fedal match at the USO? He ain’t going anywhere as yet though. I expect him to win this set.
Del Po is the ultimate Fedal-US Open spoiler!
Unbelievable Fed losing the set after breaking back! Amazing attitude from Delpo to refuse to go away. His serve is HUGE weapon and he has also improved his net game… Although Delpo played some great crucial points I still think it’s more Fed playing badly ion key points!
Wow, what a FH from Delpo ? And a DTL BH!!! Magnificent from Delpo!
Vamos!
The match is in the 4th set but is only 2 hrs 27 mins. The rallies are not long.The youzhny Fed match was 3 hours 6 mins. Anyway, no idea how long this one will stretch.
I do not believe what I am seeing! Delpo breaks Fed!
Looks like Del Po will face Rafa. Perhaps Fedal at the Us Open is just not meant to be? Assuming Del Po takes it in 4, that will be very important for him to be as fresh as possible for Rafa.
I don’t believe it, Fed is gonna chicken out of another New York Fedal??
And Delpo, don’t tell me he wants to do another Fed- Rafa double in New York?
I honestly did not expect this……….
Why do you guys talk as if any of these players are purposefully losing? Why would neither Fed nor Del Po want to face Rafa? I don’t understand this logic. They are competitors- they want to win.
Why would they NOT want to face Rafa, I meant.
Fed’s preparation wasn’t ideal and now that he is being seriously pushed, doubts are creeping in.
It’s not over yet but Delpo is close now.
I am seriously shocked that Del Po is doing this right now… The guy has almost no backhand anymore and is sick with a virus. I don’t understand it… The guy is just incredible!
Kevin, Delpo has huge reserves of energy. Everyone thought he’d be thrashed by Andy in the olympics final after his marathon with Rafa but he almost took Andy out!
ON another note, both these guys are playing to win a place in the semi. I am sure fed can’t wait to play Rafa but looks like it is not gonna happen.
OMG. What kind of insane level this is. Delpo will beat Rafa too.
2 slams for old man in one year is more than enough 🙂
That’s true fg.
for that matter, even if Fed doesn’t win a single match from now on to the end of the season, this would still be considered as one of the best years in tennis given his resurgence. I totally respect what he is doing but right now I really want slam #16 for Rafa lol
Fed is subpar today whilst Delpo plays the best he can in his current conditions (he’s still not near his previous best imo). Fed is clearly not playing the way he played during the early season, so he has to work so hard to win his matches now.
I won’t say subpar. Fed’s played good tennis but yes this is clearly not his best. I think Delpo’s level has shocked him as well.
That is true. It’s unreal the year he has had. But so don’t think Fed is winning it.
Oh boy, Delpo!
Wooooooowwwwww…
he almost chops Fed’s head off…….!!
WHAT THE F*** was that passing shot!
Remember when Fed laughed like crazy when that crazy Lucas Rosol thumped Rafa at Wimby? I’m doing a crazy impersonation of the Fed laugh right now………..
This is crazy!! 😀
Already imagining Rafa facing these missiles from Delpo!!! scary
30-30!
WHAT WAS THAT FROM FEDERER?! he had set the point up!!! Match point Delpo
Delpo is the man!.
I can’t believe it! Really, I didn’t think Delpo would make it……WoW, what a heart , what a champion.
Federer didn’t have his best day, but Delpo played like a real champion.
Interesting statistic: Delpo is 5-4 against Federer when playing indoor.
Unreal. Just unreal. I guess maybe we shouldn’t be as shocked as we are given that Fed has looked not quite himself since Wimbledon. Still, incredible by Del Po. I PRAY that he has something left in the tank for Rafa. If Del Po is just too tired, Rafa should just be handed the trophy now haha.
nopes, he won’t be tired or anything. If rafa is to win , he will have to win the baseline duel.
I expected Delpo’s forehand to be on fire but what surprised me the most was the quality of his serving. Amazing
vr,
Thanks for the reality check! I agree with you! Rafa will have his work cut out for him. Delpo coming from behind in these last two matches will make him battle tested.
Rafa will have to deal with Delpo’s serve!
After this, no one should assume anything!
Yeah he served like a beast!!
If Delpo could come back from the match against Theim, then there is no reason to think he won’t have anything left for Rafa.
I know Rafa will not make that assumption. He will know that he has to be ready.
Vamos Delpo!! Yes, you did it! So happy for you!
Thank you Delpo, Rafa now has his no.1 ranking secured for another few weeks at least. Rafa will have that burden off his shoulders now, so I hope he will play more freely vs Delpo in the SF. Well done Delpo!
ROTFL!!
What goat, the man’s a damn chicken. Weasels out of a Rafa showdown in Paris and now in New York. Guess he wants to protect that 2017 3-0 H2H, kkkkkkkk!
Oh well, Uncle Toni got his wish, Rafa facing someone not named Fed but I don’t think he will be smiling after watching this performance by Delpo. What the heck man, what happened to the flu?
Oh boy………..massive congrats to Delpo, what spirit!
You really think that Federer purposely lost because he doesn’t want to face Rafa? Apparently you have never played a sport in your entire life… Any athlete I know, they want to win, and they want to win against the best. When Rafa says, “I don’t want to face Federer”, he’s just saying that. Everyone knows that all great athletes want to beat the best of the best. That’s the whole point. What would even be the point of playing if people just didn’t want to win?? Also, why wouldn’t Federer want to play a guy he has dominated on hard courts the last 4 times they played? What is the point of trolling Federer and talking shit? What did he ever do to you? If it’s because some of his fans talk shit about Rafa, well then you’re being a hypocrite. This site has gotten so much better about the trolling recently- can we please keep it that way?
Dude… don’t bite that hook
Hopefully Rafa can exploit his backhand and rob Delpo off his forehand.
The stakes are higher and it’s a semis.
If Delpo’s serving is off, Rafa wins in straight.
I like that, Delpo says it’s his home court too, here at AA in NY! He’s such a lovely guy, so we have two lovely guys playing in the SF against each other.
The AA Arena turns into a soccer stadium now, with Delpo’s supporters cheering him like they’re in a soccer match!
Even without playing backhands DTL this guy beats the best hard court player of the year in 4 sets!
Fed’s preparation coming into this event was not great. His fitness was in question and his training wasn’t ideal due to that. I think he felt fit after overcoming those early round matches but when you are lacking your best prep, doubts can creep in real quick and that is what happened today when he was pushed really hard.
I agree with you, VR. The part that is most unbelievable to me is that Del Po was able to pull this off while being VERY ill! I mean, he almost had to retire in the last one! It’s like the Michael Jordan “Flu Game”, if you’re familiar with that… Anyway, as far as Fed is concerned, it’s pretty much a miracle that he even made it this far if you consider how ridiculously close he was to losing in the first two rounds. Even though he seemed to find his footing eventually, it still felt like he was playing on borrowed time…
Lol wheres my boi Stanley at after this???
hahhaahhaah
Del Po may be one of the most inspirational athletes of our time- across all sports! What he has overcome is truly amazing. I honestly thought that winning the Davis cup and getting big individual match wins last season was as good as it would get for post-backhand Del Po. I was clearly wrong! But let’s face it- anyone who is able to beat prime Fedal back to back for a major title, even if it was only once, obviously has some serious intangibles that can be easily overlooked. Del Po is just such a fighter. I have so much respect for him. PLEASE be not too worn out for the semis, Del Po! We want a 5-set classic!
agree with everything on Delpo except that he beat prime Fedal in 2009. Rafa was a wounded man and he should actually have retired from the tournament rather than risking that abdominal tear of more than 25 millimetres (which actually was only a minor tear of about 5-6 millimetres when he entered the USO).
His level of play in both the semi and the final was beyond amazing though.
Yes this is so true. I wish Roger won but I love Del Potro.
I am now jumping on Delpo Bandawagon here. lol
Jeez, what a crazy Slam. Now Rafa is the only man standing between crazy and what passes for normalcy here.
Please Rafa, don’t disappoint. Delpo though…………still shaking me head……the man was match points down against Thiem.
Approx. rankings in the first week of 2018, one week before Australian Open seedings:
11. Wawrinka
13. Djokovic
19. Murray
23. Nishikori
Fed talked about it saying he is very eager to see the draw next year as many good players will be below 10 🙂
Lot of players will be lined up for Rafa from round 3 itself 🙂
With Sam Querrey, Pablo Carreno Busta, and possibly Kevin Anderson right ahead of them all. #crazy
Delpo is dangerous when playing like this and obviously enjoying his time on the court! He will give Rafa a tough hard fought match. I am glad Delpo won fighting strong and believing till the end. He is high on confidence now!
But Rafa will be ready!
Vamos Rafa!
What a shocker. Very happy that Rafa has no 1 monkey off his back and can play freely. Though Delpo will give him everything and the kitchen sink. However Rafa will give him more balls to play and that may draw errors.
Fed losing 3rd set having 4 set points and that smash miss and volley miss in 4th was horrible.
Excellent Delpo
USO Fedal is jinxed totally..6th time now :-)..2 times from Rafa and 4 from Fed and each of 4 times Fed lost, he was overwhelming fav twice and had 2 match points twice 🙂
Am eager to see whether # markmywords # Rogerwillcrush #Anderson and Gusta should play together and Fed will win 61 62 62 # #Rafitorunaway will bother to show his face here after he had a dozen eggs laid on his face today 🙂
Stanley since you say you love Rafito and want us to believe it, hope you will support him now 🙂 He is your Rafito 🙂
I read his post somewhere wishing the 3 other semi finalists a good health ironically he can hardly make the same simple wish to his “beloved???” Rafito haha. @Stanly, start showing your love and support for Rafito. Forget Roger he lost already, better concentrate with Rafito for he has a big semifinal fight on Friday. Aren’t you happy with the prospect of having your beloved Rafito aloft his 16th GS come Sunday? howaaaaa.
@Raindrop,
Yes i am or i might lol!
He is my one and only Rafiiiiitoooo no one else.
But R. Federer broke my heart and i need some time, Plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz give me some time, don’t step on me please.
I haven’t mocked Rafans or laughed at them when Rafa loses and he has lost a lot this year against R. Federer & others but if i have, i am sorry OK i mean it.
@Raindrop this is the 1st time i am reading your comment i think.
So what’s up?
And How are you? It means the same right?
Please when you mention my name don’t post it in the previous page, i would likely miss it.
I would have answered but your initial comment does not dignify an answer.
@sanju,
I would have answered but your initial comment does not dignify an answer.
I never saw Rafa match..was he that good or did Rubulev just freeze seeing his idol and have a fan moment 🙂
combination of both. Rafa did play pretty well though.
Rafa should play the way he plays Fed. Target Delp BH, direct serves to Del Po’s backhand, even charge to net by playing a sharp CC FH to his BH so that he can slice and give an easy ball. Try to engage him in rallies.
Won’t be easy for Rafa, but its the easiest path he can get to finals and the crown. The only worrying thing was the way DelPo just took his serve to another level. Reminded me of 2009 final fifth set.
Moya will have right strategies..he is a good strategist..and rafa has played DElpo many times before
OLympic shocker last year was great match..I think Delpo won 7 6 in 3rd
Oh wow, I had totally forgotten about that match last year! Although it wasn’t a major, it was best-of-five. I’m pretty sure DelPo is playing with a fraction of the energy he had going into that Davis Cup match.
no only final is best of 5. The semifinal was BO3, Delpo won 3rd set tiebreak.
Rafa was asked what does he like and admire about Roger off the court
his answer was hilarious..he said I cant answer as if I am his boyfriend before a very important match 🙂
#gayfriendly # Fedal respect and like each other
Let’s face it- the Rafa-DelPo semi is really the final! Unless Kevin Anderson was able to play an anomaly of a match in the final, which is a one in a billion chance… Rafa has seriously never had a better shot at a non-clay major than this one. I don’t care if it’s Del Po- this title
Is OFFICALLY Rafa’s to lose!
Kevin..nothing is won till last ball is played. We all Rafans have seen this before in AO 14. He was given the title by all and sundry and had critical double career slam lined up . He had beaten Nishikori, Dimi, swept aside Fed in SF and his form was great..And we all know he got injured in final..So let it play out. Rafa will get the title ONLY if he wins last point of tournament.
Delpo could lose to either one in the final
I could see Del Po losing the final to Anderson but I don’t think he could lose to PCB in the final. Unless of course physically he’s totally wiped.
Phone died that’s why I hadn’t put my thoughts on here. Really sad about this loss and I just was shocked at that miss at 7-6 in second set tiebreak and 5-4 30-30 in fifth set. I couldn’t believe some of the chances he missed out on but there weren’t a lot of them. McEnroe said afterwards he thought Fed didn’t have the regular spring in his step due to maybe the five setters or something but I didn’t really notice that. All that said, Del Po completely deserved it and I am extremely happy for him. I would love to see him take the crown after what he’s been through. He played a fantastic match and was the deserved champ and I guess now we will have two humble champions in the semis it just won’t be Fedal.
3 Spanish speaking guys in the semi, that locker room is gonna be lit!!
Delpo though……..
Rafa was asked who does he prefer for the semifinal, he chose Delpo.
#granted
Rafa being Rafa, showing, in my opinion, excessive deference to Fed. After seeing this Delpo, Rafa knows he has a fight on his hands. Fed would have been a much easier opponent.
I honestly wanted a Fedal semi, for Rafa to re-assert his dominance over Fed, restore order. It will come.
Fed’s gone, time to focus on the business at hand. As Rafa says, nobody remembers losers, only winners.
Vamos Rafa!
I remember saying that we should not get carried away looking ahead to a Fedal semifinal! One match at a time!
Now we’re one more time why nothing can ever be taken for granted!
Rafa will have a fought in his hands with Delpo!
This Delpo looks scary. I feel sad for New York, every Slam’s had their Fedal……..
Where did THIS Delpo come from??
Good question RITB!! Didn’t see the match last night so can’t really comment but it does seem suspiciously like Fed wasn’t overly keen to meet Rafa 😉
I’m quietly confident Rafa will prevail against delPo – famous last words – as long he can avoid too many TBs.
You and me @ed251137! Too damn suspicious, hahaha! Or maybe Fed was just being nice and giving Rafa a present since Rafa said he wasn’t too keen to play him? ?
Actually, Delpo is giving me the beejeebuz, he can hurt Rafa, especially if Rafa comes out nervous. Also, I fear Rafa hasn’t really been tested, could be a bit undercooked. But this is so tantalizingly close, Rafa will fight. I have faith.
Rafa will surely beat Federer again. Dominance though? As long Fed skips clay, I don’t see there being any “dominance” happening. I think those days are behind us… Not saying it can’t happen. Fed could potentially never fully recover from his current state, and Rafa could start winning multiple hard court tournies. Personally, I wouldn’t be willing to bet on that happening, especially if Fed gets back to full health and a high level. For now, though, this is absolutely Rafa’s tournament to win or lose. On his racquet, as it should be- he’s on the tennis Mt. Rushmore! He will certainly look more like a world #1 If he wins the title.
I hope Delpo does not bring this monster serve on FRiday 🙂 ..If he gets it Rafa will have huge pressure on his own serves.Delpo can take the racquet out of your hands.
Sanju be a dear and suspend your anti-jinxing tactics: you’re making me nervous!!
rafa has slender 8 5 lead over DElpo and has lost his last 2 against Delpo
If Rafa wins semi, definitely he beats any of the other half opponent. They are not at his competition level.
But playing Delpo in USO semis is not any easier than playing Fed.
I think Delpo challenge to Rafa is comparatively 51:49 to Fed in terms of difficulty.
Fed still has some fear to Rafa, and his legacy is threatened should they face each other and he again loses h2h on the fourth slam.
But for Delpo, he should not have that thought of legacy, just go to blast his serve and forehand to left and right wing.
If Delpo wins semi and face Anderson in final, then I see it 50:50.
I recogn this is basically the final for Nadal, while for Delpo there would still be a thought match waiting.
But no way it would be a 50:50 against Anderson.. btw, the h2h is 6-0 for DP
Please watch Anderson again, he has made massive, massive improvements, wouldn’t take him for granted at all……..
Federer post match presser tells it all. He says he knew he was never going to win this tournament
Federer said in some ways he wasn’t disappointed because he knew his game was weaker than it looked, having been aided by playing three rivals in a row who are a combined 0-40 against him.
It has been a tough tournament. I struggled,” Federer said. “If I ran into a good guy I knew I was going to lose. And going in I knew I’m not in a safe place.
“I’m out of this tournament because I wasn’t good enough in my mind, my body and my game.”
He tanked.
He didn’t tank. He just wasn’t that confident in his chances due to physical factors.
Fed himself said that Delpo is right now better situated. to deal with Rafa than he himself. That’s very telling. If that’s so – why should he diminish Delpo’s chances by extending him to a fifth set? I think that there’s definitely a tactical element to Fed’s loss 😉
I know he didn’t tank, I was being facetious. He just wasn’t good enough, he said so himself.
Geez, people lose their sense of humor when their fav loses………I know, I do too.
No it’s just tough to detect sarcasm through text lol. Sorry RITB.
Exactly! Fed was being honest with himself. I had mentioned before, Fed had the luck of having guys who lost to him > 10 times with 0 win against him, one after another. They – Youzhny, Feli, Kohl – all played into his hands. Even the young Tiafoe had caused him so much problems and once he met a formidable player in Delpo, his weaknesses were exposed.
He didn’t have good preparation for this USO so he knew he’s not going to win, he’s realistic about his chances.
So why was he looking forward to playing Rafa if he was not sure of himself? He said he was excited at the chance of playing Rafa, was he being disingenuous, as usual?
RITB 3.0 (AT 11:03 AM)
And Fedfans repeated Fed’s words (on many websites) 24/7 during the last 10 days! LOL LOL LOL
@augusta008 at11:15
I know! My goodness, they were hanging onto Fed’s every words, while also taking Rafa’s “diffidence” literally. Remember how, early on in Rafa’s career, Fedfans never missed an opportunity to tell us Rafa was always losing early to avoid playing Fed at USOPEN? Now that it is Fed who is always losing early, conveniently, we are supposed to keep quiet? Hell no!
LOL LOL LOL indeedy……..
What no sting in the tail? Never known Fed be so modest. Clearly mellowing in his old age 😉
he basically admitting his earlier opponents just did not capitalize on his lack of belief
oppty missed for Rafa 🙂 If he had so many doubts against Delpo, he would have lot more against Rafa.
Commiserations @Stanley. Rafa will turn up at NY, again, next year……….and wait for Fed, as usual.
@R.I.T.B 3.0,
I hate dishonest comments, it’s disgusting, please don’t say that again.
Good. Now you know how your own dishonest comments feel to other people.
Have a nice day. I am being honest………
@ R.I.T.B,
A wise person always backup their statement/comment with irrefutable facts, please if i have said something dishonest or wrong point it out and i will apologize for it cos i am not dishonest, i might joke, i might be serious but i am not dishonest.
Please don’t say that again “it grosses me out”
Ah, same here @Stanley, to paraphrase you, I am not dishonest, I might joke, I might be serious but I am not dishonest. Please don’t say I am dishonest again, “it grosses’ me out”.
@R.I.T.B
Then why did you make those comments.
Were you Joking?
@R.I.T.B
“enjoy the loses” very funny.
Was it a typo?
By the way, you are not old to change.
I was honestly commiserating with you @Stanley. Your guy lost, you must be hurting just like I hurt when Rafa loses. I am just acknowledging your pain, is that so bad?
Just because I am not a Fedfan does not mean I am not human. Sometimes words mean just what they are, take them as they are, do not over-analyse.
If you do not want my commiserations, then I take them back. No skin off my nose……
Happy Tenngranding!
ps: Fed will bounce back, tomorrow it may be me being miserable………hehehe!
@R.I.T.B,
Your comments are sweet & bitter at the same time, i don’t know what to say.
What’s wrong?
You have really changed.
Hmm… Okay Congrats! I mean it.
Roger Federer is one of my favourites, my top 3 no my top 2.
I like Rafito as well but he is not in my top 5 but i respect his skills &love for tennis, some people get it twisted but i like the guy.
I want to say good luck but i am not there yet, i need some time lol!
Congrats OK.
Nah, too old to change. The hurt I feel when Rafa loses is real so I imagine other fans feel the same way when their favs lose. However, at the end of the day, losses happen and wins happen also. Important to “enjoy” the losses, just as the wins……..
Fedal is my favourite sporting rivalry, closely followed by Manchester United vs Liverpool (red devils rock). I am looking forward to the next!
^Right on! That’s telling it like it is!
Just to make it clear, in my previous post I was referring to RITB’s comment @ 11:09 am!
That needed to be said! If you don’t like it, then don’t do it in the first place!
I watched the match in ashe and the crowd support was fairly divided between delpo and roger. This i did not expect considering how brutally djoko was booed in the 2015 final. Even when delpo pulled ahead, there were ole ole chants on which i gladly joined in. However the crowd that i was sitting with was a latin american crowd who said that between rafa and delpo, they would want delpo to win. But i guess the shoe will be on the other foot come friday with all the fed supporters doing the ole ole chant. Cant wait for friday. I would like a simple str forward match for rafa. Vaamos! But if he has to lose better to delpo than fed
To Benny G,Eugene,Joe,Big Al & other Rog fans on here…very very sorry for your loss from the deep of my heart…I wish Rog & u guys all the best for the rest of the season k?
Thanks, Mira. I didn’t see the match (I’m travelling), but very happy for del Potro, who deserves some big victories after such a long dry spell with injuries. Should be a great match tomorrow!
You’re welcome Joe!…And yeah!..agree with u bout DelPo…he deserved the win..he played incredible tennis..and Rog too for that matter…some of his shots or amazing gets or passing winners make us breathless joe!
Thanks Mira!! ???
Happy for Delpo, very sorry for Roger & the Fedfans. Valiant efforts from both men.
So Fed was bluffing his way through the tournament? Nice try. #respect
Agree that Del Po will probably be a tougher match up for Rafa than Roger in his current form.
Im so tired of people always thinking that someone will be tough opponent for Rafa!! I mean seriously, y isn’t there that same kind of doubt when the other thee are heading into a match. I mean Rafa’s H2H with almost every player not Novak is +ve so y is it that Rafa is not a shoe in to win a match against someone like Delpo. It seems no mater who Rafa meet at the semis, there would be doubt, very annoying!!!
No disgrace for Federer whos having an amazing year, and Delpo can beat anybody when he shows up and plays like that, as for Rafa who he plays or doesnt play is not his fault, draws open up sometimes, players get injured and pull out, can Delpo beat Fedal B2B really hope not, but what a story if he did ….
Seems some were way to quick to put Federers name on the trophy, counting chickens mean sometimes people get left with egg on their faces ….
I don’t know what to say but hmm… Congrats to Del potro, i have always liked him but his inconsistency this year is disappointing, hopefully he has changed and i wish him the very best.
I wish Pablo Carreno or K. Anderson good health and let the best player win and be prepared cos this is the biggest moment in their career and they need to play their very best in final against Juan Martin Del Potro or Rrrrr, they might not get this opportunity again, so make it count.
I also wish hmm…i wish Rrrrrrr, ok i am not there yet i need some time.
I wish Venus Williams the best, she better win this one, she has lost two Grand Slam finals this year and i want her to win a Slam b4 she retires, so winning the US OPEN won’t be bad but if she is going to lose in the finals then COCORISTA should win it.
Coco Vandeweghe is playing really good and i wish her success also.
Alison,
I am really glad that you said that! I kept saying to be careful about looking ahead to a Fedal match. One match at a time. Take nothing for granted.
I don’t gloat the way some Fed fans do over Rafa’s losses. But I did think that Fed was still dealing with some issues. He was trying to put the best face on it. But when he took the MTO in his previous match with Kohls after winning a set, I sensed not all was okay with him.
Once he bumped up against a wusjity opponent in Delpo, his weaknesses were exposed. I do not think he tanked at all to avoid meeting Rafa. Fed’s ego is too big to allow him to do that. I think he was hanging in there and hoping for the best. He’s a competitor. He fought hard in that match but just did not have his best.
I actually wanted to see a Fedal match. I thought Rafa had a good shot at getting the win this time over Fed. That would have been very satisfying.
I feel for the NY fans who wanted to finally see Rafa and Fed play one time at the USO.
Once Fed bumped up against a quality opponent! *
“It was one of those matches where if I ran into a good guy, I was going to lose, I felt,” confessed Federer. “I don’t want to say I was in a negative mindset, but I knew going in that I’m not in a safe place. Might have depended too much on my opponent, and I don’t like that feeling. I had it throughout the tournament, and I just felt that way every single match I went into.
“I didn’t have that feeling at Wimbledon or at the Australian Open, and that’s why rightfully so I’m out of this tournament, because I wasn’t good enough, in my mind, in my body, and in my game to overcome these three pillars.”
It would have been ugly against Rafa if that were the case. It was these ‘doubts’ that I was talking about! It’s an opportunity lost for Rafa to get a win over Fed in 2017. He now might lose a match indoors as well later in the year lol
Fed didn’t play a bad match AT ALL. It was pretty decent but he sucked on crucial moments where the doubts get the strongest. His season has been kind of miraculous and nothing changes that. This was his 4th defeat only? Incredible!
I am happy Rafa will hold on to the no.1 position for longer 🙂
““I have big priorities for the rest of the year, and I usually play very well towards the end. Now I just really need to recover and go back to the practice courts and hopefully just finish strong. Whatever that may be, I just want to play good tennis and enjoy myself.”
Does NOT sound like a man who has lost passion for the rest of the year. He’ll fight to the bitter end for that no.1 ranking .
Laver Cup! So next time we see Roger and Rafa they’ll be on the same side of the net!! Looking forward to that.
Roger loves his tennis; he’s taken far tougher losses than this and regrouped.
But what a crazy USO this has been. And JMDP in the semis was the last thing I expected!
Yep. I have heard both Anncone and Edberg saying that it takes only a day for Fed to move on. He is exceptional at dealing with losses.
VR, it doesn’t matter as long as Rafa wins the USO!
I think if Rafa wins the USO, he’ll be confident enough when he meets Fed next. Rafa in 2015 pushed Fed to the limit in the Basel final on indoor HC; Rafa is playing better now so I don’t think it’s a sure thing that Rafa will lose to Fed again.
Are they both playing in Basel again? Just curious.
Certainly Fed will and I think Rafa still has a contract there, but I’m less sure about that.
Benny G (AT 1:07 PM),
Yes:
http://www.swissindoorsbasel.ch/en-us/News/Tournament-News/ArtMID/6909/ArticleID/30165/Magnificent-prelude-to-Swiss-Indoors-Basel-2017
In 2009 Rafa lost to Soderling at RG, then pulled out of W with knee tendonitis, he returned and made the semis of the USO losing to Delpo, IMO making the semis of the first GS back after injury with an abdominal tear too was a fantastic achievement in itself, and no disgrace losing to the eventual champion, this time Rafas fit and healthy, and ready to give it his all, so all bets are off, as this is a very different Rafael Nadal ….
Just wanted to say commies to fed fans especially benny and Kevin for your guy losing. He’s had an incredible season winning the 2 out of 3 slams he’s played and will probably rack up a lot of points in the autumn…
Thanks amy. 🙂 I don’t need commiserations, though. I’m a fan of Federer, but he’s not “my guy”. I feel like I’ve explained this a thousand times on here. Does no one believe me haha? Why can’t I be a fan of more than one person? I appreciate you’re thoughts though, Amy. I am actually most disappointed that Fed wasn’t able to be 100% so that we could get that Fedal US Open match… THAT is what I am sad about, way more than Federer losing. I don’t even think that big-time Fed fans should even be disappointed. He’s 36 and playing with house money. He’s won more majors this year than he did in the 7 years prior to 2017. That’s crazy. What Rafa is doing is so remarkable as well, but he’s only 31. Plus, Fed still has a shot to even get to #1, although he would need to win like all the remaining big tournies, assuming Rafa wins the Open.
I do know that you are a Rafa fan as well Kevin!! My wording was largely determined by my addressing fed fans in general some of whom are more exclusive in their affections!I know that both you and benny like a number of players and are first and foremost tennis fans.
Of course the biggest disappointment is often when a player simply doesn’t do themselves justice… I am foremost a Rafa fan but I also like nole and delpo and I admire Fed’s game..
@Nativenewyorker,
Baseless as usual, you are just angry that i disagree with you on many moral and Godly issues e.g the murdering of innocent children etc.
I am done trying to tell you the truth or show you how evil what you believe & practice are.
A word is enough for the wise and i know that i have done my best for you and God knows that too.
Agreeing with everyone that disagrees with me even when they are wrong is childish & pitiful, please stop humiliating yourself.
You know there comes a time when GOD lets people go there own direction, sow their own seed and at the end reap what they have sown(Romans 1:24 & Galatians 6:7).
After i told you that i was exhausted. telling you the truth, you said or promised that you were going to stop talking to me but you haven’t, on many articles/pages you still talk to me and i like that but i don’t like seeing you this way, honestly it’s pitiful & i am hurt when i see you this way cos i care.
I am not a shy person and that’s one of my achilles’s heel, i like U,i really do and i know you don’t believe me, i will bet a million bucks that you don’t believe me and i will win BIGLY.
A Bad Friend is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing they pretend to like you but the are full of deceit, ulterior motives etc.
A Good Friend is faithful, kind etc but importantly they are truthful and most times their names starts with an S e.g Stanley, stephen, stanley etc.
Have i become your enemy because i tell you the truth?
Please we can still have cordial conversations or friendship if you like but don’t go this way cos you will wreck it and in the future you might regret it.
This is hard for me to say cos i have not recovered but to prove my sincerity 2 U, i wish your guy R. Nadal the very best even though i like Del Potro too.
Please be careful because since the R16 of the US OPEN i think i have some bad luck lol!
I close with this “i care, i really do and if you can’t see it, that’s painful and i am sorry”
Vamoooooooos Rafito, if you knew what that took from you will…..