Fed vs Gulbis: the last 3 games

Dutch-Guy

Legend
The last three games of that match should be taped and made into a comical sketch for late night shows.Muggery at its best.
 

Fedace

Banned
No,,,,Roger was in Shambles....he had a Huge fight with Mirka last night. roger has been sleeping with at least 500 different women of all shapes and sizes. Mirka is thinking about filing for Divorce...... That is why Roger tanked that match so he can go and see if he can change the mind of Mirka.
 

sdont

Legend
That was something indeed. If somebody puts them on youtube, I'll watch that at least once again, yeah.
 

stapler

Professional
Unfortunately I had to go to class right after the match started. What happened? I see that he lost the match, but what happened in the last 3 games?
 

dmt

Hall of Fame
Unfortunately I had to go to class right after the match started. What happened? I see that he lost the match, but what happened in the last 3 games?

Gulbis had several match points, double faulted on like 4 of them, lost the game and it was tied at 5-5. Federer had some horrible misses in the next game, Gulbis got the break and finally served out the match
 
Clay court tennis is muggery.

Gulbis did play a poor service game when fed had been nowhere near his serve that set but give credit to fed for getting the balls in play.

This was feds first game on clay and gulbis played very well. Huge forum overreaction nothings changed there then...
 

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
Clay court tennis is muggery.

Gulbis did play a poor service game when fed had been nowhere near his serve that set but give credit to fed for getting the balls in play.

This was feds first game on clay and gulbis played very well. Huge forum overreaction nothings changed there then...

Overreaction? Fed has been consistently horrid since the AO. If this was Nadal that lost im sure you would be banging the table with fork and knife in hand.
 

P_Agony

Banned
I'm convinced Federer lost on purpose, or didn't put any real effort into winning. At his own service game at 5-3 he saved 2 MPs with brilliant FHs, and looked like he's back, then he breaks Gulbis to 5-5 (with a bit of help from Gulbis) and then plays the most miserable game I've seen in a long, long time from Fed (this was beyond shanking, it was Federer wanting to miss).
 

selesian

Rookie
I'm convinced Federer lost on purpose, or didn't put any real effort into winning. At his own service game at 5-3 he saved 2 MPs with brilliant FHs, and looked like he's back, then he breaks Gulbis to 5-5 (with a bit of help from Gulbis) and then plays the most miserable game I've seen in a long, long time from Fed (this was beyond shanking, it was Federer wanting to miss).

Same ol' excuses from the Fed fans whenever he loses. :rolleyes:
 
T

TennisandMusic

Guest
At least we don't all yell "he was injured" every 10 seconds.

But for every match Federer loses you're saying he WANTED to lose them. Like...every single match.

Then we can reference the mono debacle of 08-09. Not that you said that, I just meant in general.

Man you are really pissed off about this loss aren't you? I don't think I've ever seen you so vitriolic in general.
 

Leonidas

Professional
I'm convinced Federer lost on purpose, or didn't put any real effort into winning. At his own service game at 5-3 he saved 2 MPs with brilliant FHs, and looked like he's back, then he breaks Gulbis to 5-5 (with a bit of help from Gulbis) and then plays the most miserable game I've seen in a long, long time from Fed (this was beyond shanking, it was Federer wanting to miss).

I never believed in those tanking theories. I thought every player got on the court to win, but federer´s last 3 games... come on. Gulbis choked away 6 match points (several double faults and easy forehands), federer didn´t win them. Then Federer plays even worse the next game and seems like he doesn´t want to fight in the last game. It seemed like he didn´t want to win. Anyway, why would he tank the match? He could have withdrawn or something, come on. Thats too weird. Maybe he was afraid of getting spanked by nadal...
 
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rovex

Legend
I'm convinced Federer lost on purpose

Well, i've just seen an interview with him from Miami where he was actually ASKED the question whether he doesn't try in Master series events and he said "people who say that are wrong"....
 

P_Agony

Banned
I never believed in those tanking theories. I thought every player gets on the court to win, but federer last 3 games... come on. Gulbis choked away 6 match points (several double faults and easy forehands), federer didn´t win them. Then Federer plays even worse the next game and seems like he doesn´t want to fight in the last game. It seemed like he didn´t want to win. Anyway, why would he tank the match? He could have said he´s injured or something, come on. Thats too weird. Maybe he was afraid of getting spanked by nadal...

Yeah, sure, it's the 2nd round match and he's already thinking about Nadal. :-|

I remember Montreal 2009 when Fed lost to Tsonga and people said it was because he was afraid of facing Murray (who had a 4-match streak against Rog) in the semis. Federer went on to Cincy and crushed Murray in straight sets, and has beaten him twice after that as well.

Well, i've just seen an interview with him from Miami where he was actually ASKED the question whether he doesn't try in Master series events and he said "people who say that are wrong"....

What would you expect him to say? He'll never admit it.
 

P_Agony

Banned
But for every match Federer loses you're saying he WANTED to lose them. Like...every single match.

Then we can reference the mono debacle of 08-09. Not that you said that, I just meant in general.

Man you are really pissed off about this loss aren't you? I don't think I've ever seen you so vitriolic in general.

Hardly, you're not reading me right buddy, I'm more disappointed with Fed than actually upset about this loss. I still have plenty to watch at Rome (and I root for Murray!).
 
he wasnt trying to lose but he wasnt absolutely devoted to winning However he'd better do somethin9 Keep ros From nada1J d'joker. 6oderl'rng. ord c Kolra.J if hes going to
 

FedererClone

Semi-Pro
Read on another post somewhere that Fed was annoyed with the surface, frustrated with his game playing doubles the day before his singles match. It showed against Gublis... but there is such a thin line between winning and losing at this level; three or four wayward shots and you're a a break down.

I saw a cut to his mother watching him miss an easy forehand; she seemed surprised, even a little annoyed... (?)

Gublis was playing solid tennis though; but the last 3 games were indeed weird... Fed didn't get any first serves in at all, probably the biggest reason he lost the match... what was it, like 10 in a row or something missed?

there are many rising the ranks in this tourney, especially Giraldo, who slapped down Ferrero with "considerable aplumb" as the commentator said... currently watching Murray who is looking solid after teking the first against Seppi... i bet Murray is jazzed Fed is out!
 

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
Two things.

First, Roger is one stubborn man. You miss something like 11 first serves in a row and it never occurs to you to take a little something off? Who is his serving coach -- Sharapova?

Second, I said it before and I'll say it again: Gulbis will be No. 1 someday. After his US Open loss to Roddick, I made that prediction. Oh, sure. Gulbis made me look like a fool for a couple of years there, what with his impulsivity and lack of good sense.

But he showed us something today. He fell into his usual pattern of Endless Dropshots (which worked yesterday against Baggie).

Then he stopped, collected himself, and hit the darn ball. The Gulbis of 2 years ago would have hit 50 more unsuccessful dropshots.

The other thing was his not imploding after failing to serve it out. He went back to playing solid shots rather than trying to hit harder and harder. He actually constructed some points, did you notice?

Yep, Gulbis is on his way for sure.
 

TheLoneWolf

Banned
Same ol' excuses from the Fed fans whenever he loses. :rolleyes:
Not really. It's like if you are accused of stealing something and then come up with the brilliant idea of crafting an alibi involving murder.

If Fed lost on purpose, it's disgraceful. An insult to fans, his opponent, not to mention the people that paid money to see him play in Rome. Weren't people booing him at the end?
 

DavidGarcia

Hall of Fame
People who think that Gulbis could be a future #1 are pretty blind in my opinion.

He is talented but he has no mental game at all. The way he played the last 3 games was awful! Only crazy juniors try to ace you in a second serve on MP. He did try it twice! Sorry but that is just far from being a future #1 material


It was so so clear to everyone that Fed let him win (and I am far from being a Fed fan).
 

wangs78

Legend
People who think that Gulbis could be a future #1 are pretty blind in my opinion.

He is talented but he has no mental game at all. The way he played the last 3 games was awful! Only crazy juniors try to ace you in a second serve on MP. He did try it twice! Sorry but that is just far from being a future #1 material


It was so so clear to everyone that Fed let him win (and I am far from being a Fed fan).

Gulbis isn't a future #1 agreed but he certainly has the physical tools. He has the big serve and groundstrokes and more versatility IMO than Delpo. The mental game isn't there yet but when a player does put it all together upstairs, it can actually happen pretty quickly. So I can certainly see Gulbis putting together a great run but players who become the next Fed or Nadal (i.e., dominate for an extended period of time) usually start at a relatively young age. Although Gulbis is only 21, the same age Fed started to dominate so you never know.
 

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
People who think that Gulbis could be a future #1 are pretty blind in my opinion.

He is talented but he has no mental game at all. The way he played the last 3 games was awful! Only crazy juniors try to ace you in a second serve on MP. He did try it twice! Sorry but that is just far from being a future #1 material


It was so so clear to everyone that Fed let him win (and I am far from being a Fed fan).

Had one of those second serves struck gold Gulbis would have been called gutsy and brilliant. And who is to say he was going for an ace? When I am nervous and tight, I focus on hitting my second serve *hard.* That's how you avoid a tight miss into the net.

His mental game is his weakness, granted. You cannot deny his growth over the last two years, however. Has Monfils showed this kind of growth over the same period? Nope.

Also, consider the competition. Fed is clearly flailing and aging. The cartilage in Nadal's knees has the consistency of oatmeal. Djokovic, Tsonga, Murray, all struggling. Del Potro and Davydenko, injured. The young stars (Gasquet, Monfils, Cilic) underperforming.

The door is wide open for Gulbis to break through . . .
 

Sangria

Semi-Pro
Not really. It's like if you are accused of stealing something and then come up with the brilliant idea of crafting an alibi involving murder.

If Fed lost on purpose, it's disgraceful. An insult to fans, his opponent, not to mention the people that paid money to see him play in Rome. Weren't people booing him at the end?

I completely agree with you mate. IF he really tanked this match, then WTF is he thinking, when this tourney would have been a great lead up session for FO. There are still more tourneys to come, however its disappointing as I fully expected hime to trump Gulbis even on his "bad day".

Woke up this morning to hear it on the radio.. Man I was shocked to say the least.
 

Justin Side

Hall of Fame
This was really brutal. Think I counted Gulbis making 5 straight unforced errors/ double faults on match points at one point. Add that to Fed transforming into Sir Shankalot and it was almost painful to watch.
 

Lsmkenpo

Hall of Fame
I completely agree with you mate. IF he really tanked this match, then WTF is he thinking, when this tourney would have been a great lead up session for FO. There are still more tourneys to come, however its disappointing as I fully expected hime to trump Gulbis even on his "bad day".

Woke up this morning to hear it on the radio.. Man I was shocked to say the least.

Were you shocked every year,Mate?

Federer results at Rome past 4 years:

Rome 2007- lost to Volandri
Rome 2008-lost to Stepanek
Rome 2009-lost to Djokovic
Rome 2010-lost to Gulbis
 

sdont

Legend
Were you shocked every year,Mate?

Federer results at Rome past 4 years:

Rome 2007- lost to Volandri
Rome 2008-lost to Stepanek
Rome 2009-lost to Djokovic
Rome 2010-lost to Gulbis

Losing to Nole in the SF of a clay court Masters is not shocking, but otherwise I agree.

There are a number of tournaments now in which Fed almost systematically loses in a shocking way. Paris is another good example obviously, you could make a case about Canada, Miami and IW too I guess.
 

TheLoneWolf

Banned
I completely agree with you mate. IF he really tanked this match, then WTF is he thinking, when this tourney would have been a great lead up session for FO. There are still more tourneys to come, however its disappointing as I fully expected hime to trump Gulbis even on his "bad day".

Woke up this morning to hear it on the radio.. Man I was shocked to say the least.
You got that right, Sangria. As much as fans are polarized to the extreme around Fed and Rafa, I think there's something in common for all of us: We want to see them play against each other, it has been a long time (prediction: I anticipate a lot of Fed fans pointing out it's not Fed's fault Rafa has virtually dropped off the radar for the past 11 months.)

The one thing that is different to me is that even when Rafa loses I get the distinct impression that he's trying really hard not to. Maybe it's because Rafa's style of play is more physical so it always looks like he's trying harder. Still, it's hard to think Fed was even trying to do something yesterday. And I'm not the only person that thinks so, even many Fed fans agree.
 

TheLoneWolf

Banned
Losing to Nole in the SF of a clay court Masters is not shocking, but otherwise I agree.

There are a number of tournaments now in which Fed almost systematically loses in a shocking way. Paris is another good example obviously, you could make a case about Canada, Miami and IW too I guess.
And the reason being that he doesn't even try? Or is there anything else I'm missing? Why not just drop those tournaments then?
 

Rippy

Hall of Fame
Well, i've just seen an interview with him from Miami where he was actually ASKED the question whether he doesn't try in Master series events and he said "people who say that are wrong"....

I disagree that he lost this match on purpose, but of course he's hardly going to admit to it if it were true.
 

Bud

Bionic Poster
Two things.

First, Roger is one stubborn man. You miss something like 11 first serves in a row and it never occurs to you to take a little something off? Who is his serving coach -- Sharapova?

Second, I said it before and I'll say it again: Gulbis will be No. 1 someday. After his US Open loss to Roddick, I made that prediction. Oh, sure. Gulbis made me look like a fool for a couple of years there, what with his impulsivity and lack of good sense.

But he showed us something today. He fell into his usual pattern of Endless Dropshots (which worked yesterday against Baggie).

Then he stopped, collected himself, and hit the darn ball. The Gulbis of 2 years ago would have hit 50 more unsuccessful dropshots.

The other thing was his not imploding after failing to serve it out. He went back to playing solid shots rather than trying to hit harder and harder. He actually constructed some points, did you notice?

Yep, Gulbis is on his way for sure.

I think Gulbis has the talent (plus the excellent serve doesn't hurt) to be top 10 but not the work ethic. We'll see, however :)

I don't ever see number 1 in his future unless he learns restraint (when to rally and when to attack) and also broadens his skill set (pace changes, transition/net play, etc.)
 

Netspirit

Hall of Fame
And the reason being that he doesn't even try? Or is there anything else I'm missing? Why not just drop those tournaments then?

It's simple. He believes he is the best and has to win tournaments. And he is trying.

But winning matches at the top level always requires complete mental and physical dedication, huge amounts of "blood and sweat". It is a stress on the mind and body that the mind and body naturally reject, and only one's strong will and big goal can force one to sacrifice everything and stay razor-sharp for years.

There are no big goals left.

There are some artificial, made up goals like "beat this particular record, and then maybe that particular record, and then dance for me, baby", but it's really an icing on the GOAT cake. It is much less real for him than his family, new emotions, new values in his life. He has all the fame and money a man can dream of.

Now, what else is worth killing yourself for?
 

Totai

Professional
It's simple. He believes he is the best and has to win tournaments. And he is trying.

But winning matches at the top level always requires complete mental and physical dedication, huge amounts of "blood and sweat". It is a stress on the mind and body that the mind and body naturally reject, and only one's strong will and big goal can force one to sacrifice everything and stay razor-sharp for years.

There are no big goals left.

There are some artificial, made up goals like "beat this particular record, and then maybe that particular record, and then dance for me, baby", but it's really an icing on the GOAT cake. It is much less real for him than his family, new emotions, new values in his life. He has all the fame and money a man can dream of.

Now, what else is worth killing yourself for?

More money, more booze, more GOAT cake icing, pride?
 

TheLoneWolf

Banned
It's simple. He believes he is the best and has to win tournaments. And he is trying.

But winning matches at the top level always requires complete mental and physical dedication, huge amounts of "blood and sweat". It is a stress on the mind and body that the mind and body naturally reject, and only one's strong will and big goal can force one to sacrifice everything and stay razor-sharp for years.

There are no big goals left.

There are some artificial, made up goals like "beat this particular record, and then maybe that particular record, and then dance for me, baby", but it's really an icing on the GOAT cake. It is much less real for him than his family, new emotions, new values in his life. He has all the fame and money a man can dream of.

Now, what else is worth killing yourself for?
Very balanced and insightful post, thank you. I see some of your points, but I guess what I don't get is why does he even enter these tournaments then. Does he just consider them as training for Slams now?

To me, and I'm sure I'll get some flak for this, the only thing left for Fed to fight is Nadal. If it weren't for Nadal, Fed would likely have over 20 Slams now, and his lopsided rivalry with Nadal is probably the thing that sits heavier on Federer's mind.

Could it be possible that he is unconsciously not trying enough in these tournaments in order to exit early, and to avoid meeting Nadal and deteriorating his H2H against him even further?

Someone mentioned before that when Nadal was #1 Fed abhorred being announced as the World #2. Is he just trying to avoid Nadal at this point?
 

Netspirit

Hall of Fame
More money, more booze, more GOAT cake icing, pride?

"How much more do I want?" - R.Federer to the press, after losing to JMDP at USO'09

TheLoneWolf said:
Does he just consider them as training for Slams now?

He was asked this question. The response was that he believed that tennis was not just about 4 tournaments, he cares about the other events in his schedule as well.

TheLoneWolf said:
the only thing left for Fed to fight is Nadal

He did beat Nadal, several times on all surfaces. Now what - chasing the H2H stats? Nope, he is not that obsessed to devote his career to beating one player, or all players who have been successful against him (Andy Murray, etc.).

This is not personal, and moreover, it depends on too many things beyond his control. Federer was there in the FO'09 final, but Nadal did not show up. Federer was there in the Wimbledon'09 final, but Nadal did not show up. Federer was there in the USO'09 and AO'10 finals, but Nadal did not show up. Nobody knows how many times they can play in future and on what surfaces, so chasing H2Hs is pointless. It is what it is.

Is he just trying to avoid Nadal at this point?

Unlikely, since he won their last match last year. I believe he is at the point where he needs to pick an important goal to inspire and drive him or call it a career. And it cannot be one man - tennis is a game played against the whole tour.
 

TheLoneWolf

Banned
"How much more do I want?" - R.Federer to the press, after losing to JMDP at USO'09



He was asked this question. The response was that he believed that tennis was not just about 4 tournaments, he cares about the other events in his schedule as well.



He did beat Nadal, several times on all surfaces. Now what - chasing the H2H stats? Nope, he is not that obsessed to devote his career to beating one player, or all players who have been successful against him (Andy Murray, etc.).

This is not personal, and moreover, it depends on too many things beyond his control. Federer was there in the FO'09 final, but Nadal did not show up. Federer was there in the Wimbledon'09 final, but Nadal did not show up. Federer was there in the USO'09 and AO'10 finals, but Nadal did not show up. Nobody knows how many times they can play in future and on what surfaces, so chasing H2Hs is pointless. It is what it is.



Unlikely, since he won their last match last year. I believe he is at the point where he needs to pick an important goal to inspire and drive him or call it a career. And it cannot be one man - tennis is a game played against the whole tour.
You make reasonable points. I still wonder (just wonder) if a little part of Fed doesn't want to humiliate Rafa at RG, or at least to decrease the H2H gap. But I guess there is no way to know for sure. Fed has obviously achieved more based on raw titles than anybody else so far. Just wondering if this is enough for him or not. Speaking from own experience, I know that when I achieve a given goal I'm almost immediately looking for some other target. Everybody is (and especially athletes are) goal oriented.

On the other hand, if what you say is true, maybe that explains Federer's apparent lack of motivation at the moment.
 
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