Federer vs Gonzalez round robin match

[Morrissey]

So much for the "tanking Paris to reach fresh to Shanghai" theory.

Haha, true. But honestly, excuses aside I think he's been playing substandard since Wimby. He lost Montreal and won Cincy due to so many contenders getting knocked out early. He won the US Open on determination and experience, Joker outplayed him but choked the first 2 sets. Fed's indoor season outside Basel has been bad for his standards as of now.

 

[GOD_BLESS_RAFA]

OOPS!

 

[Zaragoza]

How many points are allocated for this tournament?

Each Round Robin Match Win – 20 ATP Race points – 100 South African Airways ATP Ranking points
Semifinal Win – 40 ATP Race points – 200 South African Airways ATP Rankings points
Final Win – 50 ATP Race points – 250 South African Airways ATP Rankings points


So Federer lost 100 ranking points in this match.

 

[ninman]

If you look at the stats for the match, nearly all of Federer's stats are better than Gonzo's. I think this was a case of Federer not playing well on bp, and also taking his foot of the accelerator when he started winning the first set comfortably.

 

[cucio]

Yup, too many chinks in the armour already. Yet there he is, collecting slams like they were nothing. Ah, if Roddick or Davydenko had retired and Nalbaldian was in this group...

 

[ninman]

it's been a lacklustre year from Federer in terms of his play and performances in general. I just hope he wins the title and then moves on and tries really hard for next year.

 

[Morrissey]

See Fed lovers? Don't rip other players because one day your guy will lose and you'll be on the receiving end of it and nobody wants to see their guy getting ripping by haters. Nadal fans, Fed fans, Joker, Roddick fans. Unless its Serena, it's ok to rip her though.

 

[lonestar]

If you look at the stats for the match, nearly all of Federer's stats are better than Gonzo's. I think this was a case of Federer not playing well on bp, and also taking his foot of the accelerator when he started winning the first set comfortably.

That is exactly his problem lately, the bad break points conversion and bad tie break performances. He doesn't take his chances like he used to in the past.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

Federer is slowly forgetting all of the stuff Rochey Taught him. And his intensive work with Rochey each hot December had been crucial to his AO campaigns and to his season. He better go coach hunting soon.

 

[giver deaner]

I think Fed losses more than 100 points because you get an undefeated bonus do you not?

 

[ninman]

I think Fed losses more than 100 points because you get an undefeated bonus do you not?

no, you don't.

 

[ninman]

Basically Federer has to win his last 4 matches to win the tournament and pray that Nadal doesn't win another match.

 

[Andres]

Each Round Robin Match Win – 20 ATP Race points – 100 South African Airways ATP Ranking points
Semifinal Win – 40 ATP Race points – 200 South African Airways ATP Rankings points
Final Win – 50 ATP Race points – 250 South African Airways ATP Rankings points


So Federer lost 100 ranking points in this match.

Actually, he didn't 'LOSE' those 100 points. The TMC points were substracted before the tourney. That's why Nadal is so close in terms of points.

He simply didn't add another 100 points like he did last year. Federer lost 100 ranking points compared to Nadal

 

[ninman]

Actually, he didn't 'LOSE' those 100 points. The TMC points were substracted before the tourney. That's why Nadal is so close in terms of points.

He simply didn't add another 100 points like he did last year. Federer lost 100 ranking points compared to Nadal

Yep, but if he wins and Nadal doesn't win another match then that'll be 650 points for Federer, 100 for Nadal, making the different before the Aussie 1545 points, meaning that Federer would have to go out early in Australia and Nadal win it for Nadal to take over as number 1.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

ANyways, fed hasnt been sent packing home,so im sure he'll take the positives out of this. All Fed has to do now is win his 2 matches to make the semis.

 

[Andres]

Can Nadal end #1 if he goes undefeated at the tourney and Fed doesn't win a single match?

Edit: No, he can't.

Fed: 6530; Nadal 5535.
Fed doesn't earn points, Nadal earns 100+100+100+200+250= 6285

 

[Andres]

Yep, but if he wins and Nadal doesn't win another match then that'll be 650 points for Federer, 100 for Nadal, making the different before the Aussie 1545 points, meaning that Federer would have to go out early in Australia and Nadal win it for Nadal to take over as number 1.

Precisely.

 

[ninman]

ANyways, fed hasnt been sent packing home,so im sure he'll take the positives out of this. All Fed has to do now is win his 2 matches to make the semis.

The positives hopefully being to try harder on BP, and not throw away so many chances.

 

[l_gonzalez]

The positives hopefully being to try harder on BP, and not throw away so many chances.

One word that Agassi used all the time comes to mind after this match:

Execute.

Federer failed to execute throughout this match.

 

[ninman]

One word that Agassi used all the time comes to mind after this match:

Execute.

Federer failed to execute throughout this match.

It's been his problem all year, RG won 1/17 b.p's, Montreal lost 6 set points, Canas in Miami had points for a double break in the 3rd, didn't win them. I'm sure there are others.

 

[l_gonzalez]

It's been his problem all year, RG won 1/17 b.p's, Montreal lost 6 set points, Canas in Miami had points for a double break in the 3rd, didn't win them. I'm sure there are others.

You're absolutely right... hopefully not a sign of things to come. He needs to pull his finger out, get a coach and stop thinking that he's super-human.

 

[cucio]

Hum, yeah, okay, but don't forget that funky guy at the other end of the net with the murderous look and the funny thingy with the strings in the hand.

Fed's record against spanish speaking players begins to be worrying. Soon we will have every other player screaming "Vamos" when they play against the Mighty One just to freak him out.

 

[cucio]

By the way, now that Federer might not end up first in his group rumour has it that no one wants to be first in the gold one. :lol:

 

[ninman]

You're absolutely right... hopefully not a sign of things to come. He needs to pull his finger out, get a coach and stop thinking that he's super-human.

I think that this year is the calm before the storm. I remember in 1994 Stephen Hendry came very close to losing the number 1 ranking after a poor year, then had 3 amazing years after that. So hopefully...

 

[ananda]

my god! what a blistering forehand Gonzo has!!!
And his backhand was good, too.
As a matter of fact, his fh, bh and service are all strong.

I was wondering where you folks rate Gonzo's backhand -- in comparison to Fed, Gasquet and the other 1hbh'ers. How many bh winners and UE's did he have ???

 

[PugArePeopleToo]

What is the big deal? Nobody beats Fernando Gonzalez 16 times in a row.

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

What is the big deal? Nobody beats Fernando Gonzalez 16 times in a row.

The old Vitas Gerulistis line, but I just got up and was really stunned by the headline. Oh well, back to work and it's going to be interesting.

 

[iriraz]

If Federer would beat Roddick and Davydenko there is a chance that Roddick Federer and Gonzalez would finish with 2-1.Does the difference between sets won or lost count then or what makes the difference who goes to semis or goes out?

 

[theone]

What is the big deal? Nobody beats Fernando Gonzalez 16 times in a row.

Shouldn't that be 11 times in a row?

 

[Cyan]

Fed's record against spanish speaking players begins to be worrying. Soon we will have every other player screaming "Vamos" when they play against the Mighty One just to freak him out.

LOL!!!!

 

[PugArePeopleToo]

Shouldn't that be 11 times in a row?

You are right.

 

[Shabazza]

I think that this year is the calm before the storm. I remember in 1994 Stephen Hendry came very close to losing the number 1 ranking after a poor year, then had 3 amazing years after that. So hopefully...

So you're a snooker fan I reckon?!

 

[Shabazza]

If Federer would beat Roddick and Davydenko there is a chance that Roddick Federer and Gonzalez would finish with 2-1.Does the difference between sets won or lost count then or what makes the difference who goes to semis or goes out?

First the difference in sets and if they are still tied the h2h I think.

 

[ninman]

So you're a snooker fan I reckon?!

On and off snooker fan, I stopped watching snooker because there isn't anyone who wins all the time anymore, nobody to root for, you know . I like a sport that is being dominated, not one where a different person wins every tournament.

 

[Andres]

First the difference in sets and if they are still tied the h2h I think.

Matches won - Sets - Games - H2H

 

[thalivest]

I saw Fed's last 3 matches that he's lost, there's alot to worry about, alot is missing and he's not moving to the ball as fast as in the past so he has trouble setting up for good shots. I noticed this a few months ago before he started losing. His forehand isn't as reliable and penetrating either. Still excellent because I have no one else to compare him to except his former self. There's a definite pattern now, I don't know the reason and I don't know if it's reversible. Since it has come on so rapidly(months) I would say it's not all physical.

 

[hyogen]

What a stupid question. Fed could beat Gonzalez in a wheelchair.

now who's the stupid one? I doubt federer could even most of us in a wheelchair.

 

[<3Tennis]

for espn2 viewers
did they just skip from 3-0 to 6-3?

 

[skip1969]

for espn2 viewers
did they just skip from 3-0 to 6-3?

yup. in true espn fashion.

it was a long match, and they've only got a 2-hour slot.

 

[Shabazza]

Matches won - Sets - Games - H2H

Wasn't sure if "games" are included, but it would help Federer. If he'll lose it will be close - no blowout sets.

 

[Forehand Forever]

I can't believe Federer, those last couple of games looked like he wasn't even trying, just going for angles. Didn't look like Federer at all.

 

[anointedone]

Federer was pretty bad today for sure. Still amazing to see Gonzalez play so well after struggling to win matches before here.

 

[Chauvalito]

My favorite shot of the match was Gonzalez hitting a down the line backhand winner.

The camera was right on his face when he turned around, he basically made the facial expression saying "Didnt know I could do that...", it was a look of surprize.

 

[fuzzfactory]

wow what an amazing match.. i was on the edge of my feet literally for the entire last set. i was waiting to see federer explode on the court from all of his unforced errors but he didnt... and gonzo's forehand is my new hero.

 

[Noveson]

My favorite shot of the match was Gonzalez hitting a down the line backhand winner.

The camera was right on his face when he turned around, he basically made the facial expression saying "Didnt know I could do that...", it was a look of surprize.

Yeah that was pretty good. Towards the end though he absolutely rifled two forehands, both for winners. I wish they had the speed thing on those two, they looked close to being up near Monfils's 120mph forehand.

 

[ShooterMcMarco]

I just noticed Gonzo was wearing the special edition black barricades. That is why he won the match. Federer should've switched to the black vapors.

 

[Zaragoza]

Actually, he didn't 'LOSE' those 100 points. The TMC points were substracted before the tourney. That's why Nadal is so close in terms of points.

He simply didn't add another 100 points like he did last year. Federer lost 100 ranking points compared to Nadal

I know Andres, I didn´t mean that 100 points will be discounted from his current points. He missed a chance to add 100 points so it doesn´t matter how you look at it, this loss costed him 100 points
And how curious, the only player in the top 4 to win his first match was Nadal. Does it mean that top players are too tired now?

 

[Moose Malloy]

does anyone know what Fed was upset about at the end of the 2nd set? I heard him say 'you made me look like an idiot' & 'don't give that ****' to the umpire at its conclusion.

 

[Morrissey]

does anyone know what Fed was upset about at the end of the 2nd set? I heard him say 'you made me look like an idiot' & 'don't give that ****' to the umpire at its conclusion.

He challgenged a call after he hit a forehand long (very long) on set point and when he walked back to the chair I think he retracted it, but they showed the challenge anyway and Fed's shot landed about a foot out, it barely showed on the screen it was so far. That got Fed a bit worked up, "why did you show it? now I look like an idiot". I'm not sure what he said but it had to do with the challenge call.