TearTheRoofOff
G.O.A.T.
Against a 'mental GOAT' no less.
Miami 2019 SF: Roger Federer vs Denis Shapovalov
- Thread starter mike danny
- Start date
Enceladus
Legend
In several rivalries was the same age difference (18 years). Between Ken Rosewall (*1934) and Jimmy Connors (*1952), between Connors and Andre Agassi (*1970) or between Rod Laver (*1938) and Bjorn Borg (*1956).
Im(moral) Winner
G.O.A.T.
He won Basel not that long ago
mike danny
Bionic Poster
A big title. Basel was a cakewalk.
mightyjeditribble
Hall of Fame
Ok I hadn't actually crunched the numbers. But still it feels to me that you say doesn't really contradict my point. I'd easily expect Rafa to get 2000 points more in the clay season than Fed, unless he has a serious dropoff or Fed has a surprisingly good run.
(Sent from my mobile phone.)
mightyjeditribble
Hall of Fame
That being said, the reason I mentioned it is of course that I'd love Roger to get #2 seed! But it seems unlikely even if everything goes well e.g. he wins Miami.
(Sent from my mobile phone.)
Im(moral) Winner
G.O.A.T.
Nothing is bigger than Basel
Tennisgods
Hall of Fame
Of course Shapo could win. But Fed’s movement - cumbersome? Really? He’s lost a step or two but still a better mover than most on tour.
I can see Shapo winning in one of two scenarios. Either Fed dropping a couple of levels from last night, or Shapo hitting big and keeping it in play. I followed both matches last night and at times Shapo looked scary good, at others a big error fest and I sort of felt that a more experienced player than Tiafoe would have capitalised. The tennis looked great but it didn’t look especially controlled, so I think Shapo will need a little luck to win.
I’ve got Fed for the win, but it would be no surprise if Shapo hit the right notes. Looking forward to a good match.
underground
G.O.A.T.
There’s still the grass warm ups, Rafa really would need 3k more points than Fed over the clay season to clinch #2 at Wimbly
Meles
Bionic Poster
Ah, but you did not see Shapo the Rock vs Rublev and Tsitsipas.
rushhr
Rookie
it's 50/50 in my book.
fed had a lot of trouble hitting passing shots against anderson. an assumed double bagel became a 6-4 slog in the second when kevin was serving better and coming to net. i think shapo will come in more often and be slightly more competent at net than kevin.
of course fed will win a ton of free points serving to shapo's backhand. but his usual cross court slice will be towards shapo's strength--his forehand. his down the line backhand isn't as effective and he'll try to start hitting down the line topspin backhands which i think will start spraying.
plus all the pressure. fed's psyche isn't invincible. he knows he's the favorite. shapo has nothing to lose (except, if he raps again, his remaining dignity).
fed had a lot of trouble hitting passing shots against anderson. an assumed double bagel became a 6-4 slog in the second when kevin was serving better and coming to net. i think shapo will come in more often and be slightly more competent at net than kevin.
of course fed will win a ton of free points serving to shapo's backhand. but his usual cross court slice will be towards shapo's strength--his forehand. his down the line backhand isn't as effective and he'll try to start hitting down the line topspin backhands which i think will start spraying.
plus all the pressure. fed's psyche isn't invincible. he knows he's the favorite. shapo has nothing to lose (except, if he raps again, his remaining dignity).
This kind of has the feel of Fed's other two losses this season. A younger, powerful opponent (with a one-handed backhand) who Federer should beat, but who also has the ability to play killer first-strike tennis and get Fed out of his comfort zone.
I feel it'll probably either be Fed in straights with Shapo starstruck or Shapo in three, rising to the occasion.
I feel it'll probably either be Fed in straights with Shapo starstruck or Shapo in three, rising to the occasion.
nounforcederrors
Hall of Fame
Let's see, what can we do with them? Set up a separate league for tall players only? Or round 'em up and send them to a basketball training camp?
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
And he won Dubai 3 weeks ago.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
I'm a big fan of Denis and hope for great future things from him. But I will be shocked if he defeats Fed tonight. He has never played anyone with Fed's variety, touch, tennis IQ or point construction. If he gets by even this old version of Roger, it would be the biggest win of his career by far. Much bigger than the 2017 Rafa win since that didn't lead to a final. I don't think Denis is ready to win this match, just as Felix wasn't able to beat Isner and that was all mental.
Deon Sanders
Legend
John has made Miami his proverbial bich
I am afraid the inevitable has finally inevitabled
Winsner does it again and Roger takes another L in a masters final
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, I think Shapo's listed 6'0" is an inch or two generous
I agree, saw him in person at Citi last year and he did not look big at all.
EloQuent
Legend
Has an incredible amount of power for his size tho.
BGod
G.O.A.T.
IowaGuy said:
I concur, a few weeks ago at IW I was standing right in front of him, I'm 6"1 on the dot and he's 5"11 at best.
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
Also true.
I really like him and sorta hope that Hitman is right.
I think his tendency to back-foot himself on the BH is going to really hurt him against Federer. And his shot selection still needs a lot of work.
Sparlingo
Hall of Fame
I really don't understand why Shapo's rapping after a match gets such derision. He was asked "if you win the next match will you rap for us" and he won the next match and he did. The crowd loved it. Tennis needs more of this sort of fun. Hope he doesn't do it again though.
Leelord337
Hall of Fame
So Excited...I was sad back in the day Fed never played Prime joachim johansson, but i'm glad Fed plays young Shapovalov.....gonna be awesome to see how shapo handles fed's game...and how roger handles that one handed backhand of Shapo
Leelord337
Hall of Fame
Roger doesn't like to get shown up by winner city shapo, gonna be an Ego battle as well. Hopefully 2006 shanghai vs blake federer shows up and its a backhand show from both sides of the court
Mark-Touch
Legend
For every inch above 6'4", they must stand that further back from the service line. So in the case of Isner, 6" further back.
Deon Sanders
Legend
I thought you were on team Shapolovolvovolo
EloQuent
Legend
By the same logic, since they are weaker on return should they get a boost there?
Boom-Boom
Legend
Gazelle
G.O.A.T.
gogo
Legend
I admire the goal, but tougher said than done.
(I cannot help but cheer for Denis. My apologies in advance.)
Please take mercy on me. He doth be my son, as is young Felix.
Meles
Bionic Poster
PeteD
Legend
Ummmm?
Isn't-ner won 2018.
2018 was the year when:
Fed freak loss 2R to Kokki
Djok also freak 2R loss to somebody
No go, Nad, nor Murray
that left Delpo and Zev to John
If Fed makes the F, John gonna look funny scrambling all bent over
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Joe Kovic was Paire-d out of the Miami draw in 2R. @Red Rick would say his performance was Incompaireable, 3&4!
Boom-Boom
Legend
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
True Fanerer
G.O.A.T.
I'm pumped for this one.
20 minutes...
20 minutes...
gogo
Legend
Why are you pumped? You are a Fed fan. Don't you think that Fed is going to blow Shapo off the court? Is it that you want Fed to advance toward regaining #1? Is it because you see Denis as the ultimate successor to Fed?
Just curious.
True Fanerer
G.O.A.T.
I think Fed has the advantage sure. Don't really think Fed has a real chance at #1, but you never know. As far as Shapo, I see tons of potential. He could be his successor or it could be FAA. Some think Tsits, but I don't think so. It's hard to say with these young guys. There's Zverev too. I always get excited when Federer plays a young gun
. I hope it's a good match. Like I said earlier in the thread, the occasion may be too much for Shapo. We'll see.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
I know I’m pumped while being torn. It feels a tiny bit like Wimby’01.
