Observations on Fed vs Nadal final!

[Mr Topspin]

Fed IMHO has been playing perfect tennis and in normal circumstances he would most likely win the final in straight sets. Unfortunately he is playing a guy who just wont lie down, Nadal.

I just saw Nadal beat Gaudio despite Gaudio playing the best tennis of his life in the first set. Most mere mortals would have crumbled under the Gaudio pressure, but not Rafael Nadal. He simply rolled up his sleeves and promptly asked for more and Gaudio could not keep up his high level and folded in the last two sets. This is what Nadal does to players, even if you play your absolute best for 1 set, you cannot afford to pause for breath. Federer should remember what happened in Dubai and this time he cannot afford to let up.

The key to the final for me is who wins the first set. I see the final going four sets and hinging on who starts well. If Fed wins the opener i see him taking it in 3 or tough 4. If Nadal starts well then it could be the same scenario. I really don't see a 5 set match and if it does then i only see one winner, Rafael Nadal.

[ACE of Hearts]

I think its more critical for Roger to win the first set.I am sure he us ready to go 5, he has alot of energy.

[Shabazza]

I agree about with Topspin - I think this match will end most likely in 4 sets.

[Mr Topspin]

Originally Posted by ACE of Hearts

I think its more critical for Roger to win the first set.I am sure he us ready to go 5, he has alot of energy.

You're right Fed is fresher than Nadal. He's played shorter matches and had an easier semi-final passage. But Fed also has a poor record in 5 set matches i think its 8 and 9 or something like that and on clay against Nadal i just don't fancy Fed's chances. He will have to squeeze it out in 3 or 4 if wants the win IMHO.

Nadal is far too strong to lose in 5 if it gets that far.

[slice bh compliment]

I don't know, man. Nadal looked a little bit tired at the end of that superb first set with Gaudio. If Gaudio had not 'trembled' at the start of the second set, I think Rafa would not have won so convincingly. He totally got amped up when he saw Gaudio getting tight, and it was all downhill from there. This says as much about Nadal's incredible strength as GG's fragility.

As for the final: This is a good shot for Rogelio. I agree the first set will be key. If Rafa's totally match ready, the smart money is on him frustrating the hell out of Fedi again at the end....but something tells me that if RF gets a great start, it could be a battle RF could win at the end of 4 or 5 sets.

Maybe it is just the Fedi fan in me, but I would love to go into Roland with Roger getting one win over Rafa at either MC, Hamburg or Rome. Just to set up a seriously engaging clash of the titans for the RG final.

EDIT: a quick note here...I just wanted to acknowledge our resident linguist, Aykhan Mammadov, for the coining of the verb "to tremble" in the vernacular of modern tennis.