2018 Rotterdam QF - [1] Roger Federer vs Robin Haase

[The Green Mile]

As probably all of you know, if Fed wins this match he becomes the new world #1 next week, extending his record 302 weeks atop the rankings. Would also become the oldest #1 in the open era, surpassing Agassi.

Amazingly, they have only met twice before, Canada 17 being their last meeting on tour. Was a fun and competitive match.

Starts not before 7:30 pm, local time.

 

[Sysyphus]

federer's [smirky] smile in straights

http://www.**************.org/imgs/22360/roger-federer-looking-strong-to-end-the-season-as-world-number-one.jpg

 

[Mr Feeny]

This is the big one! Come on Fed! Make history!

 

[Mr Feeny]

http://www.**************.org/imgs/22360/roger-federer-looking-strong-to-end-the-season-as-world-number-one.jpg

That's stunning! Let's hope he gets that number 1 tomorrow!

 

[I Am Finnish]

Haasiegoat*

 

[Mr Feeny]

As probably all of you know, if Fed wins this match he becomes the new world #1 next week, extending his record 302 weeks atop the rankings.

Amazingly, they have only met twice before, Canada 17 being their last meeting on tour. Was a fun and competitive match.

That was a close shave. I hope Roger can pull through tomorrow. Last bout of nerves but it'll all be worth it if he manages to become number 1 at 36 and 7 months.

 

[Mr Feeny]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10155718559033958

But my name is Robin!

 

[EloQuent]

Fedr

 

[sdont]

federer's [smirky] smile in straights

http://www.**************.org/imgs/22360/roger-federer-looking-strong-to-end-the-season-as-world-number-one.jpg

What's Noah's name doing here?

 

[Sysyphus]

What's Noah's name doing here?

haha, well spotted. Highest single ranking of #3.

but #1 in doubles, baby

 

[Red Rick]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10155718559033958

But my name is Robin!

This should be the intro to a Robin Haase tribute video with the song "Remember the Name"

 

[sdont]

haha, well spotted. Highest single ranking of #3.

but #1 in doubles, baby

Hmm OK. Still seems a bit weird.

 

[Sysyphus]

Hmm OK. Still seems a bit weird.

Yeah, very weird.

Have to say I love how they randomly included Noah for having 19 weeks as #1 in doubles, but left out Nadal (and not Novak)

 

[Red Rick]

Yeah, very weird.

Have to say I love how they randomly included Noah for having 19 weeks as #1 in doubles, but left out Nadal (and not Novak)

Appeal to fanbase TTW obviously.

 

[Sysyphus]

Appeal to fanbase TTW obviously.

thinking Federer explicitly requested it

 

[Chicharito]

Go get it champ

 

[stringertom]

fedr looses nine games to keep it consistent in their third meeting. 6-4 7-5 sounds right.

 

[stringertom]

Haasiegoat*

Haasierobin cannot soar like fedreagle.

 

[Red Rick]

so instead of at least merging, they knowingly can the one and only quality thread if favour of those who **** on poll quality in favour of saving time

the world is such a cruel place

 

[tennis_pro]

If Haase playing the tournament of his life can't take a set off of an injured Federer (Canada 2017) then I don't see how he's going to beat Federer tomorrow. Fed would have to come out very tense.

Fed 6-3 6-4

 

[underground]

It feels weird that Fed can grab #1 like this, simply because the past 3 times had reached the top, it was accompanied with winning a slam.

Here's a comparison of how the Big 4 got the #1 ranking:

Fed
2004 - AO SF against Ferrero, goes on to win title
2009 - Wimbledon F against Roddick
2012 - Wimbledon F against Murray, leapfrogs Novak AND Rafa

Rafa
2008 - Cincinnati QF against Lapentti after Fed lost to Karlovic, lost in SF to Djokovic. But note (most likely due to shifted calendar in Olympic years), Rafa didn't get #1 until two weeks later, when the Olympics finished.
2010 - FO F against Soderling after Fed lost at the QF
2013 - Beijing SF when Berdych retired after 6 games, lost to Djokovic in the final
2017 - automatic promotion after conclusion of Cinci due to Murray's withdrawal at Cinci and Fed's withdrawal due to injury

Novak
2011 - Wimbledon SF against Tsonga, went on to win title
2012 - automatic promotion after conclusion of Paris when Fed's points dropped off from last year.
2014 - Wimbledon F against Fed

Murray
2016 - Paris F against Isner

 

[Mainad]

Hmm OK. Still seems a bit weird.

I agree. Noah's name is displayed a bit too prominently for someone who was only ever ranked #1 in doubles!

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Should be good.

Haase to feed off his newfound fanbase and get at least a set.

 

[Mainad]

haha, well spotted. Highest single ranking of #3.

but #1 in doubles, baby

So how come Vilas is there (ranked #1 neither in singles or doubles)?

 

[EloQuent]

feels like he really should have been #1 for the second half of 2017. 2 slams, 3 masters. weird to only be 2 after that.

(yes, I know it's because of skipping clay and I'm not trying to take anything from Rafa)

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Fed in 3.
I have a feeling that Fed will lose the first set (due to nerves) then he will wake the f up and annihilate poor Robin.

 

[tennisaddict]

I still remember the fantastic run in 2012. After losing USO SF for the second consecutive time holding MP, Fed started accumulating points little by little, increasing the momentum constantly, even while Novak and Rafa won the AO and FO.

Whatever Rafa is doing now is just following what Fed did 6 years back.

 

[chjtennis]

Tough match to Fed mentally, but he will win after some struggle. 7-6 7-5 again.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

federer's [smirky] smile in straights

http://www.**************.org/imgs/22360/roger-federer-looking-strong-to-end-the-season-as-world-number-one.jpg

What's Noah's name doing here?

haha, well spotted. Highest single ranking of #3.

but #1 in doubles, baby

i've always loved that trophy he got in basel

 

[stringertom]

What's Noah's name doing here?

They misspelled "Rios."

 

[Fed881981]

My prediction is not in the list: Federer to 1

 

[Tennis_Hands]

i've always loved that trophy he got in basel

I see it.



EDIT: Or should I have said, "I don't see it"?

 

[bezs]

Gonna tune into this in the wee hours of the morning, this could be historic.

 

[Steve0904]

I think Federer wins this pretty easily tbh. Whenever he's under pressure like this it's usually the matches before the big one that you have to watch out for with him, like his lackluster play against Kohlschreiber yesterday. Think Haas and Delpo after Nadal went out at RG or the Benneteau match at Wimbledon after Nadal lost. He played badly in the 2014 USO SF as well after Novak lost, although Cilic was awesome that day and Federer perhaps a little tired.

That said, his performances when he has the chance to really achieve something special in a 1 match scenario have often been fantastic. The RG 2009 F for instance or his match against Murray at Wimbledon 2012. Winning the DC for Switzerland is another, and this is going way back to the first time he clinched #1 and he's not in his prime anymore, but his performance against Ferrero was crazy good. I guess I'd have to mention that the Wimbledon 2009 Final was too close for comfort, but I do think Fed could come out free flowing today and just win this easily or at least that's what I'm hoping.

 

[icedevil0289]

It feels weird that Fed can grab #1 like this, simply because the past 3 times had reached the top, it was accompanied with winning a slam.

Here's a comparison of how the Big 4 got the #1 ranking:

Fed
2004 - AO SF against Ferrero, goes on to win title
2009 - Wimbledon F against Roddick
2012 - Wimbledon F against Murray, leapfrogs Novak AND Rafa

Rafa
2008 - Cincinnati QF against Lapentti after Fed lost to Karlovic, lost in SF to Djokovic. But note (most likely due to shifted calendar in Olympic years), Rafa didn't get #1 until two weeks later, when the Olympics finished.
2010 - FO F against Soderling after Fed lost at the QF
2013 - Beijing SF when Berdych retired after 6 games, lost to Djokovic in the final
2017 - automatic promotion after conclusion of Cinci due to Murray's withdrawal at Cinci and Fed's withdrawal due to injury

Novak
2011 - Wimbledon SF against Tsonga, went on to win title
2012 - automatic promotion after conclusion of Paris when Fed's points dropped off from last year.
2014 - Wimbledon F against Fed

Murray
2016 - Paris F against Isner

i mean he did recently defend his AO title so that plays a part

 

[tennis_pro]

I predict pain for some Nadal fans.

@octobrina10

 

[Pagoo]

Just for the LOLs

‘Federer will NOT be No 1 if he beats Haase’: Rafael Nadal fan adamant rankings are WRONG

 

[BeatlesFan]

It looked like Dimi was closing this out quickly so Fed can get on court, but the buffoon is choking again. Get this crap match off the court and roll on King Roger!!! ASAP!

 

[BeatlesFan]

I predict pain for some Nadal fans.

Their pain should be that their guy has 167 weeks at #1 and Fed will soon start padding his lofty 302 weeks.

 

[Steve0904]

Just for the LOLs

‘Federer will NOT be No 1 if he beats Haase’: Rafael Nadal fan adamant rankings are WRONG

Britta is a nice name. She's one t past being a water filter. Strangely enough the last part of her username is an homage to Federer's most successful clay court tournament.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Dimi match is over!!!! FED COMING ON SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Steve0904]

It looked like Dimi was closing this out quickly so Fed can get on court, but the buffoon is choking again. Get this crap match off the court and roll on King Roger!!! ASAP!

?? Dimi's match is long over. Spoiler** He won in straight sets.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

I cancelled a personal training session today, just to make sure I watch this match, since if he wins, it will be historic...I don't just do that

 

[AiRFederer]

I cancelled a personal training session today, just to make sure I watch this match, since if he wins, it will be historic...I don't just do that

Gainserer

 

[natalia]

I predict pain for some Nadal fans.

@octobrina10

Is there any chance she becomes catatonic?

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Gainserer

She can wait until Sunday.

 

[BeatlesFan]

?? Dimi's match is long over. Spoiler** He won in straight sets.

Must be too many Long Island Ice Teas last night. I was watching a replay on Tennis Channel in the States and stupidly thought he was playing live. My bad.

 

[AiRFederer]

She can wait until Sunday.

Postponerer

 

[AiRFederer]

Too drunk to watch this. Hope hes numero.uno by the time I wake up. Cya folks

 

[True Fanerer]

A rare treat in the middle of February for tennis fans.

Lets go Fedr!!