2019 Madrid QF: Federer [4] vs Thiem [5]

[Otacon]

A bit of what Thiem is bringing to this match.

The quality of this match was outstanding. I'll be very surprised if Thiem loses even a set going forward.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

@Hitman I have always liked Rafa more, but I have to say, I respect Djokovic perhaps a bit more. He came back from mental doldrums and nobody's ever done that in men's tennis. That was truly spectacular. I don't expect Roger to win the FO, obviously, so my second favorites would be Stan or Fognini. I would root for them over Djokovic, but in an RF final against Nadal, I would root for Novak. And I would say that even if both were sitting at, say, 18 majors. I feel Novak is too far behind Roger's slam count to catch him, so I can still root for him on occasion, even in slams. Now if he gets to 19, then I would root against him in every slam. That's my honest answer.

Thank you for that.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

I'll be a little disappointed if Thiem loses tbh...

You're back from your banishment

 

[The Green Mile]

You're back from your banishment

Yeah, back to sh1tposting.

 

[Backspin1183]

Thiem 7-5, 6-4. Fed needs to avoid grinding at all costs and throw in every conceivable trick from his magic bag: slices, drop shots, lobs, kick serves, junk balling and serving and volleying on second serves. Give the robot zero rhythm. Santoro-style tennis but with a big serve.

Knowing Federer, that's not how he plays. Especially if the opponent is trying to overpower him. So expect some forehand to forehand battles. Getting grumpy when he misses forehands and trying hard to win points from defensive positions.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Yeah, back to sh1tposting.

Don't doubt Daniil against Stefano ever again

 

[The Green Mile]

Don't doubt Daniil against Stefano ever again

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

I believe Thiem will win this one. Fed's serve and movement were suspect and there's more than a couple of times when he just decided to rush the net no matter what where I went "he got lucky on that one".

I thought his serve was decent and his movement ok, myself.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Yeah, back to sh1tposting.

Coming for my title.

 

[Sartorius]

I'm gonna smash him.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1126573469355970560

 

[NBP]

Best Masters 1000 QF line-up since Montreal 2009 imo

 

[albertobra]

Fed to makes Thieminator go nuts in the fast and windy Caja Mágica. Roger in 2. 1 break each set.

 

[Masterofpuppet]

Fed needs to serve extremely well to stay competitive against Thiem.

 

[AndyM]

Beatdown city show no mercy for the old man

 

[tennisaddict]

Fed will win this one. Watch out.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Fed got past La Monf, but it's unlikely Thiem doesn't beat him. If Fed gets past Thiem, it's unlikely Djoker doesn't beat him. If Fed gets past Djoker, it's unlikely Nadal doesn't beat him. If Fed gets past Nadal, it's unlikely @Red Rick doesn't beat him (around the head).

 

[True Fanerer]

The good thing about this is that Fed really has nothing to lose right now. A win is awesome and a loss is reluctantly acceptable given the situation. If he comes with his game face and is serious about hanging with Thiem on every point, I'll have no choice but to get behind him. If that means going through the gauntlet, so be it.

 

[Nadalgaenger]

Fed has a 40% chance imo. He needs to serve well and keep points short.
Thiem lost to friggin’ Lajovic guys!

 

[tennis_pro]

Best Masters 1000 QF line-up since Montreal 2009 imo

Nothing will ever top that:

Davydenko was the oldest player in the draw at that point and he was 28 lmao. Average age was like 24.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

I didn’t see either in their matches today but I’m going with Federer in 3.

 

[Mark-Touch]

This isn't 2009....
Federer is freaking 37.5 and thiem is in his best ever clay stretch (probably)

Kinda like that Fed - Sampras exo ten years ago right?

 

[TheFifthSet]

Nothing will ever top that:

Davydenko was the oldest player in the draw at that point and he was 28 lmao. Average age was like 24.

Ahhh man that reminds me of a stacked fight card.

Great, great tourney that was

 

[jstr]

Fed will have to get more serves and shots in, than he did with Monfils, if he wants to beat Thiem.

 

[underground]

Nothing will ever top that:

Davydenko was the oldest player in the draw at that point and he was 28 lmao. Average age was like 24.

Except that Fed choked from 5-1 up.

Ew.

 

[chjtennis]

Thiem in 3 is likely but Federer in 3 is also possible.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Kinda like that Fed - Sampras exo ten years ago right?

Fed was clearly holding back there

 

[BeatlesFan]

The quality of this match was outstanding. I'll be very surprised if Thiem loses even a set going forward.

Assume Novak is his semifinal opponent and Nadal is waiting in the final. Do you think Dom can defeat the big three in succession to win a title? I think Murray was the last the defeat all three in an event? Someone will know if that's correct. And Fed is ancient, so the accomplishment isn't the same as if someone did it in 2011-2012.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Fed was clearly holding back there

As Andre so famously said before these exo's, "the score will be as close as Roger wants it to be." Anyone seriously thinking Fed wouldn't have demolished Pete 1 and 1 in those exo's has never attended one and has no clue what exo's are all about.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

I like to think that Fed could have a chance here if he comes out and plays at his best. But realistically I'm expecting a straight-sets defeat, with respectable set scores.

(Sent from my mobile phone.)

 

[coupergear]

Fed admits hes approaching net on 2nd serve because he doesn't want to lock horns from the baseline with Monfils.

Thiem routines him. 6-4, 6-4

 

[MeatTornado]

Knowing Federer, that's not how he plays. Especially if the opponent is trying to overpower him. So expect some forehand to forehand battles. Getting grumpy when he misses forehands and trying hard to win points from defensive positions.

He still has that "anything you can do I can do better" mentality for absolutely no reason. He has every tool in the shed, but it's like he wants to prove to himself that he doesn't need them and can beat any opponent at their own game.

 

[TennisHound]

Fed will not win, period.

 

[Rosstour]

Fed has been quietly getting revenge on everyone who beat him recently.

Anderson, Coric, Tsitsipas, all beat Fed in big tournaments and got straight-setted the next time they faced him.

I'm looking for Thiem to become the next victim.

6-4 6-3 Fedr

 

[beard]

He really doesn't need to see where he stands on clay. This ain't 2009 anymore. Clay is a been there, done that for him now.

If this were a video game, clay for Fed would be labeled as "campaign completed".

Yes, in Easy Mode campaign is completed.
In hard mode he failed badly, sorry to tell you that buddy ...

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1126573469355970560

It's ok Excuserer, we know you are afraid of beat down... If Novak wins against Cilic, I will root for Federer, believe or not...

 

[Qubax]

I think Fed's compete and cageyness will keep each set tight. But yah, he's an underdog no doubt

 

[ChrisRF]

Meme prediction: fedr


Reality: Timmy will prevail

No, it’s the opposite.

The memes are:
- Federer’s decision not to play clay was right, he has no chance against guys like Thiem.
- His decision helped him to win Wimbledon.

The reality is:
Federer in 2, proving the critics but also his own decisions wrong.

 

[Feather]

Knowing Federer, that's not how he plays. Especially if the opponent is trying to overpower him. So expect some forehand to forehand battles. Getting grumpy when he misses forehands and trying hard to win points from defensive positions.

Sad but true!

 

[Rogfan]

130+ replies and 3000 views for this match thread while Nadal and Stan getting 400 clicks and 9 replies, and Djoker Cilic 30? Why is there any doubt who’s the GOAT?

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

130+ replies and 3000 views for this match thread while Nadal and Stan getting 400 clicks and 9 replies, and Djoker Cilic 30? Why is there any doubt who’s the GOAT?

Nothing to do with being goat since he's the underdog in this match while the other two are favorites and Djokovic is already in the SF

 

[Krish0608]

Roger's return has been off the charts and that might make all the difference. However, Thiem in 3 is what I predict. Rog might eke out a TB.

 

[Otacon]

He still has that "anything you can do I can do better" mentality for absolutely no reason. He has every tool in the shed, but it's like he wants to prove to himself that he doesn't need them and can beat any opponent at their own game.

Fedr is no exception. Sampras used to do just that against Agassi.

 

[Sambuccashake]

He still has that "anything you can do I can do better" mentality for absolutely no reason. He has every tool in the shed, but it's like he wants to prove to himself that he doesn't need them and can beat any opponent at their own game.

This is frustrating me to no end.
Sure, there is a tactical element in not letting the opponent know that "I know about your tell" but the way Fed does it is so incredibly annoying.

Is it because:
* he likes the challenge
* is stubborn and refuse to be shown up in an area of the sport
* he wants to keep his fans in purgatory only to let them enjoy the eventual sweet release so much more when he prevails?

I think back in the day he was so much faster and hit harder and then I can get it somehow.
"-I'm almost invincible as it is, I might as well send some signals to the rest of the competition here."

But nowadays when he has re tailored his game around the shortening of points, denying the opponent rhythm, variation of spin and coming to the net. I'm sure he could avoid all this unnecessary grinding and lost matches.

 

[MeatTornado]

This is frustrating me to no end.
Sure, there is a tactical element in not letting the opponent know that "I know about your tell" but the way Fed does it is so incredibly annoying.

Is it because:
* he likes the challenge
* is stubborn and refuse to be shown up in an area of the sport
* he wants to keep his fans in purgatory only to let them enjoy the eventual sweet release so much more when he prevails?

I think back in the day he was so much faster and hit harder and then I can get it somehow.
"-I'm almost invincible as it is, I might as well send some signals to the rest of the competition here."

But nowadays when he has re tailored his game around the shortening of points, denying the opponent rhythm, variation of spin and coming to the net. I'm sure he could avoid all this unnecessary grinding and lost matches.

I understood when he was still arrogant and overconfident in his abilities back in like 08-09, because it was easy for him to believe he was still the same invincible guy from 05-06. But it boggles the mind that he still plays like that in 2019.

And it's only against the "lesser" players. He digs deep into the bag of tricks looking for solutions when playing Rafa or Novak in recent years (topspin backhands vs Rafa and slices vs Novak, SABRs, S&V, etc.)

But he refuses to show someone like Delpo the same respect, no matter how many FH to FH battles he loses.

 

[AndyM]

I can't believe 29% of fed fanatics are picking fed

 

[I Am Finnish]

Lol why have i a feeling that fraud will upset Tim

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Lol why have i a feeling that fraud will upset Tim

Because the dominator isn't exactly the most reliable player. Even if I haven't seen anything like him in my life.

 

[BeatlesFan]

One tennis pundit is actually predicting a Federer victory:

Roger Federer vs Dominic Thiem

Match point down. Second serve. Federer is a whisper away from leaving Madrid. He wins the point by serve-and-volleying.

Federer’s total commitment to aggressive, all-court tennis even in tight moments was clear. Against Thiem, he will have to execute this game plan perfectly. Thiem played excellent hard-hitting tennis in Indian Wells, favoring power over placement, content to blast balls up the middle of the court forcing Federer back from his preferred position hugging the baseline. On the clay of Madrid, Thiem will have more time to line up his big shots and it will be easier for him to run down balls. If Federer can find a way to win against Thiem, he will enter into his semifinal match, even if it is against Novak Djokovic, brimming with confidence.

Thiem has been the second-best clay court player of the last two years and has reached the semifinals of the French Open or better every year since 2016. However, Thiem hasn’t been perfect so far in Madrid. He dropped the first set against Reilly Opelka and, despite a straight sets win against Monte Carlo champion Fabio Fognini, has yet to show the glistening game with which he won titles in Indian Wells and Barcelona.

Prediction: Federer in 3

He also picks Tsitsipas and Nadal to go through.

https://lastwordontennis.com/2019/0...tions-include-roger-federer-vs-dominic-thiem/

 

[I Am Finnish]

One tennis pundit is actually predicting a Federer victory:

Roger Federer vs Dominic Thiem

Match point down. Second serve. Federer is a whisper away from leaving Madrid. He wins the point by serve-and-volleying.

Federer’s total commitment to aggressive, all-court tennis even in tight moments was clear. Against Thiem, he will have to execute this game plan perfectly. Thiem played excellent hard-hitting tennis in Indian Wells, favoring power over placement, content to blast balls up the middle of the court forcing Federer back from his preferred position hugging the baseline. On the clay of Madrid, Thiem will have more time to line up his big shots and it will be easier for him to run down balls. If Federer can find a way to win against Thiem, he will enter into his semifinal match, even if it is against Novak Djokovic, brimming with confidence.

Thiem has been the second-best clay court player of the last two years and has reached the semifinals of the French Open or better every year since 2016. However, Thiem hasn’t been perfect so far in Madrid. He dropped the first set against Reilly Opelka and, despite a straight sets win against Monte Carlo champion Fabio Fognini, has yet to show the glistening game with which he won titles in Indian Wells and Barcelona.

Prediction: Federer in 3

He also picks Tsitsipas and Nadal to go through.

https://lastwordontennis.com/2019/0...tions-include-roger-federer-vs-dominic-thiem/

Interesting

 

[Otacon]

One tennis pundit is actually predicting a Federer victory:

Roger Federer vs Dominic Thiem

Match point down. Second serve. Federer is a whisper away from leaving Madrid. He wins the point by serve-and-volleying.

Federer’s total commitment to aggressive, all-court tennis even in tight moments was clear. Against Thiem, he will have to execute this game plan perfectly. Thiem played excellent hard-hitting tennis in Indian Wells, favoring power over placement, content to blast balls up the middle of the court forcing Federer back from his preferred position hugging the baseline. On the clay of Madrid, Thiem will have more time to line up his big shots and it will be easier for him to run down balls. If Federer can find a way to win against Thiem, he will enter into his semifinal match, even if it is against Novak Djokovic, brimming with confidence.

Thiem has been the second-best clay court player of the last two years and has reached the semifinals of the French Open or better every year since 2016. However, Thiem hasn’t been perfect so far in Madrid. He dropped the first set against Reilly Opelka and, despite a straight sets win against Monte Carlo champion Fabio Fognini, has yet to show the glistening game with which he won titles in Indian Wells and Barcelona.

Prediction: Federer in 3

He also picks Tsitsipas and Nadal to go through.

https://lastwordontennis.com/2019/0...tions-include-roger-federer-vs-dominic-thiem/

Federer is not beating the next FO champion.

 

[Red Rick]

One tennis pundit is actually predicting a Federer victory:

Roger Federer vs Dominic Thiem

Match point down. Second serve. Federer is a whisper away from leaving Madrid. He wins the point by serve-and-volleying.

Federer’s total commitment to aggressive, all-court tennis even in tight moments was clear. Against Thiem, he will have to execute this game plan perfectly. Thiem played excellent hard-hitting tennis in Indian Wells, favoring power over placement, content to blast balls up the middle of the court forcing Federer back from his preferred position hugging the baseline. On the clay of Madrid, Thiem will have more time to line up his big shots and it will be easier for him to run down balls. If Federer can find a way to win against Thiem, he will enter into his semifinal match, even if it is against Novak Djokovic, brimming with confidence.

Thiem has been the second-best clay court player of the last two years and has reached the semifinals of the French Open or better every year since 2016. However, Thiem hasn’t been perfect so far in Madrid. He dropped the first set against Reilly Opelka and, despite a straight sets win against Monte Carlo champion Fabio Fognini, has yet to show the glistening game with which he won titles in Indian Wells and Barcelona.

Prediction: Federer in 3

He also picks Tsitsipas and Nadal to go through.

https://lastwordontennis.com/2019/0...tions-include-roger-federer-vs-dominic-thiem/

Still better writing than GoT season 8