The match to watch in this year's US Open would've been a Blake/Federer final. I wanted Blake to beat Agassi because IMO, while I firmly believe Agassi has the physical game to beat Federer, Fed is so deep into Agassi's head that Ag would have to be hypnotized to play Fed, playing Agassi's game. If you watch Agassi, he plays consistently throughout every tourney (making a guy hit 10+ balls, then putting him away or watching him hit an error). When he gets to Fed, he changes his strategy and tries to end the points to early. Again IMO, Ag is reading too much Fed press ("nobody covers the court like Federer... Federer has no weaknesses in his game... etc") and subsequently tries to end the points soon. Federer does have one weakness in his game: while he can cover the court as well as Hewitt, if not better, Fed doesn't like to run. Look how frustrated he looks when he has to run balls down for two or more consecutive points. Well, Agassi, if Federer covers the court well, make him do it the whole match. Make him hit 10-15 balls. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching Federer play, but he's no more invincible than Mike Tyson was in his prime. It just takes someone exposing him. Federer doesn't like to run. Agassi specializes in making people run. As much as I dislike Lleyton Hewitt, if he had Federer's ground game, he'd be the premier player in the men's game today (Hewitt looks as though he likes running). Now, fast forward to James Blake... what I saw in Blake this past summer is similar to what I saw in Fed when he began his run a few years ago: A guy waking up and realizing he's one of the best (if not the best) in the world. Federer could've played this well sooner, but he only recently began believing in himself. Blake has always had the quickness to cover the court with the best of them. Not only does he have the legs, he's got one of the best forehands on the tour and now his serve is developing into a major weapon. When I first started watching Blake a few years ago (back when Roddick was on his rise to stardom), I said to myself then, "Wow, if only this guy had the killer instinct to match his game..." Well, Blake appears to have developed that killer instinct (look at how he completely dismantled Nadal in the Open, when no one gave him a chance against the Spaniard). I think if Blake carries his US Open success into the Australian Open, we may see the beginnings of tennis' next big men's rivalry. Finally, if there is any American player that has the game to beat Fed, it's Blake. It certainly isn't Roddick (Fed has A-Rod in his pocket).
Blake vs. Federer: New Rivalry on the Horizon?
- Thread starter Matt21
- Start date
Matt, I started a thread on this exact subject immediately after the USO and these guys thought I was crazy.
Blake has the game and he's played Fed very closely this year.
The question is can he consistently play this well? Roddick dismantled him in Washington and I haven't heard much from him this indoor season, so the jury is still out.
Was it just a good run or was he truly developing into a champion? Time will tell.
Blake has the game and he's played Fed very closely this year.
The question is can he consistently play this well? Roddick dismantled him in Washington and I haven't heard much from him this indoor season, so the jury is still out.
Was it just a good run or was he truly developing into a champion? Time will tell.
federerhoogenbandfan
Banned
No way. Blake will return to being a 3rd round player in Slams, and if any of those 3rd rounders are vs Federer, dont stay at the microwave too long or you might miss the match. 
Virtuous
Rookie
*sigh* i really like james, and was really proud of his run this summer...i'm still pissed he didn't close out that match against agassi, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Having one good hc season doesn't equal being able to rival roger lol. I'd prefer to see how he plays next season and how he does against top 20-10 players before making this monumental leap to a blake/federer rivalry
Matthew
Professional
legolas said:
Actually I was there for that match and it was very competetive.
Blake will never beat Agassi? He was a couple points of doing so at the USO.
I really do think that Blake would have put up more of a fight than Andre did against Federer in the final. For one he is just younger and has more energy, and the way he was hitting during those couple weeks was just ridiculous. He was being more patient and waiting for his shot, and the second he saw the shot he nailed it time after time. Who knows what next year will hold for James but lets up he doesn't dissappoint. Its no secret there is pressure and now a lot of people want to see him perform and become the next American star. The way James was playing at the USO wasn't really complete all out ball bashing that is may have appeared as (tennis that you have to be "on" to hit). He took his time and played some brilliant tennis. If he can just continue that discipline into next year, I would say its definetely possible we see a few great Federer/Blake matchups.
blake will be able to put up a good fight against federer. blake had a taste of what it is like to be a great player, and now with that big forehand and is great speed, he can be a top 10 player. number 1? eh i don't think that far, but beat federer? i think he has a chance yes.
Exile
Professional
First off, i thought we chalked that win against nadal as nadal just being just mentally burned out.
Second, use paragraphs for the love of god.
Third, I think it takes an all court player with consistancy to beat Federer.
Blake isn't exactly an all court player, sure he goes into net every now and again, but he never is able to really use it as a basic part of his strategy.
He isn't as consistant as he could be, but then again, who isn't?
If you can match his toss with where he points his front shoulder/watch stance, you can reads Federer's serve too. So I guess every obstacle is just one of the stratigical, physical, or mental problems everyone else on the tour has.
In theory, any one of us could beat him if we worked on it.
But this isn't so much beating Fed, it's more beating everyone on tour and being a step ahead of everyone all the time, which is entirely possible for anyone.
Second, use paragraphs for the love of god.
Third, I think it takes an all court player with consistancy to beat Federer.
Blake isn't exactly an all court player, sure he goes into net every now and again, but he never is able to really use it as a basic part of his strategy.
He isn't as consistant as he could be, but then again, who isn't?
If you can match his toss with where he points his front shoulder/watch stance, you can reads Federer's serve too. So I guess every obstacle is just one of the stratigical, physical, or mental problems everyone else on the tour has.
In theory, any one of us could beat him if we worked on it.
But this isn't so much beating Fed, it's more beating everyone on tour and being a step ahead of everyone all the time, which is entirely possible for anyone.
DashaandSafin
Hall of Fame
Blake has one good summer and you name him as one of the rivals against Fed? Please, at least pick someone who has a recent win over Fed.
VGP
Legend
Hops said:
That's great.
DashaandSafin said:
Blake did play Federer competitively in Cincy this year (mentioned before). It's nice to speculate about Blake. Is he going to go back to a top 30 player, or is he going to be a top 10 player?
Given what he's been through, I'm just glad that he's back out there.
Anyone catch 60 Minutes tonight? Not much I didn't know already except they explained what James Blake said during his match against Agassi. At one point, he looked up to the sky and said, "I love you , Dad."
If he eventually beats Federer, that's great. If not....
doriancito
Hall of Fame
no way....this is out of range to fed...blake is no rival to fed...blake must play out of 10 matches about 3 at a very high-fed level...as fed plays 7/10 matches at his fed level
VGP
Legend
legolas said:
It's not totally about how good he is, which he is good in my opinion, just not accomplished (yet). It was about his story. Did you even watch the show or know what the guy's been through in the past year and a half?
legolas - I still really don't understand what your thing against James Blake....
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