Can Federer beat Nadal if they meet in the Final?

[The Ripper]

As much as I love Roger, I am tired of watching him struggle through matches with 40 UFE's!! It could be that he feels underchallenged since he wins about 90% of the time.

Second, I have never been a fan of Nadal, however, he has really matured this last year and is playing better than I have ever seen him play. You may have noticed he is not fist-pumping, jumping and running around the court as he used to - now he's all business!! (Brad Gilbert would like that.) I think he's looking absolutely deadly, or "Ominous" as ATP Tennis headlined it and, unless Federer gets his head really together, he won't stand of chance of beating Rafa on clay - Federer at least needs to start coming into the net (listen to Tony, Rog!).

Nevertheless, I would love to see Roger win the French only because of the Grand Slam in our time. If Fed wins at the French, Wimbledon and the US Open this year, then I don't care if Rafa wins every match for the rest of his life.

 

[Heavy Metal Tennis Star]

im a big fan myself, but for some reason, i want roger to keep winning all slams cept the french, imo rafa owns the french, i want him to have 3 slams this year to set him apart from UNTALENTED bums like roddick, ljubi and blake

 

[dh003i]

I'm sure Rafa will have more chances at the FO. Not so clear Roger will have many more chances at a GS.

Although Roger will probably have at least 2 or 3 more shots at the FO as well.

In any event, Roger has upped his level over the past few matches.

 

[The Ripper]

Yeah, I have that niggling feeling that Fed is tiring under the constant strain of winning, and I'm sure he sooooo wants to win that fourth major! I worry that it's this year or never. On the other hand, I think it is really only Rafa that could stand in the way of Fed winning the FO. Who knows, maybe Berdych, Canas, Blake (I don't know) will by some wild chance beat Rafa at the FO before Fed even gets a shot at him. Wouldn't hurt my feelings and yes, Rafa will certainly have more chances to win it.

Go Roger!!!

 

[SoBad]

This is what some would call a "rhetorical" question, since Juan Carlos is gonna take him out for sure.

 

[breakfast_of_champions]

uhhh yes, as long a federer is in the final, he can win.

 

[Bottle Rocket]

I honestly believe that if Federer wants it bad enough, he can.

I really hope those two are in the final, nothing else can come close.

And I agree... If Federer doesn't win the FO this year, he won't win it. I also feel like he will have to beat Nadal to do it and that will make it that much sweeter.

With all that said, I've seen most of Nadal's matches. He is like a machine. I've never seen anything like that before.

 

[The Ripper]

I got to see Rafa at the Pacific Life and he was a changed man from last season. All business, solid as a rock; hitting the ball deep and flat (at least on the hard court). I was knocked out. It's like he grew up in the last 3-4 months. The last two years I've been unimpressed by his one dimensional play, just getting the ball back, running everything down and waging a war of attrition. Now he's the Terminator - unrelenting, unerring, unforgiving, perhaps unstoppable. There's no argument he's probably the toughest guy out there (at least on clay). And with time maybe on the other surfaces too. He certainly has quite a ways to go to better Federer career-wise, but Rafa is certainly deserving of #2 and all the fanfare. Go Fedex! Go Rafa! Should be a great matchup.

 

[tricky]

Not yet, not in Monte Carlo. Even if Fed makes it to the finals (very likely since he has a great record against Ferrero), we gotta recognize that he's just getting into clay court. After a near month layoff no less. To be honest, unless he gets shellaced by Nadal, I don't think he'll take a loss badly. Just as long as he's made progress.

IMO, I think Fed is going to be experimenting a lot during the next month, just forcing himself to do things outside his comfort space to get himself ready for the French.

 

[xanctus]

I'd love to see roger wins FO...regardless who he's playing with. But talking bout Nadal in final, it would be tough...BIG TIME! Rafa is bloody good at clay.

 

[The Ripper]

I agree Tricky, and good point. I think Roger is at this point just wanting to get as much time on the clay as possible so he can have a real shot at the FO. As you said, he's more interested in trying stuff out than necessarily winning - at this point in his career, what does he care if he doesn't win a Master's or two? It's the GS he really wants and I think he can do it and on his own terms. I am just surprised at how much Rafa has improved, very impressive. He's not monkey-boy anymore.

 

[tennis_hand]

I am not sure whether Fed is not confident of his serve and volley, or he thinks too many serve and volley do not win him games. Perhaps latter, because Sampras did much worse on clay.

 

[kalic]

Noooooooooooooooooooo

 

[Defcon]

All this talk of Fed needing to serve-volley to beat Nadal is nonsense! Watch the Rome final and 1st set of FO from last year. Fed can stay with and beat Nadal from the baseline, he just has to keep playing his aggressive all court game and not start playing Nadal's game of extended rallies.

Fed no doubt has the talent to execute any gameplan he wants, and he just doesn't feel comfortable with SV as a primary tactic. Its all about how he keeps his head together and doesn't go on a walkabout, as Rochie would say.