Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer 7-6(5), 7-5 in the Year End Championship (World Tour Finals) final, 2012 on indoor hard court in London England
It was Djokovic's 2nd title at the event and first of a record 4 in a year. The two players had been locked in a battle for year end number 1, with Federer regaining the top spot briefly after winning Wimbledon (beating Djokovic in the semi-final). Djokovic ended up comfortably claiming the top spot
Djokovic won 96 points, Federer 95
Serve Stats
Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (69/98) 70%
- 1st serve points won (43/69) 62%
- 2nd serve points won (14/29) 48%
- Aces 6, Service Winners 1
- Double Faults 2
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (21/98) 21%
Federer...
- 1st serve percentage (57/93) 61%
- 1st serve points won (35/57) 61%
- 2nd serve points won (19/36) 53%
- Aces 8
- Double Faults 2
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (22/93) 24%
Serve Pattern
Djokovic served...
- to FH 35%
- to BH 63%
- to Body 2%
Federer served...
- to FH 35%
- to BH 58%
- to Body 7%
Return Stats
Djokovic made...
- 69 (25 FH, 44 BH), including 1 runaround FH
- 14 Errors, comprising...
- 1 Unforced (1 FH)
- 13 Forced (6 FH, 7 BH)
- Return Rate (69/91) 76%
Federer made...
- 75 (29 FH, 46 BH), including 1 runaround FH & 2 return-approaches
- 14 Errors, comprising...
- 3 Unforced (1 FH, 2 BH)
- 11 Forced (4 FH, 7 BH)
- Return Rate (75/96) 78%
Break Points
Djokovic 4/7 (5 games)
Federer 3/7 (4 games)
Winners (including returns, excluding aces)
Djokovic 11 (7 FH, 3 BH, 1 BHV)
Federer 20 (9 FH, 4 BH, 5 FHV, 1 BHV, 1 OH)
Djokovic's FHs - 3 cc (1 pass and 1 touching serving line but not counted a net point), 1 dtl (hit from outside the court) and 3 inside-out (1 pass)
- BHs - 2 inside-out and 1 dtl pass
Federer's FHs - 4 cc (1 pass at net), 1 dtl pass, 1 inside-out and 3 inside-in (1 pass)
- BHs - 2 dtl, 1 inside-out and 1 drop shot
- 1 FHV was a swinging shot from behind service line but counted a net point and 1 was a drop
Errors (excluding returns and serves)
Djokovic 51
- 28 Unforced (10 FH, 18 BH)
- 23 Forced (10 FH, 12 BH, 1 BHV)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 49.3
Federer 62
- 39 Unforced (24 FH, 15 BH)
- 23 Forced (13 FH, 8 BH, 1 FHV, 1 BHV)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 47.2
(Note 1: all half-volleys refer to such shots played at net. Half -volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke counts)
(Note 2: The 'Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is a measure of how aggressive of intent the average UE made was. 60 is maximum, 20 is minimum. This match has been scored using a four point scale - 2 defensive, 4 neutral, 5 attacking, 6 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Djokovic was...
- 4/10 (40%) at net
Federer was...
- 12/17 (71%) at net, with...
- 0/2 return-approaching
Match Report
A very good match and about as even as even can be. Have a look at -
- Points - Djokovic 96, Federer 95
- Unreturned serves - Djokovic 21, Federer 22
- Break points - Djokovic 4/7, Federer 3/7
- Points in rallies - Djokovic 73, Federer 71
Winners to Unforced Errors ratio is on the high side - as it should be in such conditions. When it isn't, its a sign of either an time great performance/match and/or one player being exceptionally badly in defence
Court is slow-ish and near perfect for encouraging all court tennis. Good serving is rewarded but returns can be made for rallies to go on, good returning is rewarded (somewhat less), shot making is rewarded but not decisively so, consistency of shot is important. The last mentioned would probably be key to the match in these conditions and Djokovic has the advantage in that area (28 UEs to 39 for Fed), but its a few-key-points and could-have-gone-either-way match. And Djoko steps to the plate better in those moments
Djoko starts slow and Federer fast - and the latter wins 12 of the first 13 points to start the match. And starts game 4 with a stunning FH cc winner, but Djoko struggles through to hold a 10 point game, finishing with a brilliant winner of his own, FH dtl from outside the court. And breaks back next game to restore parity - errors from his opponent being the main cause
Rest of the set is tough. Server has the advantage (as he should) but the returner has chances (as is optimal for a good match). Djoko breaks in a gritty, 18 point game to leave himself serving for the set. Federer though breaks back, as Djoko makes a pair of premature winner attempt errors to open the door. On a key point, Fed wins a who-blinks-first BH-BH rally
Djoko cuts himself badly diving in the next game. A nasty gash that I'd think would affect his play, though it doesn't appear to
Tie-break is a first class one. Fed loses the first service point, blinking with a BH error in a long rally but gains the mini-break back a couple of points later with a sublime BH dtl winner. Tough stuff from there - errors forced and unforced, usually in good rallies, but the end comes with a bad point from Fed and a great one from Djoko.
Down set point, Fed takes the net, makes a difficult first volley on the stretch. Djo runs up to meet it and place it wide, but Fed, half-retreating, is able to swivel around and dispatch a FH cc winner from just inside the serve line. A sensational point, but Fed mucks it up badly on the next. He goes for a peculiarly aggressive BH dtl/inside-out shot off the third ball and misses by a long way.... its rare for Fed to play an attacking BH third ball at best of times and he usually does when the shot is the obvious one and the court is open. Here though, it was just a routine position where he trys to make the play out of nothing... it would have been ambitious (and far from certain, probably less than 50-50) if he could makes such a shot off the FH... plenty of attacking errors from Fed in the match (10 attacking and 9 winner attempts to be precise), but this one stands out for poor shot choice and of course, the timing.
Djoko does wrap up with a superb point, drawing a not strong return, backing away all the way to the BH side to whisk away an perfect FH inside-out winner. The kind of shot even Federer would be proud of, and the kind of play Djoko tends to eschew.
Federer breaks to start the second set, an 18 point game ending with 3 Djoko UEs - 2 of them winner attempts. Match continues with not easy holds - each player surviving a break point and some longer games - but on serve til Fed steps up to serve for the set and 5-4
What happens next is uncannily similar to what would happen in the Wimbledon final this year. Not just of scoreline but even on a play-by-play level. Freaky, for now, Fed loses 4 points in a row from 40-15 up to get broken
And is broken again next chance to lose the match. Match point is sensational. Fed collars the point, starting with a strong serve and sweeps a FH inside-out (a shot he doesn't use much in the match) into the corner as he takes the net. He'd won 12/16 next points to this point, but all that matters is after it, its 12/17. Djokovic scamper over to reach the ball and while sliding and half-doing the splits pushes it perfectly BH dtl for the pass - magnificent, probably the shot of the match (and there are a lot of good ones)
Some of these good include Federer whipping away a BH inside-out winner (he very rarely plays this shot - Djoko plays it often and hits 2 of his own - 1 of them even better than Fed's), Djoko hitting an ultra sharply angled FH cc winner (a shot more likely to be seen from Federer), a FH cc pass from Djoko on the stretch after being slightly wrong footed, a picture perfect BH drop shot from Fed from behind the baseline
Its not just the winners that should make the highights package, build up and situation makes some of the plays memorably. Returning to stay in the set, Djoko chip-charges his way to net early in a rally to put away a BHV winner (a play he didn't use at all in the match, and rarely uses ever). He gains the break in that game after a Fed FH inside-out vs Djoko BH cc rally (Fed having the edge but not being able to finish the point) changes with Fed playing a less angled shot to Djoko's FH, which he pounds cc to force an error. A couple of beautifully constructed net points by Federer. And note Fed with 3 FH inside-in winners to 1 inside-out... not something you see everyday
Serve & Return
Good serving and good returning from both players - cancelling out, basically
Fed with the slightly better serve, cancelled out by Djoko serving at higher percentage (70% to 61%) and Djoko with slightly better return accounting for the rest
Djoko isn't particularly damaging with return in this one. The odd very deep return - and Fed's very good at half-volleying those off the baseline - but not many
Fed slices almost all his BHs. I suppose it works - high 78% return rate. Alternative was to come over the BH, which would make Djoko's first groundstroke a bit harder (unlikely to be too hard, seeing as Djoko's return wasn't too hard for Fed) at the cost of a few more return errors. More aggressive returning is a good idea when a player is coming out well behind in play. Here that wasn't the case
Fed chip-charges on first two points of game where Djoko serves to prolong the second set. He's up a break and playing nothing-to-lose tennis in the game (he hits a sublime BH drop shot winner from behind the baseline down 40-0 in the game also). Loses both point to forced volleying errors, the first a makeable though difficult wide FHV
Good stuff from both. In the context of the match, cancelling out and not a factor in result, but shouldn't be overlooked or denied credit
It was Djokovic's 2nd title at the event and first of a record 4 in a year. The two players had been locked in a battle for year end number 1, with Federer regaining the top spot briefly after winning Wimbledon (beating Djokovic in the semi-final). Djokovic ended up comfortably claiming the top spot
Djokovic won 96 points, Federer 95
Serve Stats
Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (69/98) 70%
- 1st serve points won (43/69) 62%
- 2nd serve points won (14/29) 48%
- Aces 6, Service Winners 1
- Double Faults 2
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (21/98) 21%
Federer...
- 1st serve percentage (57/93) 61%
- 1st serve points won (35/57) 61%
- 2nd serve points won (19/36) 53%
- Aces 8
- Double Faults 2
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (22/93) 24%
Serve Pattern
Djokovic served...
- to FH 35%
- to BH 63%
- to Body 2%
Federer served...
- to FH 35%
- to BH 58%
- to Body 7%
Return Stats
Djokovic made...
- 69 (25 FH, 44 BH), including 1 runaround FH
- 14 Errors, comprising...
- 1 Unforced (1 FH)
- 13 Forced (6 FH, 7 BH)
- Return Rate (69/91) 76%
Federer made...
- 75 (29 FH, 46 BH), including 1 runaround FH & 2 return-approaches
- 14 Errors, comprising...
- 3 Unforced (1 FH, 2 BH)
- 11 Forced (4 FH, 7 BH)
- Return Rate (75/96) 78%
Break Points
Djokovic 4/7 (5 games)
Federer 3/7 (4 games)
Winners (including returns, excluding aces)
Djokovic 11 (7 FH, 3 BH, 1 BHV)
Federer 20 (9 FH, 4 BH, 5 FHV, 1 BHV, 1 OH)
Djokovic's FHs - 3 cc (1 pass and 1 touching serving line but not counted a net point), 1 dtl (hit from outside the court) and 3 inside-out (1 pass)
- BHs - 2 inside-out and 1 dtl pass
Federer's FHs - 4 cc (1 pass at net), 1 dtl pass, 1 inside-out and 3 inside-in (1 pass)
- BHs - 2 dtl, 1 inside-out and 1 drop shot
- 1 FHV was a swinging shot from behind service line but counted a net point and 1 was a drop
Errors (excluding returns and serves)
Djokovic 51
- 28 Unforced (10 FH, 18 BH)
- 23 Forced (10 FH, 12 BH, 1 BHV)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 49.3
Federer 62
- 39 Unforced (24 FH, 15 BH)
- 23 Forced (13 FH, 8 BH, 1 FHV, 1 BHV)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 47.2
(Note 1: all half-volleys refer to such shots played at net. Half -volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke counts)
(Note 2: The 'Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is a measure of how aggressive of intent the average UE made was. 60 is maximum, 20 is minimum. This match has been scored using a four point scale - 2 defensive, 4 neutral, 5 attacking, 6 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Djokovic was...
- 4/10 (40%) at net
Federer was...
- 12/17 (71%) at net, with...
- 0/2 return-approaching
Match Report
A very good match and about as even as even can be. Have a look at -
- Points - Djokovic 96, Federer 95
- Unreturned serves - Djokovic 21, Federer 22
- Break points - Djokovic 4/7, Federer 3/7
- Points in rallies - Djokovic 73, Federer 71
Winners to Unforced Errors ratio is on the high side - as it should be in such conditions. When it isn't, its a sign of either an time great performance/match and/or one player being exceptionally badly in defence
Court is slow-ish and near perfect for encouraging all court tennis. Good serving is rewarded but returns can be made for rallies to go on, good returning is rewarded (somewhat less), shot making is rewarded but not decisively so, consistency of shot is important. The last mentioned would probably be key to the match in these conditions and Djokovic has the advantage in that area (28 UEs to 39 for Fed), but its a few-key-points and could-have-gone-either-way match. And Djoko steps to the plate better in those moments
Djoko starts slow and Federer fast - and the latter wins 12 of the first 13 points to start the match. And starts game 4 with a stunning FH cc winner, but Djoko struggles through to hold a 10 point game, finishing with a brilliant winner of his own, FH dtl from outside the court. And breaks back next game to restore parity - errors from his opponent being the main cause
Rest of the set is tough. Server has the advantage (as he should) but the returner has chances (as is optimal for a good match). Djoko breaks in a gritty, 18 point game to leave himself serving for the set. Federer though breaks back, as Djoko makes a pair of premature winner attempt errors to open the door. On a key point, Fed wins a who-blinks-first BH-BH rally
Djoko cuts himself badly diving in the next game. A nasty gash that I'd think would affect his play, though it doesn't appear to
Tie-break is a first class one. Fed loses the first service point, blinking with a BH error in a long rally but gains the mini-break back a couple of points later with a sublime BH dtl winner. Tough stuff from there - errors forced and unforced, usually in good rallies, but the end comes with a bad point from Fed and a great one from Djoko.
Down set point, Fed takes the net, makes a difficult first volley on the stretch. Djo runs up to meet it and place it wide, but Fed, half-retreating, is able to swivel around and dispatch a FH cc winner from just inside the serve line. A sensational point, but Fed mucks it up badly on the next. He goes for a peculiarly aggressive BH dtl/inside-out shot off the third ball and misses by a long way.... its rare for Fed to play an attacking BH third ball at best of times and he usually does when the shot is the obvious one and the court is open. Here though, it was just a routine position where he trys to make the play out of nothing... it would have been ambitious (and far from certain, probably less than 50-50) if he could makes such a shot off the FH... plenty of attacking errors from Fed in the match (10 attacking and 9 winner attempts to be precise), but this one stands out for poor shot choice and of course, the timing.
Djoko does wrap up with a superb point, drawing a not strong return, backing away all the way to the BH side to whisk away an perfect FH inside-out winner. The kind of shot even Federer would be proud of, and the kind of play Djoko tends to eschew.
Federer breaks to start the second set, an 18 point game ending with 3 Djoko UEs - 2 of them winner attempts. Match continues with not easy holds - each player surviving a break point and some longer games - but on serve til Fed steps up to serve for the set and 5-4
What happens next is uncannily similar to what would happen in the Wimbledon final this year. Not just of scoreline but even on a play-by-play level. Freaky, for now, Fed loses 4 points in a row from 40-15 up to get broken
And is broken again next chance to lose the match. Match point is sensational. Fed collars the point, starting with a strong serve and sweeps a FH inside-out (a shot he doesn't use much in the match) into the corner as he takes the net. He'd won 12/16 next points to this point, but all that matters is after it, its 12/17. Djokovic scamper over to reach the ball and while sliding and half-doing the splits pushes it perfectly BH dtl for the pass - magnificent, probably the shot of the match (and there are a lot of good ones)
Some of these good include Federer whipping away a BH inside-out winner (he very rarely plays this shot - Djoko plays it often and hits 2 of his own - 1 of them even better than Fed's), Djoko hitting an ultra sharply angled FH cc winner (a shot more likely to be seen from Federer), a FH cc pass from Djoko on the stretch after being slightly wrong footed, a picture perfect BH drop shot from Fed from behind the baseline
Its not just the winners that should make the highights package, build up and situation makes some of the plays memorably. Returning to stay in the set, Djoko chip-charges his way to net early in a rally to put away a BHV winner (a play he didn't use at all in the match, and rarely uses ever). He gains the break in that game after a Fed FH inside-out vs Djoko BH cc rally (Fed having the edge but not being able to finish the point) changes with Fed playing a less angled shot to Djoko's FH, which he pounds cc to force an error. A couple of beautifully constructed net points by Federer. And note Fed with 3 FH inside-in winners to 1 inside-out... not something you see everyday
Serve & Return
Good serving and good returning from both players - cancelling out, basically
Fed with the slightly better serve, cancelled out by Djoko serving at higher percentage (70% to 61%) and Djoko with slightly better return accounting for the rest
Djoko isn't particularly damaging with return in this one. The odd very deep return - and Fed's very good at half-volleying those off the baseline - but not many
Fed slices almost all his BHs. I suppose it works - high 78% return rate. Alternative was to come over the BH, which would make Djoko's first groundstroke a bit harder (unlikely to be too hard, seeing as Djoko's return wasn't too hard for Fed) at the cost of a few more return errors. More aggressive returning is a good idea when a player is coming out well behind in play. Here that wasn't the case
Fed chip-charges on first two points of game where Djoko serves to prolong the second set. He's up a break and playing nothing-to-lose tennis in the game (he hits a sublime BH drop shot winner from behind the baseline down 40-0 in the game also). Loses both point to forced volleying errors, the first a makeable though difficult wide FHV
Good stuff from both. In the context of the match, cancelling out and not a factor in result, but shouldn't be overlooked or denied credit
