Halle Final (spoilers)
- Thread starter Fedubai
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gifted_shotmaker
Semi-Pro
yeah, I can't wait. Are they not also meeting in doubles? Safin has done what I knew he would. Though he thinks grass is for the cows, he does it just for the heck of it. I hope to see both of them at their best during the match and it will surely give a good indication of how they will fare at Wimbledon, especially for Safin. Davai!
gifted_shotmaker
Semi-Pro
davey25 said:
I don't agree. Safin is getting comfortable on this stuff and is becoming a force to be reckoned with. This will not be an easy match at all for the both of them, probably going to three sets. Here is Safin on playing on grass after defeating Santoro: "The way I played today was pretty good, pretty clever. But unfortunately I cannot always play this kind of tennis because sometimes the courts are in a bad shape then there are a lot of bad bounces and you cannot enjoy it. And sometimes the court is slippery so the ball bounces very low. It depends on the courts condition to be able to enjoy it."
"You cant change much I cannot become a serve and volley player because of my style to play tennis. So basically I have to be aggressive from the baseline try to come in as much as I can and just keep on putting pressure. Im not able to play serve and volley although this would be the perfect game on grass. "
davey25 said:
I DON"T THINK IT IS FAIR ASSESSMENT OF ROGERS GAME AT THE MOMENT> MARAT IS ONE OF VERY FEW PLAYERS WHO CAN WIN ON ANYTHING AGAINST ANYONE IF HE PLAYS CLOSE TO HIS BEST TENNIS> HE HAS SO MUCH GAME IN EVERY DEPARTMENT AND IF IT ALL CLICKS AT THE RIGHT TIME< HE MAY JUST UPSET KING OF GRASS>
S
splink779
Guest
Is this match being shown on any channel?
Marius_Hancu
Talk Tennis Guru
gifted_shotmaker said:
Yes:
Allegro Fed vs Safin JJ
gifted_shotmaker
Semi-Pro
splink779 said:
In the states, I hear it is being shown on the Tennis Channel, though I am not completely sure.
gifted_shotmaker
Semi-Pro
joesixtoe said:
Let's hope that Safin can pull through and win his first grass title. It would be great going into Wimbledon like that.
Safin after his match today: “I’m really satisfied with my match today, I played quite consistent. This was a very tough week for me, I had a lot of decisions to make, so I’m happy to have reached the final.”
About his knee: “I stay in contact with the doctors regularly and there is this alternative: To rest immediately for a while or to try to go further for a while. Against Rochus I did two movements on the court and had such big pain, that I thought to retire. But after a little break it still worked. This is not easy for me, but I want to fight and want to pick up some more points on grass as long as it works.”
About the final: “I’m pretty confident with my game, but of course you have to be confident and you have to play great tennis to fight Roger Federer in the final. Confidence is not enough to beat Roger. It’ll be nearly impossible if he plays such an amazing match like today and sometimes the earlier rounds. I don’t know if I’ll be able to play consistently and stay concentrated the whole match. Because that’s what you need to win against Roger.”
davey25
Banned
The fact some of you Roger gushers are even seriously considering the embarassment of Roger losing to Marat Safin on grass, shows you know he has slipped big-time, even if you wont admit it. Some of you are even trying to talk up Safin's ability on grass to camaflouge this, ROTFL!!!!
mach1
Rookie
I think he has slipped a little bit actually...You can compare his play of this year compared to last year at this tournament. He just doesnt look as comfortable, he looks like he is forcing it too much. To me, he is playing like how he was playing at the Olympics, and that wasn't such a good showing.
http://www.gerryweber-open.de/english.php
click Center Court TV>>Videos>> click GWO 2004 for last year's final---click Tuesday for his match against Soderling and Thursday for his matches against Florian mayer
You can tell how at the final last year he looks more smoother compared to this year. I see it especially in the serve, this year its like hes trying to spank it hard.
http://www.gerryweber-open.de/english.php
click Center Court TV>>Videos>> click GWO 2004 for last year's final---click Tuesday for his match against Soderling and Thursday for his matches against Florian mayer
You can tell how at the final last year he looks more smoother compared to this year. I see it especially in the serve, this year its like hes trying to spank it hard.
davey25
Banned
His game has certainly slipped since last year. He is making too many easy unforced errors, off both forehand and backhand, he is having trouble getting a high 1st serve %, he isnt choosing the right times to come to the net, and his movement looks laboured at times. It is showing in his failure to continue doing what he did last year, win grand slam titles, which is no matter how you slice it, all that really matters for the top players in tennis. How would one explain a past-his-prime Haas on his worst surface almost taking the 2nd set from Roger? That is not impressive stuff.
Fedubai
Semi-Pro
He's lost two slams this year but I think he's done pretty well. I mean was anyone expecting him to win the French? The Australian was tough but I don't think he has anything to be ashamed of in losing that match.
Seems to me that Lleyton said last year that he doesn't think a lot of people understand how tough it is to do what Federer did last year.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I think that's exactly what some people are finding out this year.
Seems to me that Lleyton said last year that he doesn't think a lot of people understand how tough it is to do what Federer did last year.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I think that's exactly what some people are finding out this year.
davey25
Banned
I dont agree there was nobody who was expecting him to win the French. He wasnt a clear favorite to win the French, Nadal was probably the top favorite, but Roger was seen as one of the top 3 or 4, and one of the top 2 by many, going in. Nadal did not play as well at the FO as he did the other clay court events, as it turned out, Roger had as good a chance as he might ever have to win the FO, and played a crap match in the semis vs Nadal. As for the AO, he was a huge huge favorite to win there, and did not, despite ending the match with Safin with better stats in almost every category, and a clear edge in winners, errors, and points won.
Fedubai
Semi-Pro
As far as I could tell that kind of expectation just wasn't there. It's his worst surface, and while he can play on it, I think it's clear that it'll be his toughest to win.
This was his best result there, on his worst surface. I just didn't see the serious expectation that he would win.
This was his best result there, on his worst surface. I just didn't see the serious expectation that he would win.
Fedubai
Semi-Pro
And as for the Safin match in Australia, the fact that Federer was better in several statistical catergories proves my point: the match turned on a few crucial points and Safin won them. I don't think Federer has anything to be ashamed of, Safin was just the better player. I don't think that can be called a bad loss.
Losses happen, you know. It's part of sport. You win some, you lose some. The best you can do is try your best. That doesn't mean you'll play your best or make all the right decisions.
Please name me a time when Federer didn't try his best. He used to be a weak competitor, years ago. Not now. That's really all you can fairly demand, in my opinion.
Losses happen, you know. It's part of sport. You win some, you lose some. The best you can do is try your best. That doesn't mean you'll play your best or make all the right decisions.
Please name me a time when Federer didn't try his best. He used to be a weak competitor, years ago. Not now. That's really all you can fairly demand, in my opinion.
Fedubai
Semi-Pro
Well, we'll see.
Surely, we Federer fans haven't become so spoiled that we can't simply give a guy credit for beating Federer? That doesn't mean making excuses. At all. He did a lot wrong against Nadal. Why? Can we say: he's human, and he played the best in the world on clay? I don't see the point in predicting his downfall because of it, really.
Surely, we Federer fans haven't become so spoiled that we can't simply give a guy credit for beating Federer? That doesn't mean making excuses. At all. He did a lot wrong against Nadal. Why? Can we say: he's human, and he played the best in the world on clay? I don't see the point in predicting his downfall because of it, really.
ShooterMcMarco
Hall of Fame
i wish this thing was televised
davey25 said:I will read again, after he loses at Wimbledon, and you again say his opponent, probably Roddick or Hewitt in the semis or finals, was just "too good" and chastising those of us who criticize Roger's performance in the loss.
Well, it depends on whether he loses because he suddenly played a bad match out of nowhere or whether his opponent raised his game.
gifted_shotmaker
Semi-Pro
Safin earns final date with Federer
11 June 2005
Marat Safin is hoping luck will be on his side when he tries to bring an end to Roger Federer's impressive 28-match winning streak on grass in the Gerry Weber Open final at Halle on Sunday.
Top seed Federer beat local favourite Tommy Haas 6-4 7-6 (11-9) in one hour and 37 minutes to take his place in the championship match against Safin, who saw off Argentina's Guillermo Canas 6-3 4-6 6-2. And the second-seeded Russian admits even he has been shocked by how well he has played this week on his least-favoured surface. "I am very surprised to do that well on grass because it isn't really suited for my game," Safin said after his semi-final victory. "I used to have problems because I am so tall and everything is so slippery but I have improved my movements. You need to play with confidence and I have gained a lot this week."
However, Safin, who is also carrying a niggling knee injury, is not overly confident he can produce a repeat of the performance which saw him win a thrilling semi-final against the Swiss star at the 2005 Australian Open.
He added: "I will try to be aggressive although it will be very tough. Maybe I can put some pressure on his serve and will scrape through with a little bit of luck and help."
Federer, the two-time defending Gerry Weber Open and Wimbledon champion, has also been taken aback by his displays this week.
"I am surprised to already play that well even after a limited preparation time," the world number one said.
"I have achieved what I wanted to achieve here in Halle and I am very confident I can keep my winning streak alive."
11 June 2005
Marat Safin is hoping luck will be on his side when he tries to bring an end to Roger Federer's impressive 28-match winning streak on grass in the Gerry Weber Open final at Halle on Sunday.
Top seed Federer beat local favourite Tommy Haas 6-4 7-6 (11-9) in one hour and 37 minutes to take his place in the championship match against Safin, who saw off Argentina's Guillermo Canas 6-3 4-6 6-2. And the second-seeded Russian admits even he has been shocked by how well he has played this week on his least-favoured surface. "I am very surprised to do that well on grass because it isn't really suited for my game," Safin said after his semi-final victory. "I used to have problems because I am so tall and everything is so slippery but I have improved my movements. You need to play with confidence and I have gained a lot this week."
However, Safin, who is also carrying a niggling knee injury, is not overly confident he can produce a repeat of the performance which saw him win a thrilling semi-final against the Swiss star at the 2005 Australian Open.
He added: "I will try to be aggressive although it will be very tough. Maybe I can put some pressure on his serve and will scrape through with a little bit of luck and help."
Federer, the two-time defending Gerry Weber Open and Wimbledon champion, has also been taken aback by his displays this week.
"I am surprised to already play that well even after a limited preparation time," the world number one said.
"I have achieved what I wanted to achieve here in Halle and I am very confident I can keep my winning streak alive."
Pushmaster
Hall of Fame
I would love to see this match but I don't have the Tennis Channel! :x
tsubaka
New User
equinox said:
I disagree especially in this particular match. I am sure in Federer's mind he's thinking of revenge against Safin. Of all the other players, Safin is the closest to Fed when playing in non-clay court. So he must show to Safin that Safin doesnt have the number on him -- part of the psychological warfare.
slice bh compliment
G.O.A.T.
People please.
It was a tie-breaker. Anything can happen, especially against a big server. In a meaningless tournament (in the GRAND scheme of things). The crowd was treated to a great match. Not the apocalypse for Federer fans. Wish I were there.
Speaking of meaningless, the dubs final would be fun to see. I saw Allegro and Federer play at the US Open a few years ago. Roger totally dominated all aspects of the match that day (early round/outer court against Spadea and Brasington).
QUESTIONS FOR YOU GUYS:
How will Roger return Johansson's serve? Will be be able to control it away from Safin? Will he go for the the alley at all? 2 back on JJ's serve? Lots of traditional, grass court dubs or some 1 up/1 back?
Anyone know why there were so many walkovers and retirements in the dubs draw?
It was a tie-breaker. Anything can happen, especially against a big server. In a meaningless tournament (in the GRAND scheme of things). The crowd was treated to a great match. Not the apocalypse for Federer fans. Wish I were there.
Speaking of meaningless, the dubs final would be fun to see. I saw Allegro and Federer play at the US Open a few years ago. Roger totally dominated all aspects of the match that day (early round/outer court against Spadea and Brasington).
QUESTIONS FOR YOU GUYS:
How will Roger return Johansson's serve? Will be be able to control it away from Safin? Will he go for the the alley at all? 2 back on JJ's serve? Lots of traditional, grass court dubs or some 1 up/1 back?
Anyone know why there were so many walkovers and retirements in the dubs draw?
The tennis guy
Hall of Fame
davey25 said:
That is you who sets unrealistic expectation for Federer, and pathetically jump for joy when he can't match your expectation. Federer is a great player, but losing 3 matches all year so far doesn't mean he slipped. He is not a machine. He can't be at his best every match. If you pull out most of matches when you don't play your best, you are great already.
The tennis guy
Hall of Fame
davey25 said:
This guy is becoming another twistserve, what a twisted guy! If Federer doesn't beat everyone in blow out straight set, Federer is in serious trouble. What a ****!
Federer won on grass after only two days of transition from clay to grass. No one can do that in last how many years, 20, 30?
Docalex007
Hall of Fame
I must say, watching this match one can tell Federer is still not up to par with his last year's grass playing form. He is still making many errors on the return of serve. I am a huge Federer fan and was pulling for him to win today. Safin did not necessarily play a great match either. Both were below their usual par. Federer's backhand is not quite up to speed yet but i am sure it will be by Wimbledon. His Forehand is very good except he still needs to get more feeling for playing on grass, since its apparent he did not go for the lines as much (kinda played it safe), but thats ok too.
All in all it was interesting, Safin had a couple of good racquet slams and one time he complained about a call and really got the crowd laughing, even Fed was laughing as the camera's switched to show his reaction.
All in all it was interesting, Safin had a couple of good racquet slams and one time he complained about a call and really got the crowd laughing, even Fed was laughing as the camera's switched to show his reaction.
The tennis guy
Hall of Fame
It has nothing to do with Safin's record, it is your logic or non logic people have problem with.davey25 said:
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