Kiefer Roger's biggest threat to take him out?

[federerhoogenbandfan]

After watching Kiefer-Ferrero last night I think Kiefer might be Federer's toughest obstacle at this event. Kiefer might not make the semis, in fact there is a good chance he wont I believe since he is inconsistent, and it is hard for him to mantain his level over a number of matches. However if he does he will be the one with the best chance to take Roger out of anybody left-Roddick, Haas, or Nalbandian.

 

[Grigollif1]

I would think that Tommy Haas and Kiefer are 2 players that have the best opportunity to challenge Federer. I see a lot of people counting on Roddick again, let's remember that he is Roger's most Loyal Customer..

 

[Dan007]

If Haas or Kiefer can take Federer out, then Roddick has a really good chance of winning the open.

 

[federerhoogenbandfan]

I think Kiefer has a better chance than Haas. I watched Haas struggle against an Aussie journeyman last night. The stats of the match were actually very good, but the quality of the tennis the parts I saw not that high. Haas vs Federer will look alot more like their official ATP tour match this year, than their bogus exo meeting. Remember Mirnyi took Fed to 7-6 in the final set in their recent exo meeting as well.

 

[West Coast Ace]

I would think that Tommy Haas and Kiefer are 2 players that have the best opportunity to challenge Federer. I see a lot of people counting on Roddick again, let's remember that he is Roger's most Loyal Customer..

Very true - I heard that Fed send a limo to Andy's hotel to make sure he gets to the stadium.

Haas I can buy; not sold on Kiefer yet.

With the slower surface and after watching Fed handle Max's serve, I don't see any reason to think Andy has anything to hurt him with.

I still think Nalbandian is the best bet. He did it recently in Shanghai and had Fed's number earlier in their careers.

But I still see Fed raising the big trophy.

 

[Grigollif1]

Very true - I heard that Fed send a limo to Andy's hotel to make sure he gets to the stadium.

Haas I can buy; not sold on Kiefer yet.

With the slower surface and after watching Fed handle Max's serve, I don't see any reason to think Andy has anything to hurt him with.

I still think Nalbandian is the best bet. He did it recently in Shanghai and had Fed's number earlier in their careers.

But I still see Fed raising the big trophy.

That's right, I forgot about Nalbandian. He is odd in the way that he can struggle to beat your average journeyman, but once he gets to top players he always raises his game. Especially against Roger Federer...

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Its simple, if Roger doesnt slack off, he will beat anyone, even if they are playing in a high level.I hope he is ready for this challenge.

I think this tournament is huge for Fed, if doesnt end up in the final, people will start to talk, thats how good he has become.

 

[grimmbomb21]

I highly doubt anyone will put up a good fight against Fed. He may drop a set in either the semis or final. But I would say that is about it.

 

[LafayetteHitter]

Keep in mind Haas recently took just a bit more than a set from Federer. So there is always the possibility of a loss at hand. One of the things that keeps Federer winning is he knows there are players that have a real desire to take a match off him and are training really hard to do so. With that in mind he trains hard and plays like he knows they want to beat him and that he must play his best tennis. If he thought he was unbeatable and noone stood a chance he would start having quite a few more losses.

 

[Ljubicic for number1]

I very much doubt that Roddick will get past the Ljubicic machine.

 

[Aykhan Mammadov]

After watching Kiefer-Ferrero last night I think Kiefer might be Federer's toughest obstacle at this event. Kiefer might not make the semis, in fact there is a good chance he wont I believe since he is inconsistent, and it is hard for him to mantain his level over a number of matches. However if he does he will be the one with the best chance to take Roger out of anybody left-Roddick, Haas, or Nalbandian.

Keifer never can be a threat for Federer. Keifers sometimes has some good and hard strokes but he doesn't have clever tennis. Simply u watched him playing against Ferrero - the player very similar to Keifers ( not clever player) having only strength to hit the ball harder, so it seemed to u what u suppose now. It is not serious.

I think in very good situation if he feels himself on rise and Fed feels not so good, only Ljubicic could be a danger for Fed. Also possible candidates are Ferrer and Nalbandian because of consistency.

 

[Max G.]

On the contrary, I think that it's power which Kiefer needs... I haven't seen him play at this Oz Open, but from what I remember from previous matches is that he's got plenty of touch, nice volleys, nice footspeed, but just doesn't have enough pop on his shots to beat the top players regularly.

 

[Ljubicic for number1]

Just gotta love that Sig of yours Max G

 

[pound cat]

And coming in under the radar is Tommy Robredo, and of course, the indomitable Marcos Baghdatis. who took a set off Federer in AO last year.

 

[federerhoogenbandfan]

And coming in under the radar is Tommy Robredo, and of course, the indomitable Marcos Baghdatis. who took a set off Federer in AO last year.

They are in the half with Roddick, Nalbandian, Ljubicic. Good luck to either of those two to reach the final to play Fed(or whoever comes out of Fed's half).

 

[federerhoogenbandfan]

On the contrary, I think that it's power which Kiefer needs... I haven't seen him play at this Oz Open, but from what I remember from previous matches is that he's got plenty of touch, nice volleys, nice footspeed, but just doesn't have enough pop on his shots to beat the top players regularly.

Well the matches I have seen him in the last 8 months he has some serious heat on his groundstrokes and his serves. He also steps inside the court, unlike Roddick who often stays behind the baseline which reduces the effective of his power.

 

[timmyboy]

Ferrero lost again. Everyone i want to win is out already.

Ginepri, Hewitt, Dent.

 

[Aykhan Mammadov]

Ferrero isn't serious player, timmy. His problems began when he changed his hairs' colour.

 

[PM_]

Where is this "Kiefer's a threat" coming from???
Exactly how can he be a threat to Fed? I almost fell asleep during his match with JCF. All he did was hit right back to his forehand all night!!!!!!!!!

If he tries that with Fed, he's about to get a creamin...

 

[Docalex007]

Look for some interesting tennis tomorrow night boys.

We shall see if the German has what it takes to successfully invade and establish a government in Switzerland.

 

[monologuist]

I think Haas has a better chance of taking Fed out....He posseses what, in my opinion is the one weapon that is essentila to having a chance of taking out the Rog : A consistent and deadly Down-the-Line backhand. In fact, I'd say he's probably one of the few guys on tour that I would rate as having overall, a better backhand than Roger. Safin, Nalby, Nadal (well his DTL BH is his forehand vs. Roger), Gasquet, Berdych....the one thing that all these guys have in common is that they have backhands that are good enough to break down Fed's, and in particular can rip DTL backhands either for winners or to control points. Kiefer can hit it OK, but Haas is one of the best in the business at it....and it shows, since he's done relatively well against him in the past.

But I'd agree that Kiefer is probably the only guy left that stands a chance...he's troubled Rog in the past as well.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

I have to agree about Kiefer being a threat.

JCF was playing better than he has in years... I thought Fererro was playing gret tennis. His serve was a lot better than last year and he was working the angles. Mentally he was pretty steady too, and was trying to make Kiefer run back and forth for 3 hours in 100degree heat to wear him out.
1 problem though...

Kiefer has TREETRUNK legs and is in UNBELIEVABLE condition and was not tired at all. I really think his fitness alone makes him a threat, not to mention the fact that he is crazy gives him an "edge".

 

[thatonedue]

Federer=complete dominance of Nicholas Keifer. Keifer is definitely a baller but when you try to ball with the best your gonna get owned.

 

[bcaz]

Roger is Bandy's pigeon. Bandy is the only guy left in the draw with a good chance to beat him and a good record against him. He also has that money down the line backhand some observers fell is critical against Fed.

 

[superman1]

Kiefer will challenge Federer definitely, but at most he'll take a set. He has a lot of manic energy out there, violent energy. The way he walks and the way he stares down his opponent. I hope he gets beaten BADLY because I really dislike him, and I think just about every player does as well.

No one is a threat against Federer, in my opinion. Not even Nalby or Ljuby or Haas. Federer's feeling 100% right now, and that means no one from this era of tennis has a chance against him.

 

[Crichton]

In Kiefer's defense, I believe he was about the only player to take a set off of Federer at Wimbledon and the US open. He also has beaten Federer on grass before. That said, I think Federer will win, but Nalbandian (if he makes it) should have a good chance against Federer.

 

[legolas]

kiefer, haas, and nalby

 

[federerhoogenbandfan]

I have to agree about Kiefer being a threat.

JCF was playing better than he has in years... I thought Fererro was playing gret tennis. His serve was a lot better than last year and he was working the angles. Mentally he was pretty steady too, and was trying to make Kiefer run back and forth for 3 hours in 100degree heat to wear him out.
1 problem though...

Kiefer has TREETRUNK legs and is in UNBELIEVABLE condition and was not tired at all. I really think his fitness alone makes him a threat, not to mention the fact that he is crazy gives him an "edge".

Those were my thoughts to. At the end of the 3rd set imparticular Ferrero started hitting the ball unbelievably well off the ground. Kiefer still frusterated him with some unbelievable retrieving off a series of great Ferrero shots, his own constant crushing groundies, big first serves, and sneaking into the net. His legs seems able to handle running all day, and he seems fitter than ever.

 

[monologuist]

totally forgot that Nalby was still in..he of course gets the nod as most likely to take out Rog since he's the only one that's actually beaten him in the last couple of years...but that could also mean he is least likely to do it...as Rog will most likely seek sweet revenge if he faces him...which is a scary thought.

 

[ATXtennisaddict]

Kiefer looked so damned fit, he also looks like he has some good game. damn those nice strokes. His toss is so fricking high like DH's though.