Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 7-5, 7-5 in the Monte Carlo final 2008 on clay
With the result, Nadal successfully defended his title from the previous year (https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...dal-vs-federer-monte-carlo-final-2007.645066/) and he would go onto win French Open again afterwards
Nadal won 76 points, Federer 62
Serve Stats
Nadal....
- 1st serve percentage (51/63) 81%
- 1st serve points won (32/51) 63%
- 2nd serve points won (5/12) 42%
- Aces 1
- Double Faults 2
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (10/63) 16%
Federer...
- 1st serve percentage (47/75) 63%
- 1st serve points won (28/47) 60%
- 2nd serve points won (8/28) 29%
- Aces 5, Service Winners 2
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (15/75) 20%
Serve Pattern
Nadal served...
- to FH 3%
- to BH 93%
- to Body 3%
Federer served...
- to FH 43%
- to BH 57%
Return Stats
Nadal made...
- 60 (32 FH, 28 BH), including 8 runaround FHs
- 8 Errors, comprising...
- 1 Unforced (1 BH)
- 7 Forced (3 FH, 4 BH)
- Return Rate (60/75) 80%
Federer made...
- 51 (8 FH, 43 BH), including 7 runaround FHs
- 9 Errors, comprising...
- 6 Unforced (1 FH, 5 BH), including 1 runaround FH attempt
- 3 Forced (1 FH, 2 BH)
- Return Rate (51/61) 84%
(Neither player had a return of serve winner)
Break Points
Nadal 6/7 (7 games)
Federer 4/5 (4 games)
Winners (including returns, excluding aces)
Nadal 14 (7 FH, 4 BH, 2 FHV, 1 OH)
Federer 17 (7 FH, 1 BH, 4 FHV, 4 BHV, 1 OH)
Nadal's FHs - 3 cc, 2dtl and 2 inside-out
BHs - all passes - 1 cc, 2 dtl and 1 slice lob
Federer's groundstrokes - 7 FHs (2 cc, 4 inside-out, 1 drop shot) and 1 BH (1 cc)
- 1 from a serve-volley point - a second volley BHV
- 1 other BHV was not clean
Errors (excluding returns and serves)
Nadal 28
- 18 Unforced (11 FH, 7 BH)
- 10 Forced (5 FH, 5 BH)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 43.9
Federer 52
- 42 Unforced (22 FH, 16 BH, 3 FHV, 1 BHV)
- 10 Forced (3 FH, 4 BH, 3 BHV)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 45.7
(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
Nadal was 4/7 (57%) at net, with no serve-volleying
He was 0/1 when forced back
Federer was 17/29 (59%) at net, including 2/5 (40%) serve-volleying - 2/3 (67%) off first serves and 0/2 off second serves
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Match Report
This is the quintessential Nadal-Federer match on clay. All the typical features - Nadal targeting the BH, Federer playing with sublime smoothness, Nadal consistent as a rock and Federer going on an error bender are all on show at different stages of the match
First Set
Nadal sends everything he possibly can to the Federer BH. BH longline as well as FH cc's are directed to the Fed BH and Nadal even passes up chances to go FH inside-out into the open court (which would likely have gone for winners) to keep up the persistent barrage.
Federer's game plan seems to be the same as what it was throughout 2007; he's content (resigned?) to deal with the barrage with BH cc's of his own (aka bleeding to death), without attempting to snatch the initiative with aggressive FHs or much attempt to change the rallying dynamics by going BH longline. The few times he does go BH longline, Nadal usually just runs around his BH and goes FH inside-in to restart the FH vs BH who-blinks-first fest.
On serve, Federer looks to take the net when he can but isn't particularly proactive in doing so. He's moderately attacking with his FH, particularly going inside-out with it but this is one of those days when Nadal runs down anything and everything. Federer needs the serve to give him enough of an edge to win the point. You can see how poor he is on second serve points - winning just 29% - one of the lowest rates I've tracked
The pair trade breaks to start the match - Nadal is broken via 3 loose FH errors while Federer is broken due to 4 routine errors - 2 of each wing and 3/4 being neutral shots. After a few holds, Federer breaks next in a superbly played game where he forces Nadal to net with drop shots and comes in himself. On one such point, he puts away Nadal's get with a FHV and on another, passes Nadal who can't make the pass as he scrambles back. Artsy stuff from the Swiss.
Nadal though, breaks right back by outlasting Federer to draw 3 errors and wrapping up with a brilliant BH cc pass.
By contrast, Nadal is brilliant in breaking to end the set. He takes the net to dispatch an OH, calmly passes Federer BH dtl when the roles are reversed. On set point, he hits a marvellous slice lob.... a shot I don't recall seeing him play, and certainly not one he's known for
Second Set
The action in this set is livelier and more exciting than the 'pattern-ized' play of the first.
Federer races away to a 4-0 lead. His 2 holds are highlighted by strong serves (including 2 aces) and net play. In the return games, he holds steady with Nadal in long rallies and is able to come up with timely, high quality attacking groundstrokes. At one stage, he wins 15/16 points
Nadal gets on the board with a hold in the fifth game - which highlights how small the margin for error is against Rafa. He holds to 30 and wins two points to unreturned serves. Both are first serves, but standard Nadal first serves that shouldn't be a problem to get back in play. But winning those two cheap points seems to relieve the pressure - and its mostly all Nadal thereafter.
Nadal regains one break as Federer begins an error fest. I thought Fed should have based his attack on net play on serve, but he transitions to attempted aggression from the baseline. It doesn't work; Nadal runs down the shots that land in and sooner or later, Fed's balls start landing out
Nadal wins - or to put it more aptly, Federer loses - 11 straight points. 10 of them to unforced errors (including 1 return) as Nadal puts the match back on serve by winning 5 straight games. Federer stops the rot with an aggressive service game where he takes the net 4/6 points, but is broken next game to lose the match. Fittingly, the match ends with 3 successive Federer errors
In any case, at least the action is hot. Nadal has foregone compulsively going after Federer's BH and both players look to move the other around. Nadal superior court coverage and defensive shots are evident here, while unable to put points to bed, Federer eventually makes mostly attacking errors in longish rallies (but not wild, winner attempt type errors)
Statistical Points of Interest
Have a look at the UE breakdown. Both players have more of the FH than the BH (Nadal 11 FH to 7 BH, Federer 22 FH TO 16 BH). and the low UEFI (Nadal 43.9, Federer 45.7). Despite having his FH attacked relentlessly for more than half the match, Federer's BH has held up ok. But the pressure built on him due to the attack has led him to more attacking errors of his favoured FH wing (partially because normal attacking FHs don't cut the mustard against Nadal)
Note Federer's very low 29% second serve points won; Since Nadal is also under 50% in this metric, it suggests that Nadal returned more aggressively than normal - which is line with my judgement. Nadal's returns were deeper than usual, thought as consistent as ever.
Summing up, the usual, uber-consistent game from Nadal. His defence and court coverage were of a very high level. Federer's BH holding up reasonably, but leaving too much pressure on his FH to deliver the goods. Perhaps seeking the net more rather than trying to out-manuver Nadal from the backcourt would have been a better offensive option
With the result, Nadal successfully defended his title from the previous year (https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...dal-vs-federer-monte-carlo-final-2007.645066/) and he would go onto win French Open again afterwards
Nadal won 76 points, Federer 62
Serve Stats
Nadal....
- 1st serve percentage (51/63) 81%
- 1st serve points won (32/51) 63%
- 2nd serve points won (5/12) 42%
- Aces 1
- Double Faults 2
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (10/63) 16%
Federer...
- 1st serve percentage (47/75) 63%
- 1st serve points won (28/47) 60%
- 2nd serve points won (8/28) 29%
- Aces 5, Service Winners 2
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (15/75) 20%
Serve Pattern
Nadal served...
- to FH 3%
- to BH 93%
- to Body 3%
Federer served...
- to FH 43%
- to BH 57%
Return Stats
Nadal made...
- 60 (32 FH, 28 BH), including 8 runaround FHs
- 8 Errors, comprising...
- 1 Unforced (1 BH)
- 7 Forced (3 FH, 4 BH)
- Return Rate (60/75) 80%
Federer made...
- 51 (8 FH, 43 BH), including 7 runaround FHs
- 9 Errors, comprising...
- 6 Unforced (1 FH, 5 BH), including 1 runaround FH attempt
- 3 Forced (1 FH, 2 BH)
- Return Rate (51/61) 84%
(Neither player had a return of serve winner)
Break Points
Nadal 6/7 (7 games)
Federer 4/5 (4 games)
Winners (including returns, excluding aces)
Nadal 14 (7 FH, 4 BH, 2 FHV, 1 OH)
Federer 17 (7 FH, 1 BH, 4 FHV, 4 BHV, 1 OH)
Nadal's FHs - 3 cc, 2dtl and 2 inside-out
BHs - all passes - 1 cc, 2 dtl and 1 slice lob
Federer's groundstrokes - 7 FHs (2 cc, 4 inside-out, 1 drop shot) and 1 BH (1 cc)
- 1 from a serve-volley point - a second volley BHV
- 1 other BHV was not clean
Errors (excluding returns and serves)
Nadal 28
- 18 Unforced (11 FH, 7 BH)
- 10 Forced (5 FH, 5 BH)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 43.9
Federer 52
- 42 Unforced (22 FH, 16 BH, 3 FHV, 1 BHV)
- 10 Forced (3 FH, 4 BH, 3 BHV)
Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 45.7
(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
Nadal was 4/7 (57%) at net, with no serve-volleying
He was 0/1 when forced back
Federer was 17/29 (59%) at net, including 2/5 (40%) serve-volleying - 2/3 (67%) off first serves and 0/2 off second serves
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Match Report
This is the quintessential Nadal-Federer match on clay. All the typical features - Nadal targeting the BH, Federer playing with sublime smoothness, Nadal consistent as a rock and Federer going on an error bender are all on show at different stages of the match
First Set
Nadal sends everything he possibly can to the Federer BH. BH longline as well as FH cc's are directed to the Fed BH and Nadal even passes up chances to go FH inside-out into the open court (which would likely have gone for winners) to keep up the persistent barrage.
Federer's game plan seems to be the same as what it was throughout 2007; he's content (resigned?) to deal with the barrage with BH cc's of his own (aka bleeding to death), without attempting to snatch the initiative with aggressive FHs or much attempt to change the rallying dynamics by going BH longline. The few times he does go BH longline, Nadal usually just runs around his BH and goes FH inside-in to restart the FH vs BH who-blinks-first fest.
On serve, Federer looks to take the net when he can but isn't particularly proactive in doing so. He's moderately attacking with his FH, particularly going inside-out with it but this is one of those days when Nadal runs down anything and everything. Federer needs the serve to give him enough of an edge to win the point. You can see how poor he is on second serve points - winning just 29% - one of the lowest rates I've tracked
The pair trade breaks to start the match - Nadal is broken via 3 loose FH errors while Federer is broken due to 4 routine errors - 2 of each wing and 3/4 being neutral shots. After a few holds, Federer breaks next in a superbly played game where he forces Nadal to net with drop shots and comes in himself. On one such point, he puts away Nadal's get with a FHV and on another, passes Nadal who can't make the pass as he scrambles back. Artsy stuff from the Swiss.
Nadal though, breaks right back by outlasting Federer to draw 3 errors and wrapping up with a brilliant BH cc pass.
By contrast, Nadal is brilliant in breaking to end the set. He takes the net to dispatch an OH, calmly passes Federer BH dtl when the roles are reversed. On set point, he hits a marvellous slice lob.... a shot I don't recall seeing him play, and certainly not one he's known for
Second Set
The action in this set is livelier and more exciting than the 'pattern-ized' play of the first.
Federer races away to a 4-0 lead. His 2 holds are highlighted by strong serves (including 2 aces) and net play. In the return games, he holds steady with Nadal in long rallies and is able to come up with timely, high quality attacking groundstrokes. At one stage, he wins 15/16 points
Nadal gets on the board with a hold in the fifth game - which highlights how small the margin for error is against Rafa. He holds to 30 and wins two points to unreturned serves. Both are first serves, but standard Nadal first serves that shouldn't be a problem to get back in play. But winning those two cheap points seems to relieve the pressure - and its mostly all Nadal thereafter.
Nadal regains one break as Federer begins an error fest. I thought Fed should have based his attack on net play on serve, but he transitions to attempted aggression from the baseline. It doesn't work; Nadal runs down the shots that land in and sooner or later, Fed's balls start landing out
Nadal wins - or to put it more aptly, Federer loses - 11 straight points. 10 of them to unforced errors (including 1 return) as Nadal puts the match back on serve by winning 5 straight games. Federer stops the rot with an aggressive service game where he takes the net 4/6 points, but is broken next game to lose the match. Fittingly, the match ends with 3 successive Federer errors
In any case, at least the action is hot. Nadal has foregone compulsively going after Federer's BH and both players look to move the other around. Nadal superior court coverage and defensive shots are evident here, while unable to put points to bed, Federer eventually makes mostly attacking errors in longish rallies (but not wild, winner attempt type errors)
Statistical Points of Interest
Have a look at the UE breakdown. Both players have more of the FH than the BH (Nadal 11 FH to 7 BH, Federer 22 FH TO 16 BH). and the low UEFI (Nadal 43.9, Federer 45.7). Despite having his FH attacked relentlessly for more than half the match, Federer's BH has held up ok. But the pressure built on him due to the attack has led him to more attacking errors of his favoured FH wing (partially because normal attacking FHs don't cut the mustard against Nadal)
Note Federer's very low 29% second serve points won; Since Nadal is also under 50% in this metric, it suggests that Nadal returned more aggressively than normal - which is line with my judgement. Nadal's returns were deeper than usual, thought as consistent as ever.
Summing up, the usual, uber-consistent game from Nadal. His defence and court coverage were of a very high level. Federer's BH holding up reasonably, but leaving too much pressure on his FH to deliver the goods. Perhaps seeking the net more rather than trying to out-manuver Nadal from the backcourt would have been a better offensive option
