Nadal vs Ferrero showdown

[gugafanatic]

Both players easily cruised into the q-finals at the Swedish Open to set-up a titanic battle. Going by current form Nadal is the clear favorite having won his last 26 matches on clay and easing to a straight sets win in the Barcelona final. Ferrero has lost his title as the claycourt king and seems to be overshadowed by the Spanish prodigys recent success.

However a ressurgent Ferrero seems to creeping back up the rankings and was probably Federer's toughest opponent at Wimbledon despite grass being his weakest surface. Although a fan of Nadal I would really like Ferrero to get one over his Spanish compatriot. Ferrero has one of the best forehands on the tour and he must use this to keep Nadal on the back-foot and off balance. Furthermore JCF early season form on the hardcourts was impressive, holding matchpoints against Federer at Dubai. Do you think he is capable of beating Nadal on clay and can he possibly challenge the big 4 (Fed, Hewitt, Safin and Roddick) during the North American hard court swing??.

 

[daniel_rst]

I think this is a closer matchup than people may realize. Ferrero has been steadily regaining form, and personally, I would like to see him win. This is from my web site, setratings.com:

* Overall: Advantage Nadal
Over the past six months, Nadal has an overall average rating of 2121 ± 139 from 15 matches. Ferrero has an average rating of 1945 ± 87 from 15 matches. Nadal is favored by 176 points, making him the expected winner 68% of the time.

* Clay: Advantage Nadal
On clay, over the past year, Nadal has an overall average rating of 2167 ± 151 from 13 matches. Ferrero has an average rating of 2106 ± 60 from 7 matches. Nadal is favored by 61 points, making him the expected winner 56% of the time.

* Grass: Advantage Ferrero
On grass, over the past year, Nadal has an overall average rating of 1556 ± 15 from 2 matches. Ferrero has an average rating of 1852 ± 107 from 6 matches. Ferrero is favored by 296 points, making him the expected winner 78% of the time.

 

[VictorS.]

gugafanatic, I agree. Obviously it was going to be an extremely difficult task for JCF trying to beat Federer on grass considering their respective playing styles. However, I was also impressed with his improving form. He seems to be getting that burst of speed back which made him so special on the tennis court. Nadal has really had his way in their series match-up this year however I wouldn't be surprised if Ferrero pulls off the upset.

 

[jings]

Perhaps not this time for JCF, but he's on the way back, no question. The game needs a fit JCF, I certainly wish him well with his improving form.

 

[PureCarlosMoyaDrive]

Please beat him Ferrero. Ferrero is one of my boys, Nadal is absolutely not.

 

[Deuce]

Professional Tennis Ratings
[setratings.com]

This site is temporarily unavailable.
Please notify the System Administrator


I am doing the latter now.

 

[littlelleyton]

this should hopefully be a fantastic match. its just such a shame there is almost no coverage in the UK for this tournament as its the top match since Wimbledon

 

[timmyboy]

you know who needs to come back? David Nalbandian.

 

[rhubarb]

He's not gone anywhere - qf at Wimbledon.

 

[TwistServe]

*SPOILER*






Not much of a showdown.. Ferrero gets smoked 6-3, 6-3

 

[Tennis Psycho]

Yes!! Nadal won! I thought it would be a closer match though. Oh well, Nadal all the way baby!

 

[verdasco67]

you know who needs to come back? David Nalbandian.

he's getting there...he's number 10 now (entry ranking)