USOpen Championship 2009: Federer vs. Del Potro

[TennisandMusic]

It was nothing physical. It was all mental. He was just not himself today for whatever reason. Perhaps his babies kept him up all night? Who knows but it seemed to me like his brain went on strike today. And what was with all the shanks and missed serves?

Federer was at 100%. Del Potro pretty much just spanked him! That's what happens when a better tennis player meets one that is worse than him.*


*regardless if I actually believe this or not (I don't), I thought I would just dish out a little BP flavored fun back in your direction.

 

[sh@de]

Federer was at 100%. Del Potro pretty much just spanked him! That's what happens when a better tennis player meets one that is worse than him.*


*regardless if I actually believe this or not (I don't), I thought I would just dish out a little BP flavored fun back in your direction.

.........................? huh?

 

[BreakPoint]

Federer was at 100%. Del Potro pretty much just spanked him! That's what happens when a better tennis player meets one that is worse than him.*


*regardless if I actually believe this or not (I don't), I thought I would just dish out a little BP flavored fun back in your direction.

Um.....did I say that Federer had a knee injury or an ab injury or that he was tired? Not even mono or a back injury. I said it was nothing physical. But he was without a doubt not playing at his usual level and I think it was all mental. Maybe he was too overconfident having never lost to Delpo in 6 meetings? But he played pretty unintelligent tennis today by his standards. He hasn't served this poorly since the Aus Open final against Nadal and I have never seen him shank or mishit so many balls in a match ever. And what's with hitting everything to Delpo's monster forehand? What kind of lame strategy is that? All match long, Federer was running around his backhand just to hit the ball down the line from the ad corner to Delpo's forehand so that Delpo could spank his forehand crosscourt into the wide open court. What kind of stupid strategy is that? Why not go inside out as he usually does (Fed's best shot) and make the big man hit running 2HBH's (which are hard to do)? Even most of Federer's forehands went crosscourt and backhands down the line, all to Delpo's forehand. It was as if Federer was stubborn and wanted to prove that he could still beat Delpo by hitting everything to Delpo's biggest and best shot. Like he wanted the challenge. And he played some of the dumbest shots on break point opportunities. That's why he only converted 5 of 22 break points.

Overall, it was just a pathetic performance by Federer and he has no one to blame but himself for losing. Delpo was playing so poorly in the beginning of the match that this match was Federer's to take but he didn't want it. Federer should have won this match in straight sets. Even all the analysts said the same thing. He let Delpo back into the match with open arms and Delpo gladly accepted. The entire match was just very uncharacteristic of Federer and one of the strangest ones I have ever seen him play. It was as if he didn't really want to win. Well, I guess he got what he wanted.

 

[GinoGinelli]

I thought it was all over after the third set, switched off and went to bed (was in the early hours here), choked on my coffee when I heard he won this morning! Serves me right

 

[namelessone]

Um.....did I say that Federer had a knee injury or an ab injury or that he was tired? Not even mono or a back injury. I said it was nothing physical. But he was without a doubt not playing at his usual level and I think it was all mental. Maybe he was too overconfident having never lost to Delpo in 6 meetings? But he played pretty unintelligent tennis today by his standards. He hasn't served this poorly since the Aus Open final against Nadal and I have never seen him shank or mishit so many balls in a match ever. And what's with hitting everything to Delpo's monster forehand? What kind of lame strategy is that? All match long, Federer was running around his backhand just to hit the ball down the line from the ad corner to Delpo's forehand so that Delpo could spank his forehand crosscourt into the wide open court. What kind of stupid strategy is that? Why not go inside out as he usually does (Fed's best shot) and make the big man hit running 2HBH's (which are hard to do)? Even most of Federer's forehands went crosscourt and backhands down the line, all to Delpo's forehand. It was as if Federer was stubborn and wanted to prove that he could still beat Delpo by hitting everything to Delpo's biggest and best shot. Like he wanted the challenge. And he played some of the dumbest shots on break point opportunities. That's why he only converted 5 of 22 break points.

Overall, it was just a pathetic performance by Federer and he has no one to blame but himself for losing. Delpo was playing so poorly in the beginning of the match that this match was Federer's to take but he didn't want it. Federer should have won this match in straight sets. Even all the analysts said the same thing. He let Delpo back into the match with open arms and Delpo gladly accepted. The entire match was just very uncharacteristic of Federer and one of the strangest ones I have ever seen him play. It was as if he didn't really want to win. Well, I guess he got what he wanted.

I'm not a big Fed fan but to me he lost the match because he got cocky(don't want to use the word arrogant). I only saw the first 2 sets because I had to got work the next day(the match was at midnight in my time slot) but this is what I saw for most of the first two sets: Federer outplaying DelPo,toying with him and trying to hit beauty shots,almost embarrasing DelPo with some of the shots he pulled off.

Where he lost the match in my opinion was when he had 30-0 at 5-4 in the second and instead of playing some good shots to win the point he goes all dandy and crap,hitting an awful dropshot and allowing DelPo to come back in. After a few more points it was 30-40 and DelPo made that incredible get to break back. That was it for Fed in my opinion because it gave DelPo belief that he could win it and that belief stayed with him,even after losing the third set 5-4. Fed leading 2-0 in sets while making great shots would have broken DelPo and it would have been another straight sets routing by the Swiss.

The next morning when I found out that DelPo won I was surprised,but not very much. Once you frustrate Federer you can beat him. The key is to never let up and let him know that you are there all the time and if he wants to beat you,he better bring the goods. This is what Nadal excels at in GS meetings with Fed and what Roddick and Delpo did in the last 2 slams,the difference being that DelPo won while Roddick squandered chance after chance when he could have lead Fed 2-0 on sets and had a 15-40 game on Fed's serve in the fifth. Federer doesn't like guys who fight back,this is pretty clear,and if those guys have game besides mental strenght,Fed's in trouble.

 

[AlpineCadet]

20 vs 28, Fed is past his prime, esp. against a 6'6" player who fought his way into the Final. Mental or not, Fed played the best he could, and it lasted 5 sets. Congrats to Del Potro.

 

[zagor]

I'm not a big Fed fan but to me he lost the match because he got cocky(don't want to use the word arrogant). I only saw the first 2 sets because I had to got work the next day(the match was at midnight in my time slot) but this is what I saw for most of the first two sets: Federer outplaying DelPo,toying with him and trying to hit beauty shots,almost embarrasing DelPo with some of the shots he pulled off..

So you only saw first 2 sets and you can give the whole analysis of the match?

Where he lost the match in my opinion was when he had 30-0 at 5-4 in the second and instead of playing some good shots to win the point he goes all dandy and crap,hitting an awful dropshot and allowing DelPo to come back in. After a few more points it was 30-40 and DelPo made that incredible get to break back. That was it for Fed in my opinion because it gave DelPo belief that he could win it and that belief stayed with him,even after losing the third set 5-4. Fed leading 2-0 in sets while making great shots would have broken DelPo and it would have been another straight sets routing by the Swiss.

Agree with this,Fed was getting too cute for his own good when he was serving for the second set.That was a crucial game Delpo won.

The next morning when I found out that DelPo won I was surprised,but not very much. Once you frustrate Federer you can beat him. The key is to never let up and let him know that you are there all the time and if he wants to beat you,he better bring the goods.

.

That is the key to beating any great player.That is how Soderling beat Nadal,wasn't afraid of him and was coming up with big shot after big shot,wasn't frustrated by Nadal defense and didn't let him go off the hook in big points(like Novak did in Madrid and Nalbo in IW).

the difference being that DelPo won while Roddick squandered chance after chance when he could have lead Fed 2-0 on sets and had a 15-40 game on Fed's serve in the fifth.

You can't think of any other diffrence? Really? How about the fact that Fed was serving amazingly well throghout the whole Wimbledon including the final while at USO he had 2 off serving days in a row(in SF and F)after a 3 day pause? You don't think Fed's first serve % made a difference? You're looking at things solely from one side here and giving Fed zero credit(which is what I come to expect from most Nadal fans but I thought you are better)for his serving performance at Wimbledon.

And no Roddick didn't squandered chance after chance,he had one bad miss on a big point the entire match just like Fed had a bad miss in the first set on a BP.On 15-40 in the fifth set Fed came up with 2 first serves so actin like Roddick wasted those points instead that Fed won them is a bit silly.Also Fed had more BPs than Roddick,he was in plenty of Roddick's service games but he only broke him once so maybe he was the one "squandering" chance after chance as well?

Federer doesn't like guys who fight back,this is pretty clear,and if those guys have game besides mental strenght,Fed's in trouble.

Oh yes,if you're facing a player who has a great game and a mental strength on top of it you're in trouble,I guess Fed's so different in that than the rest of the players ,please.

 

[cucio]

*regardless if I actually believe this or not (I don't), I thought I would just dish out a little BP flavored fun back in your direction.

Coherence is something lost in rabid fans, whomever they are supporting.

Ah, well, it is fun to watch the "XXX fans are classy and wouldn't say things like that, not like those classless YYY-****s" comments, hypocrisy is connatural to the human being, it should be embraced instead of denied.

 

[zagor]

Well done to Del Potro. He was amazing just like spiderman limbs everywhere! Also well done to Federer who played a terrific first set and it was classic tennis at its best. Nadal was exhausted last year after winning all that lot so I think Federer should have been as well.

No,that wasn't the issue,he was moving completely fine throghout the whole match.He just couldn't handle Delpo power and consistancy and his serve wasn't on.

 

[namelessone]

So you only saw first 2 sets and you can give the whole analysis of the match?



Agree with this,Fed was getting too cute for his own good when he was serving for the second set.That was a crucial game Delpo won.


You can't think of any other diffrence? Really? How about the fact that Fed was serving amazingly well throghout the whole Wimbledon including the final while at USO he had 2 off serving days in a row(in SF and F)after a 3 day pause? You don't think Fed's first serve % made a difference? You're looking at things solely from one side here and giving Fed zero credit(which is what I come to expect from most Nadal fans but I thought you are better)for his serving performance at Wimbledon.

And no Roddick didn't squandered chance after chance,he had one bad miss on a big point the entire match just like Fed had a bad miss in the first set on a BP.On 15-40 in the fifth set Fed came up with 2 first serves so actin like Roddick wasted those points instead that Fed won them is a bit silly.Also Fed had more BPs than Roddick,he was in plenty of Roddick's service games but he only broke him once so maybe he was the one "squandering" chance after chance as well?

Oh yes,if you're facing a player who has a great game and a mental strength on top of it you're in trouble,I guess Fed's so different in that than the rest of the players ,please.

I saw enough to say that the second was the key moment in that match and it turns out I was right. I went to bed thinking DelPo has confidence now but it the back of my mind I knew Roger would pull through and win in 4,at most 5sets but he didn't and that's why I put so much emphasis on the 5-4,30-0 moment.

For all the bellyaching about Fed's serve(which did suck last night if you look at the stats) the swiss was great off the ground for most of the first 2 sets. But as I said he saw that everything was going in and got cocky at 5-4 thinking that he could toy with delpo forever. He stupidly lost he 2nd set,which he shouldn't have and brough DelPo's confidence back. Look at the first 2 sets again,DelPo didn't know what hit him and after Fed started playing around the argie woke up and started pounding those balls and he turned the tide. At 2-0 on sets Fed wins,no question about it.

I think you are over analyzing when you compare the Fed-Roddick final and Fed-DelPotro. Federer didn't play great off the ground for most of the roddick match but his serve bailed him out in the end. And I'm sorry,if you lead 6-2 in the tie like Roddick did and you miss a easy volley that's premium choking although to Federer's credit he didn't give up. Roddick would have approached the game differently at 2-0 sets although it is possible that Fed would have won in 5,who knows? Break chances come and go in a match but choking like that messes with your mind and it shows how tough Roddick was,to lose the second like that and still take it to 5 sets.
Yes,Federer was clutch on key moments with his serve and it allowed him to win. I didn't take credit away from him,I just said that Roddick let him get back into the game when he choked in the tiebreaker. And Fed hit what,50 aces in that match? That's as much a sign of poor returning as it is of great serving.

In the match with Delpo,from what I saw,his groundstrokes were consistent but his serve wasn't. He was dominating DelPo even without a great serve but he let him have the second and in the end Roger paid for it.

You are getting too defensive about this. Many players have the game to beat top players on any given day,they just don't have the mental consistency to keep it together on any given day against certain guys. This is true for Fed as it is for all top players. You really think no one can take it to Federer? Nadal,Roddick,DelPo,Haas showed this year that they can hang with Fed but some of them made it,others didn't and it was all mental. Same with Nadal. Soderling,Djoker,DelPo,Fed showed that they can hang with Rafa and whether they succeeded or not came down to how they mentally handled the key points in those matches. This is true for ALL PLAYERS. You can have all the shots in the world,if you crumble mentally before the other guy,you lose. And obviously the quality of your game depends on how calm you are which again comes from your mindset.

 

[rafan]

No,that wasn't the issue,he was moving completely fine throghout the whole match.He just couldn't handle Delpo power and consistancy and his serve wasn't on.

Federer started to go down after the first set, which was brilliant vintage Federer. His serves were suffering which was unusual for him, and I don't agree he moved the same throughout the whole match hence his amount of errors

 

[Bud]

Federer started to go down after the first set, which was brilliant vintage Federer. His serves were suffering which was unusual for him, and I don't agree he moved the same throughout the whole match hence his amount of errors

Blah! Delpo was serving at less than 25% for much of the first set and it appeared his sneakers were filled with concrete. At one point he was 1 for 9 on first serves. If vintage Federer is beating up and toying with someone so nervous he couldn't get a first serve into play... then, yes it was vintage Federer.

 

[bolo]

Well done to Del Potro. He was amazing just like spiderman limbs everywhere! .....

lol. 10 char.

 

[pmerk34]

No,that wasn't the issue,he was moving completely fine throghout the whole match.He just couldn't handle Delpo power and consistancy and his serve wasn't on.

He was gassed in the 5th. Set, His feet weren't moving which led to those inexplicable shanks.

Del Potro was amazing off the ground he pounded Fed into submission. Well done Juan!

 

[imalil2gangsta4u]

He was gassed in the 5th. Set, His feet weren't moving which led to those inexplicable shanks.

Del Potro was amazing off the ground he pounded Fed into submission. Well done Juan!

I agree. Del Potro hit some forehands that were so hard i barely saw them. His consistant power hitting was frustrating Federer. Sometimes Roger raises his level, sometimes he goes away ( like the AO final this year).

 

[zagor]

I saw enough to say that the second was the key moment in that match and it turns out I was right. I went to bed thinking DelPo has confidence now but it the back of my mind I knew Roger would pull through and win in 4,at most 5sets but he didn't and that's why I put so much emphasis on the 5-4,30-0 moment.

For all the bellyaching about Fed's serve(which did suck last night if you look at the stats) the swiss was great off the ground for most of the first 2 sets. But as I said he saw that everything was going in and got cocky at 5-4 thinking that he could toy with delpo forever. He stupidly lost he 2nd set,which he shouldn't have and brough DelPo's confidence back. Look at the first 2 sets again,DelPo didn't know what hit him and after Fed started playing around the argie woke up and started pounding those balls and he turned the tide. At 2-0 on sets Fed wins,no question about it.

I think you are over analyzing when you compare the Fed-Roddick final and Fed-DelPotro. Federer didn't play great off the ground for most of the roddick match but his serve bailed him out in the end. And I'm sorry,if you lead 6-2 in the tie like Roddick did and you miss a easy volley that's premium choking although to Federer's credit he didn't give up. Roddick would have approached the game differently at 2-0 sets although it is possible that Fed would have won in 5,who knows? Break chances come and go in a match but choking like that messes with your mind and it shows how tough Roddick was,to lose the second like that and still take it to 5 sets.
Yes,Federer was clutch on key moments with his serve and it allowed him to win. I didn't take credit away from him,I just said that Roddick let him get back into the game when he choked in the tiebreaker. And Fed hit what,50 aces in that match? That's as much a sign of poor returning as it is of great serving.

In the match with Delpo,from what I saw,his groundstrokes were consistent but his serve wasn't. He was dominating DelPo even without a great serve but he let him have the second and in the end Roger paid for it.

You are getting too defensive about this. Many players have the game to beat top players on any given day,they just don't have the mental consistency to keep it together on any given day against certain guys. This is true for Fed as it is for all top players. You really think no one can take it to Federer? Nadal,Roddick,DelPo,Haas showed this year that they can hang with Fed but some of them made it,others didn't and it was all mental. Same with Nadal. Soderling,Djoker,DelPo,Fed showed that they can hang with Rafa and whether they succeeded or not came down to how they mentally handled the key points in those matches. This is true for ALL PLAYERS. You can have all the shots in the world,if you crumble mentally before the other guy,you lose. And obviously the quality of your game depends on how calm you are which again comes from your mindset.

My issue was that you mentioned the differences were Roddick was wasting chance after chance while in my opinion he only made one big mistake(same as Fed did in the first set)in that 2nd set tiebreak(other SPs in the 2nd set were saved by Fed's good play IMO)and that you conviniently left out that Fed's 1st serve %(I wasn't talking about aces but % of first serves in)played a factor in both of these matches.

I also don't think Fed played bad off the ground against Roddick in Wimbledon this year(rather it was Roddick who was playing great from the baseline,finally approaching the net right and serving smart) but it's a waste of time anyway.In this forum one side always seems to think that it all depends on Fed while the other that it all depends on Fed's opponent.

 

[pmerk34]

I agree. Del Potro hit some forehands that were so hard i barely saw them. His consistant power hitting was frustrating Federer. Sometimes Roger raises his level, sometimes he goes away ( like the AO final this year).

He did go away last night as well. He went away becuase he was tired physically which tires you mentally.

Had nothing to do with Nadal "being in his head' at the Australian Open. Del Potro isn't "in his head" and he beat him the 5th 6-2 as well.

 

[zagor]

Federer started to go down after the first set, which was brilliant vintage Federer. His serves were suffering which was unusual for him, and I don't agree he moved the same throughout the whole match hence his amount of errors

I think a lot of the shanks and being late on shots was due to Delpo hitting with more depth and amazing pace as the match went on but maybe Fed's movement wasn't as sharp as well.Fed's serve was indeed suffering,even when he was leading,he just couldn't find it.

 

[luckyboy1300]

didn't delpo break another federer streak? i.e. his consecutive slam wins against guys outside the top 5? although technically delpotro is already top 5. will that one count as well?

 

[varsity8993]

What a total waste of a year. 4 Slam finals and only 2 wins. May as well retire now.

It's great that he's still motivated at all with all that he's done. A good number of pros know that they'll end up with bodies that hurt every single day in old age, often with several surgeries along the way... which no doubt should be progressively worse the longer you play.

 

[pmerk34]

What a total waste of a year. 4 Slam finals and only 2 wins. May as well retire now.

It's great that he's still motivated at all with all that he's done. A good number of pros know that they'll end up with bodies that hurt every single day in old age, often with several surgeries along the way... which no doubt should be progressively worse the longer you play.

Lol. This board loves to hold GS finals losses against people while uplifting those with higher %'s who don't make half as many finals

 

[bolo]

didn't delpo break another federer streak? i.e. his consecutive slam wins against guys outside the top 5? although technically delpotro is already top 5. will that one count as well?

I would guess it counts, but fed keeps his stat. of only losing to talented players at slams since 2004 or so.

 

[NamRanger]

I believe Federer slightly injured his back against Djokovic, thus why his serve percentage was so low. Doesn't make sense to serve so badly.

 

[pmerk34]

I believe Federer slightly injured his back against Djokovic, thus why his serve percentage was so low. Doesn't make sense to serve so badly.

No excuses. He lost.

 

[zagor]

I believe Federer slightly injured his back against Djokovic, thus why his serve percentage was so low. Doesn't make sense to serve so badly.

His serve always had it's on-off days even during his 2004-2007,It was just a bad serving day,sincerely doubt it was becuase of any injury.He had trouble finding his serve against Novak in SF as well(throghout the whole match)so that theory doesn't hold water.

 

[GPG]

Roger still had his chances. He didn't won the critical points, like when he was only 2 points away of winning in the 4th set, Juanma serving 4-5, 30 all

 

[Fedace]

anyone have the match on stream?

 

[mandy01]

I believe Federer slightly injured his back against Djokovic, thus why his serve percentage was so low. Doesn't make sense to serve so badly.

No.He just had a bad serving day.His fault.
He looked perfectly fine the whole time against Djokovic.His second serve especially was fantastic.This time both first and second serves were off but thats because he let off and Del Po really took it to him after the second set.

 

[Grizvok]

I believe Federer slightly injured his back against Djokovic, thus why his serve percentage was so low. Doesn't make sense to serve so badly.

Are you actually trying to troll?

Be quiet.

 

[NandoMania]

I think he blew the match by losing the 2nd set. He allowed Delpo to get more comfortable and gain confidence. If he goes up 2 breaks in the 2nd, no way Delpo comes back from that. Lack of killer instinct. Its like he thought, no worries, I'll just turn up the Fed and close it out anyway.

That being said, he still was up 5-4, 30-0, serving for the set. He shouldve handled it.

Way too many drop shots, drop volleys, too little killer instinct and focus. Be buddy buddy after the match. Till then keep your foot on his throat.

Fed seemed to get more out of sorts as the match wore on (hehe wonder why), and he let himself get distracted by trying to keep his foot on the umpire's throat!

 

[NamRanger]

Are you actually trying to troll?

Be quiet.

I'm not trolling; I am not trying to be pretentious, but when I am actually serious while posting I am probably one of the more logical and objective posters on this board.



Federer's serving problems in the past year or so has been attributed to a back problem. A possible explanation is that he somehow reinjured his back in the SF. Regardless, you can call me a troll whether you want to or not, but that is a logical explanation as to why Federer served so poorly for the majority of the match.

 

[NandoMania]

Agreed.

What a match, great tennis and drama. Both players definitely had their ups and downs. Though it has to be said, Federer's serve was almost always down and played a significant role in the outcome. But the most significant role was Delpo's manner , remarkable how he stood firm throughout both mentally and game-wise... Not just this match; beating Rafa & Roger back to back to win a GS. That's something.

I hadn't thought of that! Quite an accomplishment!!! :mrgreen:

 

[NandoMania]

Creer


I really wanted the 6th US Open for Roger, but DelPo desserved this title. I'm glad for him!

I did too, with all the hype and all, but heck he's still got time ... maybe next year!

 

[Love Game]

sorry wrong thread.....

 

[Sentinel]

I did too, with all the hype and all, but heck he's still got time ... maybe next year!

True, but they won't be consecutive.

Anyway, namranger, the thought of a back problem occurred to me, but Delpo won, and I am glad Federer did not site any injury or excuse. I hope he does not talk about it later (hint hint, snicker). I am glad he gave full credit to Delpo for the win.

Our Nadal fan brothers/sisters are waiting for someone to say something precisely like the above so they can trash Federer and all his fans.