First of, I am not a *******, or any other epithet that people use to describe
die hard Federer fans.
Fed's 2010 Australian Open draw was more interesting than ever before, for it offered a wide variety of different playing styles from Roger's opponents. With the exception of Hanescu and Montanes, other five matches represented five different playing styles.
1R) Andreev, a player with a big weapon (i hope nobody will argue that Igor possesses one of the top 5 biggest forehands in tennis today). Takes Federer to 4 sets, has chances to go uup 2 sets to 1. Did not get it done!
R16) Hewitt. A classical counterpuncher with no weapons, except for his movement and high percentage tennis. Federer beats him in three routine sets.
Quarters) Davydenko. An ultra aggressive baseliner, who takes away your time and can hurt you on both sides. Was destroying Federer, unsettled him and almost made him look ordinary for first set and a half and second half of the fourth set. Definitely, the sort of game to beat Roger, yet found it hard to maintain the level for best of 5. Federer wavers the storm and beats him soundly. Federer was definitely panicking way more than he would like to admit.
Semis) Tsonga. Powerful, physically intimidating, yet free flowing, aggressive baseliner with a big serve and sound net game (not so much for crisp volleys, as for his ability to move into the court quickly and cover the net). Granted, did not play his best tennis against Roger, yet it was obvious that his ball did not bother Roger and when Federer has time he will not lose.
Finals) Murray. A physical counterpuncher, great tactician with pretty much all the feel and shots in his repertoire. Played high level for two sets 1&3 and yet fell in three.
So, Roger had to face pretty much every type of a modern player with the exception of S&V game and yet came away with a title.
I want to know what style of a player (obviously playing at a high level) is best suited to beat Federer, or plainly put, be a nightmare match up?
I do expect many to say Nadal, and that we all know that he was able to do it against Fed. But something tells me that the way Roger was hitting his backhand against Murray and Davydenko, and throughout the whole tournament (with the exception of the first set against Davy), he would have had a good chance to prevail even against Nadal.
die hard Federer fans.
Fed's 2010 Australian Open draw was more interesting than ever before, for it offered a wide variety of different playing styles from Roger's opponents. With the exception of Hanescu and Montanes, other five matches represented five different playing styles.
1R) Andreev, a player with a big weapon (i hope nobody will argue that Igor possesses one of the top 5 biggest forehands in tennis today). Takes Federer to 4 sets, has chances to go uup 2 sets to 1. Did not get it done!
R16) Hewitt. A classical counterpuncher with no weapons, except for his movement and high percentage tennis. Federer beats him in three routine sets.
Quarters) Davydenko. An ultra aggressive baseliner, who takes away your time and can hurt you on both sides. Was destroying Federer, unsettled him and almost made him look ordinary for first set and a half and second half of the fourth set. Definitely, the sort of game to beat Roger, yet found it hard to maintain the level for best of 5. Federer wavers the storm and beats him soundly. Federer was definitely panicking way more than he would like to admit.
Semis) Tsonga. Powerful, physically intimidating, yet free flowing, aggressive baseliner with a big serve and sound net game (not so much for crisp volleys, as for his ability to move into the court quickly and cover the net). Granted, did not play his best tennis against Roger, yet it was obvious that his ball did not bother Roger and when Federer has time he will not lose.
Finals) Murray. A physical counterpuncher, great tactician with pretty much all the feel and shots in his repertoire. Played high level for two sets 1&3 and yet fell in three.
So, Roger had to face pretty much every type of a modern player with the exception of S&V game and yet came away with a title.
I want to know what style of a player (obviously playing at a high level) is best suited to beat Federer, or plainly put, be a nightmare match up?
I do expect many to say Nadal, and that we all know that he was able to do it against Fed. But something tells me that the way Roger was hitting his backhand against Murray and Davydenko, and throughout the whole tournament (with the exception of the first set against Davy), he would have had a good chance to prevail even against Nadal.