When Federer doesn't lose a set before semifinals of a Grand Slam - Generally Not Good

[McEnroeisanartist]

When Federer doesn't lose a set before semifinals of a Grand Slam. It has happened 9 times in his career

Australian Open - 2005 - loses 9-7 in the fifth set after holding a match point to saving
French Open - 2005 - loses to Nadal in semifinal
Wimbledon - 2006 - wins Wimbledon
Australian Open - 2007 - wins Australian Open without loss of a set
Wimbledon - 2008 - loses 9-7 in the fifth set of final to Nadal
US Open - 2010 - loses to Djokovic in semifinal after holding 2 match points
French Open - 2011 - loses to Nadal in final after choking
Australian Open - 2012 - loses to Nadal in semifinal
US Open - 2015 - loses to Djokovic in final after choking on so many breakpoits

 

[deBroglie]

His losses have been mostly to Nadal and Djokovic, who were big steps up from anyone else he had faced. This will not be the case in this tournament. Berdych is not too high of a step up. A victory is still not by any means guaranteed though.

 

[NGM]

Yes he has lost so many important matches so nothing is guaranteed.

He may surprise us all by losing to Berdych of all people.

 

[BeatlesFan]

These matches were all pre-Ljubicic. Whatever that guy is doing with Roger is working big time. And toss out the two FO matches against Nadal. He's almost unbeatable at RG as we all know.

 

[OKUSA]

federer's return game has been the best i've seen in like 10 years. even vs servebot raonic he was getting to duece or a few points here and there. on break points fed is absolutely crushing it compared to old fed

 

[abmk]

6 losses to nadalovic, one to GOATing Safin. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Annaconerer had trouble with Berdych somewhat. Under Edberg he tore Berdy a new one every time they played.

Ljuberer has played one match with Berd and it was close. But that was a match-tired Fed, against a great Berdych, on a surface that disfavoured Fed significantly (Miami this year). Still won though.

Let the best man win on Friday.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

I wouldn't be surprised if Federer straight sets everyone left in the tournament to be honest. His level is getting higher and higher, and it is very clear that he has still not yet peaked. Berdych will be a challenge, but I am sure he would rather play him, than the guy who beat him in the last two Wimbledon finals he played here. He has perfected his approach, he is going to very difficult to derail by the players left.

 

[abmk]

Annaconerer had trouble with Berdych somewhat. Under Edberg he tore Berdy a new one every time they played.

Ljuberer has played one match with Berd and it was close. But that was a match-tired Fed, against a great Berdych, on a surface that disfavoured Fed significantly (Miami this year). Still won though.

Let the best man win on Friday.

Ljuberer has played 3 matches vs Birdman - AO 16 (straight sets), AO 17(straight sets), Miami 17(close 3-setter)

 

[SafinSucks]

Difficult to picture Berdych coming on top against Federer tomorrow. I think the final will be Federer vs. Cilic. If it is the case, we can expect a close match. Cilic will be hard to beat, last year match is telling.

 

[Smasher08]

Ljuberer has played 3 matches vs Birdman - AO 16 (straight sets), AO 17(straight sets), Miami 17(close 3-setter)

Sounds like Fed in 3

(I wish!!)

 

[every7]

Interesting statistic. The one concern for Federer from hereon in may be becoming complacent and accidentally letting his guard down against a hungry opponent.

This phenomenon happened in microcosmic form against Haas last month in Stuttgart. Federer was wowing the German crowd with superlative play, and then relaxed. He left the door ajar for Haas who suprised Federer by getting it to a third set and eventually winning the match.

We can only hope that Berdych really makes Federer earn that finals spot. My hopes are not high, though, as Berdych is a very non-gritty competitor and his stamina level over Bo5 is appalling for a top 10 player.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Ljuberer has played 3 matches vs Birdman - AO 16 (straight sets), AO 17(straight sets), Miami 17(close 3-setter)

Right you are.
I'm getting confused and was a year out.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Does anyone really see Berdych, Querry or Cilic stopping him? Or taking a set for that matter?

 

[slice bh compliment]

^hahah^

When Federer doesn't lose a set before semifinals of a Grand Slam. It has happened 9 times in his career

Australian Open - 2005 - loses 9-7 in the fifth set after holding a match point to saving
French Open - 2005 - loses to Nadal in semifinal
Wimbledon - 2006 - wins Wimbledon
Australian Open - 2007 - wins Australian Open without loss of a set
Wimbledon - 2008 - loses 9-7 in the fifth set of final to Nadal
US Open - 2010 - loses to Djokovic in semifinal after holding 2 match points
French Open - 2011 - loses to Nadal in final after choking
Australian Open - 2012 - loses to Nadal in semifinal
US Open - 2015 - loses to Djokovic in final after choking on so many breakpoits

Yes, McEnroe is indeed an artist.
Hey, have you been talking to Watson at IBM?
Let's all keep RF away from Watson, and let him do his thing this weekend.
Maybe just show his staff the '06 and '07 repoarts. Vamos Rogerrrr!

 

[gn]

So Federer to win the Wimby without losing a set? That would be great!

 

[RF-18]

Federers biggest worry is Cilic. If Cilic just starts zoning and Federer struggles to find his level it will get tough. Federer has a history of peaking to early, and not be able to bring it when it absolutely matters the most.

 

[Bukmeikara]

Interesting statistic. The one concern for Federer from hereon in may be becoming complacent and accidentally letting his guard down against a hungry opponent.

This phenomenon happened in microcosmic form against Haas last month in Stuttgart. Federer was wowing the German crowd with superlative play, and then relaxed. He left the door ajar for Haas who suprised Federer by getting it to a third set and eventually winning the match.

We can only hope that Berdych really makes Federer earn that finals spot. My hopes are not high, though, as Berdych is a very non-gritty competitor and his stamina level over Bo5 is appalling for a top 10 player.

I think that at this point Federer is just in the "ultra-competitive" mode and if he losses to someone it wont going to be because of complacency. Just look at how easy he defeated Raonic and yet he roared at the end its like some 5 set battle. He knows where he is and he knows that nothing is given. Not to mention that the last time Berdych had match points against him.

 

[vladisimo]

Does anyone really see Berdych, Querry or Cilic stopping him? Or taking a set for that matter?

yes,I can see cilic taking a set no problem.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Federers biggest worry is Cilic. If Cilic just starts zoning and Federer struggles to find his level it will get tough. Federer has a history of peaking to early, and not be able to bring it when it absolutely matters the most.

Federer has not peaked yet. He has been warming up. Expect him to now bring the form all his opponents would have been fearing since the start of the event.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Federer has not peaked yet. He has been warming up. Expect him to now bring the form all his opponents would have been fearing since the start of the event.

I hope you're right! He is at an age where there will be the occasional off day at least, out of the blue. Yet, he has seemed so focused that I do think he will be ready.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

I hope you're right! He is at an age where there will be the occasional off day at least, out of the blue. Yet, he has seemed so focused that I do think he will be ready.

He's had his off days already, but he is so good on grass, you just didn't notice. He will be razor sharp for the next two matches. The BIGGEST obstacle that could have stopped him has bowed out with an injury. It didn't matter who he was playing on the other side, he was beating them. He is going to come all guns blazing. Look at how he responded to Raonic's third set resistance. If that was a quarter mile street race, Federer made him eat his dust in that tie breaker.

 

[chjtennis]

I think Federer is breaking a lot of patterns this year, notably the dominance of Nadal over him being one of them. I feel he can do it from here. There are so many other funny trivia to talk about his Wimbledon run here. He has 3 more possible opponents left and they all play similar style - tall, serve big, hit huge forehands - and Raonic match was a good climatization process for him for the remaining matches. Also, he beat Dolgopolv, Lajovic, Dimitrov, Zverev, Raonic and will face Berdych next. All of them have Eastern-European surname that finish with 'v' or 'c/ch', so based on that, I think he will face Cilic if he gets to the final. If he beats Cilic there, he will have beaten 3 'v's and 4 'c/ch's. Federer is also yet to drop a set, so he can still keep that perfect record if he doesn't drop any sets in the remaining matches. He can also turn this year into the year of record by winning Wimbledon, 8th Championship and slam no.19 will be achieved. Then, if he goes on to win USO, it will be no.20. If anyone told me Federer would win no.20 in his career a few years ago, I wouldn't have believed him, but now it suddenly looks possible.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

He's had his off days already, but he is so good on grass, you just didn't notice. He will be razor sharp for the next two matches. The BIGGEST obstacle that could have stopped him has bowed out with an injury. It didn't matter who he was playing on the other side, he was beating them. He is going to come all guns blazing. Look at how he responded to Raonic's third set resistance. If that was a quarter mile street race, Federer made him eat his dust in that tie breaker.

I tend to think you are right. That Raonic tiebreak can give Fed fans some confidence; I think in past years he may have lost at least the set from there.

 

[chjtennis]

Annaconerer had trouble with Berdych somewhat. Under Edberg he tore Berdy a new one every time they played.

Ljuberer has played one match with Berd and it was close. But that was a match-tired Fed, against a great Berdych, on a surface that disfavoured Fed significantly (Miami this year). Still won though.

Let the best man win on Friday.

Fed annihilated Berdy at AO 17.

 

[Gazelle]

The signs are good. Fed reached Wimby semis in 2006 without dropping a set, and he won that tournament.

We all know 2017 is mimicking 2006.

 

[chjtennis]

Does anyone really see Berdych, Querry or Cilic stopping him? Or taking a set for that matter?

I can see them taking sets but beating Federer is a totally different story.

 

[Gazelle]

Federers biggest worry is Cilic. If Cilic just starts zoning and Federer struggles to find his level it will get tough. Federer has a history of peaking to early, and not be able to bring it when it absolutely matters the most.

Federer hasn't dropped a set, but he hasn't peaked either yet.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

I think Federer is breaking a lot of patterns this year, notably the dominance of Nadal over him being one of them. I feel he can do it from here. There are so many other funny trivia to talk about his Wimbledon run here. He has 3 more possible opponents left and they all play similar style - tall, serve big, hit huge forehands - and Raonic match was a good climatization process for him for the remaining matches. Also, he beat Dolgopolv, Lajovic, Dimitrov, Zverev, Raonic and will face Berdych next. All of them have Eastern-European surname that finish with 'v' or 'c/ch', so based on that, I think he will face Cilic if he gets to the final. If he beats Cilic there, he will have beaten 3 'v's and 4 'c/ch's. Federer is also yet to drop a set, so he can still keep that perfect record if he doesn't drop any sets in the remaining matches. He can also turn this year into the year of record by winning Wimbledon, 8th Championship and slam no.19 will be achieved. Then, if he goes on to win USO, it will be no.20. If anyone told me Federer would win no.20 in his career a few years ago, I wouldn't have believed him, but now it suddenly looks possible.

 

[chjtennis]

Federers biggest worry is Cilic. If Cilic just starts zoning and Federer struggles to find his level it will get tough. Federer has a history of peaking to early, and not be able to bring it when it absolutely matters the most.

I think Federer will be 100% ready and in the right mind set if he meets Cilic in the final this time.

 

[icedevil0289]

I think Federer will be 100% ready and in the right mind set if he meets Cilic in the final this time.

how do you see the berdych match going?

 

[chjtennis]

how do you see the berdych match going?

My guess is a straight forward 3-0 win to Federer v Berdych. Maybe one or two TBs, but Federer will make it look easy. Since this tournament has seen so many injury-caused retirements, Berdych may retire with some injury as well. Anyway, I would be extremely surprised if Federer loses.

Against Cilic, I think Federer will surprise us with another straight forward win. He may drop a set, but I believe it will 3 close but still comfortable sets to Federer. May see some TBs, but Federer will be in control all the time.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

My guess is a straight forward 3-0 win to Federer v Berdych. Maybe one or two TBs, but Federer will make it look easy. Since this tournament has seen so many injury-caused retirements, Berdych may retire with some injury as well. Anyway, I would be extremely surprised if Federer loses.

Against Cilic, I think Federer will surprise us with another straight forward win. He may drop a set, but I believe it will 3 close but still comfortable sets to Federer. May see some TBs, but Federer will be in control all the time.

He's not someone who flubs finals. He has only ever lost once at the SF stage at Wimbledon.

 

[donquijote]

I hope Federer is reading this thread and getting the message.

 

[kalyan4fedever]

Generally NOT good for other players

 

[Big_Dangerous]

When Federer doesn't lose a set before semifinals of a Grand Slam. It has happened 9 times in his career

Australian Open - 2005 - loses 9-7 in the fifth set after holding a match point to saving
French Open - 2005 - loses to Nadal in semifinal
Wimbledon - 2006 - wins Wimbledon
Australian Open - 2007 - wins Australian Open without loss of a set
Wimbledon - 2008 - loses 9-7 in the fifth set of final to Nadal
US Open - 2010 - loses to Djokovic in semifinal after holding 2 match points
French Open - 2011 - loses to Nadal in final after choking
Australian Open - 2012 - loses to Nadal in semifinal
US Open - 2015 - loses to Djokovic in final after choking on so many breakpoits

I have something for this:

 

[Big_Dangerous]

He's had his off days already, but he is so good on grass, you just didn't notice. He will be razor sharp for the next two matches. The BIGGEST obstacle that could have stopped him has bowed out with an injury. It didn't matter who he was playing on the other side, he was beating them. He is going to come all guns blazing. Look at how he responded to Raonic's third set resistance. If that was a quarter mile street race, Federer made him eat his dust in that tie breaker.

Well he did get down 0-3 in that breaker, but what's the old line:

 

[Fedinkum]

These matches were all pre-Ljubicic. Whatever that guy is doing with Roger is working big time. And toss out the two FO matches against Nadal. He's almost unbeatable at RG as we all know.

Pre-Lubed...lol

 

[stringertom]

He's not someone who flubs finals. He has only ever lost once at the SF stage at Wimbledon.

One-legged fedr doesn't count.

 

[tennis_pro]

I only see peak Safin, Nadal and Djokovic there and tomorrow he's facing a declined Berdych who received a retirement from Djokovic in the previous round.

 

[stringertom]

Pre-Lubed...lol

Not enough has been stated about the benefits of the mental Ljub job fedr received during his convalescence from his first major injury. The Croatian chrome dome gets rubbed like a pet rock before fedr steps on court and it has worked unless it's a non-top 100 player he faces.

 

[Harry_Wild]

I totally agree! Not good for his opponents!

 

[BigServer1]

I tend to think you are right. That Raonic tiebreak can give Fed fans some confidence; I think in past years he may have lost at least the set from there.

That tiebreak was one of the most impressive things I've seen from Fed this season. He falls down 3-0 to a servebot, going down two mini breaks, and then just crushes 7 of the next 8 points with unreal tennis, including return winners and insane passing shots. An amazing tiebreak given the history with Raonic and 2016 surely still in Fed's mind.