Bottle Rocket
Hall of Fame
Why will Federer win?
Let's just assume for this small discussion that Gonzo and Federer have equal forehands, serves, and speed. Let's also assume that Federer is going to win the match...
I think the difference is going to be their backhands. After watching his match with Haas, I was amazed at how he was getting away with his backhand slices. He was actually working the points, frustrating his opponent. He was outlasting them in rallies. Federer is not going to let someone get away with that.
Reason 1: Federer is going to kill the Gonzo's backhand slice.
Federer is the best at handling slices. He does not let someone get away with a paceless ball, regardless of spin. You won't get Federer wrong footed or off balance. Gonzo rarely get's enough depth on his slice, in my opinion. Federer is one of the few that will eat it up, almost everytime. Feder just won't lose a long point where Gonzo continues to slice his backhand over and over again. Federer will do to his backhands slices what Gonzo has been doing to everbody else.
Reason 2: Federer hits a better ball off his backhand side than anyone else, pace and accuracy.
Then there is Federers backhand. Gonzo willl slice his backhands to Federer. If Federer get's one to his backhand, he will do something with it. He has much more power and much more accuracy off the backhand wing than any of Gonzo's previous competitors. I know, Blake and Haas have great backhands. I just think Federers, even though he has trouble with some high top spin, when given the opportunity, hits a much better ball with that wing than anyone else.
Reason 3: Federer has a better backhand slice than anyone else - better variety
Gonzo has not had to deal with variety or such a great backhand slice. I do not think Gonzo has seen enough variety. From the baseline, Haas, Blake, and Hewitt all let Gonzo dictate. They were predictable and hit with little variety. Federer will break Gonzo's rythm right off the bat.
Reason 4: Federer hits better backhand passing shots than Gonzo.
There isn't much else to say for this one.
At the same time that I think this could end up being a very competitive match (maybe the best one against Fed in a long time), I would not be surprised at all if it was a total blowout in Federers favor.
What do you guys think?
Let's just assume for this small discussion that Gonzo and Federer have equal forehands, serves, and speed. Let's also assume that Federer is going to win the match...
I think the difference is going to be their backhands. After watching his match with Haas, I was amazed at how he was getting away with his backhand slices. He was actually working the points, frustrating his opponent. He was outlasting them in rallies. Federer is not going to let someone get away with that.
Reason 1: Federer is going to kill the Gonzo's backhand slice.
Federer is the best at handling slices. He does not let someone get away with a paceless ball, regardless of spin. You won't get Federer wrong footed or off balance. Gonzo rarely get's enough depth on his slice, in my opinion. Federer is one of the few that will eat it up, almost everytime. Feder just won't lose a long point where Gonzo continues to slice his backhand over and over again. Federer will do to his backhands slices what Gonzo has been doing to everbody else.
Reason 2: Federer hits a better ball off his backhand side than anyone else, pace and accuracy.
Then there is Federers backhand. Gonzo willl slice his backhands to Federer. If Federer get's one to his backhand, he will do something with it. He has much more power and much more accuracy off the backhand wing than any of Gonzo's previous competitors. I know, Blake and Haas have great backhands. I just think Federers, even though he has trouble with some high top spin, when given the opportunity, hits a much better ball with that wing than anyone else.
Reason 3: Federer has a better backhand slice than anyone else - better variety
Gonzo has not had to deal with variety or such a great backhand slice. I do not think Gonzo has seen enough variety. From the baseline, Haas, Blake, and Hewitt all let Gonzo dictate. They were predictable and hit with little variety. Federer will break Gonzo's rythm right off the bat.
Reason 4: Federer hits better backhand passing shots than Gonzo.
There isn't much else to say for this one.
At the same time that I think this could end up being a very competitive match (maybe the best one against Fed in a long time), I would not be surprised at all if it was a total blowout in Federers favor.
What do you guys think?
