Noventi Open / Halle, Germany, ATP 500, 2019

[GameSetAndMath]

I missed the match again today as I was up till wee hours last night.

Congrats to Roger!

More than winning Halle and getting to #10 at Halle and #102, the seeding of #2 is the most important thing, I believe.

 

[monfed]

I don't know why Fed fans(including myself, I'm not anything special) care about the slam record than himself.I feel cheated when Fed shoots his own foot in slams like USO 09 where he could've won in a bloody canter.

I don't care what people say about his H2H with dull and how many slams he and faker cost him. Fed has noone to blame but himself. He did this to himself by fucking up perfectly good opportunities like AO 05(best level of Fed at AO imo better than 07 for me and he couldn't fight off Safin), USO 09.

Then in 2017 when he had all the momentum, all the cards in his pocket, he goes and injures himself playing a fucking worthless MS which he's never played in his whole bloody life. Canada.CANADA...C-A-N-A-D-A? It's just shocking. Nadal and Djokovic would never mess up like that when they have an open field. Sure they're not as talented as Fed but boy do they squeeze out every drop of their ability to win slams.

I think Fed's abrupt and complete shutdown at USO since 2008 might cost his legacy. Winning 5 straight and fucking up time after time is unacceptable and quite frankly unbecoming of a GOAT.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

GSM and others, being a Federer fan, what do you think about Roger's form going into Wimbledon? Are we in for a great Wimbledon with the Big 3 all cracking?

Roger of course has a decent chance. But, these days nothing can be said of Roger for sure. Also, I was underestimating the effect of accumulated fatigue. Roger's not so classy performance at Halle was primarily due to that.

I am not worried about Rafa, should they meet in Wimbledon.

There are two possible bad news scenario for Roger.

1. He is still prone to upset by a big hitter / big server in early rounds.
2. If he faces Novak in the finals, I am not that optimistic.

If Roger avoids big servers/hitters in the draw and Novak is upset by someone before the finals, Roger has a good chance of lifting #21.

 

[monfed]

GSM and others, being a Federer fan, what do you think about Roger's form going into Wimbledon? Are we in for a great Wimbledon with the Big 3 all cracking?

Slightly better than 2018 but a level or two below 2017. I think he'll do ok even against the big hitters like Cilic etc but they may tire him out, that's the only worry.

I think he can take care of mowgli but don't think he can take out faker even with improved returning and a more stable BH. That's my take on it.

 

[tented]

There are two possible bad news scenario for Roger.

1. He is still prone to upset by a big hitter / big server in early rounds.

I don’t think any of the big hitters/servers are in a position to beat him this year. Guys who got him in the past — Anderson, Tsonga, Berdych, Raonic — aren’t playing at the required level, and others, such as Khachanov, aren’t going to take him down on grass.

2. If he faces Novak in the finals, I am not that optimistic.

Agreed.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I don’t think any of the big hitters/servers are in a position to beat him this year. Guys who got him in the past — Anderson, Tsonga, Berdych, Raonic — aren’t playing at the required level, and others, such as Khachanov, aren’t going to take him down on grass.

.

Yes, you are right. The number of players in the big hitter / server category seems to be very low this year. I agree that Berdych and Raonic can't defeat Fed this year. Not so sure about Anderson and Tsongs. But, Anderson being #4, none of the Big-Three can face him before semifinals and I can safely say that Anderson won't live up to his seedings to reach SF. So, no need to worry about Kandy either.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

FACTOID: In the nine previous years when Fed won Halle Tourney, he went to reach the finals of Wimbledon eight times and actually won five times.

 

[tented]

Yes, you are right. The number of players in the big hitter / server category seems to be very low this year. I agree that Berdych and Raonic can't defeat Fed this year. Not so sure about Anderson and Tsongs. But, Anderson being #4, none of the Big-Three can face him before semifinals and I can safely say that Anderson won't live up to his seedings to reach SF. So, no need to worry about Kandy either.

My guess is it would take a near-heroic performance by Tsitsipas or the x-factor of Kyrgios to beat him before the semis.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Fed needs to shore up his serve lot better. He got broken at least three times in Halle.

On the positive side, Fed's break point conversion ration is not as terrible as it used to be few years ago.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Yep I know what you're referring to, your guy not being good enough indoors. And you also know what I'm referring to. I'm sure you loved seeing your idol Pete on the grass back in the day and now you are rooting for someone who wouldn't have a prayer in those conditions.

enough of that subject because at this point if Saint Peter promised you a place in Tennis heaven you would waver because of your dislike of Nadal.
Let's get back to great servers..You tend to fancy the serve bots such as Isner, Ivo, Roddick who rank your thoughts as great servers..Today final in Queens displayed one of the all time best lefty servers, Lopez..For years I have stated if Rafa could immulate his service motion, the GOAT debate would have been over 3 years ago..To add on to what I wrote earlier on another thread, to have a great serve you have to have great movement which allows you to follow it forward which would require an almost perfect return of serve to get the ball passed a top server and volleyer the likes of Lopez..He is always in near perfect position to support his volleys.. I would put Lopez serves the next tier lower than Roger's because of the crisps way Roger's hands can absorb pace.

 

[the AntiPusher]

That gatekeeper is not that far away from Frederer himself given that he's the favourite at 3/4 slams, chief.

Yeah, we gonna see once he gets closer to #20 how much admiration Darth and his minons have for Novak then.. Remember about 3 years ago, Darth stated that Novak had no chance of catching Roger.."time and the math was against Novak" is what I took from his posts .

 

[DarthFed]

Yeah, we gonna see once he gets closer to #20 how much admiration Darth and his minons have for Novak then.. Remember about 3 years ago, Darth stated that Novak had no chance of catching Roger.."time and the math was against Novak" is what I took from his posts .

I don't hate Novak and yes I don't see him as a big threat to 20 unless he wins the next 2 in which case he is a definite worry. If he exceeds Roger I'd be upset of course but Nadal doing it would be the worst thing in all of sports. I'm losing hope that your boy will be exposed for what he is/was.

 

[DarthFed]

enough of that subject because at this point if Saint Peter promised you a place in Tennis heaven you would waver because of your dislike of Nadal.
Let's get back to great servers..You tend to fancy the serve bots such as Isner, Ivo, Roddick who rank your thoughts as great servers..Today final in Queens displayed one of the all time best lefty servers, Lopez..For years I have stated if Rafa could immulate his service motion, the GOAT debate would have been over 3 years ago..To add on to what I wrote earlier on another thread, to have a great serve you have to have great movement which allows you to follow it forward which would require an almost perfect return of serve to get the ball passed a top server and volleyer the likes of Lopez..He is always in near perfect position to support his volleys.. I would put Lopez serves the next tier lower than Roger's because of the crisps way Roger's hands can absorb pace.

And if Roger could defend like Nadal or Djokovic he'd have won a ton more. They each have their relative weaknesses. It's hard to even compare Lopez serve to Roger. I'm just confident in saying there is no sensical way to say Roger serves as well as guys like Ivo and Isner. You might as well tell me 10 is less than 0

 

[Federberg]

For years I have stated if Rafa could immulate his service motion, the GOAT debate would have been over 3 years ago..

why stop there? If Rafa had tits he would have been the greatest female player ever. We could go on all day with what ifs...

 

[GameSetAndMath]

why stop there? If Rafa had tits he would have been the greatest dirty female player ever. We could go on all day with what ifs...

…..fixed

 

[the AntiPusher]

And if Roger could defend like Nadal or Djokovic he'd have won a ton more. They each have their relative weaknesses. It's hard to even compare Lopez serve to Roger. I'm just confident in saying there is no sensical way to say Roger serves as well as guys like Ivo and Isner. You might as well tell me 10 is less than 0

If you feel and think that Roger's defense isn't as good as Rafa's and Novak's then you have not been paying attention.

 

[the AntiPusher]

why stop there? If Rafa had tits he would have been the greatest female player ever. We could go on all day with what ifs...

I don't see the humor in your reply

 

[DarthFed]

If you feel and think that Roger's defense isn't as good as Rafa's and Novak's then you have not been paying attention.

Lol come on man. If Roger defends as well as them he'd probably never lose to either one. If we are comparing prime to prime it is at least somewhat close...somewhat. But now? Not even close. Part of the reason Roger is still this good is it is hard to boss him around in majority of rallies but the old man can't transition from defense to offense anywhere near as well as he used to.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Lol come on man. If Roger defends as well as them he'd probably never lose to either one. If we are comparing prime to prime it is at least somewhat close...somewhat. But now? Not even close. Part of the reason Roger is still this good is it is hard to boss him around in majority of rallies but the old man can't transition from defense to offense anywhere near as well as he used to.

Okay.. explain how Roger's has 20 titles and be able to defeat the other big for atleast for half of the titles..are you saying Roger's beautiful smooth playing style has given him the edge of Nadal , Murray and Djokervic.. Acourse it's his defense..

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Okay.. explain how Roger's has 20 titles and be able to defeat the other big for atleast for half of the titles..are you saying Roger's beautiful smooth playing style has given him the edge of Nadal , Murray and Djokervic.. Acourse it's his defense..

No, it is his offense i.e., aggressive play.