Calvy said:
GameSetAndMath said:
Just so that people do not think the two rivalries mentioned are the same,
I do want to point some facts. Fed has a 10-23 record against. That means he
has won 43% of his matches against Rafa.
On the otherhand, Pova has a 2-15 record against Serena which works out
to 13%. I would tend to think that there is a ocean of difference between
13% and 43%.
Finally, one surface played a major role in the R-R rivalry. On the otherhand
the S-S non-rivalry is independent of surfaces. I am glad you bother to put
the "rivalry" in quotes.
Granted, Fed has won more matches than Maria, the point was/is, one player has a distinct mental advantage, this has led both "rivalries" being lopsided. For example, Federer doesn't even lead Nadal on fast surfaces anymore, so much for that one surface theory.
I'm glad you're putting the word "rivalry" in quotation marks, because this is a "rivalry" only in the minds of certain Sharapova fans, as well as sports commentators, who are trying to make it interesting.
And I completely agree about the mental factor being a huge part of it, like Federer and Nadal. One player is totally in the head of the other, preventing any substantive changes.
