CINCINNATTI MASTERS AUG. 11th to 18th

[Kieran]

Nice win for Federer, regardless. Aided and abetted in the second, for sure, but he worked hard too and didn't just fade. Not great form though. But I expect that if he faces his arch-nemesis tomorrow, he'll be up for it...

 

[DarthFed]

Roger will take any donations he can get at this point. Sounds like an ugly match with Tommy going AWOL in the nick of time.

 

[shawnbm]

The last two games looked okay for Roger; helluva running BH pass to break Tommy in the penultimate game. Roger looks "patchy", as Kieran noted. He needs to get less patchy for the next round.

 

[nehmeth]

I forgot just how fast Tommy can fold. Roger stepped up his game nicely, just for an opportunity to see the h2h with Rafa expand.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Well, all fine and dandy, but assuming Rafa schools Dimitrov tonight, Roger is going to be in for a very short outing in the quarters...unless he can find his game and some consistency.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

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[Kieran]

I wonder if any grizzled ole Fed-watchers can tell us if they noticed his serve being affected by the back?

 

[the AntiPusher]

Roger will take any donations he can get at this point. Sounds like an ugly match with Tommy going AWOL in the nick of time.

The fire just doesn't burn that intensely in Tommy's gut. It never has. eg. Blake played JJ like that guy was trying to break into his home and eat at his family's table. Tommy played like he open the door for Roger and offered to fix his plate at the head of his family's table.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

Interesting, I noticed that Del Po and Berdych are right on Fed's heels and if they have a great summer and fall, they can potentially pass Roger in the rankings.

del potro can pass roger this week...

 

[rafanoy1992]

I'm surprised a lot of you guys are already picking Nadal over Federer (assuming Nadal wins tonight). I understand Federer's level is patchy. But, it is still a fast hardcourt so I would not be surprised if Federer wins tomorrow over Nadal.

We will see tomorrow...

 

[Kieran]

If Roger plays Rafa tomorrow, it'll be a much bigger match for Roger. He didn't have any electrifying passages today, regardless of how chummy TH was. This would be a concern. Physically, he seemed to be strolling. That's how he looks usually, calm and effortless, but there's a spark missing, I must admit...

 

[Kieran]

I'm surprised a lot of you guys are already picking Nadal over Federer (assuming Nadal wins tonight). I understand Federer's level is patchy. But, it is still a fast hardcourt so I would not be surprised if Federer wins tomorrow over Nadal.

We will see tomorrow...

I wouldn't be surprised either. Nor would I be disappointed. A QF loss would be okay for Rafa, he's gotten in good practice and he can prepare next for Flushing Meadows. My nightmare scenario is that he starts broawling with the others in the Big 3 and peaks too soon...

 

[rafanoy1992]

One thing's for sure, Federer could not afford to lose 6-1 or 6-2 in the first set because Nadal would not give up a lead like Haas did today.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Now, if only Baby Fed can do a favor to Papa Fed by clearing the Bull out of the way. :snigger

 

[Kieran]

One thing's for sure, Federer could not afford to lose 6-1 or 6-2 in the first set because Nadal would not give up a lead like Haas did today.

No, but if Federer plays Nadal it'll sharpen his quill. He can't afford looseness against Rafa. I imagine he'll attack a lot more and play himself even further into form. It might even be the match he needs...

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Isner-Raonic coming up...I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it...:nono

On the contrary, IMHO this will be one boring match between two
big servers neither of whom have much of anything else to offer.

umm GSandM, read between the lines mate

It is hard to read between the lines, when it is a one-line post.

 

[crystalfire]

man this sucks. i hate watching fed lose to rafa. i dont think ill watch that. how many games do you think fed will win against rafa. i say 6 tops.

 

[Kieran]

man this sucks. i dislike watching fed lose to rafa. i dont think ill watch that. how many games do you think fed will win against rafa. i say 6 tops.

I'd say that's about right. 6 in each set...

 

[ftan]

Roger gets it done.. I was out for lunch and when I came back , he was down a set (1-6 :O) and a break. Didnt think he would pull thru' TBH, seeing his form lately. But he did and that's what matters right now, take as many no. of wins as you can and get out of tight spots to build up the confidence.

I wish he takes onto Rafa tomorrow, but that's like a HUGE task right now as Rafa has been playing really good.. he cannot play 'patchy' (as Kieren mentioned). We all know it really needs him to play his best with no lapses to have a chance against Rafa .. I hope he is up for it and does not take court with a resigned will (which has been the case in their last 2 matches..ofcourse back was also a factor)

 

[nehmeth]

Roger gets it done.. I was out for lunch and when I came back , he was down a set (1-6)

Yeah, he was having lunch with you during that first set. :blush: