Fedal 34

[Kieran]

Both men won their semis in straights and looked better in the semi-finals than they had all week.

Rafa leads 23-10, but has had the worst season of his career. Federer is #2 in the world, and a 7 time champ in Basle.

Who wins?

 

[El Dude]

I've got to give this one to Roger. My reasons:

1. Rafa is looking better but still not back to his best
2. The context - one of Roger's best, one of Rafa's worst
3. Unfamiliarity - Rafa hasn't seen this version of Roger and might not be able to do what he did in the past

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I saw the title in my head as "Fedal 34-The Final Insult".

 

[Front242]

Incidentally their 34th meeting and also Roger's age and special stat of note for Kieran: today the octogenerian's match took one hour less and they both ended in straight sets. Not so bad for a old git really.

 

[Puppet Master]

I am jumping up and down since we are able to witness a Fedal final. (When was the last time this happened? Rome 2013?) Anyways, I will be rooting for Fed just so he doesn't lose any points seeing as Nadal will probably be content with whatever result tomorrow. He wasn't reaching finals of indoor tourneys when he was #1.
Now if you ask me what I think will happen, let's say a 7:5 6:4 win for Fed. Nadal will have trouble dealing with Fed's serve and struggle a bit in his own service games but they will kinda be equal in rallies.

 

[Front242]

Btw, odds with 2 bookies I've checked so far are 1/2 for Federer and 13/8 for Nadal. Shock horror, the octogenerian who only recently lost the world number 2 spot and is only barely number 3 by a hair behind Murray as a result is the favourite.

 

[nehmeth]

Old Fart takes down Knobby Knees in two.

 

[Kieran]

The octogenarian is certainly a Deathless One, age shall not weary him etc, and the surface suits him, but I think we've seen Rafa progress incrementally over the last few tourneys, from 'better in Beijing' to 'even better again in Shanghai,' to 'even better yet again in Basle,' taking into account it's his least favourite surface.

Whoever wins, it's great that they face each other. We were in grave danger that 2015 would be the first season where they wouldn't meet, since the year where they only had one grand slam between them... :nono

 

[shawnbm]

I predict Nadal wins in three sets.

 

[Fiero425]

I predict Nadal wins in three sets.

Agreed, but if Roger can snatch the 1st set, it would give him a better chance! For him to win, he needs to do it in straights; 3 sets won't get it done! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Riotbeard]

I picked Roger in two. I think surface, occasion, and Rafa's level will make this one not quite as exciting as people think, but who knows?

 

[Kieran]

What time does it start?

Time: Not before 2.30 pm local time / 1.30 pm GMT – United Kingdom / 2.30 pm CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 9.30 am EDT – New York, Montreal / November 2, o.30 am AEDT – Melbourne.

Thanks to this website...

http://rafaelnadalfans.com/2015/10/31/swiss-indoors-final-what-time-does-rafael-nadal-play-against-roger-federer-in-basel-when-does-rafa-play-next-match/

 

[Riotbeard]

What time does it start?

Time: Not before 2.30 pm local time / 1.30 pm GMT – United Kingdom / 2.30 pm CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 9.30 am EDT – New York, Montreal / November 2, o.30 am AEDT – Melbourne.

Thanks to this website...

http://rafaelnadalfans.com/2015/10/31/swiss-indoors-final-what-time-does-rafael-nadal-play-against-roger-federer-in-basel-when-does-rafa-play-next-match/

2:30 p.m. local time. 10:30 a.m. eastern time for those of us in the U.S.

 

[Kirijax]

So I wake up to find that the Federer-Nadal match has finally become reality. I remember the 2014 Australian Open semifinals. As former greats sat n the stands watching, the commentators cooed and cawed at Federer's wondrous performance in defeating Murray. The admiration was oozing out of Rod Laver stadium like foam from a Starbucks Tall. everywhere. Surely after that brilliant performance, Federer was going to win his 18th Slam since Djokovic went out to Wawrinka the day before. And then Fedal 33 happened. Nadal beat Federer in straight sets. It was a great performance by Nadal and a putrid performance by Federer who once again curled up into a fetal position when he saw Nadal on the other side of the net.
I swore I never wanted to see another Fedal match and that opinion hasn't changed. I'm sure Fedal fans are all clapping with glee over the joy of it. Federer has a chance to start getting back some wins over his worst opponent, but even if he wins, the non-Feds will just point to Nadal's decline and call it a cheap victory. Nadal has a chance to continue his Incline back to the top, but it will just confirm further that Federer is Nadal's whipping boy, especially since it is happening on a Swiss Indoor court.
The way Federer plays tennis against Nadal is at times the most mind-baffling, inexplicable travesty and I have no desire to watch the thing. I'll say Federer wins, but the excuseathon that will follow by all the Nadal fans will be boring.

 

[Riotbeard]

So I wake up to find that the Federer-Nadal match has finally become reality. I remember the 2014 Australian Open semifinals. As former greats sat n the stands watching, the commentators cooed and cawed at Federer's wondrous performance in defeating Murray. The admiration was oozing out of Rod Laver stadium like foam from a Starbucks Tall. everywhere. Surely after that brilliant performance, Federer was going to win his 18th Slam since Djokovic went out to Wawrinka the day before. And then Fedal 33 happened. Nadal beat Federer in straight sets. It was a great performance by Nadal and a putrid performance by Federer who once again curled up into a fetal position when he saw Nadal on the other side of the net.
I swore I never wanted to see another Fedal match and that opinion hasn't changed. I'm sure Fedal fans are all clapping with glee over the joy of it. Federer has a chance to start getting back some wins over his worst opponent, but even if he wins, the non-Feds will just point to Nadal's decline and call it a cheap victory. Nadal has a chance to continue his Incline back to the top, but it will just confirm further that Federer is Nadal's whipping boy, especially since it is happening on a Swiss Indoor court.
The way Federer plays tennis against Nadal is at times the most mind-baffling, inexplicable travesty and I have no desire to watch the thing. I'll say Federer wins, but the excuseathon that will follow by all the Nadal fans will be boring.

I love how you still followed up your rant with a classic Kirijax graphic to help the forum :snicker Born to be an admin sir!

 

[Kirijax]

So I wake up to find that the Federer-Nadal match has finally become reality. I remember the 2014 Australian Open semifinals. As former greats sat n the stands watching, the commentators cooed and cawed at Federer's wondrous performance in defeating Murray. The admiration was oozing out of Rod Laver stadium like foam from a Starbucks Tall. everywhere. Surely after that brilliant performance, Federer was going to win his 18th Slam since Djokovic went out to Wawrinka the day before. And then Fedal 33 happened. Nadal beat Federer in straight sets. It was a great performance by Nadal and a putrid performance by Federer who once again curled up into a fetal position when he saw Nadal on the other side of the net.
I swore I never wanted to see another Fedal match and that opinion hasn't changed. I'm sure Fedal fans are all clapping with glee over the joy of it. Federer has a chance to start getting back some wins over his worst opponent, but even if he wins, the non-Feds will just point to Nadal's decline and call it a cheap victory. Nadal has a chance to continue his Incline back to the top, but it will just confirm further that Federer is Nadal's whipping boy, especially since it is happening on a Swiss Indoor court.
The way Federer plays tennis against Nadal is at times the most mind-baffling, inexplicable travesty and I have no desire to watch the thing. I'll say Federer wins, but the excuseathon that will follow by all the Nadal fans will be boring.

I love how you still followed up your rant with a classic Kirijax graphic to help the forum :snicker Born to be an admin sir!

haha I'm just warming up! Haven't even had my morning green tea yet...

 

[the AntiPusher]

So I wake up to find that the Federer-Nadal match has finally become reality. I remember the 2014 Australian Open semifinals. As former greats sat n the stands watching, the commentators cooed and cawed at Federer's wondrous performance in defeating Murray. The admiration was oozing out of Rod Laver stadium like foam from a Starbucks Tall. everywhere. Surely after that brilliant performance, Federer was going to win his 18th Slam since Djokovic went out to Wawrinka the day before. And then Fedal 33 happened. Nadal beat Federer in straight sets. It was a great performance by Nadal and a putrid performance by Federer who once again curled up into a fetal position when he saw Nadal on the other side of the net.
I swore I never wanted to see another Fedal match and that opinion hasn't changed. I'm sure Fedal fans are all clapping with glee over the joy of it. Federer has a chance to start getting back some wins over his worst opponent, but even if he wins, the non-Feds will just point to Nadal's decline and call it a cheap victory. Nadal has a chance to continue his Incline back to the top, but it will just confirm further that Federer is Nadal's whipping boy, especially since it is happening on a Swiss Indoor court.
The way Federer plays tennis against Nadal is at times the most mind-baffling, inexplicable travesty and I have no desire to watch the thing. I'll say Federer wins, but the excuseathon that will follow by all the Nadal fans will be boring.

It really speaks to the amazing resilience of both players, not letting Father time be their "Master". I cant speak for all Rafa fans but I see Roger as a big favorite. Rafa isn't playing no where near that level as he did in 2014. Roger is playing better, IMO.
As for the whipping boy, my same sentiments about Djokovic recent dominance over Rafa. As I stated before, unlike Roger, Rafa has twice before turn around Novak streaking against him.

 

[Kieran]

^^ Sorry brother, I have Rafa taking this one. Hopefully in straights, but he might start slow, and go to three...

 

[Front242]

Well if any Nadal fans claim Federer only won because Nadal is declining they have a lot of nerve considering Federer's prime ended donkey's years ago. That said, I've no idea who will win. Depends how well they both serve. This will be a totally different match than Gasquet v Nadal, for example. No donkey tactics of staying 52 feet behind the baseline by Roger, who will attack the net relentlessly. I'm especially interested to see him try the SABR on Rafa and he better not play a match where he squanders tons of break points.

 

[Kieran]

Well if any Nadal fans claim Federer only won because Nadal is declining they have a lot of nerve considering Federer's prime ended donkey's years ago. That said, I've no idea who will win. Depends how well they both serve. This will be a totally different match than Gasquet v Nadal, for example. No donkey tactics of staying 52 feet by the baseline by Roger, who will attack the net relentlessly. I'm especially interested to see him try the SABR on Rafa and he better not play a match where he squanders tons of break points.

Eh, obviously if Federer wins it'll be due to Rafa's decline. Rafa has won the previous 5 matches between them. When did Roger last beat him? 2012?

It will be interesting to see if Roger tries the old SABR, but remember, most of Rafa's serves will be into his backhand. I don't know if he's trying SABR from that side. If he does, it'll be a great change of tack.

Who's under most pressure tomorrow?

I think Roger, because he's expected to win. He's world #2, and it's indoor in his hometown. They have a fat cow waiting to be presented to him, with a gold bell around it's neck.

Not Nazi gold, stop it! :lolz: