Gerry Weber Open, Halle, Germany, ATP 500

[the AntiPusher]

Fed had BP's 2 different games in the 3rd set too, people tend to forget that and only focus on the 0-40 game he got out of at 3-3.

As for 4-1 you've watched and played the game enough to know that no good player loses 5 straight games on grass unless they are screwing up royally. His serve abandoned him and he was hitting tons of errors. Also you have to remember what was going on recently, he got blown out at RG and earlier that year he blew a 5-1 lead at Hamburg and lost the first set, and he blew a 4-1 lead (I think) in both sets of Monte Carlo. Those collapses were playing a factor and a big part of why he came out innpathetic fashion the first couple of sets.

Also 2008 clearly wasn't the height of his powers, that'd be 2006. 2008 was like Rafa's 2014, mostly chalked full of disappointing results.

Darth..this is where the disconnect for you is about Roger and Rafa in that match.. Rafa's game has way too many quirks and risks than the more efficient style of play by Roger.. It really the junk that Rafa was throwing at him in those early sets that made the game uncomfortable for Roger.. Roger's game doesnt have that much degree of difficulty to venture that far off course as you say.. Yes as it did in Hamburg, MC, Rome and other encounters.. Rafa was able to find a way on the clay which he later transferred over to the grass. There is no shame to loose to Nadal.. heck he is the one of the few players who rarely takes breaks off during games or sets. I never heard Roger say that Rafa didn't deserve to win SW19 2008, maybe you shouldn't either

 

[the AntiPusher]

Sasha breaks Richie G to take a 4-3 lead..two more games and he can meet the Beloved on Sunday

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

Guys, 2008 Wimbly discussions can go to sleep for now. We have a Fed vs Zverev final. I hope Roger can win it. It is a tough match. And halle has been tricky for Roger. This has to be one of the best Halle tournaments I have seen, probably the best. Zverev is going to serve big and hit big. So, Roger needs to return serve well and go for his shots early in the rally. It's always good execution of first strike tennis that helps Roger against good opponents.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Guys, 2008 Wimbly discussions can go to sleep for now. We have a Fed vs Zverev final. I hope Roger can win it. It is a tough match. And halle has been tricky for Roger. This has to be one of the best Halle tournaments I have seen, probably the best. Zverev is going to serve big and hit big. So, Roger needs to return serve well and go for his shots early in the rally. It's always good execution of first strike tennis that helps Roger against good opponents.

The great thing about this final Sasha knows how to defeat Roger on this surface

 

[kskate2]

Alex cannot afford a slow start against Fed tomorrow. The last 2 matches he's practically given the first set away.

 

[Carol]

I think the Roger's fans can be relaxed, Zverev has had to go to three sets match by match though he has had tougher opponents than Roger

 

[the AntiPusher]

I think the Roger's fans can be relaxed, Zverev has had to go to three sets match by match though he has had tougher opponents than Roger

Nah.. I doubt they will.. Sasha defeated Roger last year in the semis, they had already counted Halle #9 beforehand

Besides they know if Roger loose, they will get absolutely crucified by the mean ole Nadal fans like you and myself

 

[the AntiPusher]

Alex cannot afford a slow start against Fed tomorrow. The last 2 matches he's practically given the first set away.

This is true.. like Carol stated , Sasha had a tough path this week.. Btw.. he just won his doubles match with big brother Mischa,, tomorrow he can go for the double double singles and doubles titles
(Its really not as hard as it sounds because the players keep themselves pretty loose)

 

[El Dude]

I only watched a few games of the Roger-Khachanov match, but Roger seemed to barely squeak by. Khachanov reminds me a bit of Cilic - he probably won't be a future elite, but could be a dangerous #10-15 type.

 

[Front242]

I think the Roger's fans can be relaxed, Zverev has had to go to three sets match by match though he has had tougher opponents than Roger

Roger knocked out the defending champion, Mayer...

 

[Carol]

Nah.. I doubt they will.. Sasha defeated Roger last year in the semis, they had already counted Halle #9 beforehand

Besides they know if Roger loose, they will get absolutely crucified by the mean ole Nadal fans like you and myself

Nah, we are a lot nicer in all the ways without any doubt :vampire:

 

[Moxie]

Should be a great final! Sasha beat Roger here last year, though neither is the same player, as Sasha is improved, and Roger is fit. As to their paths, I'd say they were pretty equivalent.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

By reaching the final, Roger had match practice in grass for six matches (five in Halle and one in Stuttgar). That is a good prep for Wimbledon. So, I would not be worried even if Roger loses tomorrow.

Having said that, I don't think Roger will lose. First of all, Roger won't take Sasha lightly (not only due to his loss his here last year
but also due to his loss at Hopman cup). Second, this is a final round match with a title on line. Hence, I think Roger will bring more heat
on.

 

[Moxie]

By reaching the final, Roger had match practice in grass for six matches (five in Halle and one in Stuttgar). That is a good prep for Wimbledon. So, I would not be worried even if Roger loses tomorrow.

Having said that, I don't think Roger will lose. First of all, Roger won't take Sasha lightly (not only due to his loss his here last year
but also due to his loss at Hopman cup). Second, this is a final round match with a title on line. Hence, I think Roger will bring more heat
on.

I have to agree. Sasha's very good, but Roger will be in full-final mode and won't be keen to lose. That may still be a lot for the kid to handle. And while the German crowd will be kind to him, they'll still favor Roger.

 

[the AntiPusher]

By reaching the final, Roger had match practice in grass for six matches (five in Halle and one in Stuttgar). That is a good prep for Wimbledon. So, I would not be worried even if Roger loses tomorrow.

Having said that, I don't think Roger will lose. First of all, Roger won't take Sasha lightly (not only due to his loss his here last year
but also due to his loss at Hopman cup). Second, this is a final round match with a title on line. Hence, I think Roger will bring more heat
on.

"If Roger looses, you aint worried". Oh No..you ain't gonna get to hedge your bet now.. Man up GSM..you was one of the main vultures' waiting for a Nadal corspe during the entire 2 plus months of the clay season..

 

[britbox]

Results from the Halle Open Men's Singles Semifinal matches on Saturday

4-Alexander Zverev (Germany) beat Richard Gasquet (France) 4-6 6-4 6-3
1-Roger Federer (Switzerland) beat Karen Khachanov (Russia) 6-4 7-6(5)

Highlights:



Interviews:

 

[GameSetAndMath]

"If Roger looses, you aint worried". Oh No..you ain't gonna get to hedge your bet now.. Man up GSM..you was one of the main vultures' waiting for a Nadal corspe during the entire 2 plus months of the clay season..

Not, this clay season. This clay season I remained quiet having resigned to the inevitability from the very beginning.

 

[DarthFed]

Nah.. I doubt they will.. Sasha defeated Roger last year in the semis, they had already counted Halle #9 beforehand

Besides they know if Roger loose, they will get absolutely crucified by the mean ole Nadal fans like you and myself

No one was counting #9 last year, figured he'd lose to Zverev given his form. This year I wouldn't be surprised by either result, Roger was very unimpressive today. A loss doesn't change much heading to Wimbledon, id still favor him in best of 5 there over Zverev but if he loses tomorrow it would be a tougher task at Wimbledon.

 

[Moxie]

 

[Moxie]

No one was counting #9 last year, figured he'd lose to Zverev given his form. This year I wouldn't be surprised by either result, Roger was very unimpressive today. A loss doesn't change much heading to Wimbledon, id still favor him in best of 5 there over Zverev but if he loses tomorrow it would be a tougher task at Wimbledon.

I agree that losing tomorrow for Roger wouldn't change much going into Wimbledon, unless he meets Sasha again, and the scar tissue might affect. However, if Zverev wins tomorrow, over Roger, he goes into Wimbledon feeling very good about himself, which would surely help his own cause.