Gerry Weber Open, Halle, Germany, ATP 500

[DarthFed]

It's important for Fed to not only beat Coric tomorrow but beat him comprehensively like he did Raonic in Stuttgart. He needs to make a statement to the rest of the field that even though he hasn't produced his best tennis but he's the man to beat on grass.

I wouldn't say he has to beat him easily. He didn't beat Raonic too easily but he was the stronger player throughout. I'd take something similar to that tomorrow. But if he does destroy Coric like he did with Sascha last year that'd be an even better sign. It is telling that he is stepping up in the big moments but it's also come against a really weak slate of opponents this week. He looked like he had cement shoes on for most of that second set.

 

[Federberg]

I wouldn't say he has to beat him easily. He didn't beat Raonic too easily but he was the stronger player throughout. I'd take something similar to that tomorrow. But if he does destroy Coric like he did with Sascha last year that'd be an even better sign. It is telling that he is stepping up in the big moments but it's also come against a really weak slate of opponents this week. He looked like he had cement shoes on for most of that second set.

I really feel like he was being ultra cautious mate. I actually felt the same way about his play in Halle last year. You’ll recall that I was the one who wasn’t impressed then I learnt my lesson.

 

[DarthFed]

I really feel like he was being ultra cautious mate. I actually felt the same way about his play in Halle last year. You’ll recall that I was the one who wasn’t impressed then I learnt my lesson.

Yeah I hope you're right. I get worried when his movement is THAT sluggish though and it was certainly that in the 2nd set. I only saw the semi and final of Halle last year. Obviously the final was an amazing level but I thought Roger was pretty good in the semis too it's just he was going against a go for broke player (Khachanov) and it was clearly frustrating him. Fed stepped his level up big for Raonic last week in the final, let's see if he can do the same tomorrow.

 

[Carol]

Bautista had to retire after this bad fall, what a shame when he was playing so well

 

[10isfan]

Coric will fight so Fed has to show up willing to do whatever necessary to win the title. There’s no sense getting this far and not winning #99

 

[El Dude]

I'm not loving Roger's margins of victory - that doesn't bode well for Wimbledon. On the other hand, given the best of five format he'd have to face either a peak Cilic or resurgent Novak to lose, if he's healthy.

I haven't watched either Stuttgart or Halle, but is there a sense that he is still rusty or could he be nursing some injury? It really does seem like he's borderline made of glass these days, as far as having mild to moderate injuries. Glasserer.

 

[Federberg]

I'm not loving Roger's margins of victory - that doesn't bode well for Wimbledon. On the other hand, given the best of five format he'd have to face either a peak Cilic or resurgent Novak to lose, if he's healthy.

I haven't watched either Stuttgart or Halle, but is there a sense that he is still rusty or could he be nursing some injury? It really does seem like he's borderline made of glass these days, as far as having mild to moderate injuries. Glasserer.

No he's fine mate. What happened to Bautista-Agut today shows the caution necessary. He's been moving cautiously and generally practicing his shots for Wimbledon. I'm not saying he's spectacular but it's very evident that he's not trying to force his level. But whenever he's under any threat the shift in gears is immediate. That actually makes me think he has plenty in the tank. His footwork has looked incredibly lazy but my sense is that he's just moving around gingerly. We won't know for sure until a few rounds in Wimbledon, but it does look like he's trending in the right direction. I want to see how he serves in the first few rounds at SW19 before I can make a proper assessment of his form

 

[El Dude]

No he's fine mate. What happened to Bautista-Agut today shows the caution necessary. He's been moving cautiously and generally practicing his shots for Wimbledon. I'm not saying he's spectacular but it's very evident that he's not trying to force his level. But whenever he's under any threat the shift in gears is immediate. That actually makes me think he has plenty in the tank. His footwork has looked incredibly lazy but my sense is that he's just moving around gingerly. We won't know for sure until a few rounds in Wimbledon, but it does look like he's trending in the right direction. I want to see how he serves in the first few rounds at SW19 before I can make a proper assessment of his form

OK, thanks - this actually relieves me quite a bit. What about the worryingly weak service games? Lots of comments on that, and it seems he's being broken an inordinate amount.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I have not seen today's match. Tomorrow, the final is slated for 7 am edt. I hope to get up early and see at least the second set, especially in view of all the concerns expressed here.

I would not mind the scorelines and Roger taking things easy. But, he should be able to hold serve easily against all these weaklings and that is not happening. That is what is bothering me. It is amazing the list of nobodies who broke Roger this grass season.

 

[kskate2]

Results from the Gerry Weber Open - Halle, Germany, Gent's Singles SF matches on Saturday

 

[monfed]

Coric is a poor man's fakervic. He has a solid baseline game, decent serve and good returns. This is going to be a stern test for Fed esp if he's slow off the blocks.

 

[DarthFed]

OK, thanks - this actually relieves me quite a bit. What about the worryingly weak service games? Lots of comments on that, and it seems he's being broken an inordinate amount.

I'd break Roger's play into the separate tournaments. He got broken twice by Mischa in the first match back and that's understandable. Aside from that he was decent against Nick and great against Milos. This week has been horrific stuff but he has picked it up for the most part in the biggest moments. But that's also against very weak competition and he could've lost to Paire. It sounds weird typing it but he's going to have to play considerably better to beat Coric. If he plays well and coasts tomorrow, actually moves well, it may indicate what FB has been mentioning about not going all out and just doing enough against the weak competition. But a loss tomorrow or another very ugly win and you have to wonder if he either is carrying a back injury or if he simply can't play back to back weeks anymore. His movement for most of the match today was so bad that I'm worried.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The scoreline does not matter. If there is no doubt at any point of time from the beginning to edn that Fed will win the match, I will be satisfied.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Just tuned in couple of games ago. It is now 3-3 in first set. Both seemed to hold serve easily.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Roger's movement is definitely subpar.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

So far Fed lost only 3 pts on serve. That is the good news to report.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Apart from executing good base line play, BC also did S&V nicely few times. Now, Borna up 5-4. All important game for Fed to hold.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Fed holds at love with no drama. 5-5

 

[GameSetAndMath]

A 10 min long game by Coric. Fed blew up a BP by missing running forehand passing shot. Borna blew up three game pts, but eventually held.
Now, another must win game for Fed. BC up 6-5.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

No drama hold by Fed in under a minute.

Now, the all too familiar TB time.