Is Federer safe for London (WTF)?

[NADAL2005RG]

Federer had a fairly lean 2011, apart from making the Roland Garros final, but then finished the year with dominant indoor results and by the SF of 2012 AO he was on a 26 match winning streak (which Nadal ended).

 

[Moxie]

I'm an admirer of Roger Federer and his career. I think he'll be alright for the Tour Finals, but the thing with Roger is, he's 32, won everything and been at the top for a decade. He's at an age now where it's to be expected that his form will dip and he will suffer some losses. I'm sure he's realistic himself. Roger has had a rough year by his standards, but we know he loves these Finals and playing indoors. Best of three set matches won't hurt either. It wouldn't surpise me too much if RF has a strong showing at the 02.

In order to be alright at the Tour Finals, he first needs to make it there.
I am, of course, hoping and wishing he makes it there. There is an element
of truth in what you say. If he makes it there, I think he will probably make
full use of it.

Actually, once he makes it to WTF, it does not matter whether he is
number 3 or number 8. This is because unlike in ordinary tournament, the
seeding does not play a huge role in WTF as it is a round robin tournament.
They just ensure that seeds 1 and 2 are in different group, 3 and 4 are in
different group, 5 and 6 are in different group and 7 and 8 are in different
group. IMHO, if you are not no. 1 or no. 2, it does not matter much as to
what is your exact seeding as far as having an advantage in WTF is concerned.

I agree with you, GSM, about Roger's chances, once he makes the WTF. The only real benefit is to the #1 and #2. Especially with Murray out, Roger's chances become as close to equal as they can be, with the added bump of his prowess on indoor HCs.

 

[tented]

I'm an admirer of Roger Federer and his career. I think he'll be alright for the Tour Finals, but the thing with Roger is, he's 32, won everything and been at the top for a decade. He's at an age now where it's to be expected that his form will dip and he will suffer some losses. I'm sure he's realistic himself. Roger has had a rough year by his standards, but we know he loves these Finals and playing indoors. Best of three set matches won't hurt either. It wouldn't surpise me too much if RF has a strong showing at the 02.

In order to be alright at the Tour Finals, he first needs to make it there.
I am, of course, hoping and wishing he makes it there. There is an element
of truth in what you say. If he makes it there, I think he will probably make
full use of it.

Actually, once he makes it to WTF, it does not matter whether he is
number 3 or number 8. This is because unlike in ordinary tournament, the
seeding does not play a huge role in WTF as it is a round robin tournament.
They just ensure that seeds 1 and 2 are in different group, 3 and 4 are in
different group, 5 and 6 are in different group and 7 and 8 are in different
group. IMHO, if you are not no. 1 or no. 2, it does not matter much as to
what is your exact seeding as far as having an advantage in WTF is concerned.

I agree with you, GSM, about Roger's chances, once he makes the WTF. The only real benefit is to the #1 and #2. Especially with Murray out, Roger's chances become as close to equal as they can be, with the added bump of his prowess on indoor HCs.

It could go either way in London (assuming he gets there, and I think he will).

On one hand, Roger has an amazing record indoors (80%), including at the O2, but on the other hand his confidence is not where it would need to be in order to prevail against the Top 8. I suspect he'll win one or two matches, but probably won't get to the semis.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

If Federer is in Djokovic's group, and if Federer beats Djokovic, it will be interesting to see if Djokovic then tanks his final group match in order to prepare for Davis Cup.

 

[Kieran]

Well, you can qualify by winning only 2 matches...

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Yep, 3 wins for a lock, 2 wins for a shot.

 

[tented]

What's really crazy about this tournament is that it's possible to win it by beating only 3 different players. I wonder if anyone has ever done that? I'll look it up later ...

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Its a fun tournament, because we aren't accustomed to round-robin in the tennis world. And also fun because we get multiple high-profile match-ups each day. I recommend it to others.

 

[Xavier G]

GameSetAndMath, yeah, he still has a little bit of work to do, but I do think Roger will make the Finals, honestly!
Thanks for the seedings rundown too.

 

[Garro]

What's really crazy about this tournament is that it's possible to win it by beating only 3 different players. I wonder if anyone has ever done that? I'll look it up later ...

Since it has been a group stage tournament, it has happened just once: Djokovic in 2008.

 

[Kieran]

What's really crazy about this tournament is that it's possible to win it by beating only 3 different players. I wonder if anyone has ever done that? I'll look it up later ...

Since it has been a group stage tournament, it has happened just once: Djokovic in 2008.

1996? Did Becker beat Pete in the groups and lose to him in the final?

EDIT: ah yes, then Pete beat four players, including 2 in his group, one in the semis and then Becker...

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Wawrinka lost today in the very first match in Basel. So, Fed has moved up to
#7 slot in race. Recall that Wawrinka had only a 5 point lead over Fed going in.

 

[Front242]

Wawrinka lost today in the very first match in Basel. So, Fed has moved up to
#7 slot in race. Recall that Wawrinka had only a 5 point lead over Fed going in.

In the past whenever there was talk of him overtaking Fed as the Swiss number 1 he always stunk it up. Today wasn't a big surprise tbh.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

"My goal is not pass Roger in the ranking. I'm never going to be as good as him. He's a genius, an idol." - Wawrinka (October 22, 2013)

 

[tented]

What's really crazy about this tournament is that it's possible to win it by beating only 3 different players. I wonder if anyone has ever done that? I'll look it up later ...

Since it has been a group stage tournament, it has happened just once: Djokovic in 2008.

Thanks, Garro.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

spooky happenings, Federer is working his pre Halloween magic on the players around him :emperor:

not only did 'big stan' lose today, but Bomas Terdych lost as well, although the big burd is almost safe for wtf.

 

[isabelle]

Both Birdie and Stan are nice with Youngderer, they help him to qualify the best they can.
I didn't expect such kindness from them, especially in Basel....

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Berdych is one of the most useful people in the history of tennis. My favorite players are Nadal, and then Murray, Wawrinka, Berdych (these 3 are in no particular order).

 

[DarthFed]

"My goal is not pass Roger in the ranking. I'm never going to be as good as him. He's a genius, an idol." - Wawrinka (October 22, 2013)

did he actually say this?? Terrible if true.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

"My goal is not pass Roger in the ranking. I'm never going to be as good as him. He's a genius, an idol." - Wawrinka (October 22, 2013)

did he actually say this?? Terrible if true.

Yep its a fact. But I didn't see the interview, only read the transcript. Maybe he said it jokingly.