Miami Open, Florida, USA, ATP Masters 2017

[Carol]

Carol, 2013 was four years ago. I don't see how that is relevant to the question of whether Rafa can, right now, beat Novak. Novak has beaten Rafa seven matches in a row going back to mid-2013, and generally quite easily. But we don't know how the 2017 versions of these two players will match-up.

As for Andy, he beat Rafa on clay last year when Rafa was surging a bit, having just won Monte Carlo and Barcelona. That was hardly the "worst version of his whole career." There was a general feeling that he was playing the best tennis he had played in two years, since clay season in 2014, although clearly not at his 2013 level.

The point being, I'm not sure that Rafa, right now, is significantly better than he was a year ago, when he was good enough to win Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He might be a bit better, but he hasn't been tested enough. So far this year he's lost to Roger twice, Milos and a surging Querrey. But he's also beaten some good players: Cilic, Raonic, Monfils, Dimitrov, Zverev. Overall his level seems good enough to beat the 2nd and 3rd tier most of the time, but he's lost to players that were really hot. What we don't know is how he'll match up against Novak and Andy, and of course if he'll be able to re-balance with Roger.

This is why I'm speculating that he could be the new Ferrer. Until he proves that he can beat Roger again, and also take down Andy and Novak, and of course Wawrinka, he might be the guy that usually beats the 2nd tier but usually loses to the elite - like Ferrer. That said, even at his best Ferrer almost always lost to the Big Four; I think Rafa will at least win some of the time.

I suppose that you tried to say that Novak beat Rafa seven times in a row in 2011 and not in 2013, and you also forgot to say that year he was beating to everyone after that surprising improvement in a very short time
Rafa was good enough to win MC and Barcelona before to start to get the wrist injury, he made the big mistake to play in Madrid and RG where he had to retire after the second match
And to say that he could be the new Ferrer after all his achievements is the most awful thing that I've read from a Federer's fan and I've read many bad things during his whole career.
And even that I think that he is able to beat Roger anytime (it doesn't matter their last two results) I don't think it's correct to say that "he has to beat Roger", then we could say that until Roger beats Novak and Muzz he is not playing well at all. Wawrinka? after the USO I see how well is playing....cover

 

[Federberg]

Something about Miami makes Roger flaky these days. I just don't feel the same assurance about his play in this tournament, but it's mighty impressive that he's making his way through so comfortably

 

[Carol]

Berdych is a mess :cover

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Sock needs to be honest with himself: He is not a star, will never be one, but he could be a consistent top 20 performer who could sneak into the top 10 for a bit and win a bunch of ATP 250s and 500s and, if he catches fire at the right time, could possibly win a Masters. But he plays like he is a soon-to-be elite and takes too many chances, in my opinion.

I'm really curious to see Rafa play Andy and Novak. His game plan seems to be the same: wear down the opponent, force errors, and occasionally strike for a winner. But what seemed to be clear is that it no longer works against Roger, at least when Roger is playing his best (he seems to have slipped a half-step in Miami, so I might favor Rafa in a matchup). But I'm curious if Rafa's current approach and level will fly with Novak and Andy. I'm not sure that it will. In other words, there's a chance that Rafa is the new Ferrer: Dangerous, but more of a gatekeeper to the true elite than one of the elite. I'm not saying this is true, just that we need to see him play Novak and Andy to get a better sense of where he's at.

Comparing Rafa to Ferrer seems ridiculous tbh. In the same way you could say Fed was a Ferrer when he couldn't really break through against Rafa or Djokovic ... But that would have been nonsense also. You can't count true champions out, as both Fed and Rafa are proving this year!

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[the AntiPusher]

Andy Dufrense put up a better fight against the "sisters" of Shawshank than what Berdych is offering.

 

[DarthFed]

Something about Miami makes Roger flaky these days. I just don't feel the same assurance about his play in this tournament, but it's mighty impressive that he's making his way through so comfortably

I hear you about Miami over the years. He's had some really crazy losses here in the past. Roger is playing a lot better today than vs RBA though.

 

[Federberg]

I hear you about Miami over the years. He's had some really crazy losses here in the past. Roger is playing a lot better today than vs RBA though.

That's for sure. But to be fair to RBA, his type of flat hitting didn't let Roger play well. What annoyed me in that match, was that Roger didn't seem to want to find a solution to it, because he felt he was always going to win

 

[Carol]

Miss Carol was there at the Rafa's match vs Sock..She was the Latina wearing the RF pink tank top :eyepop..Did you guys noticed :snicker

Nope I wasn't that one, I was wearing a tank saying something else.....remember? :laydownlaughing

 

[DarthFed]

I spoke too soon. Berd is playing well and Roger's serve is still crap today

 

[Puppet Master]

My stream is perhaps late, but if Berdych takes a set from Roger, heads will roll!!!
The concept of Berdych taking a set from the big 4 these days is just so absurd to me.

 

[Federberg]

I spoke too soon. Berd is playing well and Roger's serve is still crap today

Yup

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Berdych is a mess :cover

The mess is serving for the second set . .

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[Carol]

6-3 and going to the third set

 

[Federberg]

Great point from Tomas to win the set. Turning defence into attack. And that encapsulates why I think Miami plays slower. I don't think he would have got that shot back in IW. Would have moved through the air faster

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Third set. Can't be playing that badly ...

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[DarthFed]

Tomas has played some of the best defense I've ever seen from him, he's caught Roger napping on a few that Fed clearly didn't think were coming back

 

[the AntiPusher]

My stream is perhaps late, but if Berdych takes a set from Roger, heads will roll!!!
The concept of Berdych taking a set from the big 4 these days is just so absurd to me.

PM..I think Berdych 's wifey sent him a message, if you don't Man, you butt is heading back to the couch..Finally, TB wins a set..he screamed like he was being physically harmed:clap

 

[Federberg]

He's really balling today. Whereas I don't feel like there's much bite in Roger's ground strokes. Would be interesting to look at a comparison on Roger's pace here vs IW

 

[the AntiPusher]

That idiot had control over both points and dropped the balls short only to get crushed by the Mastero ..Berdych missed a double fault challenge..what a goof

 

[Federberg]

For goodness sakes Roger, you're letting him play! Stop it...