Rome Masters 2015 final: Djokovic - Federer

[Denis]

h2h is 18 - 20 in favour of Fed.

Does Novak close the gap?

 

[shawnbm]

I have to believe Novak takes it in two tight sets.

 

[nehmeth]

Both guys will be fresh and ready to go tomorrow. Evening match. I'm picking Novak in three.

 

[Federberg]

It's clay, you have to favour Novak. The only doubt is the court surface. If that get's in Novak's head, Roger could punish him.

 

[tented]

At least we get the final with the most interesting match-up in the Big Four.

Fed got off court quickly today, which helps, but I still think Novak wins this, probably in straights.

 

[nehmeth]

It's clay, you have to favour Novak. The only doubt is the court surface. If that get's in Novak's head, Roger could punish him.

:nono

It's been in his head all week...

 

[tented]

P.S. -- Thank you, Denisovich, for creating the poll/thread!

 

[Mile]

Djoker in 3, closing the gap. 20-18 now for Fed.

 

[Denis]

Very curious about this one. Great test for both. And hope that Djokovic keeps fed from adding this title to his resume. Novak in three.

 

[Kieran]

Have to favour Nole, but credit to Roger for making the final. His second MS final this year? I think he's going to want to shorten the points, and harass Nole. He could even win it, playing like this, but really, Nole is the favourite...

 

[crystalfire]

i feel like feds rarely been tested this week. dont think that helps him out. im picking nole in 2 but hope fed pulls this out

 

[tented]

Have to favour Nole, but credit to Roger for making the final. His second MS final this year? I think he's going to want to shorten the points, and harass Nole. He could even win it, playing like this, but really, Nole is the favourite...

I agree. Their most recent clay encounter was last year's MC semi, which Fed won in straights, but Novak was compromised that day, so there's a bit of an asterisk on that one. Prior to that, you have to go back to the 2012 RG SF to find a clay match. Novak won that one fairly easily.

True, Fed has the ability to mix things up with Novak in ways most others can't, but Novak will make things hard for Roger. He'll get Fed running to hit FHs, for example, which is a big weakness, since he's not as quick as he used to be. And once Novak settles into BH exchanges, the point is all but over.

 

[Front242]

Have to favour Nole, but credit to Roger for making the final. His second MS final this year? I think he's going to want to shorten the points, and harass Nole. He could even win it, playing like this, but really, Nole is the favourite...

I agree. Their most recent clay encounter was last year's MC semi, which Fed won in straights, but Novak was compromised that day, so there's a bit of an asterisk on that one. Prior to that, you have to go back to the 2012 RG SF to find a clay match. Novak won that one fairly easily.

True, Fed has the ability to mix things up with Novak in ways most others can't, but Novak will make things hard for Roger. He'll get Fed running to hit FHs, for example, which is a big weakness, since he's not as quick as he used to be. And once Novak settles into BH exchanges, the point is all but over.

The final score of that 2012 RG match looked easy but Roger was ahead in every set and had multiple breaks only to give them all back. They both played pretty awful that day but Novak made less errors. That match was poor viewing from what we've come to expect from these two as their matches are normally pretty much top drawer stuff most of the time.

 

[Denis]

Have to favour Nole, but credit to Roger for making the final. His second MS final this year? I think he's going to want to shorten the points, and harass Nole. He could even win it, playing like this, but really, Nole is the favourite...

I agree. Their most recent clay encounter was last year's MC semi, which Fed won in straights, but Novak was compromised that day, so there's a bit of an asterisk on that one. Prior to that, you have to go back to the 2012 RG SF to find a clay match. Novak won that one fairly easily.

True, Fed has the ability to mix things up with Novak in ways most others can't, but Novak will make things hard for Roger. He'll get Fed running to hit FHs, for example, which is a big weakness, since he's not as quick as he used to be. And once Novak settles into BH exchanges, the point is all but over.

The final score of that 2012 RG match looked easy but Roger was ahead in every set and had multiple breaks only to give them all back. They both played pretty awful that day but Novak made less errors. That match was poor viewing from what we've come to expect from these two as their matches are normally pretty much top drawer stuff most of the time.

Yeah that was a weird match.

 

[Haelfix]

The bh to bh exchanges aren't that much of a win for Novak and i've frequently felt that Roger holds his own in that regard. The thing that kills Roger is Novak's return on 2nd serve and the fact that when he opens the court up with his forehand, he sometimes rushes the point which allows Novak to go to his bread and butter (defending) where he can get Roger to give up some errors..

The thing is, this court is playing rather quickly from what I have seen, and the footing is weird. When that happens I sort of like Rogers chances much more than I normally would on clay.

This will be another close match I think.

 

[Puppet Master]

Federer simply isn't dealing the damage with his forehand and could get himself into a lot of trouble. Although I agree with Haelfix, if Fed rushes Novak and takes the lead early, I can see him winning in two, especially if Djoko's return isn't at its best. But for this to materialize he needs to play lights out, and not let his level drop no matter what, at least for the biggest part of the match.

 

[DarthFed]

As is often the case in best of 3's between these two it is either Roger in 2 or Nole in 3. Probably leaning towards the latter but Roger definitely has a decent chance tomorrow.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

its phenomenal..djokovic clearly aware he is in the middle of one of his awesome spells, he is looking to continue his dominance of 2015 at the peak of his powers, then there is Federer, adapted well to his wand (old news but..) fit, motivated, playing more attacking tennis and shutting up a few gimps who said he wouldn't be relevant at this stage (age 33).

 

[GameSetAndMath]

i feel like feds rarely been tested this week. dont think that helps him out. im picking nole in 2 but hope fed pulls this out

He has been tested enough in Istanbul. If he is having an easy time here that is because he has already passed the tests.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Obviously I would love Roger to pull this off but it is a really tough ask. If the serve and forehand combo is on and he can return like he did against Stan at times, he can win this. I also feel a 3 setter goes to Nole though.