Shanghai Rolex Masters 2017, ATP Masters 1000

[Federberg]

thanks mate

 

[DarthFed]

Would be ecstatic even if it's just YEC

 

[atttomole]

thanks Brit.

 

[britbox]

 

[atttomole]

I haven't looked at the rankings yet. Is Nadal mathematically year end number 1?

 

[Front242]

There's year end number 1 and there's player of the year. If Roger wins the WTF but falls short of year end number 1 on points, the 4-0 against Nadal this year (5-0 since last year at Basel) would clench player of the year imo as the WTF is the last remaining big title after the slams.

 

[mrzz]

I haven't looked at the rankings yet. Is Nadal mathematically year end number 1?

No, he has a 1950 points advantage with 3000 points still in play for Federer (Basel, Paris, WTF).

Tough ask but not impossible.

As for the match -- fantastic tennis IMO. I think people are underestimating the level both guys brought to the court -- sometimes the quick points give you that impression. There we simple almost zero "normal" points played. They were all played either with absurd speed, angles or simply painting the lines. The UFE's were not bad misses (apart obviously from one or another here and there), even tactically some smart changes by both -- Nadal with more body serves from the end of set#1, Federer with more S&V to change the dynamics on the second set. Too bad for Nadal he is playing Federer on a surface he excels... I don't think nobody could have touched him in that match. Nadal had an amazing returning week (specially considering the surface) and yet he could not produce a single break point opportunity (I wonder if he ever got to 40).

I managed to watch some action during the week and read a bit people posting here. It was pretty obvious people were underestimating Federer's level of play.

The match started with an insane first game, btw...

 

[Ricardo]

There's year end number 1 and there's player of the year. If Roger wins the WTF but falls short of year end number 1 on points, the 4-0 against Nadal this year (5-0 since last year at Basel) would clench player of the year imo as the WTF is the last remaining big title after the slams.

Its fair to say Federer is the best player of the year, as he splits the slams with Rafa and has wins almost all on big titles, so H-H would be a tiebreak in his favour. we all know his skipping clay was the reason why he wasn't really in it for the ranking race, it's ironic that he has done so well then and is only short on points because of that very decision.

in the alternate universe, the best plan was to avoid Rafa on clay from the very beginning, as i always thought things really unraveled for him against Nadal since Rafa smashed him in RG08, then he just didn't have it in the key moment against Rafa in the following Wimbledon and AO finals.....and also a string of losses from then on. Rafa pretty much destroyed his confidence in that match, as a player of the highest calibre (like Fed) still believed then he could beat Nadal on clay so such a bad beat-down just rocked him.

 

[shawnbm]

Absolutely correct about the impact of the 2008 clayblosses, but I’d move it back to the 5 and 5 straight loss that year in Monte Carlo, where was up in both sets and controlling and imploded. What Roger is doing now is stupendous. He stands in the baseline and flicks and drives shots all over and takes time away from Rafael. His service is simply exquisite and he’s not holding back when he has a shot. He’s just doing sting his old rival and has won what—seven sets in a row now? Something to behold.

Its fair to say Federer is the best player of the year, as he splits the slams with Rafa and has wins almost all on big titles, so H-H would be a tiebreak in his favour. we all know his skipping clay was the reason why he wasn't really in it for the ranking race, it's ironic that he has done so well then and is only short on points because of that very decision.

in the alternate universe, the best plan was to avoid Rafa on clay from the very beginning, as i always thought things really unraveled for him against Nadal since Rafa smashed him in RG08, then he just didn't have it in the key moment against Rafa in the following Wimbledon and AO finals.....and also a string of losses from then on. Rafa pretty much destroyed his confidence in that match, as a player of the highest calibre (like Fed) still believed then he could beat Nadal on clay so such a bad beat-down just rocked him.

nso correct

 

[shawnbm]

The unspoken truth is if Federer played two or three clay events he’d likely be leading the points race because he’s so good on clay as well. He likely would have reached at least the quarters or semis of each Masters and Paris. Even if he lost before facing Rafa, he would have had a lot of points. Regardless of what happens the rest of the year, this straight set victory against the world number one solidified Roger as the Player if the Year for me.

 

[the AntiPusher]

The unspoken truth is if Federer played two or three clay events he’d likely be leading the points race because he’s so good on clay as well. He likely would have reached at least the quarters or semis of each Masters and Paris. Even if he lost before facing Rafa, he would have had a lot of points. Regardless of what happens the rest of the year, this straight set victory against the world number one solidified Roger as the Player if the Year for me.

Roger is the GOAT, this year's number one player and Rafa's new daddy..Rafa is content and happy now. Rafa should cherish the role of being Roger's current number one prison bitch. Until he gets upset about , I see no reason I should give a damn.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Just finished watching the taped match. Amazing how sharp Roger was. It is like he finally figured out how to bring the A game against Rafa consistently , even if he was not particularly great in the previous rounds. It is the exact opposite of what used to happen in the past. All us Roger fans would get our hopes high because Roger would play such excellent tennis leading up to a Rafa match and just implode...Relax, I am not taking anything from Rafa , it is just we know what Roger can do and the most frustrating thing was watching him not play up to his standards. I am glad he is over that. Better late than never. Congrats Maestro ! 36 and still rocking it!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Didn't get to see the match. But, am glad that instead of renting a place in Rafa's head, Roger has started owning it. Good Job.

I have not read all the posts yet. But, I said right after USO and will continue to say, Feddies don't get excited. The YE #1 is
for all practical purposes, impossible. Just forget about it.

Also, the player of the year is given by ITF. They go by points won in Slams primarily. As Roger skipped RG, Rafa has more points won in slams than Roger. So, that also will be awarded to Rafa. It does not matter who wins the WTF (as far as player of the year award is
concerned) as WTF is an ATP event.

But, I sure hope that Fed wins WTF.

Fed had indicated that he will play in Basel. He has indicated that if at all he decides to skip one of Basel and Bercy, it will be Bercy

 

[lob]

The fast and indoor conditions in a best of three set format is more or less the ideal combination for the old man's game against Rafa. With a first serve % over 75 and excellent serving it was over in a flash. It's a pity that the conditions at the USO aren't even close to these in Shanghai which by themselves aren't super-fast. Btw, that was not a dig at Rafa. Rafa took out Cilic and Dimitrov here in the fast conditions, that too, after winning Beijing last Sunday. Moreover Rafa wasn't dying to win this match with the, real McCoy, USO already in the bag.

 

[lob]

A trip down memory lane to almost exactly 10 years ago. Was this the same court?

 

[Fiero425]

Just finished watching the taped match. Amazing how sharp Roger was. It is like he finally figured out how to bring the A game against Rafa consistently , even if he was not particularly great in the previous rounds. It is the exact opposite of what used to happen in the past. All us Roger fans would get our hopes high because Roger would play such excellent tennis leading up to a Rafa match and just implode...Relax, I am not taking anything from Rafa , it is just we know what Roger can do and the most frustrating thing was watching him not play up to his standards. I am glad he is over that. Better late than never. Congrats Maestro ! 36 and still rocking it!

I just don't understand it! As well as both played, I don't understand why other players aren't taking both Fedal out earlier! Roger got the job done, but he did nothing other players have the ability to do but don't! It's kind of bizarre and inexplicable in so many ways; esp. since Roger's close to retirement while others are in their primes! It makes no sense to have Fedal leading the way so many years after establishing their rivalry! The age difference alone should have made this impossible; esp. when all should be dragging this time of the year!

 

[Federberg]

I just don't understand it! As well as both played, I don't understand why other players aren't taking both Fedal out earlier! Roger got the job done, but he did nothing other players have the ability to do but don't! It's kind of bizarre and inexplicable in so many ways; esp. since Roger's close to retirement while others are in their primes! It makes no sense to have Fedal leading the way so many years after establishing their rivalry! The age difference alone should have made this impossible; esp. when all should be dragging this time of the year!

Come again?

 

[Carol]

I haven't watched the match but I'm not surprised with that result and it was why I didn't want to make any prediction. Rafa looked very tired playing against Cilic because his 14 matches in less than one month (Laver Cup, Bejining and Shanghai) of course it was his fault to play so much in a short time so he deserved to lose. Hope the bandage on his knee is just due to a discomfort. Now time to rest, skipping Basel and ready for Paris

 

[Front242]

Have a sneaking suspicion Nadal will maybe skip the rest of the year and possibly only play the WTF but maybe not even there. Also have a hunch he may skip all events till clay season next year. Guess we'll find out more soon.

 

[Fiero425]

Come again?

What don't you understand? My rants are legendary on this subject! Plenty of players have all kinds of ability and past results prove it, but it just doesn't seem to mean much with the few stars of this era who've ruled like no other rivals in the Open Era! I'm sure there were plenty of decades where a select few won everything, but these are tough times with more travel, tournaments, commitments, expectations, etc.! I'm still looking forward to a new guard and each time I think it's about to happen, here's Fedal at the top AGAIN! You don't think players like Kyrgios, Zverev, Thiem, Dimitrov, & Pouille who all have wins over the elites, but made meaningless when they can't back it up! I joked about 2006 Redux earlier this year! It looks to be coming down to the YEC like last yr w/ Djokovic & Murray for #1! o_O