Western & Southern Open - Cincinnati (Men)

[tented]

Good that Roger changed the topic sportingly when the commentators asked how much it means for him to win tomorrow and get the number 2 spot back. For those whose tv coverage or stream didn't show it, he said "I think the real talking point should be Novak going for the golden masters, whatever you want to call it, winning all the masters titles or me going for number 7 here and not the number 2 spot in the rankings. That's not so important. Of course I'd like to reach another final at the US Open and win it but I haven't done that for quite a while, let alone reach a final and Novak and Andy are playing great".

I think Federer was (smartly) using a bit of psychological warfare here, putting added pressure on Novak to complete the MS wins.

 

[Fiero425]

Good that Roger changed the topic sportingly when the commentators asked how much it means for him to win tomorrow and get the number 2 spot back. For those whose tv coverage or stream didn't show it, he said "I think the real talking point should be Novak going for the golden masters, whatever you want to call it, winning all the masters titles or me going for number 7 here and not the number 2 spot in the rankings. That's not so important. Of course I'd like to reach another final at the US Open and win it but I haven't done that for quite a while, let alone reach a final and Novak and Andy are playing great".

I think Federer was (smartly) using a bit of psychological warfare here, putting added pressure on Novak to complete the MS wins.

It's a win-win situation; either Nole completes the "Golden Masters" or Roger reclaims #2 ranking! Either way it'll work out for both of them IMO! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[tented]

Good that Roger changed the topic sportingly when the commentators asked how much it means for him to win tomorrow and get the number 2 spot back. For those whose tv coverage or stream didn't show it, he said "I think the real talking point should be Novak going for the golden masters, whatever you want to call it, winning all the masters titles or me going for number 7 here and not the number 2 spot in the rankings. That's not so important. Of course I'd like to reach another final at the US Open and win it but I haven't done that for quite a while, let alone reach a final and Novak and Andy are playing great".

I think Federer was (smartly) using a bit of psychological warfare here, putting added pressure on Novak to complete the MS wins.

It's a win-win situation; either Nole completes the "Golden Masters" or Roger reclaims #2 ranking! Either way it'll work out for both of them IMO! :angel: :dodgy:

But the bigger deal here is Novak trying to complete the box set of Masters, whereas Roger has been No. 2, No. 1, etc. before. Plus, this will be Novak's 5th attempt at winning Cincinnati. That's more pressure than Roger reclaiming No. 2, and Roger wants to make sure Novak feels that pressure every second.

 

[Backhand_DTL]

Just saw that Federer has held serve against Murray 35 consecutive times. Wow.

It's really strange that Murray struggled to do anything on Federer's 2nd serves today. Federer even had a higher percentage of points won on 2nd serve than on 1st serve (79% to 77%). And the first serve percentage was just 54%, so it's not like it was a rather meaningless number because of a small sample size.

With Murray unable to create pressure with his returns it seems to have turned into a pretty comfortable match-up for Federer recently.

 

[Carol]

I knew that Feli can't do a second 'wonder' in a row, he never did and he never will :nono

What do you mean? He has beaten Rafa twice in a row now. :lolz:

You are soooooo "funny"...... I meant he can't do a second 'wonder' in two days in a row and not in one year apart.....whatever :lolz:

 

[Carol]

Just saw that Federer has held serve against Murray 35 consecutive times. Wow.

It's really strange that Murray struggled to do anything on Federer's 2nd serves today. Federer even had a higher percentage of points won on 2nd serve than on 1st serve (79% to 77%). And the first serve percentage was just 54%, so it's not like it was a rather meaningless number because of a small sample size.

With Murray unable to create pressure with his returns it seems to have turned into a pretty comfortable match-up for Federer recently.

I missed the match, in your opinion, how Muzz has played? He probably was exhausted due to how much he played the last three weeks

 

[Backhand_DTL]

Apart from the return Murray played quite solid in my opinion. He definitely looked tired on some occasions, but from the baseline and on his own serve his level was good I think. It's just that he never even seemed to threaten to get to break points, so Federer didn't look as if he was in danger of losing at any point.

 

[Fiero425]

Apart from the return Murray played quite solid in my opinion. He definitely looked tired on some occasions, but from the baseline and on his own serve his level was good I think. It's just that he never even seemed to threaten to get to break points, so Federer didn't look as if he was in danger of losing at any point.

He should be tired; always getting into long rallies, then being forced to make great "get" after "get!" I understand the feeling of winning some fabulous point, taking it away from someone who thought they had it won, but it just isn't smart to play like that against the elites of the game! He already allows players outside of the top 10 to extend him unnecessarily! What did they say; Murray spent 6 more hours on court than Roger? What an idiot! He doesn't get serious by making 1st serves and attacking the net until he's points from being eliminated! That just isn't a bright person! We all know he can do more! He was lucky to get past Nole last week and he wasn't even playing well; getting passed at the net and at times not even moving for the shot! :cover :eyepop :nono :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Carol]

Apart from the return Murray played quite solid in my opinion. He definitely looked tired on some occasions, but from the baseline and on his own serve his level was good I think. It's just that he never even seemed to threaten to get to break points, so Federer didn't look as if he was in danger of losing at any point.

Thanks FG, but it seems like or Muzz strength and game was off or Federer is playing his best now

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I knew that Feli can't do a second 'wonder' in a row, he never did and he never will :nono

What do you mean? He has beaten Rafa twice in a row now. :lolz:

You are soooooo "funny"...... I meant he can't do a second 'wonder' in two days in a row and not in one year apart.....whatever :lolz:

It is hard to defeat Rafa two days in a row, considering most tournaments are single elimination tournaments. :snicker

 

[shawnbm]

Wow! That looked to be a very highly competitive match with some great shotmaking by both. I'm very sad I missed it

 

[Busted]

I think Federer was (smartly) using a bit of psychological warfare here, putting added pressure on Novak to complete the MS wins.

It's a win-win situation; either Nole completes the "Golden Masters" or Roger reclaims #2 ranking! Either way it'll work out for both of them IMO! :angel: :dodgy:

But the bigger deal here is Novak trying to complete the box set of Masters, whereas Roger has been No. 2, No. 1, etc. before. Plus, this will be Novak's 5th attempt at winning Cincinnati. That's more pressure than Roger reclaiming No. 2, and Roger wants to make sure Novak feels that pressure every second.

I'll go ahead and ask the burning question everyone REALLY wants to know the answer to: Will Roger fall for the old "Oooh, oooh...I think I've got an injury!" trick the way Dolgo did? :nono Thought I was watching a women's match there for a second. :laydownlaughing I really thought Nole had moved beyond those kinds of antics - especially against much lower ranked opponents.

 

[lacatch]

Apart from the return Murray played quite solid in my opinion. He definitely looked tired on some occasions, but from the baseline and on his own serve his level was good I think. It's just that he never even seemed to threaten to get to break points, so Federer didn't look as if he was in danger of losing at any point.

Thanks FG, but it seems like or Muzz strength and game was off or Federer is playing his best now

Carol--You are trying to create a subtly anti-Federer/pro-Murray narrative without even having seen the match. That strains credibility even more than your usual blindly pro-Rafa fantasies lol

 

[Busted]

Wow! That looked to be a very highly competitive match with some great shotmaking by both. I'm very sad I missed it

It was a good match, but it never really felt like Roger was threatened on his serve. Roger wasn't even serving that well. Certainly nothing like Wimbledon. It's kind of weird to see Roger playing better returns than Murray. I think we'd all give Murray the check mark in the Return of Serve column. But these last 4 or 5 matches? He's had no answers for Roger's serve. 35 straight holds against a returner of Murray's quality? If they play in the US Open semis - no way they won't be in the same half of the draw - he's going to have to figure out a way to into Roger's service games. Or does he just hope age finally catches up with Roger and his serve goes off the boil?

 

[Carol]

Apart from the return Murray played quite solid in my opinion. He definitely looked tired on some occasions, but from the baseline and on his own serve his level was good I think. It's just that he never even seemed to threaten to get to break points, so Federer didn't look as if he was in danger of losing at any point.

Thanks FG, but it seems like or Muzz strength and game was off or Federer is playing his best now

Carol--You are trying to create a subtly anti-Federer/pro-Murray narrative without even having seen the match. That strains credibility even more than your usual blindly pro-Rafa fantasies lol

I'm not trying anything, I've just asked to a poster who seems to be eloquent or maybe I should to ask you about that match because you are not a usual blindly pro-Roger fantasies......lol ? :lolz:
Don't be so suceptible and read what I said, maybe Federer is playing his best now and that's why he has beaten Muzz. Something wrong about it?

 

[lacatch]

Thanks FG, but it seems like or Muzz strength and game was off or Federer is playing his best now

Carol--You are trying to create a subtly anti-Federer/pro-Murray narrative without even having seen the match. That strains credibility even more than your usual blindly pro-Rafa fantasies lol

I'm not trying anything, I've just asked to a poster who seems to be eloquent or maybe I should to ask you about that match because you are not a usual blindly pro-Roger fantasies......lol ? :lolz:

That was your SECOND post speculating about the match with NO first hand knowledge of what happened. How about getting informed and THEN making statements/giving your opinion, as everyone is certainly entitled to do!

I have NO idea what you are talking about with respect to pro-Roger fantasies.

 

[Carol]

Carol--You are trying to create a subtly anti-Federer/pro-Murray narrative without even having seen the match. That strains credibility even more than your usual blindly pro-Rafa fantasies lol

I'm not trying anything, I've just asked to a poster who seems to be eloquent or maybe I should to ask you about that match because you are not a usual blindly pro-Roger fantasies......lol ? :lolz:

That was your SECOND post speculating about the match with NO first hand knowledge of what happened. How about getting informed and THEN making statements/giving your opinion, as everyone is certainly entitled to do!

I have NO idea what you are talking about with respect to pro-Roger fantasies.

Read again my previous post, I add something else......

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

fedster jollies himself along to another cincy final.

 

[Kieran]

These defeats are getting to be quite embarrassing for Murray. He had a solid H2H against Federer when he was young and Roger was in his prime. Now Roger is 34 fricking years old and he's swatting Muzza aside like its 1999. :dodgy:

What's their record since Murray's op? Has he won a single set, apart from their match in Oz?

 

[nehmeth]

These defeats are getting to be quite embarrassing for Murray. He had a solid H2H against Federer when he was young and Roger was in his prime. Now Roger is 34 fricking years old and he's swatting Muzza aside like its 1999. :dodgy:

What's their record since Murray's op? Has he won a single set, apart from their match in Oz?

Wisdom and finesse come with age. Fed was simply better at constructing points and controlling the court. That he had the extra two weeks off and fewer hours on the court this week... that factored in too. Physically he was the fresher of the two.