Shanghai Match Thread

[It Must Be Love]

First topic message reminder :

Djokovic defending champion, and the race for WTF hots up !

[kingraf]

Completely strange how at no point in their rivalry Djokovic has seemed to have no answers for Federer. If Nadal's H2h is an albatross around his neck, then the fact that a middle aged Federer has managed to continuously give the best player in the world headaches must be a big plus?

Anyway allez Simón, and all that. I've been backing him the whole year.

[bogbrush]

I'm trying to recall another player who has been able to reinvent his game to the extent Federer has, at this age, and make it worth.

The answer to the retrieval game might well be a new level of attacking game, but you'd expect that to come from a new generation, not the one previous to the current #1.

[TRuffin]

At 33, Fed is the only player in the world that can beat Djoko on this type of court.

[laverfan]

I'm trying to recall another player who has been able to reinvent his game to the extent Federer has, at this age, and make it worth.

Agassi came from the depths of hell and back. Another one is perhaps Muster. Federer has been around since his ascension in 2003.

The answer to the retrieval game might well be a new level of attacking game, but you'd expect that to come from a new generation, not the one previous to the current #1.

When Federer, Stepanek, Llodra, Nieminen, Dodig, and Hewitt retire, and start coaching, there is a chance for an all court attacking game.

Goodall - "a joy to watch", Koenig - "best S&V match in last 10 years" (bit of a hyperbole though) were very impressed with Federer today.

Federer is missing Shanghai, MC and Rome from his resume. Can he make some amends tomorrow?

Happy to see SB, Jahu, LS, BB enjoy Federer today.

Djokovic had no answer today, despite some excellent Tennis. Becker could have come up with a game plan to counter S&V, being a good player himself, but somehow did not.

At 33, Fed is the only player in the world that can beat Djoko on this type of court.

He almost came close on Grass and did it on clay at RG, a couple of years ago.

[bogbrush]

I agree Agassi came back, but it don't think he did so with a reinvented game. This is what I'm finding so impressive. Federer has won countless tournaments with a mixed baseline game, now he's recharged the forecourt game completely.

I have to say though, having the hand-eye coordination of the Gods sure helps. It means he can rally standing on the baseline, thus never being more than a few strides from the forecourt.

[Henman Bill]

I am not sure Federer has reinvented his game. It seems to me more of a pattern of volleying returning to the tour, not just one player.

Stakhovsky at Wimbledon last year used the same tactic AGAINST Federer.

In 2011 no-one was using such tactics, now it's becoming more common again.

[laverfan]

In 2011 no-one was using such tactics, now it's becoming more common again.

Are you forgetting Dodig v Nadal?

[LuvSports!]

Lopez used S&V as did Llodra, Karlovic does, Haas did etc

[LuvSports!]

Feds breaks back! 6-5

[Born Slippy]

Great hold Gilou. Hold it together now in the tiebreak!

[Born Slippy]

This is a superb tiebreak. Both playing exceptional tennis.

[Born Slippy]

Yep, great stuff from Fed to save the set point and win the tiebreak. Simon having a MTO?

[LuvSports!]

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Jahu]

Move it up Fed, finish in 2 sets, its Sunday.

[bogbrush]

I am not sure Federer has reinvented his game. It seems to me more of a pattern of volleying returning to the tour, not just one player.

Stakhovsky at Wimbledon last year used the same tactic AGAINST Federer.

In 2011 no-one was using such tactics, now it's becoming more common again.

That someone else (in that case a low ranked player) used it doesn't alter the fact that Federer changed his. In any case, by that measure no style of play ever falls out because there's always somebody playing every game.

[Born Slippy]

Simon playing a magnificent match despite clearly suffering with a slight injury. Very close match albeit Fed will win in the end.

[Jahu]

Break now Fed, finish it.

[Born Slippy]

Don't give him this game Simon. Deserves a 3rd set here.

[Born Slippy]

Great service game from Fed. Feel the end may be close now.

[Born Slippy]

Allez Simon. Great hold again.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Federer's baseline game is not top 4 anymore, sad but true, luckily Novak had a poor performance yesterday. Now he plays the softest volley I've ever seen so below average.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Yes! Take is Gilles please.

[laverfan]

Simon playing a magnificent match despite clearly suffering with a slight injury. Very close match albeit Fed will win in the end.

What injury are you referring to BS?

[Josiah Maiestas]

He forgets how to play with 2 SP's... Monfils all over again

[Born Slippy]

Hmm, Simon blinked a bit there. Should have had the second set point.

[kingraf]

FFS Gilles!

[Josiah Maiestas]

Can't see no way back now, unless he's caught the "gael" bug.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Wow.

Federer cheered louder for this one than I've ever heard

Wasn't his A game and actually didn't need to be. On to Paris

[Born Slippy]

Well played Fed. Strong in both tiebreaks. Excellent match from Simon. Hopefully on his way back to the top 10.

[laverfan]

#23 and first Shanghai for the Old Man.

Simon unable to force a third set.

[Jahu]

Great match, Simon held good and had chances to win.

Fed keeping it cool under pressure.

WTF go go go

[laverfan]

Rolex signs up for next 10 years of sponsorship.

[bogbrush]

Weird how it's conceivable that Federer could secure #1 at the DC final.

I hate ranking points for Davis Cup.

[Jahu]

Rolex signs up for next 10 years of sponsorship.

Yes, I just sold my Seiko since Djoko is advertising for them, now I just need to sell my house and get that Fed Rolex

[laverfan]

Rolex signs up for next 10 years of sponsorship.

Yes, I just sold my Seiko since Djoko is advertising for them, now I just need to sell my house and get that Fed Rolex

Move into Federer's house at Valbella.

[Jahu]

Xmass come early Mrs. LF, thx

[laverfan]

Xmass come early Mrs. LF, thx

You are a dear, Jahu. (No amount of irreverence can change that. Would you be willing to participate in recruit-a-moderator drive? ).

[Jahu]

LF thanks for the candid offer, but then I would lose the possibility of slapping Djoko so often, so I will decline to be a Mod

That is very valuable to my future in this Planet.

But I vote for Socal, he is my best friend and has expressed a desire to be a Mod.

[laverfan]

But I vote for Socal, he is my best friend and has expressed a desire to be a Mod.

I shall ask.

[Henman Bill]

I thought Simon played quite effectively, his usual cross court deep, low junk that's hard to generate winners from. Federer's eye was not quite in today, around 5-3 in the first set for example he was missing shots. I'm not sure if he made a deliberate decision because his timing was off today, or at least at that point in the match, but I thought it was tactically astute that he didn't get frustrated and try to hit through too much. He actually kept rallying feeding back the same junk until Simon made the errors, and it worked. Simon perhaps had a missed opportunity today with a few nerves and a few too many errors. He wasn't able to quite produce the annoying boring consistent rallies that could drive a player like Federer mad.

[summerblues]

Only saw some of the 2nd set today.  Fed nowhere near as sharp as yesterday, but good enough to get the job done.  So that will keep the race for #1 open for at least a bit longer.

[Sponsored content]