WTF 2015 - Finals Day

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MoTD: Djokovic v Federer (really!   or should it be Ack!Ack! vs Kamikaze)

to both gladiators.

We've had able veterans before, but have we ever had a time when the only serious rival to the #1 is 34?

bogbrush wrote:We've had able veterans before, but have we ever had a time when the only serious rival to the #1 is 34?

It's because Federer is playing his best tennis ever in this Golden Era of the men's game.

Djoko was clinical against a somewhat lack-lustre Rafa yesterday and should be too much for Fed today. But Rog is surely going to put more pressure on the Serb than Rafa did.
Problem is that Fed could actually play quite well and still lose against Djoko. I, too, bemoan the fact that so few can give Djoko a decent match at the moment. But despite his performance yesterday, Rafa - to me - is the guy who can push Djoko in 2016.

Let us pray that it is a good match. If Novak has a dip in either mood or form or body, and if Roger is at his best, there is a possibility of upset. But my guess? Straight sets win for Novak. Hope I am completely wrong...

If Novak had lost half a yard of running pace he wouldn't even be top 30 in the world. Amazing that at 34 and losing some of the foot speed he's able to reach this final and have multiple wins against the man in his prime

Yes. Fed has had another good season. But it's a sad reflection on the current crop of players that no one has been able to break into the top four/five and that even the 6-10 ranked guys are hardly in the first flush of youth.
  As for Djoko's likely speed (see JM above) it's going to be one of the exciting things to see over the next few years just how players like Murray, Novak and Rafa are going to cope with the advancing years. Mind you, if Ferrer's terrific performance against Rafa at the 02 this week is anything to go by, may be the speed around court can be maintained into their 30s.

So if Djokovic wins, both will have a 4-1 record at this tournament. Would it be fair to give Roger the trophy on account on his general popularity and greatness, or would it be fairer to call the tournament a draw?

If I was a Federer fan, I think I might even be happy for Djokovic to win today - he never seems to have a problem leveling the H2H but can never get ahead so that would mean advantage Fed should they meet at the AO!

Come on Fed, save the tennis world.

Go Roger Go!!!!

I've just seen an interesting stat there, in total sets Fed is up 68-58 in the head to head, although only up 22-21 in overall matches.

Also, lets keep the thread on Live commentary.

Please no History, Nadal, Andy this and that derailing the topic.

Only Fed & Djoko here

Good luck, Roger.

I suppose a Federer win today would be his biggest title for 3.5 years - since Wimbledon 2012.

Come on Fed, run with the first set.

Break him, breakkkkk himmmmmmmmmmmmm

Much more baseliney than yesterday from Fed.

Hit the net man, hit the net, scare him.

Bit of a relaxed match so far.

Attack Fed attack, screw the baseline crap.

Fed melting.

Wake up papi.

Fock me! You can hit passes like that!

Mhmm, not a good start for Roger.

Boring monotone level of play is enough to take a break lead

What an era.

Come on Roger, 5% more focus, you got this.

Djoko cheating with his Box coaching again.

Both players dead tired.

Fed has had two BPs and lost them both with cheap UEs. Not a good sign.

Feds has only once come from behind vs Djoko to win.
Dubai last year.

Least he made it on court this time

Djoko takes the fist set.

Fed playing silly at moments, Djoko good in right moments.

Hmm. It's not done yet. But that's tricky. A few 30 ally but errors in the rallies

6-3

Easy easy first set for Novak.

Fed a little lost in this match as to what to do.

Djoko just playing his game and waiting for Fed errors.

Jahu wrote:Fed a little lost in this match as to what to do.

Yes. It is not clear to me what Roger's game plan was.

7 out of 9 on second serves Djokovic. Ouch!

Yes, last match with Djoko he was attacking.

Last night agasint Stan, same, just attack.

Tonight he seems stuck and not clear what approach to take, even so that Djoko does not seem to be on his magic mood either.

Fed's playing quite well I think, although the stats are not showing it.

Unfortunately his unusually high BP conversion in this tournament went awry when he needed it, and it's a familiar story of Djokovic winning more of the big points.

To be honest I'm half watching because even though they are reasonably closely watched there is a feeling of inevitability about the outcome which started in game 1 and was solidified by game 3. Maybe I'm biased but I like a bit more intrigue.

There was a telling stat that out of the 22 victories Federer has had, 20 of them his points on second serve was over 50% which against Djokovic is vital. Tonight it's 46%.

Needs to servebot it

Good work bbc. Missed the whole game

quality wise I am enjoying the match, just the suspense and drama is missing so far

Pity. Felt there could've been a chance if he got to 40-40.

Apart from a few magic shots from both players, so far a joke of the match.

The only way Federer beats Djokovic is catching him cold before the final.

Consistency beats genius

Henman Bill wrote:quality wise I am enjoying the match, just the suspense and drama is missing so far

Fed is playing ok, but way too passive.  Even when playing well, he will not outplay Novak from the baseline.  He might lose even when attacking, but even so, that is the only hope.

Fed's hit some great shots actually, do you mean he needs to attack earlier in the rally, and look for more 3-6 shot points?

Let me get a fat lady...

legendkillarV2 wrote:Let me get a fat lady...

Anything will do...

All his great shots are in one point here and there though, in general hes whipping up on his fh and missing his serve, his volleys are off too. Its a tough one