Given that the ATP site shows a 9-0 head to head in Fed's favour, will the final be any good??

B)

:shrug:

The way Gonzo has just taken Haas apart, it looks like being a sizzling final! Danish commentators on Eurosport went so far as to say that Federer will have a 50-50 chance of winning...

Perhaps by thrashing Haas (the world no. 12) Gonzalez (the world no. 10) has sent a chilling warning to Federer (the world No. 1 with a 9-0 H2H over Gonzalez including two 3-0 gubbings late last year) who has just thrashed Roddick (the world No. 7). :blink:

I'd like to think so - but since the measure between different thrashings in different matches is relative (an extreme example being Bogdanavic sending multiple chilling warnings to Fed from the ITF challengers ;)2 ), I am far from convinced :shrug: .

Let's hope that Gonzo will really step up to the plate on Sunday :ok:

Can’t see Gonzo winning, but he’s certainly playing well enough to make a decent match of it.

The stats from this morning show 40+ winners (which is high even for Gonzo) and 3 unforced errors, which is amazing considering how high-risk his game is.

My fear for him is that Federer will target his backhand mercilessly and not allow him to run around and unleash his fearsome forehand.

My son and I have been big fans of Gonzo’s for several years – you’ve gotta love a guy whose answer to every setback is to smack the ball even harder! :D

I can't let myself get too excited about this match coz it might not come off very well at all. If Gonzo playes like he has in the last few matches it will be great but not sure if he can/will do that

Im just hoping we get a decent match, the last few have been totally one-sided brilliant tennis though .

"My son and I have been big fans of Gonzo’s for several years – you’ve gotta love a guy whose answer to every setback is to smack the ball even harder! "

It was Genie (on the beeb) who introduced me to Gonzo and I've been a fan ever since - but I'm backing Fed for the final!

Fed-ex vs Gonzalez will be interesting...probably a repeat of last year's Baghdatis though..The way Gonzalez has been playing, he could perhaps take away a set or two from Fed...But winning the match???

Yes it shoudl be a good match. The question for me is all down to pace. Who can handle pace better? From Fed's record at Wimbledon, I think he is certainly in a better position.

Hitting great FHs against Nadal or even Haas, is not the same as hitting FHs out of Fed's FHs. Berdych for instance can hit huge FHs from Nadal's shots but when facing a faster opponent, his shots kind of fall apart.

It is a bit like when you play table tennis. You may be a great attacking player but if faced with someone who can pull faster you have no choice but retreat to your defensive game.

The other question is how Gonzo will cope with the chance of winning a Slam?

I really think it is going to be a close 3 or 4 setter....but Federer should prevail.

Yeah, those stats for Gonzo are frightening - 42 winners and 3 unforced errors!! He just blew Haas off court.

On the negative side for Gonzo - his poor head-to-head against Federer - never beaten him - his game doesn't match up especially well. On the positive side, he's in the form of his life, and his defensive game has really improved (check out those backhand slices).

Its a tall order for him to beat Federer, but here's hoping the match will be packed full of winners and outrageous shots.

If Gonzo can keep the tempo going it should be a good match, but there is no doubt that Federer will emerge the winner

The 9-0 head to head my be troubling for Gonzo, but I don't think he's ever before been in the kind of form he's showing in this tournament. He's been outstanding, especially from about the third round on. That said, I still think Fed is a class above the rest of the field, so I don't give Gonzalez much chance of winning. Maybe he can at least take a set and deny Fed the honour of winning the title w/o dropping a set. :shrug:

It would be some achievement , putting him at 10 slams and winning 6 out of the last 7 ! Winning without dropping a set would be the icing on the cake . :D

I would love to see a great 5 set battle but if you look at the head to head record you have to think Fed will take care of Gonzo pretty easily but should be a good match even if it is one sided. :)

Although I want Fed to win, I would like to see a good match. The problem is, I do find Gonzalez's game leaning a bit too heavily on the forehand side.

I think 2 factors will decide the match:

1) Gonzalez's footwork: he has been moving very, very well the last 2 weeks, but will Fed's variation make it more difficult to time his shots?

2) Netplay: is Gonzalez going to be able to counter one of Fed's favorite strategies, i.e. luring a baseliner to the net and making the pass? Also, will Gonzalez be able to keep Fed from getting too many easy points at the net?

Ooh sorry, didn't notice this thread, copy and paste job coming up...

Gonzo's had a harder draw for sure - every single round he's had a tough opponent. For me, his five setter with Del Potro seemed to set him alight because he's been incredible since. In all honesty I think the Chilean's played better tennis than Federer throughout the week, and that includes the Roddick match.

If Gonzalez can maintain this level against Federer, he has every chance of winning. Unfortunately I see him getting a bit subdued as time goes by and he isn't dominating like he did against his previous opponents, and his level will drop slightly. This will enable Federer to secure a relatively simple straight sets victory, after a tough opening set, just like every other match they've played.

However if Gonzo can somehow forget who it is he's playing and keep his momentum throughout the match, I give him every chance of succeeding. It's a huge 'if' and one that I really can't see being fulfilled, but come on Fena - prove me wrong.

I am sure he can try to forget that but the balls coming at him will surely remind him of who he is facing.

Probably Tenez, but one feature of Gonzo's awesome play so far this tournament has been to take the iniative very early on in rallies. If he can continue to do this on Sunday, Federer's ability to put copious spin on the ball may be hampered. It's a big ask, but I'd love to see him make a match of it for once instead of folding like a rumbled poker player.

I agree. It was just a bit of poor humour from my side. I am hoping for a great match here and now that i have had my dose of Fed's masterclass, I d like to have a good fight out there.

3 UNFORCED ERROS FROM GONZO!!!! :o :o :o

Has the world gone mad roflmao

Can you imagine the state Genie will be in, dl?! If Gonzo doesn't win this genie will be close to a nervous breakdown if he hasn't had it already :)

I predict Gonzo will find it much harder to manufacture winners against Fed, compared to the other players he's faced. This will inevitably lead him to trying more risky shots and committing more errors, which will lead you to conclude that he just choked and caved to Fed, the way everyone else does. ;)

Hey Scolios< I was thinking of you because your two faves made the final! Great stuff, but you could be a torn woman on Sunday :D

I say forget the fact Gonzo has never beaten Fed, Gonzo is a different player now and he's played throughly superb tennis this AO. His game has much more variety, and he's certainly a threat, and that firehand is HUGE and hardly misfiring. And I doubt he will fear Fed that much, this is his finest hour and he will come out fighting. I dont; see nerves getting to him, he will relish his first GS final. Trouble is Fed is so good at coping with power and he always manages to work out a strategy to disarm his opponent and win. However, if Gonzo can maintain his level and consitency then he is certainly in with a shout and ought to take a set . I'm going for Fed, how many sets I really don't know - depends if Fed and Gonzo come out firing and the level is high, or if one of them has an off day and/or dips in the match. I really do hope that they both play their best tennis at the same time though, I could not bear a repeat of that Fed v Rafa Wimby final where they never played their best at the same time. I want a good match, 4 or 5 close sets. We might not get it though ........ but fingers crossed because all the ingredients are there for a great final.

I agree with you Nick, that a Gonzalez choke is very much on the cards. :P However, he's already beaten Nadal, whose defenses are better than Federer's, so theoretically it's a case of taking the initative as early as possible to avoid Federer getting him into difficult positions. On his service games this will of course require big serves and a high first serve percentage. On Federer's service games, I believe that Gonzalez take more risks, he'll make more unforced errors, but has more chance of breaking. Once Federer takes charge of a rally it's hard to see him playing a shot which sets up a conceivable chance for a big forehand from the Chilean.

With the exception of Roddick/Haas it is probably right that Gonzalez has had the tougher draw on paper.

If Gonzalez has played better than Fed (who has not lost a set) that rather rams home the point that Fed is superior (which I think you would accept).

The problem with the rest of your analysis is that Gonzalez probably won't be able to maintain his form because of the 10,000lb gorilla (in tennis terms) on the other side of the net when he plays Fed. Put simply, Fed will not let him get away with what the likes of Haas, a knackered Nadal, Blake, and Hewitt did.

Like you said somewhere else - you can look like a genius when you are playing a lesser player. It is difficult to look good when you are playing Fed.

Your memory is very selective Doctor (ops excuse me Wise ;) )...I mean you agree with all of us that the performance against Nadal was not a real proof of his value against a great defender simply because Rafa was not at his best, i.e. physically he was not at the top..

Or are you changing your version and Gonzo was playing two days ago Rafa at his best :yikes: :yikes: ??..

Man what s really impressive with you it is really the speed at which you are changing your views about matches...Amazing Doctor (ops Wise..Excuse me it should be your new avatar :whistle: roflmao roflmao )

Let's compare their various strengths.

Federer has the better forehand in terms of variety; Gonzalez has the greater power.

Federer's backhand is significantly better and more varied.

Federer's serve is harder to return; his second serve clearly superior.

Federer is much better at net.

In terms of on court speed, they are roughly equal, but Federer has superior stamina.

Gonzalez's only hope is if Federer allows him free reign with his forehand. Given Federer's track record for denying opponents the opportunity for doing what comes best, it seems more likely that Gonzalez will be granted far less freedom.

It is hard to see Gonzalez getting the upper hand over five sets unless Federer has some kind of mental melt down, but it is worth remembering just how nervous and out of touch he seemed last year against Baghdatis until he eventually woke up in the 2nd set.

TV, I've clearly already stated that I expect a straight sets win for Federer. I doubt he'll let Gonzo play to his strengths, which in turn will cause the Chilean to be demoralised and throw in some careless mistakes on serve. The only way Gonzo can win this is to take the iniative as early as possible and maintain his standard against Haas and Blake, while simultaneously not allowing himself to get down about the fact that he's not breaking Federer willy-nilly, like in previous matches.

It's at least nice to speculate on ways Gonzo can win as opposed to consigning him to a mauling before the match has started, no matter how likely it may seem.

Wise - could you ask your Avatar to put his shirt back on, mine seems to be making eyes at him and has hitched her shorts up a little bit higher. Things could get very unseemly..

:ok: Fully agree with your statements and analysis Wise :ok: : I really share your view about the strategies that Gonzo needs to follow in order to win...

On my side, clearly, I just hope he will able to take at the maximum a set to the Maestro:

It is important to begin the year with a GS title :D ...

:(

All this time I thought she was making eyes a me.

Fraid no can do bazza, my avatar's currently doing a great job of setting all kinds of conspiracies alight in TV's mind, regarding Doctors and multiple aliases.

Well, she might have been. Look at her - she is a saucy little devil and I have no control over her at all. I just thought I detected a slightly more evil glean in her when Wise's new Avatar appeared.

roflmao roflmao You are definitely the ultimate master in (trying) "winding up" people...Just too good roflmao roflmao

PS: yesterday, really I was definitely asking myself when you would take the same avatar used by the Doctor (ops you Wise) in the other board :rolleyes:

Yeah, I noticed that, made me think of Luke 8:4-8

"And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: a sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

Anyway - all that biblical talk has got me dead worried about our Avatars.

I don't know why but I am not really excited about the prospect of this final. I am sure it is going to be a good game with great rallies. A good atmosphere between the 2 nice players, certainly some close games and even close sets. And though I'd be a bit gutted to see federer lose, I'll even been happy for Gonzo if he were to win his maiden slam.

So what's wrong with this Final (or is it with me)???

Probably the fact that this is one Fed has all to lose and not much to win in terms of his place in history. The fact also that Gonzalez, though the player in form, has little charisma and meanness needed to create a great occasion. No intensity a la nadal, no big mouth Roddick, no "c'mon" from Hewitt, no wild and supremely talented Safin, After all he is Gonzalez, the player who for the last 5 years traveled between the 25 and 15th atp spot. Good but not great. This is the equivalent of Sampras/Pioline or Safin/Johnson's AO but certainly not a Sampras/Safin final. I do believe however that Fernando is in great form and he is currently the player best armed atm to give Fed a good fight but simply that there is not much of high voltage charges surrounding this match for reasons i find difficult to explain.

I'll probablt set my alarm clock at 8.30 on Sunday.....or will I set the recorder rather?

I'm looking forward to it far more than last year's when Federer seemed to be running on sand all tournament (except for two sets against Haas.) Even if he does dismiss Gonzalez relatively easily, it will be a much more joyous spectacle than last year's match. And if Gonzalez can manage to turn the tables, it will be a sight worth seeing! Set your alarm, Tenez!

All right Nick, I'll set the alarm ;). I though last year was a bit dramatic as I felt fed had not 100% recovered from his October injury. This is I believe the reason of this emotion pouring in his speech after the final. I could not explain otherwise so much tears for his 7th slam.

I absolutely agree with you. I also feel he didn't really fully recover until Indian Wells when he discarded that black ankle cast. It was only against Gasquet and Ljubicic that he began to look like the pre-injury Federer again.