What are your thoughts on this upcoming match? They've never met on clay, but have played three close matches on hard court. The last meeting was the Madrid final, in which Nadal came back from two sets down to win.

I think Nadal will win, but he'll have to bring his "A game."

Maybe he only needs to bring that out when he plays Fed. Thats what I think. I reckon Nadal in 4 in the semi.

I think Luby has a chance here. He's clearly not intimidated with Nadal, and if he's able to keep the points short, he has the advantage. However, in long rallies, Nadal will most likely come out on top.

Nadal should win this, but I wouldn't be surprised if an upset happens. I don't think people are giving Luby enough credit. Always dangerous.

Think so?? I just cannot see it myself. Hasnt got the variety of shot needed to win against him imo.

I still think Nadal should win it in 4. But I think that Luby can do well if he approaches the net, and moves Nadal around. It seems that Hewitt and PH-Matthieu were both able to apply pressure this way. I agree with you - Nadal is the favorite. I just think that Luby should be taken seriously.

If Nadal wins this comfortably enough (I'm not necessarily convinced that he will, I can't decide whether i think Ljubicic is capable of a potential upset here), and Federer comes through a tough match with Nalbandian, do you think their different routes to the final would give either an advantage?

I'm inclined to think, actually, that if Nadal progresses wihout ever really having to move in to top gear and Federer does have to against Nalbandian, that Fed would have the slight edge, as he'd have sett;ed more into the rhythm of his 'A' game, whereas Nadal could potentially still be a bit rusty.

I've thought the same, odietamo. I think Fed has had a much tougher draw to this point, and that may work to his advantage.

Hi odietamo - I tried to send you a PM, but then I went offline, so it probably never got sent. let me know if you've got it and if not, I'll try agaion :yikes:

Hey scolios! how exciting I've never got a PM before! Although checking my inbox it doesn't appear to be there...maybe it didn't send properly after all :(

I'll try again!!!!!

Hey ODIETAMO! It worked - altho it took me some time to find out how to send it roflmao

Lol ok! I had a bit of a disaster attemptin to send an email earlier today - after spending about an hour writing an email to a tutor outlining my dissertation, my computer crashed just as i was about to send it so I had to do it all over again! It drives you crazy, it really does!

I sympathise - ALWAYS send sth like that as an attached file - except you have to save the file, too, before the computer crashes. Hmm - catch-22!

despite the fact i would much prefer ljubo to win, i think nadal will just edge it in 4 tight or 5 tight sets. Nadal is just better than ljubo on clay.

Hmm.. seems to be a consensus here..:)

I'd say that Nadal's competitive instinct and generally more consistent play will get him through, although I think that it will be tougher for him compared to the last couple of rounds that he has played.

Ljubicic just seems to be one of those guys that could probably slip through a crowd unrecognised! I think that he is probably underrated as a result. I think that he is not afraid of Rafa, and will compete.

Nick, Odie, I do agree about Fed having an edge if he gets through a toughie with Nalby :pray: In so many tournaments it can be the case of the player/ team that has 'been through the fire' en route to the final that prevails due to being more match-hardened. This is of course with the proviso that fatigure isn't a factor, and Fed's fitness is yet another of his underrated qualities. You know, Rafa could be as fresh as a daisy, but if his radar hisn't right and his phenomenal competitive edge is a little more blunt than usual then his freshness will be of little use.

Odie: Scolios and I have talked about our similar avatars.. I think that you and I have pics from the same match, no less! (I think both yours and mine were from the AO earlier this year, 4th round-ish?)

Yes , I agree. Its amazing how much is psychological in all of this.

Im not sure I agree with this. I think nadal faced much tougher opposition than fed, look at the matieu and hewit matches, he had djo retiring but that is compensated by the five hours he spend on court on saturday plus I don't think djo was a real threat anyway. Fed only had mussu so to speak. ancic is not a claycourter (neither is hewit but I think you get my point) and was exhausted and berdych didn't show up.
of course I know that this is due to fact that the distance between nadal and the other players is smaller than the one between fed and the other players. on paper nadal has the easiest semi but that is not a foregone conlusion. and nalbadian can give fed a run for his money, but thats not a foregone conclusion either!

I think that both have had similar paths until now. Nadal hasn't brought his A game but neither has Fed. and why should they? save the best for last I say! bring it on! :yahoo:

Nadal will win comfortably on clay.
However, i would love to see this match at Wimbledon

Well. Looks like Nadal is the clear favorite, but most of you seem to think it will be a good match. I hope so. When does the match start? Is it on a set "Not before XX:00" type schedule, or will they start warming up to play, now that the Fed v. Nalby match is over?

Don't count Ljubo out, he has weapons and he's been playing well

Luby's been a dark horse. Funny to call someone a dark horse who is the number 4 seed, but no one really believed that he could come this far on clay. And no is really thinking that the finals will be anything but Roger and Rafael. Luby has the weapons, does he have the mind to beat Rafa?