Fed should win this one quite comfortably. I don't think Ferrero's game hasn't evolved much in the last 3 years while the rest of the field did or maybe worse, he simply lost his edge that brought him to number 1.

However this match is going to be key for Fed to tune his timing before the final whiuch is most likely to be against Rafa....unless TV's wish comes true.

6/3 6/3 for Fed

Head to head between the 2 two players is 6-3 in Fed's favour.

They've only met once on clay, in Rome in 2003, when JCF retired hurt with Fed a set and a break up.

JCF won their first two meetings, back in 2000, but since then Fed has won 6 out of the last 7 meetings, with the last being at SW19 in 2005. Fed has won their last 4 meetings.

I remember watching the 2005 SW19 meeting. JCF showed a lot of fighting spirit in that match, but Fed had just too much firepower for him on that day. Hopefully it will be the same today! :)



2005
Wimbledon
England
Grass
R16
Federer
6-3 6-4 7-6(6)

2005
Dubai
U.A.E.
Hard
R16
Federer
4-6 6-3 7-6(6)

2004
Australian Open
Australia
Hard
S
Federer
6-4 6-1 6-4

2003
Tennis Masters Cup
Houston, TX, USA
Hard
RR
Federer
6-3 6-1

2003
Madrid TMS
Spain
Hard
S
Ferrero
6-4 4-6 6-4

2003
Rome TMS
Italy
Clay
S
Federer
6-4 4-2 RET

2002
Tennis Masters Cup
Shanghai, China
Hard
RR
Federer
6-3 6-4

2000
US Open
NY, U.S.A.
Hard
R32
Ferrero
7-5 7-6(6) 1-6 7-6(6)

2000
Auckland
New Zealand
Hard
R32
Ferrero
6-4 6-4

Thanks for the detailed past encounters summary Petalp. They are a good source of information. I remember the Wimbledon 05 match and was surprised by th erather close - even if 3 setter - match. I think Fed tried to beat Ferrero with Ferrero's game that day (rallying instead of being creatve as he can do).


Gasquet really exposed Ferrero's weaknesses ......and strengths yesterday. The guy has not got enough weapons to be a top 5 player but has still stamina and consistency to outlast most of th eguys out there on clay.

However I expect Ferrero to run out of gas before Fed today.

I haven't bet for a long time but am very tempted to put some money on this.

Edit: But after checking and with odds of 1.12 in Fed's favour, there is really no point taking this kind of risk.

Tenez, I'm a bit of a fan of JCF.. he's been through a rough time over the last few years, and it's good to see him going deep into a tournaments once again.. :)

I guess that he reminds of Robredo. I just don't think that JC has the weapons to combat Roger. He has great spirit and determination, but I'm not sure that it will be enough.

Could he adopt a gameplan similar to Canas, I wonder? :shrug: I'd say that it's about how fed plays more than anything. If he's on the money then he ought to win. but at the moment as a Fed fan am treating each win as a bonus :) Was encouraged by his win over Ferrer, and hopefully will build on that in the semi :pray:

awww, I dont mind a bit of JCF - its been great to see him doing well again.

that said, I want a Nadal v Fed final so, whilst I dont want him whitewashed, I want the win for Fed today.

Yep - Agree with that. I was also a Ferrero fan back in 2002. He had long agressive shots and had answers to Hewitt's game...but now i think he lost confidence and/or edge in his game.

Anyway ....looking forward to a good fight in a few moments!

Agree with both Pebs and Tenez here!

Tenez, I think that the periods of illness that JCF has had have dented his confidence more than anything else. It was chicken pox or something like that, that pretty much poleaxed him wasn't it?

I'd like to see JCF get himself back into being one of the top clay courters (and top 10-20 in general) but I also want a Fed Rafa final. So a win for Fed but also for JCF to acquit himself well, and not get beaten soundly...

Will follow this intermittently.. it's 1-1 in the first set, on serve. Fed held to 15 in the first game, JCF held to 30...

JCF breaks to 30 to go 2-1 up! :yikes:

Such a classy club MC!!! with people opening champagne bottles in the terrasse and disturbing the players. We could complain about this of course but I find this charming and reminds us of an old time where quality of life was more important than 2 players sorting it out on a court! Thankfully, they have turned it down!

2-1 Ferrero....Ferrero is a break up!

I say two bread sticks for the ageing Spaniard.

thanks Petalp - I am in and out so can catch up with your intermittent postings!

though, if they all read like the one above - may find myself making up party bags here instead of kitchen! :blink:

Mistake 6 - 2, 6 - 0

oooo... I want to be sat watching with a glass of champagne..... :(

I am sorry, I am still a bit drunk, make that 6 - 3, 6 - 0

3-1 to Ferrero - several errors from Federer in the last game.

Agreed.. ah, must be tough to be one of the independently wealthy eh!

Fabulous location..

JCF holds serve convicingly to go 3-1 up..

Come on Fed, hold your next serve!!

I had a feeling that Ferrero would trouble Federer, but I doubt he'll pull out the victory. He's still nowhere near his level of the early 00s.

7-6, 6-4 to the Swiss.

Federer serving at 1-3.

15-0: Service winner.

30-0: Inside-out FH winner on the second shot.

30-15: Federer totally mis-times a smash and it hits the back fence :lol:

30-30: A net cord sits up for Ferrero, and he takes control immediately, finishing with an easy FH winner.

40-30: FH long from Ferrero; bit of a waste after a good return.

Deuce #1: Hmm...Federer gets to a drop shot with time to spare, but he makes an error off the backhand.

Ad Federer: Decent first serve out wide draws the error.

Deuce #2: Ferrero did well to get the return back with some authority, and Federer makes a BH error a couple of shots later.

Ad Ferrero: Federer pulls a forehand wide, and Ferrero has the chance to get the double break!

Deuce #3: Much better from Federer, taking Ferrero way out of court with a serve out wide and hitting a FH winner into the open space.

Ad Ferrero: Another surprising BH error from Federer, who's now 0/6 on points won on his second serve :unsure:

Deuce #4: Federer gets lucky with a dead let cord.

Ad Federer: Ace out wide.

Deuce #5: Federer tries a serve-and-volley, but Ferrero passes him on the return with a CC BH.

Ad Federer: Good play from Federer, hitting a couple of heavy forehand and finishing at the net.

GAME FEDERER: Service winner.

Ferrero still leads 3-2 with a break though.

Great commentary LDF! :ok:


An epic game though, that one.. :wacko:

Funny how the epic games can often mark a shift in momentum in matches, isn't it?

Maybe Fed can break back now after finally holding his serve..

Reminds me of Wimbledon a bit, grass court tennis is the last bastion really of such decorum of the tennis fan. Things have changed quite a bit since Suzanne Lenglen used to sip Vodka Martinis between games in her matches :lol:

I think Federer did well to get through it; he's clearly not on top form and is making quite a few errors, but winning a close, long game like that might just give him a bit more confidence/adrenaline.

Ferrero to serve at 3-2.

0-15: Huge FH DTL winner from Federer - right on cue after my comment :P

0-30: Lovely slice volley from Federer, and Ferrero is too far behind the baseline to scoop it up.

0-40: Federer draws Ferrero in with a drop shot and slots a BH pass DTL: 3 break points!

Federer breaks - his drop shot dies after hitting the court, and Ferrero couldn't get the ball back over the net.

3-3! :)

Federer to serve at 3-3.

15-0: Didn't see the point :lol: I think it was a service winner though ;)

30-0: CC FH winner from Federer.

40-0: Serve-and-volley off the second serve from Federer, and it's successful, as he knifes away a BH for the winner.

40-15: Federer hits a wild FH wide.

GAME FEDERER: BH slice into the net from Ferrero.

Federer leads 4-3 now :)

:D


Well. that would be my question well and truly answered!!


3-3.. and fed holds to love to go 4-3 up!

10 points in a row for Fed.. :ok:

blimey, after reading LDFs commentary on Feds service game (nice commentary btw hun :ok: ), didnt expect him to then race through and break JCF like that...

OMG I have just noticed that effing skysports wont show the nadal match. Please can anyone help with streaming?

:ok:
Coming through a tough match is what Federer needs .Looks like that was the turning point though!

It's funny how often that does happen.. and I guess it all is down to grabbing momentum after a titanic struggle in any game. It's really intriguing how often long games have such a big psychological impact.

Ferrero to serve at 3-4.

0-15: A series of accurate forehands from Federer to move Ferrero all around the court, who cannot conjure up a pass when Federer moves into the net.

0-30: FH error from Ferrero - here's an opening for Federer...

15-30: BH return just long.

15:40: Terrific wrong-footing BH from Federer DTL, and he has 2 BPs.

Yep whether it's on your serve or not, the opponent get's really deflated from not winning while you get a boost from such a win, instantaneous chance of momentum!

30-40: Federer misses the first break point chance by mis-hitting a BH long.

GAME FEDERER: But he makes no mistake on the second, showing some great defense early on in the point and eventually winning the point with a bounce smash.

Federer now leads 5-3. :D

Al, the turning point was definitely Fed holding serve in the 5th game..

And Fed breaks JCF again to go 5-3 up..

Federer to serve at 5-3.

15-0: Ferrero mis-hits it a FH and it goes well long.

15-15: Federer misses a FH by a whisker - it would've been a brilliant winner if it was about 3 inches to the right ;)

15-30: Federer overhits a BH, sending it about a foot long.

30-30: Ferrero tries to inject more pace into a FH exchange, but instead hits it way out.

40-30: An ace brings up set point.

Federer takes the first set 6-3, Ferrero hitting a BH wide.

:)

First set to Fed, 6-3!!

Fed seems to be playing at a much better level than earlier in the set. That big 5th game probably got him into the match after a sluggish start.

I got the first set score right. Let's see if I will belucky in the second as well.

enjoying your commentary LDF :ok: excellent stuff!!