Just a straightforward poll.

After yesterday's shot in the arm I'm curious to see where opinions lie. Try to select what you feel will most probably occur rather than what you hope will occur. Feel free to discuss as well.

Most likely result? Nadal to beat Federer.

What I want to happen? Federer to beat Nadal in 5 sets coming from 2 sets down.

If only I knew what woudl happen?

Fed arrives in Paris on Wednesday. That's as far as I can say thus far! :(

Federer to beat Nadal in final. Fed did take a set off him in Roland Garros final last year, and will surely have learnt how to keep his error rate lower whilst playing sufficiently aggressive. Whilst Nadal won't be overly phased by losing the Hamburg Final he will have lost that little bit of psychological edge, especially in receiving a bagel - that 5% head-start he would have normally had against Federer has gone.

I guess I'm reading too much into yesterday's match, a match in which Nadal was below his best, but Federer did seem to have found the perfect blend of attack and defence, caution and risk, to thrive against Nadal on clay.

i truely believe that federer will beat nadal at RG.

I have a feeling that Fed won't make it :shrug: And Nadal will defend...

The idea that fatigue didn't play a significant role yesterday is the deluded fantasy of a Federer fanatic. As soon as their man lost to Murray in Cincinatti, on a much less punishing surface, his fans were quick to jump to his defence. "He was exhausted!" they screamed, citing his win in Toronto the previous week as the reason. Well, guess what, Nadal made it 4 rounds further at Hamburg having won Rome than Federer did at Cinci having won Toronto, and he did it on clay.

Yes, it was Nadal's choice to play Hamburg (probably the wrong one), and Federer won the title fair and square. After losing the first set, like Tenez mentioned, he almost 'gave up' and just started swinging free of tension, and it came off for him. Can he do this again over 5 sets in the RG final? No, because after that victory, the pressure will be back on his shoulders - in a perverse way, it may have been better for him to have gone into a matchup at the French with next to no hope, and we may have seen a similar thing to yesterday.

So yes, it's an important psychological burden off his back, but any confidence gain is probably negated by the renewed pressure which will now be on him. Nadal to win the final over Federer comfortably.

You don't make it to number 1 if you can't deal with pressure.Fed has said that even at the end of the first set in Hamburg he felt confident that he could turn the match around.Of course the statistics go against Fed beating Nadal in Paris,but I think this is his year to triumph at RG. :dancer1:

I think you're jousting against imaginary foes there, Wise. Most Fed fans here (and the Nadal fans, too, of course) would admit that fatigue was likely a significant factor. I actually don't think fatigue was the major factor in Fed's Cincy loss, though. I think it was related to fatigue, but more the fact that, because Federer was feeling a bit of fatigue, he didn't have the desire to push himself into the later rounds of the tournament.

I think you have to also factor in that both players were probably fatigued, too. Fed had more rest days before the start of Hamburg, due to exiting after the third round in Rome, but he had a tougher road to the final, going three sets in 3/4 matches, while Nadal had cruised through prior to that SF against Hewitt. So, fatigue was almost surely more of an issue for Nadal, but not hugely so.

I voted for Nadal to beat Federer in the final. Who is going to stop either gettting there? :shrug: It would take something pretty special.

I voted for that, as it seems the most likely at present.

Still anything can happen.....

BTW, I sort of combined what I think is likely and what I hope. For some reason, I think one of the two will fail to make the final this time. And, since I really would like to see Fed win RG, I voted for Nadal missing the final and Fed winning it.

But what I'd really like to see is Fed over Nadal in the final.

Even if nadal gets a week to rest, he shoudl still feel relatively tired at the end of the FO. This is why it was important for Nadal to specify in his post match conf that he was only mentally tired , cause the last thing he wants his opponents to know is that he can get physically tired. They all know that a tired Nadal is as good as a retired Bruguera as Fed showed us yesterday.

The road to the final will be key for Nadal.

I had a difficult time choosing one option myself. I'd like to see Nadal pick up the hat-trick of RG titles, which would vault him past the likes of Courier and Kuerten and closer to Borg territory (assuming he's only getting started!) in the clay stakes, if his streak didn't already.

Unfortunately I think he's such a confidence player that the Hamburg loss might weigh heavily on him, not only just losing to Federer--which as he says is more than excusable--but the nature of the helpless drubbing in which he lost it when the title was only four games away. His aura of invincibility has been dented and even apart from his well-populated stable of nemeses, players like Hewitt and Davydenko may be even more motivated to dethrone him if given another go. So I reluctantly opted for the Spaniard not reaching the final and Federer picking up the title in his absence--but in such an event I'm sure he'll be back for more in upcoming years.

His best hope is that his would-be rivals take a cue from Roddick, who, when asked after Cañas defeated Federer the second time if the performance had given him any ideas or confidence for finally getting his own win against the No 1, just said something like "I don't think there's anything in that for me." :rolleyes: So players might just think only Federer is capable of defeating him on clay as a one-off, and the status quo might be maintained. Furthermore, Nadal might be even hungrier for the title now or to prove himself again, or play more freely without the much-cited streak at stake anymore (not that it ever showed any sign of giving him undue pressure before). It could go either way, but earlier this year there was doubt that he would even defend one of his big titles and here he has (and convincingly so) so that the last one remaining will probably go the same way. I don't know.

It is just terrible..This choice..But yes I will take the one i prefer; Both in the final and FED able to win in a memorable (historical) 5 sets match. This outcome is likely but far from being sure and this for two main reasons :D :

a. Both of them they are in danger from an early exit. A lot of people seems to forget that last year already Rafa against PHM and FED against Nalbi were both struggling and quite near to an early exit..
I really do not believe that these two are so far away from the rest if one of the guy in the rest is in a A day and they are not playing their best Tennis. I really believe that the current competition out there is far from being weak. In my view, the quality of the top 50 is just great and there will be at least a couple of possible good traps ready for both: OK, if they stay focus and they play their A Tennis they should escape..But still.. :unsure: .

b. In the case of a final, even if I hope a 5 sets battle I am quite sure that if one of them is taking the lead then he will be able to close in 4.

BTW: I do not se any consequences of the Hamburg results a part the usual one, i.e. a positive bust for FED and an extra motivation for Rafa to keep is title. I really believe that, as great champion as they are, they will be there ready and focus as ever to reach the final outcome.

Clearly, the major burden is on FED :P : If he is able to win he is definitely the (or at least one) of the GOAT of Tennis so..But this was there even before Hamburg. B) .

Let's hope the dream come true and we will be able to see a Federe's slam in three weeks time...He deserves this title given that last year he was already close and in 2004 he had already the other three majors.. :whistle:

Looks like a nearly even split, with 9 of us saying Federer will take it (whether against Nadal or otherwise) and 8 saying it'll be three in a row for Nadal. Can't get much closer than that, proving how tough this is to call.

It's interesting that nobody sees neither man reaching the final, or only one reaching it and still losing to someone else. Frankly I hope that bears itself out in what actually happens, as that would be distinctly unsatisfying after all the build-up I think.

TennisVeritas, I disagree that Federer or Nadal are vulnerable to an early exit at Roland Garros.

Sure, Mathieu gave Nadal a good game last year, and indeed outplayed him for a part of the match, but Nadal was solid and consistent enough to pull through. I just think that both players will be capable of playing real 'clutch' tennis at French Open when pushed.

Whilst an early upset is possible, I'd be surprised if it happens at Roland Garros this year. I expect both Federer and Nadal to get tested, but both to get to another final showdown.

Does anyone know whether the draw will be broadcast on the internet by a computer as it was last year?

That was fun.

Well im in the minority here in that i cant see anyone beating Nadal, yet i can see a few men beating Fed, therefore i reckon Nadal will win the title, yet Fed will fail to make the final

That makes my brain drip out of my ears..... ;)

thanks Gav, have edited!! :ok:

To be honest before the editing it was probably the most common sense thing anyone had said about the Fed Nadal rivalry on clay in a while! ;)

:o sacrilege!

:P

Nadal has invested more energy into the RG runup this year rather than 05/06 because he did much better at Indian Wells and Miami (W/SF).

I think this energy exerted is both mental and physical - we know last year Nadal broke down after investing so much energy until Wimbledon.

I am far from saying he is burnt-out but if he is taken the distance in a few of his RG matches it could show a little more.

Yes this is what i find exiting while watching Nadal. His stamina is also his Achele heel. He is a superb athlete but cannot afford to be 99% if he wants to challenge the number one.

The way he ran out of steam in a few 5 setters is interesting. Including those he managed to win having a slump in the 5th (MC v Coria, Rome, TMS Madrid and Miami). he certainly showed tremendous fighting spirit in 5th sets but I am not convinced he wil be physically the best then despite his reputation.

yes, in our hearts federer won it allready ;)2

Where are you from GOAT?

the greatest country of the world in a small surface.
Portugal

But as we do not have good tennis players i had to pick one to be my favourite in the greatest country of the world in a small surface with heights and better chocolats :tongue:



In the Avatar it would be nice if there is a space for the regulars on the board to putt their country. i get curious about the other posters in here.

Hey small king with the big head and the small crown can't you do something about it? :admin:

Good on you.

Yes between Frederico Gil and Roger Federer there is no need for a photo finish as we say in French.

But that will not be for long, We have two big stars in men and woman allmost becoming supernovas

Fix this names: Gastão Elias and Michele de Brito, they will conquer the world in a tennis court near you

I agree with few on here. Much as I would love Federer to win over Nadal in the final, my brain says that may not happen. This year already Federer hasnt been as invincible as last year and his vicroty over nadal looks more like a one off. I think the chances of Federer not reaching the final is more than nadal not reaching it and if nadal reaches the final in federers absence iam sure he shall win the title. Honeslty, other than Federer i dont see anybody beating Nadal on clay. So I voted for Federer not reaching final and Nadal to win it. But I would love it if federer wins the FO, i dont care if nadal reaches the final or not (fed beaitng nadal would be the icing)

I've been trying to find this out myself on the RG site, without success. I agree it was a highlight of last year's Slam--watching the seedings being placed one after another in the live web draw. I imagine if they were able to do it last year, there shouldn't be any reason why they couldn't again.

Yes ...unless they recieved some critics for an uneven spread of seeds. Not that I thought it was but a computer is easier to critic and blame than a innocent hand in a dark ballot box. That could be the only reason why they would not do it again this year.

Hopefully it's going to be the same.

Looks like it will be a live draw again after all.

Men's draw will take place at 1245 CEST, if I read that correctly, even though 1130 is given as the start time overall.

My gut feeling is Canas who looked awesome yesterday coul well spoil Federer;s party, Im going for a Nadal v Canas Final and Nadal to win it.

I have a worrying feeling you could be right, the name Canas seems to be looming larger as the tournament goes on.

I have a gut feeling that Davydenko will spoil Canas's party first. And if he doesn't, Canas will have 3rd degree burnt lungs and will look as if he is smoking in the after match press room.

Well, I predicted one of the top 2 wouldn't make the final, but I could be wrong on that. Both have been pretty impressive in reaching the quarters w/o dropping a set.

What did I tell you?

The Canas wins over Federer during the American season were saying more about Federer poor form or maybe will to get out of there (for the first one at least. I think in the second it was simply a let off from fed's part) than a real danger from Canas. Canas is solid but his style has long been overwhelemed by th elikes of Federer and Rafa.

Nadal is the benchmark by quite a distance.

Wait a sec here T, Canas lost to a fantastic player; "Mr. No weaknesses"
;)

Yes GP. and I do think the semi will be a real battle and not a gimme for Fed. It just show how consistent this Nikolay is.

In fact I even fancy Davydenko's chances versus Nadal.