What a day of tennis in Cincinnati. First Rafael Nadal goes out 6-3, 6-4 vs Mardy Fish in to me wasn't really a shocking upset, and then right afterwards Roger Federer goes out to Tomas Berdych 6-2, 7-6(3). Needless to say, both Federer and Nadal have their major concerns heading into the US Open, with Rafa struggling mentally and physically, and Roger struggling to change his game up when he needs to against certain opponents.
Fits, I will talk about Nadal. This is about as poor as I have ever seen him play, and he is making his 2009 self look like the greatest player ever (post French Open 2009). He is hitting most shots off the back foot, is moving very poorly, and is struggling mentally when he needs to rise his level of play. When was the last time you saw Rafa hit only one winner through a set and three games of play? It just doesn't happen unless something is seriously wrong, which there is right now. He needs to be really concerned heading into the US Open because not only is he struggling in every department right now, he has a win to defend in New York. He would lose so many points if he were to go out in the QFs or 4th round. He and his team really need to dig down deep and find a way to make something out of the upcoming US Open.
Now, onto the disappointing result of the day, Roger's loss to Berdych. Berd came out on fire in the first set, hammering every ball deep and flat, and pounding Roger's second serve which is usually very good. There was really nothing Fed could do when Berdych is playing that well, because he hits the ball SO big. In the second set Roger showed a better brand of tennis and at 5-5 in the set showed a lot of heart and clutch serving to hold after a ten minute power struggle. I though Roger would take the set after that, but alas I was wrong. Fed came out in the TB and mistimed seemingly every ball on his FH, which usually means he is trying to go for too much. A poor tiebreak and generally a poor match, but if I was to take any positives out of the match it was his serving in the 2nd set and his heart in that 5-5 game.
However, Roger practically handed Berd the match with the way he was trying to play. Fed must understand that he CANNOT overpower these young big hitters like Djokovic, Tsonga, Berdych, Soderling, and Del Potro. He played a brilliant match vs Delpo by mixing up pace and spin, and keeping him off guard, but against Berdych he seemed to throw that book out the window. To be fair there really isn't much chance to change things up when Tomas is hitting so big off both wings, but Roger could have sliced more and could have given Berd more junk right up the middle of the court. I understand it must be hard to come to grips with the fact that you can't outhit these young guys anymore, but he must face facts. He just can't keep giving these guys the same looks in rallies and the same pacey ball. They feed off it and it helps them get into the zone, which if they do it is over. I know that Federer's real game is hiding somewhere and he just needs to use it. He is the most complete player of all-time and he MUST use his full arsenal to beat these big boys. He did it vs Del Potro, who, while not at his best, was thrown way off guard by Roger's tactics, so why couldn't he do it vs Berdych? It is frustrating as a fan seeing Rog try to overpower these guys when he can't. Stubborn, maybe, and sometimes no matter what you try the bigger hitter will have the advantage, but he has to at least try to change things up. Back in his prime he never hit the same shot twice. Now he is feeding these big guys the same topspin ball over and over and it just doesn't work.
Anyways, I am a little worried about the US Open for Roger, but I do know that best of 5 set matches are a different ball game than best of 3 set matches, and that Roger generally ALWAYS brings his best for the slams. I hope he can do it come US Open time, and I pray that he gets a favourable draw with nobody named Berdych, Tsonga, or Del Potro in his quarter.
Another tough match to go through today for us Federer fans, but stay positive and keep faith that the Maestro will show his true form when he needs it most. I am of the belief that battles may be lost along the way, but the war will be won by the right person, and currently that says it all about Roger. I hope he wins the war at Flushing Meadows in a few weeks time.
Cheers, and don't be too negative. It will not help anything.
No comments:
Post a Comment