Federer plays Roddick tonight

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Safin could play the best tennis of his life and it still wouldn't be enough to beat Federer. Federer's game has improved tremendously since 2005.

Nobody(except Safin) was able to hang with Federer at the Aussie in 2005.Federer easily beat Safin at the Aussie Open in 2004.Sometimes Safin is too good.When he serves well etc.,etc.(every 5 years.)Don't kid yourself,if he is really on,nobody can beat Safin. If he gets hungry again,he will get another slam. Most likely, one of the 2 he has won already.

Federer is playing a man that is absolutely playing out of his skull. This should be interesting if this guy can stay focused. If he can continue to play as he has, we may see some of the best tennis ever.

[Gander]

Don't kid yourself,if he is really on,nobody can beat Safin.

I dont know about that Scuds. Thats a big, big if, and Federer has gotten a lot better since 2005. I agree that Safin has worlds of talent but I think you are giving him far too much credit. Hes one of very few that has weapons that can beat Federer, true. But to say Federer cant beat Safin when Safin is on, I dont agree with that. Every part of Federer's game has gotten better, most notably his return of serve, which could easily neutralize the big Russian's game.

[Gander]

Federer is playing a man that is absolutely playing out of his skull. This should be interesting if this guy can stay focused. If he can continue to play as he has, we may see some of the best tennis ever

Federer in 3 straight sets tonight. One of the sets may be close but this is a grand slam final. Beating Tommy Haas is one thing but beating Federer on his stage is quite another.

Originally Posted by Gander

Federer is playing a man that is absolutely playing out of his skull. This should be interesting if this guy can stay focused. If he can continue to play as he has, we may see some of the best tennis ever

Federer in 3 straight sets tonight. One of the sets may be close but this is a grand slam final. Beating Tommy Haas is one thing but beating Federer on his stage is quite another.

He slaughtered Nadal as well. And he has gotten to the Final easier than Federer. This is a grand slam final. This guy is playing out of his mind. I hope he keeps it up, because we will be in store for some great tennis. Thats really what I want to see... and Federer win.

[Samarta]

Gonzo played as well as he could...Federer is simply that good. He served horribly in the first set. I think the # was 47%, but you still had the feeling he was in total control even when he was down 2 set points. 2nd and 3rd sets were just a lesson in precision. To go through a Grand Slam event without losing a set in todays game is simply unbelievable. I said it before and I'll say it again, I just hope that he can come through in Paris in the Spring. Guy is amazing.

[packerbacker7964]

Did you see Andy's interview after the match? He was a comic during the whole thing laughing and smiling all the while. I think the guy has been beat down so many times by this guy he's a huge disadvantage everytime they play now.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by Samarta

Gonzo played as well as he could...Federer is simply that good. He served horribly in the first set. I think the # was 47%, but you still had the feeling he was in total control even when he was down 2 set points. 2nd and 3rd sets were just a lesson in precision. To go through a Grand Slam event without losing a set in todays game is simply unbelievable. I said it before and I'll say it again, I just hope that he can come through in Paris in the Spring. Guy is amazing.

No,Gonzo did not play nearly as well as he had been playing.He served for the 1st set,and what did he do? All of the sudden he started missing his 1st serves.I can tell you that guys who have won Grand Slams (and have fast serves,) don't choke like that.I am not gunna say he was gunna win,but he should have served that 1st set out.That was simply a choke.That is the difference between somebody like Safin,and Gonzo.When Safin is playing well,that serve of his is huge,and every time he needed a point against Federer, that ace was there.The way people beat Federer(off a clay court) is by having a very hard dominant serve.This guy is still inconsistent with his serve(it is not the weapon it needs to be.)It really is pretty fundamental.Guys like Safin and Ivanisovic have Grand Slam titles because they were able to serve aces CONSISTENTLY.Guys like Fernando and Roddick need to start right there.They both evidently have strong serves.......Oh really?? Come back when you can serve aces under pressure(when you have to have it.)Anybody who claims to want to beat Federer on a hard court needs to start right there.Because I have seen guys like Safin go to the well with 3 straight aces against Federer,and you don't really stand a chance if you are just getting your 1st serve "in." It needs to be a vicious weapon(or else you are S.O.L)