Can Federer win the French Open

He is now 0-5 against Nadal on clay. Does Federer realistically have what it takes to beat Nadal on clay?

I honestly do not think so. He certainly has the talent, but Nadal has the tenacity to unrattle Federer; he makes him hit one or two extra winners per rally. Shots that other players would not get to, Nadal answers strongly, forcing Federer to expend extra energy, both mentally and physically. Their matches are great; both players play at the top of their game. But Nadal is better this year; a more varied serve, and better at the net. Federer is in trouble.

i think he can. nadal hasnt been playing to well and federer is on top of his game. i cant wait to see!

What do you mean? If Federer is on top of his game, then why is he losing so many matches? You might be talking specifically about the semi-finals in Hamburg; do not be deceived. Nadal struggled in the semis in Rome; yet he dismantled González quite easily. Let us see...

John, after Hamburg, I agree with you. Federer can win the French open. However, Nadal was fatigued, having played five tournaments in five weeks.
Also, the clay in France is the slowest.

Federer has to beat ferrero, Davydenko and Cañas before he plays Nadal in the finals. Also, Nadal has to somehow get there as well!

They have great respect for each other. Today Federer said that he does not expect to beat Nadal every time he plays him. Nadal, on the other hand, says that Federer is "unbeleivable".

Having watched many matches between them, I have to say that they bring out the best in each other. Up to Hamburg, ususally they were close matches. The fact that Federer won the last two sets 6-1 and 6-0 says a lot....let us see!

Kamalakanta

Yes I am quite sure he can, he has spent far less time on court at RG this year than has Nadal, there is in my opinion, not a lot now between them therefore I hope Federer with more energy can win it. Also I am one for records and hope he can win the French Open and then go on to win at least 2 more Grand Slams to surpass the great Sampras.

As a rafa fan I have to agree that fed has improved on clay but I do not believe even close to Rafa's talent and strength. That is not an insult, just the way it is for now.

Wimbledon will be very important because it was such a emotional loss for Rafa last year. :(

I'm a Federer fan and maybe he does have a shot this year

Nadal is a young lion. While he can play a lot of tough tennis getting through to the final and still come up with the goods, the big worry for him are the blisters on his feet. And don't forget he still has to get past Djokovic in the semis. If that goes to five sets I would definitely favor Rafa. But, what will his feet be like after it?

Roger seems very confident at the moment but does he really have the game on clay to hurt Rafa when it counts? Certainly he moves very well. He slides with the best of them, but Rafa with his heavy top spin is able to kick the ball up around Roger's shoulders consistently. It's very hard to play an attacking game when the ball is up there especially if you have a one handed back hand.

Roger's best chance is to hope that Rafa's blisters come back to haunt him. If that happens, he does have a chance.

According to the latest interview with rafa they have found the bandage combination that protects his foot and takes away the pain.

Rafa has looked totally focused and powerful and I think he is sliding better than ever on clay if you can even imagine that.

Rafa will win but it won't be easy in the semi or finals. Vamos Rafa, vamos. :cool:

Federer is actually like 1-5 head to head against nadal coz he beat him in hamburg last or 2 years ago, but i reckon he does hav wat it takes to win the french this year because he looks like he is playing preety well wen he sweeped past ancic.

I don't know if i would say that fed has a great chance to win RG but he has improved on clay and appears to be over the mono. Fed did look a little more shakey today and more emotional than usual. :cool:

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Originally Posted by luvyoyoma1954

I don't know if i would say that fed has a great chance to win RG but he has improved on clay and appears to be over the mono. Fed did look a little more shakey today and more emotional than usual. :cool:

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Yes, Fed really seems to have come out of his illness, and he has to play against nadal (if both of them get to the final) his best tennis...he had difficulties in the last few times, he just doesn't seem to be able to dig out his best tennis when he needs to...I think his chances were never better then this year to win it...he's played Nadal so many times now on clay, as good as he is, he should be able to bet Nadal at least once in a 5 setter on clay...I hope he won't though...I still hope, if Fed was to equal Borg's record of 5 straigt wimbledon titles, then Rafa should to the same equaling at the French :o

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Originally Posted by Tibor

Yes, Fed really seems to have come out of his illness, and he has to play against nadal (if both of them get to the final) his best tennis...he had difficulties in the last few times, he just doesn't seem to be able to dig out his best tennis when he needs to...I think his chances were never better then this year to win it...he's played Nadal so many times now on clay, as good as he is, he should be able to bet Nadal at least once in a 5 setter on clay...I hope he won't though...I still hope, if Fed was to equal Borg's record of 5 straigt wimbledon titles, then Rafa should to the same equaling at the French :o

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That is very kind and a thoughtful way to look at the competition. % for each on their favorite platforms. :)

Federer is more poised now than ever, like in the beginning of his ascent to number one, and, most likely because of Jose Higueras influence, has cut down on his unforced errors. His timing is much better lately, and he seems to have regained the confidence on his forehand. He also has had reasonably short matches, and must be in as good a shape as ever for the semifinals and final. Short of a terrible day on the court, he should get to the final and pose a formidable threat to Rafa Nadal. Rafa is playing fabulous, but tennis is an interesting sport, in which sometimes the difference, at the level of play of Nadal and Federer, is in a few important points, and many times in the outcome of the first set. Very telling will be the semifinal between Nadal and Djokovic. This will really tell us Nadal's form and Djokovic's talent. I cannot wait for these semifinals, this is exciting for this wonderful sport, where you have to get on the court and create every day. Nobody "has it". Nobody "is". They are what they "do" that particular day.

I have only followed tennis for a year, but I have seen the tennis match change completely from one set to the next and back. It is an incredible indiviual sport whose level of self confidence and temper plays such a HUGE part of the game.

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Originally Posted by luvyoyoma1954

I have only followed tennis for a year, but I have seen the tennis match change completely from one set to the next and back. It is an incredible indiviual sport whose level of self confidence and temper plays such a HUGE part of the game.

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Well, I've been watching the sport for about 13 years now, and my age doesn't double the no. of years I've been watching tennis hehe

Tennis really is an individual sport, at this high level it's all about mental toughness...

Nadal really demolished Almagro the other day, and you guys are right, the Djokovic vs Nadal match will tell the story...we can all analyze the performance of the main 2 actors here, but if it comes down to the final, then it's a almost always becomes a totally different ball game...it's one thing to get to the final of a slam, but then again playing the final...that's always another story :)

I am so anxious and nervous for Rafa and about Friday's match. The hype for the tournament and "can Rafa win 4 in a row and make history?' would destroy an average person. Rafa and fed seem to wear the intensity and media attention like a shield.

Of course he can but the way Nadal is steam-rolling at RG right now it doesn't look good. The semi's outta be interesting but I predict another title for Rafa

I want and pray for Rafa's 4'th win, but I do not predict. My predicting tends to be death for my choice. ;)

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Originally Posted by luvyoyoma1954

I want and pray for Rafa's 4'th win, but I do not predict. My predicting tends to be death for my choice. ;)

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Well then, I don't predict it then either, we'll just see what happens :cool:

On today's form, in the semi-final, Nadal will beat Federer I am sorry to have to say. I am keen on records and I did want Federer to win tomorrow, then he could have gone on may be to surpass Sampras who was never able to win the French Open.

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Originally Posted by Tibor

Well then, I don't predict it then either, we'll just see what happens :cool:

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Yes, total demolition of Federer this year...this is also a record equaling, 4th consecutive win for Nadal at the French.

The question now is, can Nadal beat Fed at Wimbledon?

I SAY YES, THIS IS THE YEAR FOR RAFA ON GRASS AND ESPECIALLY WIMBLEDON.

I will be doing all my usual hoping, praying and spiritual chanting to help him carry out this feat. ;)

I never want fed humiliated but i do want him to turn this trophy over to Rafa. I am very excited about Wimbledon.

I am looking at the singles and doubles at Queen's as a perfect time to make the cross over from clay to his new world of winning, grass.
:D

I think Rafa has a good chance to win Wimbledon. He has momentum and confidence going into the tournament. Im a big fan of the Fed, but after seeing him at the French in the finals, the fire is not there anymore unfortunataly. It wouldn't surprise me if Roger gets elimanated in the early rounds. Hopefully he'll turn it up a notch at Wimbledon to beat Rafa if they meet. We'll just have to wait and see.

I agree that last years fire in the belly for Fed does not seem to be there, those even less when he plays Rafa and that is when you need the most.

It is human nature to find it very difficult to adjust to suddenly losing when you have won so much for so long.

I had mono twice when I was in middle school and I was wiped out for months.

My best thoughts are with fed as long as he does not beat Rafa. ;)

After nadal's 4th title at r/garos this year,i think we all saw the sheer dominance he showed to equal Borg's record at just 22yrs,i think he is stonger than Borg,whi i thought was the best claycourter i had seen,until Nadal came along,quite frankly i cannot seeing anyone beating Nadal at r/garos unless he is injured,Roger just hasn't got the game to hurt Nadal anymore, on clay.

roger can and will do it in the next 2 years

13 Grand Slams now for Roger, one more to win to equal the great Pete ! Roger I am sure will do it but not at RG like Pete never did.

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Originally Posted by Harwin

13 Grand Slams now for Roger, one more to win to equal the great Pete ! Roger I am sure will do it but not at RG like Pete never did.

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You know my friend, I agree that Roger will most likely acquire his 14 or more Slam titles but until he beats Rafa in the French Open Finals, he will forever have that monkey on his back. If I were Roger's Coach, I don't think I would do what Ivan Lendl did in skipping the French so he could prepare more for Wimbledon given he had never won that Crown.

R. Federer is now the 2nd best Clay Court Player in the World so that's a pretty strong argument for knowing how to play on the stuff. It's not the red clay he needs to master, it's Nadal. Even if he were to win the French with a different opponent, wouldn't carry the same weight. His nemesis is clearly Rafa Nadal, in order for Federer to feel he's truly achieved the greatness he's been seeking.

Roger has a huge mountain to climb in 2009, should Federer make it to the French & Wimbledon Finals in 09' and should his opponent be Nadal, he needs to win both of those titles, then he can walk away knowing he's done everything available to him and truly be considered the GOAT