IW: A classic match-up, but not a classic match
Photo by REUTERS/Danny Moloshok
We all know the history – Rafa/Roger, Fedal, however you want to call it. Their on-court relationship has been a big part of recent tennis history and each meeting is met with great anticipation. To make this match even more intriguing, this was the first time since 2004 that they met before a semi in a tournament – neither had been ranked low enough for that to happen since 2005. Even knowing Federer was coming into the match with a bad back and Rafa with a cranky knee couldn’t lower fans’ expectations or dampen the hype. I mean, it’s still Fedal, right?
Rafa came out playing aggressively and Federer came out looking like he had a stiff back. That’s not to say the tennis was bad, just that Fed was a bit off and Rafa took advantage – he broke in the 7th game to go up 4-3. He then held solidly and had break/set points in the next game, but good serving always saved Fed. Didn’t matter as Rafa went on to serve out the set 6-4.
Set two started with Rafa breaking at love. Things were looking dire for Fed as Rafa held and then broke again. Errors (and nerves?) crept into Rafa’s game and Federer broke for 1-3. It still really felt like the air was out of the match by this point, though. Rafa broke again to go up 5-2. Rafa served it out and he’s through to the semis.
Stats:
| Nadal | Federer | |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics on Serve | ||
| Aces | 1 | 4 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 0 |
| 1st Serve % | 67% | 64% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 27/35 (77%) | 30/48 (63%) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 9/17 (53%) | 8/27 (30%) |
| Break Points Saved | 1/2 (50%) | 7/11 (64%) |
| Service Games Played | 9 | 9 |
| Statistics on Return | ||
| 1st Return Points Won | 18/48 (38%) | 8/35 (23%) |
| Second Return Points Won | 19/27 (70%) | 8/17 (47%) |
| Break Points Won | 4/11 (36%) | 1/2 (50%) |
| Return Games Played | 9 | 9 |
| Statistics on Points | ||
| Total Service Points Won | 36/52 (69%) | 38/75 (51%) |
| Total Return Points Won | 37/75 (49%) | 16/52 (31%) |
| Total Points Won | 73/127 (57%) | 54/127 (43%) |
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It was pleasure to watch these two greats again. Rafa seemed to be playing well for most of the match. Against Berdych will be a good test.
Thanks Miri for quick post. Perfect title/headline.
It was a bit of a demolish job for Rafa but the ‘best’ Fed did not show up.
Rafa’s forehand looked beautiful against Fed’s backhand. Fed was slower today and obviously there’s the back problem.
Rafa moved around the court much more freely today. When he stretched to return a forehand, he looked like he was sliding on clay.
I wish it had been more of a contest, i was hoping for 3 sets although i’m dying to get some sleep (it’s nearly 4am).
I think Berdych will give Rafa more of a challenge in the semi’s.
The commies think Rafa is almost back to his best and could even be better than before.
I meant ‘demolition’ job
I agree with isusvolisjb below, he needs to work on his serve, what is up with the 88mph second serve?
A match between Roger/Rafa is always to be treasured. Rafa played great, very much like ‘vintage’ Rafa, targeting the backhand, retrieving impossible shots, just…wow….he never ceases to amaze me. No matter what Rafa says, he DOES play better against Roger than anybody else, because he has to, but he plays with confidence too. Awesome match, worth staying up till almost 4am for.
Always the gentleman, Rafa immediately asked Roger if he was okay when they met to shake hands at the net. Love him. Love this comeback. Would love for him to take his twelth straight win from Berdych. Would also love to see him get some mph’s back into his serve…what’s up with the 110 FS and 88 SS???
Woooohoooo!!!! I am so thrilled by this win!!! What a great way to start a Friday!:)
Well done Rafa!!! One match at a time… Patience is a virtue for those who wait and the reward is great!!! Vamossssss!!!!!
Happy for Rafa, sorry for Roger! Wish it had been a better match, but maybe better for both of them that it was quick. And Rafa has defended his points from last year, how cool is that!?!?
A lot less UEs than his 2 previous matches. Rafa played really well; amazing shots here and there. Happy Rafa, happy Me! :)
A good win. Too bad about Federer’s back though. Thank God for the mute button. I watched on Tennis Channel and had to listen to Justin Gimmelstob who never. shuts. up. The man drives me crazy. Am I the only one????
No, you’re not. I did the same thing tonight. I can’t stand him.
The man does love to hear himself talk.
I pity his poor wife…
Enhorabuena Rafa! Muy bien hecho!!!
Sorry Feds back troubled him……. Like Benito said in facebook, when these two play each other, it doesn’t matter that muvh eho wins because its usualy the tennis that wins…
Still happy that its Rafa almost two ot of the three times they play each other tough : D
Looks like Rafa could be in the final and he will do as well as last year in points at least. Quite a good come back on his hated hard court. Champion quality.
Rafa knows how to play Roger and Roger really has not been playing that well lately. It is not a surprising result. Berdych will present a much sterner test. It could be another nail-biter. And Indian Wells *is* one of Rafa’s favourite hardcourts.
Reaching the semis in his first hc tournament after 7 months off is already unbelievable. Don’t think the points matter that much at this juncture and I would not make any predictions on that. Just being able to enjoy pure Rafa tennis, that’s all I wish for!
what a contrast in the last 2 matches that rafa played.was it same rafa who struggled to reign supreme over gulbis? i think rafa gets abnormally recharged when he confronts higher seeds above him like ferrer, federer & others.otherwise,how can we explain another acopulco final in ind wells of a ruthless exhibition while confronting rogers.good his battery is recharged in the coming days so that he would lift iw trophy that too in hard court.best wishes rafa.regrets for the 31 yr old lion, roger,the all time stylist champion whose place is being shaken by young bulls nowadays.
Here is the Rafa vs Federer full match in HD
Youtube :
http://alturl.com/677tg
Yeah, I already posted that. I’m on time for once!
Yeah, thank you Miri. I know you are/were at IW. Thanks for all the articles and videos today
Sadly, it’s was. I came back on Tuesday.
Best bit of news to start my day off. Vamos!!
It was lovely to watch these two play each other again, even though it wasn’t a classic. The different styles are just so wonderful to see on the court at the same time. So happy for Rafa that he’s in the semis. Amazing after not playing on hard courts for so long. In reponse to some of the comments comparing his match against Gulbis to Federer: couldn’t it be that Federer weaker shot is his backhand while Gulbis stronger shot is his backhand, thus Gulbis causing more problems for Rafa-? Just a thought.
Vamos Rafa and thanks for making it worth while being awake in the middle of the night!
Glad I stayed up to watch the match, even though I’m sleep deprived this week. Roger certainly didn’t seem himself but well done Rafa, good result.
I agree with Rafaella, Dolores and Cath why on earth do these commentators talk so much it is so annoying.
Thanks for the vids Miri, very much appreciated.
What a great way to start my day to see that Rafa won! Well done our Rafa albeit Federer was not himself with a back problem. A win is a win.
Hope he plays great tennis against Berdych – vamos our Rafa and good luck.
Onwards and upwards for Rafa. I really would like Rafa to get back to no4. I’m not so keen on him playing the top 3 at the quarter final stage, luckily this time it was Roger who Rafa plays with more confidence though Roger was hampered with a sore back. Rafa is going to lose 360 points from not playing Miami then has a lot to defend on the clay with only being able to gain in Madrid before RG.
If Rafa can return Berdych’s great serve and get him moving side to side and Rafa playing like he has the last 2 matches I fancy his chances for a place in the final. Wouldn’t it be great for him?
I really dislike berdych so I hope this goes Rafas way big time.
Rafa is so wonderful the way he didn’t jump up and down like in his other victories. Respectful of Roger. He is great!!!
Glad i set my alarm for 2am this morning as i love watching Rafa n Roger. They really seem to care for each other,lovely touch at the net at the end of the match.Rafa genuinely concerned for Roger.I don’t seem to feel nervous when watching these two play,because they like each other and feel so much respect, if they are going to lose i really feel they would rather lose to each other than any other player.
I’m so pleased that i can sleep through tonight, Andy n Novak’s matches are on at a more civilized hour. Rafa has done amazingly well so far. Not that i’m surprised, but i hope he does’nt overdo it.I just want this amazing young man to look after himself. I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, i absolutely adore him.
Well, it wasn’t a classic match. I wanted a classic but Roger’s back put an end to that. It would have been nice as we always expect with these two.
Anyway, onto Rafa!. He played well and he went through the games well. Rafa got a bit nervy in set two but clawed it back in time. Roger really wasn’t at the races. Our Rafa is so respectful to Roger, he didn’t even do his celebration at the end or celebrate his amazing points.Even at the end of the match, Rafa looked sad for Roger. Rafa is so compassionate we all remember AO 09. I also set my alarm early and woke up at 2am. I had too, I couldn’t miss Rafa.
Now, Djokovic v Tsonga tonight at 8.30pm GMT. I will watch and cheer for Tsonga! I don’t want Rafa playing Djokovic for a long time! Let Rafa gain more and more confidence as that will take him through the clay in April!
No,certainly not a classic, but wonderful first set after all.
Nice to know, that Rafa felt good on court.
When Roger and Rafa began their warming up, the music playing: “Hall of fame” in the background really gave me the chills.
The lyrics of that song was so appropriate. Champions, yes indeed they are. Let´s hope for many more matches between them, as their style of play, when both are fit and healthy, always is something quite special.
Looking forward to the semis, and best of luck to Rafa.
I managed to catch a little bit of the match. Roger was clearly not at his best, but I was still pleased with Rafa’s play. He’s come back stronger than I expected on hard courts. It’s crazy that he can come back after such a long lay off and be doing this well already!