Nadal and Federer One Match Away from Basel Final Encounter

Hmmm, this is getting interesting. After Nadal dropped the first set against Cilic today I thought the dream had ended but it is still alive after both Nadal and Federer had three-set wins today. Nadal came back to defeat Cilic 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 while Federer defeated Goffin 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in another less than convincing performance. Is it because Nadal is lurking in the draw or because Federer is still burned out?

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Maybe a combination of the two. Who knows. The point is he has not been convincing and it will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow if Nadal defeats Gasquet, which is the first semi-final. Federer may even lose to Sock who defeated Young 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. At least Sock has a big serve and forehand as opposed to Goffin who lacks weapons. Federer should win, but the subconscious effect of Nadal can’t be underestimated.

I really wouldn’t be surprised at all if we don’t see a Fedal final, but one can dream. Gasquet today defeated Karlovic 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-6(6) which was a great win for him. It was also the ninth time Karlovic lost in a final set tie-break this year. I’m not complaining. I’m no serve bot fan. Nadal leads Gasquet 13-0 in the head-to-head. I like the way Nadal has been finding a way to win despite the surface not being suitable to his game.

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Just making the semis here and beating Cilic will give him more confidence. It is also more proof to the non-believers that he is on his way back. Gasquet is looking very comfortable and if there is one tournament he can beat Nadal it is probably Basel, but given the head-to-head I guess you gotta make Nadal the favorite. He just seems to find a way. If he does win I will look forward to seeing what happens between Federer and Sock.

I hope Fedal can get over this last hurdle so we can have the dream final!

Paris Draw

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The Paris draw came out today and it feels kinda strange to see Federer seeded third. His draw is quite good, though. He avoids both Djokovic and Nadal in his half and gets his favorite big four opponent Murray. Anyway, it looks like another title for Djokovic but of course still a long way to go. Nadal gets a tough draw with Anderson and Wawrinka, but the courts are slow so he could continue his return to form.

Federer needs to make the best of his favorable draw and make the final. Anything less would be a disappointment for him. I’m looking forward to seeing Djokovic back in action. He will be aiming for a record sixth Masters title this year. Should be fun.

The is in your court.

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Posted in ATP 500, Basel.

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13 Comments

Bjorn Eirik
I’m also hoping for another showdown between Fed and Rafa. They can’t avoid each other forever, and it’s much better for Federer that they meet here than in a bigger event like a slam where he can’t play as freely. Maybe you’re right about Nadal being on his way back to his old self, but I’m not so sure. I’m not really convinced before he makes it to the latter stages in a slam. Still expect him to take care of Gasquet though, so I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t make the final. Also expect Federer to win, even if he’s not playing his best, so I think this final is in the cards. Thanks for the updates, and by the way, I enjoy reading your political blog as well.

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Ru-an Reply: October 31st, 2015 at 9:11 am Thanks, BE! I will do many more posts on my political blog. It’s a cause I strongly believe in. As for Federer, I won’t be surprised if he loses in the event that Nadal wins the first SF.

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Ian
Fedal won’t happen. It’s not the subconcious or burn out. Rf’s back acting up evidenced by poor service and tape on his back. Without his service, Federer is dead meat. Federer to lose to Sock or Nadal. Nadal will beat Gasquet. Agree Gasquet got game in these courts to beat Nadal and he has been playing really well this year. But the thing between his ears will Crumble against Nadal’s mental fortitude. I can even see Nadal winning the whole thing.

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George Reply: October 31st, 2015 at 8:48 am Back pain is often associated with psychological factors. If Federer can’t beat Nadal under these conditions (Basel indoor fast) it means that there is a gross psychological problem for Federer when encountering Nadal.

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Ru-an Reply: October 31st, 2015 at 9:09 am Very good observation, George. Especially lower back problems are associated with psychological problems. I would know. I had them. Physical problems begin in the mind, like anything else.

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Ian
further to my comment, besides the tell tale tape on his back, so many double faults from Rf, grunting unusually and screaming angrily at himself, signs of his back maybe acting up again. We seen it before. If my observation is true, RF will withdraw from Paris and I can see this maybe his final year on tour. Don’t think he can afford to wait out another chronic back recurrence. He may still be able to scrape past Sock but Nadal’s in great position to take this one. Will bumper up his h2h with Rf and boost much needed confidence. May be the tournament that will finally bring back all of Nadal’s lost confidence.

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Ian
My bad, I meant 2016 will be the last year on tour for Rf, not this year, ie if my deduction is true of his chronic back acting up again. Djokovic is primed to win Paris and Wtf. No one can stop him. Absolutely no one. The force is with him. Sparta is here to stay for the next couple years. Then he will romp through another AO and then Paris gets interesting. Not that Djokovic can’t handle clay. He has no weak surfaces. But FO has been looking like a curse for him. But me very sure he will get it next year. It’s looking very likely like an Rf 2004-2007 dominance for Djokovic 2015-2017 and slot in 2011 as well!

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George
I look forward to final tomorrow. My bet is on Nadal.

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Ru-an Reply: October 31st, 2015 at 6:28 pm Me too. Did you actually put money on Nadal and if so what were the odds?

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George Reply: October 31st, 2015 at 6:48 pm I did. Nadal is 1:3.25 while Federer is 1:1.36. Thus, Federer is a heavy favourite.

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Ru-an Reply: October 31st, 2015 at 7:09 pm Interesting. I didn’t watch Federer’s match but saw the score was 5-2 in the second. I thought Federer would win 6-3, 6-2 which he needed to do for me to give him the edge tomorrow. Then I just saw the final score was 6-3, 6-4. Nadal didn’t particularly impress me this week, but neither did Federer. Given these facts, I’d have to give the edge to Nadal, even though this is Federer’s surface and home. If Nadal does defeat him tomorrow it’s gonna hurt. Again.

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George Reply: October 31st, 2015 at 8:01 pm If you look their games alone, I think that Federer should win on this surface. However, I think that Federer has psychological problem with Nadal and this is the main reason why I believe that Nadal will win. Tomorrow we will see whether I am wrong.

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Ru-an Reply: October 31st, 2015 at 8:37 pm Right. Federer should win on this surface but like you say Nadal has the mental superiority. Let’s see how it plays out.

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