Quote:
Originally Posted by Mo_Gearhead
Djokovic should have won the first two sets in that match, it could have easily gone to five sets or Federer loosing in fewer! Federer was NOT playing his best early (everyone has an off day) with many unforced errors, but unfortunately the kid could not finish the chore. And as The 'Number 1' has shown in the past, he has this great ability to come back when down.
When Federer is playing well he dominates most players and just his reputation of being able to 'turn it up' a gear deflates many opponents (he gets in their head).
He is GOOD ...and he is certainly not shy about admitting it!
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I disagree with your viewpoint -- the reason Djokovic didn't win those first two sets was because Federer hunkered down when he was behind and was able to play to win. Consistency wins matches -- not secret weapon hitting.
Back in the 70's and 80's, Bjorn Borg had a similar play type -- he was a baseline player that won not necessarily because he was such a good player, but because he was a consistent player. I read once that the reason that Borg was so good was because while his opponent was committed to playing baseline tennis for the next two days, Borg was committed to being out there for the next two WEEKS. Federer's play is very, very similar.
Sunday, he clearly outplayed Djokovic. Not in terms of the amount of energy he used, but in terms of the amount of energy he forced Djokovic to use. I believe that is the key to Federer's game -- wear down the opponent, while keeps as much energy as you could in reserve.
I honestly believe that if Djokovic would have won the first two sets, that Federer would have come back and won the last three sets. Easily. While Djokovic was near the end of his energy late in the third set, Federer was still going strong.
Another thing that I see in Federer is his ability to keep his emotions in check -- especially his negative ones. Djokovic twice was near being given a warning -- once when he slammed his racket down, and once when he threw his water bottle to the ground. I bet I know what Federer was thinking when those two things happened: "I GOT HIM NOW." Revealing your frustrations to the opponent in tennis simply gives him an "in." Your weak spot is revealed, and your opponent knows that your concetration is compromised, and that you're not at the top of your game. So he can come in and win. Game. Set. Match. Which is exactly what Federer did on Sunday.
-Z-man.