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ATP Tour: Roland Garros 2008

French Open

by Guiro - The Pick King (U8283634) 23 May 2008

One stop article for the French Open 2008.

Links
Home Page: tinyurl.com/2bofbt
Draw: tinyurl.com/64t6gr
Order of Play: tinyurl.com/96gfa
Scoreboard: tinyurl.com/5b8tq9
Interviews: tinyurl.com/6e5zol
All Previews: www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/F10220...

Sunday's Final
Federer vs. Nadal
Like clockwork. The final will mark the fourth match in 4 years between Federer and Nadal at Roland Garros and it will be their 3rd consecutive final. Both players will be chasing history, as Nadal has the chance to become the first player since Borg to win 4 consecutive titles at Roland Garros and Federer is looking to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Nadal has been in devastating form in this tournament. Similar to last year's final, Nadal comes in without the loss of a set. Federer on the other hand has been decent at best but was able to rely on his superior class to come through with the loss of 3 sets.

Round	Federer	Nadal
R128	def. Querrey 6-4 6-4 6-3	def. [Q] Bellucci 7-5 6-3 6-1
R64	def. Montanes 6-7 6-1 6-0 6-4	def. [Q] Devilder 6-4 6-0 6-1
R32	def. Ancic 6-3 6-2 6-4	def. [26] Nieminen 6-1 6-3 6-1
R16	def. Benneteau 6-4 7-5 7-5	def. [22] Verdasco 6-1 6-0 6-2
QF	def. [24] Gonzalez 2-6 6-2 6-3 6-4	def. [19] Almagro 6-1 6-1 6-1
SF	def. Monfils 6-2 5-7 6-3 7-5	def. [3] Djokovic 6-4 6-2 7-6

The matchup is well-known. Nadal is the best defender on the tour and is able to withstand even Federer's best attacking shots. This enables him to get a lot of balls back and eventually leads to Federer making an error.

On top of that, Nadal's (lefty) topspin forehand bounces up shoulder high to Federer's weaker backhand wing. Nadal relentlessly attacks the Federer backhand, opening up the court for a winner on the forehand side or forcing an error from Federer's backhand.

On other surfaces, Federer has the ability to steer the rally to his forehand wing and attack the net. On clay Nadal is too dominant and does not allow Federer to execute either one of those tactics.

These matchup issues have led to Nadal leading the H2H on clay 8-1 inluding two victories for Nadal this season. It deserves to be mentioned that Nadal was exhausted in the one match that Federer won last year and that it was played on the Hamburg clay courts which favour Federer's game.
More information on the H2H: www.atptennis.com/1/en/2008n...

Considering everything, I can't see past Nadal. I expect Nadal to win this title without dropping a set.

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comment by Guiro - The Pick King (U8283634)

posted Jun 8, 2008

Why would you listen to these people?

I must admit, I truly enjoyed seeing Federer getting a beat down for once and I have been waiting for Nadal to obliterate him for 3 years now so I was very happy with the result, but there is no reason to gloat over it or to disrespect Federer like that.

I also have to say that I don't feel sorry at all for Federer getting a beatdown. The guy is an athlete and it's part of his profession.

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comment by TiaHeartsUncleToni (U9208721)

posted Jun 8, 2008

It was good for Nadal to maybe put to rest some demons from that heartbreaking Wimbledon final by completely thrashing Federer. Everyone gets thrashed sometimes and Federer is no different. He is a classy champion and of course he'll bounce back from this

Night all- great thread btw guiro Well done!!!! Will you do one for Wimby????

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comment by Guiro - The Pick King (U8283634)

posted Jun 9, 2008

Nope but SG will

(He will do these threads on a weekly basis I think)

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comment by Scotsguy (U1706091)

posted Jun 9, 2008

Actually Guiro, you might get to do Wimbledon because I won't be here from thursday of the first week to Monday of the second because I'm going to Glastinbury.

But this week's is up

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comment by undsoweiter (U9691211)

posted Jun 9, 2008

SG, how's it going with your exams? Finito?

Lucky you going to Glastinbury!

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comment by Scotsguy (U1706091)

posted Jun 9, 2008

History on Wednesday, Drama on Saturday, going home on Sunday and then I start my first job on Monday....

Yeah Glastonbury should be awesome, as long as I don't have to go and watch Jay-Z

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comment by Biscuits (U7774523)

posted Jun 9, 2008

I hope it's a job with a computer and an internet connection. That would provide you with useful work experience: learning the skills of messageboard skiving .

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comment by Scotsguy (U1706091)

posted Jun 9, 2008

Sadly not, I'm working in a pub, mostly waitering but a bit of supervised bar work as well apparently....

If I need lessons on message board skiving I'll be sure to ask your advice

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comment by Guiro - The Pick King (U8283634)

posted Jun 9, 2008

I will decide if I do the Wimbledon thread when the time is there. It does take some time, studying the OOP and writing something half-decent

Or I could take the Aussie_Ahmed or nabililyas tour, would be much easier

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ATP Tour: Roland Garros 2008

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