The 37th Federer vs Nadal clash today in the Miami Open final resumes the epic rivalry which began on March 28, 2004 when the 17 yr old Spaniard shocked the ATP world no 1 63 63 in the third round of this tournament.
Federer has won the last three matches vs Nadal but Rafa leads the overall rivalry 23-13 (9-9 on hard courts).
Nadal won the last Miami duel against Federer in the 2011 semifinal, 63 62.
Both players finished their morning hits on the stadium court not long ago. Nadal’s practice was intense with violent ball crunching while Federer hit lightly with an easy demeanor. Interestingly, Federer brushed off autograph requests from a very anxious, rowdy throng of early bird fans inside the stadium while Rafa did sign many.
Federer prefers to sign when his fans are cool and relaxed, otherwise he tends to ignore and brush by the unsettling hyperactivity which could perhaps adversely effect his biorhythms.
In today’s match look for how the Nadal forehand effects the Fed backhand pattern. Last time in Indian Wells, Fed was able to hurt Nadal with his backhand. This is the key battle in the war along with how each serves. Fed fatigue from two exhausting three setters vs Berdych and Kyrgios could factor but Fed expertly managed his body through three five setters in Melbourne vs Nishikori, Wawrinka and Nadal in the final.
Fed is seeking his fourth straight win over Nadal, who has shown he can be dominated – as Djokovic beat Nadal in eight finals in a row.
Enjoy the tennis spectacle everyone. It will surely be another Thriller. My pick is Federer in three sets.
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Scoop malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 1:02 pm
It is absolutely packed here. Grounds are extremely crowded. I think they need a bigger arena. Should have or could have filled Dolphin stadium or American Airlines Arena with this epic matchup.
Scoop malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 1:05 pm
Federer has a big plastic bag with eight or nine bottles of an orange mix drink. Nadal is hopping at net at coun toss. Pose for photos then Rafa winks at debonair Roger. Rafa is ready. Was swinging racquet in hallway waiting to come out to court.
Scoop malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 1:50 pm
Nadal is moving the ball around court better than IW. 4-3 RF but Roger just saved bp. Rafa is sweating heavily.
Scoop malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 1:55 pm
This is a Fed crowd clearly. Rafa is doing more damage with his bh. But Fed forehand is the best weapon on court.
Scoop malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 1:58 pm
I saw Rafa do something I dont recall seeing. Throwing towel back to ballboy without looking and it landed on ground. Rafa is extra focused and feisty.
Scoop malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Fed inside out fh causes Rafa to net his fh for break. 5-3 Fed..
Scoop malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 2:01 pm
Federer with another comfy hold. Hes dominating Rafa again.
Hartt · April 2, 2017 at 3:40 pm
Scoop, am waiting anxiously for your take on this match as a whole.
Am still celebrating with Lindt chocolates! But was sad to hear Fed say in the on-court interview that he plans on playing only RG in the clay court season, that will be a long wait for his next match. Hope Cahill is right when he said that Roger could change his mind about that.
Andrew Miller · April 2, 2017 at 4:17 pm
Wow, Federer dominates again. Nadal must be crushed! There will be no Miami open title for him and it’s deja vu. He lost on this court twelve years ago and today to the same guy. And worse this time. And three times this year. It’s no picnic time for the man who has made a living of coming back.
Dan Markowitz · April 2, 2017 at 4:22 pm
Now how has this happened? Fed’s backhand is outplaying Nadal’s forehand?! This was not a beat down, but it was a very perfunctory straight set match as usual these days between Fed and Nadal. Shocking how Fed is dominating these days.
Hartt · April 2, 2017 at 5:11 pm
Another topic but I imagine this will be the main thread now. Dabrowski/Xu just won the Miami doubles over Mirza/Strycova (who would have been heavy favourites). This is a huge win for Gabriela, one of those players who slogs away under the radar. Think this title comes with serious $, always nice for a player who does not make a fortune playing tennis.
Andrew Miller · April 2, 2017 at 5:24 pm
Guess Mirza doing great sans Hingis. Ah that turbo powered forehand may not be finding its mark without a true Swiss maestro by her side in Hingis…tough break haha.
I’m amazed Hingis splits from so many partners!!! Maybe she’s as tough on people as her mom was on her.
Dan Markowitz · April 2, 2017 at 6:30 pm
This is really amazing. Fed is the dominant player in the world again after it seems what–5-7 years he was mostly fodder for Djoko and Nadal even longer. I mean, is it the bigger racquet? Is it Looby? Is it the torn meniscus allowed him time to restore his full health? Is it something else? Obviously, the other big 3, have all miraculously and mysteriously slipped.
Scoop Malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 7:25 pm
Hartt; This match shows quite clearly that Fed has solved the Rafa puzzle – I knew after the first set Fed had the title in the bag – Rafa just cant handle what Fed is doing now and he has no answers no new ideas – It’s like his best is just not enough – Even on clay I can see the same patterns happening and Fed beat Rafa on clay also – It’s just incredible how Fed has reinvented his body and game at 35 –
Andrew Miller · April 2, 2017 at 7:25 pm
To me, it’s because Djokee’s MIA. He won a lot of his Federer matches even before he stepped on the court. With Nadal, I think it’s the hard courts and fact that this isn’t Nadal at 24, this is Nadal in his thirties – still great, just not the same player that chased Federer around the world. Plus, after over thirty five matches I’d guess they’d know one another’s game.
Federer’s also had some luck, like Berdcyh remembering he’s Berdych, and Kyrgios battling a stadium pulling for a Federer win (I’ve been in Miami with Federer playing peer USA opponents Roddick and Blake and goodness it’s as if he’s playing in front of a Swiss crowd they are so pro Federer!).
I would’ve thought this would be a Nadal crowd, pulling for a guy who’s also likely the most popular player in any Spanish speaking country.
That said, yeah how can anyone explain this? Federer is Agassi’s age when Agassi made his last great runs, age 35. Yet Federer is playing less like a guy who’s in his last good year than a contender for #1 at age 35!!!
I actually don’t think he’s playing as well as he did at age 23, or twelve years ago. But his backhand IS a better shot and he’s more judicial in his shot selection. So he has wisdom plus his shots are all firing, plus new tricks. What he loses in age he makes up for with an even better mind and more tricks, better strategy. So he’s not playing better – but he’s a better player.
So he’s the best player he’s ever been. But he’s played as well or better before. He sacrifices some speed, and makes up for it in wisdom.
Andrew Miller · April 2, 2017 at 7:31 pm
Djoker’s slump opened it all up. Nadal and Federer are playing better. Wawrinka is playing worse, maybe because he has in his contract to ALWAYS BOW DOWN TO FEDERER NO EXCEPTIONS 🙂
Murray is hurt, right? Or perhaps Lendl is getting ready to jump ship again given his buddies Edberg and Becker aren’t around and he cant beat them through Murray anymore.
Scoop Malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 7:31 pm
I actually have more miami open titles than Rafa – won my third Bud Collins memorial media tennis tourney this weekend 🙂 Now what advice could I offer Rafa? Hmmmmmm perhaps try a different racquet specifically Volkl 🙂 I would also suggest bring back the long shorts and sleeveless look 🙂 And add on a new coach like Pete Sampras or Agassi –
Scoop Malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 7:34 pm
Big win for Dabrowski who was a top junior with a major title win vs Kiki mladenovic – Hopefully Dabrowski’s doubles success can spark her singles –
Scoop Malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 7:38 pm
Dan I hear you it almost does seem scripted – but I do see Federer playing at his best level and it’s not scripted – Somehow some way Federer has found a new dimension and added it to his GOAT arsenal – For all those years he seemed to have flatlined and stopped improving – This year he’s taken it to a new level –
Scoop Malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 7:42 pm
Andrew: I watched Hingis and Chan practice on center court on Friday and then Sania and Strycova came on at 5:57 for the court at six – It was interesting because Hingis and Chan sat apart with the chair ump tower between and Sania chose to sit on the Hingis side and watched Hingis for those three minutes and then when Hingis was done at six she and Sania walked right by each other without saying Hi or any acknowledging each other – Also interesting was that Strycova and Sania both sat apart just like Hingis and Chan – to add perspective I have seen Federer sit with his practice partner and chat both on the one side of the chair ump – So two male players being friendly and chatty and two top WTA doubles teams not even being chatty and friendly with each other at a practice just hours before a masters series semifinal match 🙂
Hartt · April 2, 2017 at 7:44 pm
Scoop, it must be amazing to see these Fed matches in person. They are compelling even on TV.
And congrats on your tourney win!
Hartt · April 2, 2017 at 7:52 pm
To be honest I think the singles ship has sailed for Dabrowski. She turned 25 yesterday (so this win is a slightly late birthday present) and is around No. 350 in the rankings. Even at a time when players are peaking later that is a big mountain to climb. But she can have an excellent career in doubles, especially if she can find a consistent partner. This was her first tournament with Xu, so maybe they will have more tourneys together.
Chazz · April 2, 2017 at 8:09 pm
If Fed wasn’t such a well respected legend, this resurgence would have everyone pointing to PEDs. It is truly remarkable what he’s done this year, and it should be a major sports story. It is comparable to Michael Jordan coming back after being retired for 3 years and still putting up 20+ ppg as a near-40 year old. Also George Foreman winning the heavyweight title at age 45. I really think MJ was the only athlete to have the longevity of dominance comparable to Fed, however Fed being a much better person and ambassador of his sport puts him in a league of his own.
Scoop Malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 8:39 pm
35 is not old – Rosewall and Pancho proved this – So did Connors and Navratilova – I wonder how important Ljubicic has been for Federer as he is the first coach Fed has had that has actually played and beaten most of the guys Federer plays now –
Scoop Malinowski · April 2, 2017 at 8:41 pm
Hartt; Indeed it is amazing to be on the scene live to see and to cover this tournament and others – And there will be plenty of opportunities or all to see this wonder play as I see Roger playing for at least five more years and probably considerably longer than that – It’s pretty clear he is going to be very careful in managing his schedule as he should because the longer his body can last the better it is or the sport –
Chazz · April 2, 2017 at 9:06 pm
Well Scoop, I decided to do a little research on the 4 hall of famers you mentioned since I didn’t have all of their stats handy and in my immediate memory. I think you will find that Federer is not “old” in general, but he is old to be dominating the tennis tour in this fashion. In my opinion, Rosewall was the only one (so far) exceeding his brilliance at his age.
Rosewall – was in a league of his own (but may be equaled by Fed) in winning majors between the ages of 36 and 39
Pancho – went deep into majors in his 30s but won his only 2 majors at ages 20 and 21.
Connors – won his last major at age 31. He played in his 30s and the most impressive result in his mid or late 30s was a US Open semifinal at age 39 in 1991.
Navratilova – won her last major singles title at age 33, though she did occasionally do well in majors into her mid to late 30s.
catherine bell · April 3, 2017 at 2:48 am
Women’s doubles splits – sometimes it seems there’s unfinished business with these and partings aren’t always friendly although they usually make up later.
I remember Navritolova/Shriver split acrimoniously, Garrison/McNeil split over some undefined issue and Zina was upset at the time – others I can think of. It’s often a case of ‘You dumped me’ – ‘No, I didn’t, you dumped me’ etc
Men seem to manage these things better – essential buddiness oiling the machine perhaps.
catherine bell · April 3, 2017 at 4:49 am
BTL comment here in UK – the commenter went to his/her local tennis club to watch Miami women’s final only to find that the match was on BT and unavailable because the club did not want to pay the fee to watch women’s tennis.
With that kind of attitude I’m surprised Britain has any women players at all.