With a “Rafa Slam” or an extension of Fed’s all time Open record at stake, let’s take a look at what each player would have to overcome to reach that Nadal vs Federer final that so many of us are hoping for.
If all goes according to seed, here is how it would go according to the draw (link to full draw here):
Rafael Nadal
Roger Federer
Round 1
Marcos Daniel (96)
Lukas Lacko (99)
- Head to Head
2-0
0-0
Round 2
Daniel Gimeno-Traver (58)
Gilles Simon (41)
- Head to Head
0-0
0-2
Round 3
Feliciano Lopez (32)
Albert Montanes (25)
- Head to Head
6-2
3-1
Round 4
Marin Cilic (15)
Mardy Fish (16)
- Head to Head
0-1
6-1
Quarter Finals
David Ferrer (7)
Andy Roddick (8)
- Head to Head
11-3
20-2
Semifinals
Robin Soderling (4)
Novak Djokovic (3)
- Head to Head
5-2
13-6
Finals
Nadal vs Federer (Head to Head 14-8)
Singles ranking in brackets, Head to head with Nadal or Federer
The main early obstacle for Nadal seems to be the third round where he will face the winner of Marin Cilic or John Isner. Cilic beat Rafa in their only previous meeting.
Federer’s second round match will be a tough one on paper – Gilles Simon beat him in their only earlier encounters, though his form in recent months has not been so predictable.
After that, the semis will probably be where the real work kicks in. Rafa should (on paper) meet Soderling or Murray – two of the best players on hard court over recent years. Federer against Djokovic will also be fascinating.
Let the action begin – and begin it will on Monday 17th January when Roger Federer will play his first round match. He is third on the Rod Laver court, so will probably come on some time after 2pm local time, 1am GMT. Rafael Nadal will have to wait until Tuesday 18th January.
If none of these are working, or to find one that works better, do try the listings at SPVod, Myp2p, RojaDirecta, Atdhe, Fromsport , Channelsurfing.
Also refer to this post for more information on watching TV over the internet, or feel free to leave a comment to report good or bad links (no registration required).
The draw for the World Tour Finals 2010 was made in London yesterday, at the Galleria Pall Mall.
Below are the groups and the first up opponents for Rafa and Roger.
As expected, their No.1 and 2 seeding means they are in separate groups, and if they are to meet that will come in the latter stages. The top two from each group will progress to the semifinals.
The action gets underway this Sunday, 20th November.
GROUP A
Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic
Tomas Berdych
Andy Roddick
GROUP B
Roger Federer
Robin Soderling
Andy Murray
David Ferrer
Roger Federer’s first match will be on Sunday, not before 8pm local time, against the seventh seed David Ferrer of Spain.
Rafael Nadal will start on Monday, also after 8pm, and will face the American Andy Roddick (8th seed).
SEE FREE LIVE TENNIS OVER INTERNET LINKS AT END OF THIS POST
Nadal is already through to the final, can Federer join him by beating David Ferrer tonight?
David Ferrer ATP Profile
Federer has a 9-0 straight winning record over Ferrer, but 6 of those wins came in 2006/07 when Roger was close to unbeatable.
This year is a different story, and the Spaniard must be thinking that if he is ever going to beat the Swiss, today may be his best chance.
Still, I think Federer’s range of shots and skills will break down the infamous Ferrer “brick wall” and that Roger will win in two sets.
Here are the best links for free TV coverage over internet. We’ll check and update these when the match starts.
If none of these are working, or to find one that works better, do try the listings at SPVod, Myp2p, RojaDirecta, Atdhe, Fromsport , Channelsurfing.
Also refer to this post for more information on watching TV over the internet, or feel free to leave a comment to report good or bad links (no registration required).
Madrid Masters 2010 – Live Tennis on TV Streams (Free)
Roger Federer vs David Ferrer
Starting after 20:00 local, 18:00 GMT
Option 1 - Madrid Open Tennis Live TV – RECOMMENDED – English, Use Internet Explorer and allow installation of small software when requested
Option 2 - Madrid Open Tennis Live TV – Good
Option 3 - Madrid Open Tennis Live TV – Good
Option 4 - Madrid Open Tennis Live TV – Follow instructions at link to create a free account at Bet365.com and see free tennis video.
UPDATE Madrid Masters - Matches over – Nadal beat Almagro, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 and Federer beat Ferrer 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 to set up the Nadal vs Federer final.
Last four, and could a Nadal vs Federer final rematch be on for Madrid?
Almagro (like Nadal) has not lost a set this tournament and will be gunning for an upset on a surface that suits him to a tee.
Rafa’s never lost a match to his fellow Spaniard, but could this be Almagro’s day?
I pick Nadal in straight sets. <UPDATE> Wrong on that one , Nadal had to fight back from losing the first set to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 >
David Ferrer ATP Profile
Federer has a 9-0 straight winning record over Ferrer, but 6 of those wins came in 2006/07 when Roger was close to unbeatable.
This year is a different story, and the Spaniard must be thinking that if he is ever going to beat the Swiss, today may be his best chance.
Still, I think Federer’s range of shots and skills will break down the infamous Ferrer “brick wall” and that Roger will win in two sets.
Here are the best links for free TV coverage over internet. We’ll check and update these when the match starts.
If none of these are working, or to find one that works better, do try the listings at SPVod, Myp2p, RojaDirecta, Atdhe, Fromsport , Channelsurfing.
Also refer to this post for more information on watching TV over the internet, or feel free to leave a comment to report good or bad links (no registration required).
Madrid Masters 2010 – Live Tennis on TV Streams (Free)
Rafael Nadal vs Nicolas Almagro
UPDATE – Match over, Nadal won 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
Roger Federer vs David Ferrer
Starting after 20:00 local, 18:00 GMT
Option 1 - Madrid Open Tennis Live TV – RECOMMENDED – English, Use Internet Explorer and allow installation of small software when requested
Option 2 - Madrid Open Tennis Live TV – Good
Option 3 - Madrid Open Tennis Live TV – Good
Option 4 - Madrid Open Tennis Live TV – Follow instructions at link to create a free account at Bet365.com and see free tennis video.
Having seen off a stubborn attack from Ernests Gulbis, Nadal faces a difficult match against friend and countryman David Ferrer. While history and form are solidly on the Mallorcan’s side, finals have a way of introducing an element of chaos in to every expectation, and who knows what the day will bring?!
Still, having correctly predicted a 2-1 win for Rafa over the Latvian, I’ll claim to be on form too and say that Nadal will steamroll Ferrer – straight sets and giving away less than 5 games…
Here are the best links for free TV coverage over internet – we’ll check and update these when the match starts.
If none of these are working, try the listings at SPVod, Myp2p, RojaDirecta, Atdhe, Fromsport , Channelsurfing. Also refer to this post for more information on watching TV over the internet, or feel free to leave a comment to report good or bad links (no registration required).
Rome Masters 2010 – Live Tennis on TV Streams (Free) – Rafael Nadal vs David Ferrer
After 4pm local time, 2pm GMT
Option 1 - Rome Masters Tennis Live TV – Excellent quality video and sound
Option 2 - Rome Masters Tennis Live TV – English, excellent quality video and sound
Option 3 - Rome Masters Tennis Live TV - Recommended - English, excellent quality video and sound
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have both won their second round matches at the Rogers Cup in Montreal.
Federer played first, and although the match was tight, he won comfortably in the end, defeating local Canadian Frederic Niemeyer 7-6, 6-4. He’ll play fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in the next round.
Nadal looked decidedly patchy against David Ferrer. He broke straight up thanks to a poor initial service game from Ferrer, but then struggled with erratic shots and uncharacteristic errors. He was up 4-3 in the first when some knees gave out – fortunately for Rafa’s it was not his this time – it was his fellow Spaniard instead who succumbed to pain in the joints.
Rafa (and us!) will have been disappointed not to get more match play – he sure looked like he needed time on the courts. But a win is a win, and he’ll be well rested to face Philipp Petzschner of Germany in the next round. 45th ranked Petzschner upset Tommy Robredo today and though on paper it will be an easy match for Rafa, he seems to be on a good streak of form, and the Mallorcan will surely not take anything for granted.
Rafael Nadal beat David Ferrer to win his fifth consecutive “Godó” trophy, winning in two sets 6-2, 7-5 final.
Congratulations to Rafa – Barcelona is the closest he has to a “home” on the ATP circuit, and to have won these five titles in succession must be a dream come true for him. In fact, in his after match commentary Nadal said:
“I never imagined anything like this. To win again here in Barcelona, in my home club and at such an important tournament is incredible.”
Nadal now moves straight on to Rome, where he will be trying for his fourth Masters Series title, having lost last year to Juan Carlos Ferrero in the second set.
Last year it was a seriously bad blister that really knocked him down, but this year he’ll be facing some real challenges on the court too. Djokovic will be aiming to win back the title he won last year, Federer is trying to get back on track, and Andy Murray is charging from fourth and capable of anything.
My pick? Joker-Rafa final, with Nadal to win in three sets.
Rafael Nadal will play in his fifth consecutive “Godo” final, facing fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in a repeat of last year’s final.
In the semis, Rafa overcame Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2 in just under two hours.
The Mallorcan played an intelligent game, matching his opponents level and raising his rhythm whenever needed. In that way, he saved the only three break points that the Russian got as chances, and showed some better form, though perhaps not yet at his very brutal best.
The final against David Ferrer starts at 16:00 Spanish time. Use one of these links if you want to watch the game over the internet.
Links were updated and checked as the game started. The first two are in South American Spanish, good picture. No English streams seem to be available. Ya tocaba aprender castellano, no?
UPDATE: Start of play delayed due to rain – finally started at 3:30pm local time (CEST).
Federer’s match was up first on the revised schedule, with Verdasco vs Ferrer moved to a second court, same time. Nadal came on immediately after the conclusion of Federer’s match, but rain stopped play after just one game.
Click on links below for live TV Streams over internet.
Stanislas Wawrinka vs Roger Federer (game now over, Wawrinka won 6-4, 7-5)
Rafael Nadal vs Nicolas Lapentti (finished day with partial 0-1 in first set for Lapentti)
As always, refer to this post on how to watch live tennis over the internet should you need more information or assistance. Good luck!
, Nadal had to fight back from losing the first set to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 >
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have both won their second round matches at the Rogers Cup in Montreal.
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