Radio Podcast Aug 17, 2010. Rogers Cup Wrap Up & Cincinnati Preview

The Rogers Cup has wrapped up and the men have headed to Cincinnati this week for the second leg of US Open Series Masters Events.

Nima and Dan preview and wrap up the action from Toronto and make some bold predictions as to what they think will happen this week in Cincinnati.

This week’s show will also feature American Sam Querrey.

As always, you can alternatively listen to the #1 tennis PodCast via iTunes and never miss another episode. It is very easy and completely free.

Cincinnati Masters: Andy Roddick First Round Press Conference

Q. What did Stakhovsky do differently in this match that he didn’t do the first time you played him?
ANDY RODDICK: Well, he didn’t serve 40% tonight. I think he served 38 or 40% the first time we played, and that makes for an uphill battle most times.
So he served a lot better, and I think that — I mean, I think that’s the main difference.

Q. How were you able to recover so well in the third set after being up 5-4 in the breaker, had the match on your racquet…
ANDY RODDICK: 5-2 in the breaker.

Q. 5?2 even, sure. But having the chances to close it out and then not doing it, but you coming out so strong right after.
ANDY RODDICK: You know, it just happens like that sometimes. I mean, you lose a tough one that you’re up, what do you do? You just keep going. I get on the right side of it and was able to — you know, the third set was almost a blessing in disguise that I got to play it, because that’s the best I’ve played in a couple months.
So, you know, unfortunate that I was there, but I’m glad I played well in it.

Q. Set point first set and 5-All tiebreaker you came to net both times and you didn’t get the point. Is that something that you’re working on with Larry, to come to net a little bit more or at crucial junctures of the set?
ANDY RODDICK: Well, yeah, I mean, it didn’t work then, but it worked a lot to set up the points. I would say overall had to be 65% points won at the net. I’m not sure what the exact stat is.
Also I think just him knowing that he couldn’t get away with — he has a pretty good chip. I wanted to establish that he wasn’t gonna be able to play that as just a safety shot to be comfortable.
And so, you know, not only just look at the net approaches, but sometimes he forced a couple there in the third set I guess not wanting me to come in. So it’s all ?? that doesn’t just show up on one point. It’s a process of kind of working your way through a match sometimes.

Q. You tee’d off on his second serves. At one point, 60% of your second returns. Did he do anything different on his second serve that he didn’t do on his first?
ANDY RODDICK: Um, did he do anything different? Well, yeah, I mean, the first serve is obviously coming in at 128.

Q. Aside from speed.
ANDY RODDICK: Um, you know, I felt like once we got to neutral tonight I was winning the majority of the points. So I’ve been returning pretty well in practice. I mean, he goes for it pretty good on his first serve, but he also goes tight. You know, he rarely goes for the safety, you know, body serve or he doesn’t give himself a lot of margins.
So his first serve points won is normally gonna be pretty high when he does get it in, so it is important to try to establish the upper hand on his second serve points. I did that well tonight.

Q. That 6?1 in the third set suggested that the mono wasn’t a problem.
ANDY RODDICK: No. I mean, I don’t know that I feel perfect, but good enough. It’s just something that at this point you hope it’s ?? you don’t know what percentage of it is there. You just go. If you make the choice to go out there, you try to give it your best.

Q. Third game of the match, first-round match, Come on. You had about a dozen tonight. Was this in your mind a little bit bigger match than maybe expected to get so involved very early on?
ANDY RODDICK: I think so. I wanted to show a little bit of emotion tonight. You know, I wanted to get the crowd involved. I want to compete. More than anything, I just wanted to compete out there and be tough the whole time.
I did. I lost the second set, but I came right back and I was able to get back on top. So I thought I did a good job of that tonight. I was excited to play. I had a good time out there tonight.

Q. Talk about the ridiculous shot at 3-0 in the third set. That was an unbelievable shot to break.
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I mean, he barely snuck that lob up over my head, and, you know, it was unfortunate. I went from a dominant position in the point to a very defensive position. The only thing I was trying to do was I thought that he was probably coming in on that. He likes to come in when he can.
So I figured ?? all I was trying to do was get direction up the line, and actually edged the up hitting it better than…

Q. Good shot?
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I ended up hitting it more solid than I thought. But I think it was because of direction. He was kind of covering the crosscourt, and it was probably the safest shot.
Yeah, definitely not gonna execute that one every time, but I was happy I made it.

Q. Did you lose any weight with mono?
ANDY RODDICK: No.

Q. Is there any danger in exercising heavily when you have it?
ANDY RODDICK: Possibly.

Q. We saw the braces on your ankles tonight. How are they feeling after your first match?
ANDY RODDICK: Those braces have been there since — how old are you?

Q. 13.
ANDY RODDICK: 13. They’ve been there since you were about five. So they feel okay. (Laughing.) Thank you, though.

Q. You’ve had a lot of success on the court in Cincinnati. What are some of the top things you like to do when you have some free time off the court?
ANDY RODDICK: Well yesterday I had a pretty good day. I was out here at 9:30 and practiced about a an hour and a half with Fish, and then caught the Red’s game. My friend Homer Bailey from Texas, we train together in the off?season, so I caught him pitch six scoreless, and then went over to the Bengals game last night and then had a nice steak dinner.
You know, it was a pretty good day.

Q. T.O. was here tonight.
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah.

Q. Did you get a chance to talk to him at all?
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I saw him afterwards. Might go get a bite to eat now. He traveled to Australia, so I figured he would come up to Mason.

Q. Your next opponent is de Bakker. You played him in Indian Wells and you got him 4 and 4. He actually out?aced you that day, and I came away from that match telling people, I just saw Andy Roddick play a version of Andy Roddick. It really looked like you were playing yourself when you played de Bakker. What are you gonna do different against him this time?
ANDY RODDICK: Well, if that’s the case, that should make the scouting report easier for me, right? I played him in Australia also first round. He plays big. You know, I think the thing that he’s gonna want to probably look to improve on as he gets a little older is just consistency.
He’s certainly capable of hitting big serves and shots, it’s just a matter of not playing the loose games. It think that’s the difference, or it has been the difference the two times we’ve played.
He’s certainly can hit the ball big, and he’s certainly a very dangerous opponent.

Q. Has your backhand gotten a little bit better? It looks like he was targeting that a little bit more this match.

ANDY RODDICK: Well, I mean, people talk about how good it’s gotten. I don’t know that I would consider it like a great shot, but I don’t know that it was ever as bad as people made it out to be either.
It seems to be when I win a match, my backhand is so improved; and then when I lose a match, it’s the worst shot in tennis. So tonight it was improved.

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Day 7, Cincinnati, Roger Federer Post Match Interview

R. FEDERER/N. Djokovic

           

6-1, 7-5

           

An interview with:

           

ROGER FEDERER

           

 

            THE MODERATOR:  Questions, please.

 

            Q.  With the debate of the greatest of all?time, obviously with you winning the 15th slam and all that, Laver said you can’t compare eras.  If you had to answer the question in terms of criteria to determine who the greatest of all?time would be, how would you go about answering that?  Not adjust a player, but what to you constitutes the greatest of all?time in the sport of tennis?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, I mean, I guess you gotta to be winning many titles and being at the top for very long.  You know, dominating I think is also part of it.  Yeah, I mean, I think that’s about what it is, you know.  Having streaks, you know, no matter how they are, you know.  If you’ve been able to create stuff that maybe hasn’t been done before.

            Then again, Laver is not on the wrong side.  It’s hard to compare eras, and that’s why we don’t know who it is.

 

            Q.  It would be natural to lose focus a little bit after a milestone win at Wimbledon, after becoming a father for the first time.  You clearly haven’t if this week was an indication.  How do you think you’ve been able to manage that?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, I mean, I think I had sort of a good mindset and I had a good nine months to get ready for it, which helped.  You know, Mirka was great burg the pregnancy, so I kind of knew that when the babies arrived that she’ll be relax and she’ll be, you know, great support and she won’t mind the traveling if it’s necessary.

            All os that I think contributes to me to be free in my mind and being able to do, you know, what I do best.  You know, the hard work I put in again in between Wimbledon and Montreal, you know, people don’t know about, but things went great.  You know, I was three weeks at the hospital, but I also went for practice, you know, almost every day except obviously during the time of the birth and right after.

            But that was all great, you know.  My condition trainer was really happy with the work I put in, and with Severin we were really precise on what we wanted to work on.  We had Stefan Koubek come over from Austria and had a great practice week.

            All of that I felt like ?? actually I’m playing very well at the movement.  Of course I was always going to be confident after winning, you know, those big titles in a row.  I felt like my game was already pretty well in practice already, so I knew when I was coming over here it was just not just to show up, but to really do something.  I mean, that it already paid off so quickly I’m a little bit surprised, you know.

            But it’s been great, and now I look forward to New York.

 

            Q.  You mentioned in the awards ceremony with Mary Joe how happy you are in your personal life.  You said it’s perfect.  Is there a direct correlation between that and how well you play?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Sure, I mean, it helps if you’re happy in your personal life.  Then again, when I walk on the court it’s all tennis.  I have to sort of be able to block things out that happened off the court.

            I want to have fun out there.  I love playing in front of sell?out crowds.  If you don’t get a high from then something’s wrong with you and you better retire.  I don’t ever have that feeling, and I’m sure I will never get that feeling.  Walking out on center court is a great feeling.

            So then in away connected, but not really.  Then when the match is over, then you do your personal life and you see how you try to juggle both things best.  It’s not always easy, but by now I have some experience so it’s not a problem.

 

            Q.  How special is this title for you?  It’s your 61st of your career and your first as a new dad.

            ROGER FEDERER:  Yeah, I think that’s the special part, especially winning for the first time as a dad.  It’s a great thing.  Gets me going emotionally a little bit, because I know it’s been a wonderful summer.  And going through all of what I’ve been through and then now right away having success again, it’s a great moment in my career again.

            You know, Mirka couldn’t unfortunately be in the stadium today, but I know she was watching and happy for me.  You know, it’s good to have a week with her to really hang out in New York before playing some more matches.

 

            Q.  Is this title any different than the previous ones since you became a father?

            ROGER FEDERER:  I mean, I think I played very well, you know, throughout the tournament.  But I think it was quite similar to a few years ago when I think I also won here against I think Blake one year in the final and Roddick in the final.

            In all the years I’ve come here I’ve always sort of struggled early on but then got on a roll, and it was the same again this year.  I mean, like I said, this is a special year for me to win the first title as a dad.  But it’s also my first Masters Series win again on hardcourts since a long time.

            I’m happy I was able to win here in Cincinnati, my first Masters 1000 on hardcourt again.

 

            Q.  Do you ever let your opponents relax?

            ROGER FEDERER:  What do you mean?  They are relaxed.

 

            Q.  Is there a point in the match where a point is not as difficult for them as it is at any other time?  Do you always stay after it every point?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Yeah, I mean, I think that’s what you gotta do to stay at the top, because it’s windy at the top.  You know, you’re a little bit off your mark and off your game.  You know, you won’t win those matches.  It looks convincing 6?1, 7?5, but if a few points go here or there or your focus is not right on breakpoint, then you’ll be broken.

            Actually maybe you are the better man, but you end up losing because you’ve lost focus on the biggest points.  That’s why you always got to push yourself on each and every point.  My game allows me to mix it up and make it hard for the opponent, that he doesn’t know what’s coming.  That’s what I’ve done best for so many years now.

 

            Q.  One of the other things you said on court was that you are quite lucky to be here because the girls came earlier than expected.  When were they supposed to come?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Beginning of August.

 

            Q.  Could have been difficult.

            ROGER FEDERER:  Yeah, I mean, I guess I would have come here, but then without the girls and without Mirka.  You know, so that’s the way it went.

 

            Q.  Going into next week’s US Open, how would you assess your current confidence level as opposed to going into the US Open this time last year?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Just a little bit different just because last year we didn’t have the break we usually have in between Wimbledon and Canada.  Instead of having, you know, let’s say two weeks off, two weeks practice, I ran from like, you know, one week off, five days practice, and off we go to Canada.  Cincinnati I’m trying to hang onto my No. 1 ranking.  And then we run to China and some to the US Open, and here we are, you know.

            I was lucky enough that when I got to the New York that the fans were I think really there trying to push me back to No. 1 right away.  They were great, you know.  Like all the cab drivers and everybody was stopping to wish me luck.  It was something that I’ve never really experienced before in New York.

            I think that really helped turn it around for me.  Because after having the disappointment at Wimbledon, even though I played great ?? and also in Beijing where I actually played all right, but also didn’t win that.  I was sort of disappointed coming into the US Open, even though I won Olympic gold in the doubles.  For the singles that maybe didn’t really help that much.

            The fans for me really turned it around, and that’s why this year I’m so excited going back there.  I’ve had even better results, so I hope I can again show them what I can do on a tennis court.

 

            Q.  How would you compare this tournament to the other stops on the tour?  What do you appreciate about Cincinnati the most?

            ROGER FEDERER:  I think it’s sort of a quiet tournament in between the big majors we have or the big cities we sometimes have.  It’s nice to have it a bit more calm at times.  I like that change.  You know, the players like coming here.  They really try hard to put on a good event.

            I think the stadium is fantastic to play in.  It’s always a good atmosphere.  It seems like people really come here for ?? maybe it’s a weekend, maybe it’s an entire day, but then they stay all day at the grounds.  Wherever you go practice or walk out, they’re waiting for you.

            That’s not always something that happens, because in the big cities they come watch the match and they leave.  They go for dinner or go somewhere else.  Here, they always stay at the courts, which is quite different.

            I think that’s why they’re very tennis fanatical here.  For the players, it’s awesome.

 

            Q.  Tiger will be in the New York area next week for a tournament.  Have you texted or talked about getting together at some point?

            ROGER FEDERER:  I didn’t know, so thank you for the hint.  I’ll contact him and see what he’s up to.

 

            Q.  Do you have a friendly rivalry with him just in terms of like you’re one major ahead of him now.  Do you guys give each other grief?

            ROGER FEDERER:  It was more like when we met for the first time.  The first few years were very like, all right, I’m up on you.  And I was like trying to catch up, but I knew I was never going to because I thought he was gonna to always stay ahead.

            Of all of a sudden he had his long injury, and that allowed me to catch up and even pass him.  Ever since it’s sort of calmed down.  But of course I support him as much as I can, and him the same thing.

            So we’re always happy when we win titles, especially majors.  I think it’s gotten to a really fun rivalry.

 

            Q.  Seems like your serve is back to its very best.  Is that something you’re most happy with?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, it’s just good to know that when I need a good serve I can hit it, you know, whereas maybe last week I still had some muscle pain just from coming back on tour.  Pounding the big serves your arm gets heavy and stuff.

            That’s stuff you just have to go through.  That’s why I’m happy I was able actually to also come to Montreal and one of the reasons I was able to win here.  I got the muscle pain out and got used to hitting big serves again.

            I have no back problem and pain, so that allows me again to play freely and focus on the way I want to play and not the way I have to hit the shot.  That’s a big difference today than a few months ago.

 

            Q.  3?3 in the second set, you had a fantastic dropshot that kind of got the crowd going.  Was that a big momentum changer?  The first set you kind of had a relatively easier time compared to the second set.  Talk about your performance in the second set.  And also, did you feel that Djokovic maybe increased his level in the second set to make it tighter?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, yeah, I mean, my focus is on my own game.  I mean, Novak plays good or bad, for me, I try to weather the storm if he plays better.  But I was happy the way I came out of the blocks again.  I played aggressive.  It was quite similar to the Murray match.  I didn’t maybe give him that many chances.

            Even though I didn’t have a first serve percentage that was very high, I think I served very smart and good on the second serve to always keep him guessing and not knowing what’s gonna come.

            I wasn’t missing much.  When I wanted to play aggressive, that worked too.  Unfortunately I got broken early on in the second, which I could have avoided.  But he hung tough, and in the end played some good points to get the break.

            I knew that though, because I was in so many service games with him in the first set that if I keep at it I’ll get a chance to break back and then maybe momentum swings again.

            That’s kind of what happened.  I really had the feeling today I could mix it up the way I wanted to.  That then gives me a lot of confidence.  You know, I was playing great from the beginning to the end.

 

            Q.  Can you speak to the importance of winning that second game of the first set today?

            ROGER FEDERER:  The second ?? well, I mean, it’s important, but I don’t think it’s crucial.  I mean, sure, the beginning is important, but I feel like such an early stage of the match, that’s not the deciding factor yet.  I broke him plenty of times today, and he also broke me once.  I don’t think the second game was all that key after all.

Radio Podcast, August 23, Rogers Cup + Cincy

The US Open series kicks it into high gear and Tennis Connected has as well. We discuss the Montreal Rogers Cup, Cincy Masters and for the first time ever we discuss the Toronto WTA Rogers Cup event. Check it below or on iTunes where the podcasts are now enhanced to include chapters and artwork.

Cincinnati Masters, Day 7 Action: Roger Federer Wins 16th Masters 1000 Title

Cincinnati—An early afternoon setting in Mason, Ohio was the perfect back drop for a battle between two of the game’s elite. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic had not only played each other at the grandest stages on the planet—they were also well groomed to the high pressures of numerous top tier finals.

Federer had lost the last two meetings to Djokovic in 2009; the Serb was in desperate need of a caffeine boast in his game heading into New York.

The match-up was set, and the combatants did not disappoint.

Although the first set was done faster than the fans could say “The Western & Southern Financial Group Masters,” Federer blew through Djokovic in less than half an hour.

The care-free swagger of Roger Federer was back. Playing with no pressure, the Swiss allocated all of his fine-tuned resources to picking apart his formidable opponent.

Taking full swings off the Djokovic serve, Federer readily hit his backhand up-the-line on deuce side, only to follow up his pin-point return with a deft volley cross-court.

Djokovic was in trouble—everyone in the crowd knew it—including the Serb’s cheering section.

After being broken on two occasions in the first set, which featured Federer winning 89 percent of his first serve points, Djokovic converted his once defined concrete game-style into a 3-0 second set lead.

The one glaring deferential when Djokovic’s takes the court nowadays is his uncertainly towards point construction.

When he first stepped on tour, Djokovic was a brash, let-loose type of player with the whole world in front of him. However, since his victory in Melbourne at the beginning of 2008, the role of being the hunted has not been an easy one to digest.

The criticisms to the Djokovic game have been evident throughout the 2009 season. He has been present in many major finals, but has consistently come up short.

Today’s final in Cincinnati proclaimed the continued confusion of the young Serb’s game—he went onto squander his 3-0 lead, only to be broken at 5-6 serving.

Final score: 6-1, 7-5.

The win for Federer became his fourth tournament title in his last five outings. The Swiss will now head to New York as the unanimous favorite in his quest to add onto his legacy of 15 Grand Slam titles. He also captured his first title as a father.

“Yeah I think that’s the special part, especially winning for the first time as a dad. It’s a great thing,” said Federer.

“Gets me going emotionally a little bit, because I know it’s been a wonderful summer. And going through all of what I’ve been through and then now right away having success again, it’s a great moment in my career again.”

By contrast, Djokvoic falls to 2-8 on the year in final appearances. Although Djokovic’s employment on Sunday leads the tour this year, losing on six occasions is never a stat a player will be proud off.

How do I sum up Djokovic’s chances heading into the US Open? Much better than when he entered Mason, Ohio.

At the very least, Djokovic heads into NYC with a few more wins under his belt. His confidence is not sky-high by any means, but at least he has a better gauge into what he needs to work on going into the final Grand Slam of the season.

Simply put, Djokovic needs to get back on the road to being aggressive, taking initiative in points, and not allowing his opponents the luxury of a free-for-all on his service games.

Project Todd Martin is upon us.

“Yeah, it’s gonna be next week. But I’m not stopping with my coach, because I have seen the media talking about me stopping with Marian Vajda,” said Djokovic.

“Todd being two time finalist of a the Grand Slams and being top 5 player and playing on a highest tennis level, professional tennis level for a long time, makes him very experienced. I’m very, very happy, and I’m really looking forward to it.  He’s got a lot of ideas and things I can improve on, a lot of things in my game. One week is not gonna be enough for all of that, but it’s a process.”

Finally, the word “process” becomes a part of the Djokovic lingo. Yes, it’s a process, this game of tennis, and believe it or not Djokovic must start from the bottom up, in order get his game back to its prominence of 2008. In fact, he will have to improve on every facet of his game in order to achieve what he once did, because everyone around him has improved considerably.

Well folks, another Masters 1000 event is in the bag. Roger Federer not only captured his 16th Masters 1000 title this week, he also solidified his standing as a dominate favorite heading to his record sixth straight title at Flushing Meadows.

Please check back on Monday, when I will shift gears to New Haven, Connecticut and the Pilot Penn Tennis event. Stay tuned tennis fans, the US Open is creeping up quickly, and many fantastic story-lines await. Cheers.

Day 6, Cincinnati, Rafael Nadal Post Match Interview

N. DJOKOVIC/R. Nadal

6-1, 6-4

An interview with:

RAFAEL NADAL

THE MODERATOR:  Questions, please.

Q.  What happened in the first set when you got broken twice in terms of was there something about his game that threw you off?

RAFAEL NADAL:  No, I think he played good.  He played really good with very good intensity during all the match.  In the last games I think he decrease a little bit more than the rest.

But I think he played really well, no?  So I told you yesterday, no, it’s another step.  Physically and mentally it’s difficult for me be ready.  But I think this match gonna be a good experience for me right now to try to be in this step in the US Open.

Q.  Despite the result tonight, you played great tennis after being two months out.  What we can expect for the US Open?

RAFAEL NADAL:  You never know.  You never know.  I expect play really well and try to win.  That’s what I expect, no?

But tennis is difficult, and all the players are very close and gonna be really tough in one tournament like the US Open, no?  Five sets, so we will see how I am physically to play the five?sets matches.

But this week is very important for me, no?  These two weeks, winning three matches here and two matches there, six matches, five matches win and seven matches in total, so it’s enough matches I think.

I am happy for everything:  happy to be here and happy to be more ready for the US Open than what I expected before came to this American tour.

Q.  You’ve talked this week like you didn’t expect to win the tournament.  Do you feel like you’re ready to win tournaments again?

RAFAEL NADAL:  We will see, no?  The No. 3 of the world normally is ready to win tournaments.

Q.  Does any ranking change affect maybe your mentally, the drop from 1st, 2nd, and now 3rd?

RAFAEL NADAL:  Yeah, a lot.  I am really sad.  (Laughing) No, sure, speaking seriously that’s normal.  I didn’t play for the last two months and I was ?? I had the season under control before Roland Garros.  I was No. 1 on the race by far, by a lot of points.

So remains the end of the season, and I expect be there to try to be 1, 2, 3, 4, you never know.  But I gonna be there to try to fight for the top positions.

Q.  What was the strategy, your plan of attack going into the match?  Djokovic actually had is 4?3 edge against you in hardcourt matches, even though you led overall.  What were you trying to capitalize on in the match?

RAFAEL NADAL:  I tried to play aggressive, no?

Q.  Do you feel you did that?

RAFAEL NADAL:  No.  My feeling on court was he always was in the middle the court and I was always outside, two meters behind the baseline.  That’s the feeling what I had.

So I told you before, I think I wasn’t 100% ready to play at this step.  So it’s another level, and I need to play at this level more than one time to be ready to compete another time with this level, no?

I know when I am playing well I can play at this level.  But these matches, you only can win the matches against these top players at your best tennis.

Q.  We miss your Uncle Toni.  Where is he now?

RAFAEL NADAL:  Yeah, probably he ?? well, right now he’s probably sleeping, (laughter) but he’s in Mallorca, no?  I think he’s enjoying more than us.

Q.  Is he gonna be at the US Open?

RAFAEL NADAL:  Yeah, he’s coming there.

Q.  Djokovic had you running around a lot and staying in a lot of long rallies.  In terms of the long rallies you were playing and hard hitting rallies, how do you feel physically after that?

RAFAEL NADAL:  No, I feel well, no?  But Djokovic played with very high intensity, and for me it was a little bit hard to keep at this intensity all the time, no?

I can play some points, but remain a little bit more, I don’t know exactly how to explain in English, no?  A little more concentration, a little more…

Q.  Focus?

RAFAEL NADAL:  Not focus, no, but be ready to play at this level, no?  Don’t have to do something special to play at this level, no?  So right now my feeling is I had to do a little bit more than usual to play at this level.

When I’m okay, I play at this level and it’s a normal thing for me, no?

So…

Day 6, Cincinnati, Novak Djokovic Post Match Interview

N. DJOKOVIC/R. Nadal

6-1, 6-4

An interview with:

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

THE MODERATOR:  Questions, please.

Q.  Could you explain a little bit your feelings after a great performance like today.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, obviously I have to be very pleased with the way I played.  This has been one of the best matches in the season so far.  It came in the great moment just before the US Open.

I think I was trying to be from the first point in the control of the match, be very aggressive, and take the chances on each shot or ball that I had.  That’s what I did.

The serve was exceptionally well when it needed to be, so overall I’m very happy.

Q.  Do you think you’re at somewhat of a disadvantage with the quite late start and obviously a very early final?  Roger has obviously had a lot longer rest.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Yeah, that’s unfortunate side of today’s match.  But I’m not thinking about that in this moment.  I’m just pleased to get into the finals, and then I hope I can recover physically and perform as well as I did tonight tomorrow.

Q.  Despite your record ?? you’re 4 and 14 in the series and your four wins came on hardcourts ?? do you go into this match with a lot of confidence?  Talk a little bit about that.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, yes, hardcourt is my favorite surface, and the surface where I achieved biggest success so far in the career.  I just feel quite comfortable playing on this surface.  It just suits my game.

I was aware that I will have to raise the level of my game tonight in order to win against Rafa.  That’s what I have to do tomorrow as well.

Q.  When you think about your meeting with Roger at last year’s US Open in the semis, or when you even think about that US Open, do you think of that match, or did it get kind of lost in what happened in the quarters against Andy and all the ruckus that followed?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, it was very strange tournament for me last year, the US Open.  But the positives of it is that I reached the semifinals and played quite well.  I’ve been playing last three years really, really well and reaching the final stages of the US Open.

So that’s very encouraging fact for me for upcoming Grand Slam.  Obviously US Open is the most important tournament for us in this period of the year, so everybody is trying to set up their form for New York.

But, no, I’m not thinking about that match before finals tomorrow.  I’m just trying to stay focused and perform as well as I did tonight.  Last two meetings we had this year I won, Miami and Rome.  Both of those meetings I was a set and a break down, so I didn’t have a great start.  That’s where I will try to make better tomorrow.

Q.  So what specifically do you need to focus on to beat Roger tomorrow?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Well, he’s a different kind of player from Rafa.  Rafa runs more and, well, gives you more time to do the things maybe you like.

With Roger, the points are shorter, so if he plays the way he was playing in most of the year so far, it’s gonna be really difficult.

But, well, obviously I will have to be focused on each point.  He’s gonna put a lot of pressure on my service games and he’s gonna go to the net.

As well as he played today, I hope we can have an interesting match tomorrow.

Q.  I heard that there was a possibility for you and Rafa to play doubles here in Cincinnati; is that true?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC:  Yeah, that’s true.  Unfortunately he wasn’t ready physically to play singles and doubles, so he just decided to play singles.  Maybe we have chance in the future.

Cincinnati Masters, Day 6 Action: Federer and Djokovic To Face Off In Finals

Cincinnati—The implications of a Roger Federer win over Andy Murray today, held much more than a trip to the finals of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters for the Swiss.

Federer had won numerous Masters 1000 events throughout his illustrious career, which had included two trips to the podium in Cincinnati. To say that Roger Federer had “been there and done that” in the grandest stages that tennis had to offer, would be an understatement.

However, one critical stat of importance which could defiantly tarnish the Swiss’ career accolades when he retires is the current sub-par H2H standing he holds with his chief rivals.

Going into today’s match-up with No. 3 seed Andy Murray, Federer trailed 6-2 in the pairs H2H. Although Federer held 15 Grand Slam titles and Murray had yet to win one, the fact that the Swiss had not defeated his Scottish opponent for the most part, meant the current No. 1 would have a serious blemish on his resume if the record could not be reversed.

With the thought of a comprehensive win on his mind, Federer began today’s match with very little in the way of a full out aggressive game-style.

“I stayed aggressive,” assessed Federer. ”I was always looking to make the plays, and I think in the end I deserved to win just because I wasn’t scared to go after my shots. And I think I served well today. It was just overall a very good performance.”

Serving well was perhaps the underlying  component to Federer’s win today. He won 100 percent of his first serve points in set one, only to lose a total of four first serve points in set two. The comprehensive serving performance by the Swiss ended with four aces and 89 percent of his total first serve points won.

Murray by contrast couldn’t muster up a single break-point opportunity on the day, striking 10 aces and winning 72 percent of his first serve points. Murray also squandered two sets points in the second set tie-break, and finally unraveled on Federer’s match-point by donating a double fault.

Murray’s loss denied him an opportunity of capturing the elusive double of winning in Canada and Cincinnati. The defending champ will lose 640 points for his defeat, with the winner this week collecting 1000.

The Scot will remain No. 2 heading into the US Open regardless of how Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic finish.

“I played seven, I thought, very solid matches. And then yesterday (against Benneteau) and today weren’t so good. That could come have down to a combination of things: My opponent was playing well, my level dropping slightly. In both matches I just started a little bit sluggish and then managed to find my game. I don’t know if that’s a sort of mental fatigue thing or not just playing consecutive days a lot,” said Murray.

“It was good for my fitness to get used to the heat and the conditions. Any of the guys will tell you that playing in this heat these back-to-back weeks is very difficult to do well in both of them. I think I’ve had a good, good few weeks. It’s been perfect preparation for the US Open. I’ll go there this evening or tomorrow and rest up for a couple days and train hard before it starts.”

As mentioned the win for Federer is a substantial one. He had lost to Murray on four straight occasions, and needed to reclaim a degree of momentum over one his main rivals heading into New York.

I get ask the question “who do you think is the greatest player of all time,” quite a lot. And my response often times is Federer. However, when I answer that question, I make sure I throw in the asterisks of his losing H2H record against both Andy Murray as well as Rafael Nadal.

Well, there is no time like the present to rid oneself a losing label. Federer positively improved his career record with Murray by winning today, and he will have to do much of the same tomorrow when he battles Novak Djokovic.

Although Federer leads Djokovic in the pairs H2H 7-4, the Swiss has lost the last two meetings with the Serb, as well as three of the last five hard court meetings.

Djokovic advanced to his fourth Masters 1000 final of the season after a resounding 6-1, 6-4 win over No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal.

The Serb began the match by exploiting the tentative movement of the Spaniard. Before he knew it, Nadal was down one-set-to-love, on the heels of being broken on two occasions and only winning 46 percent of his first serve points. A stat which is unheard of for the Mallorcan.

The second set saw a much tighter score-line between the two Grand Slam champs. Nadal cautiously gained a single break-point mid-way the second set,  only to have it snatched away by another blistering Djokovic first serve.

After prolonging the inevitable, Rafa once again finished second place, in as many weeks, to a player who was fitter and more match tough.

The analysis of the Spaniard’s game continues to be very similar to last week. He is definitely hitting the ball well and will need time develop his patterns of confidence, along with his foot speed. Once those variables are in place, the old Rafa should be as good as new.

With Nadal and Murray sitting out of this weeks final festivities, Federer and Djokovic will step in and clash in their second Masters 1000 final.

Going into Sunday’s final, Djokovic remains the man with much more to lose. Federer’s ultimate goal this week was to gain some match play, and if possible, defeat Murray or Nadal—he has already accomplished both.

On the other hand, Djokovic could use a big title going into the US Open. His year-to-date has included very little head-way in the Majors, with only Dubai and Belgrade gracing his trophy cabinet.

Federer will undoubtedly be looking to avoid three straight losses to Djokovic. Pride is a grand component of the Swiss’ game, and constantly losing to the same opponent does not sit well with him.

The serve of both competitors has been stellar all week, and tomorrow’s contest will likely come down to a few breaks of serve, wrapped around a tie-breaker or two.

All in all, another great Masters 1000 final is on deck.

Please check back on Sunday, when I will have a complete finals wrap-up from the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters, from Mason, Ohio.

Day 6, Cincinnati, Roger Federer Post Match Interview

R. FEDERER/A. Murray

6-2, 7-6

An interview with:

ROGER FEDERER

THE MODERATOR:  Questions, please.

Q.  Yesterday you were mentioning your series with Andy was just a couple points here and there.  The question is:  What did you do differently today, if you can think of anything?  Because the difference was only a couple points here and there that enabled you to pull through.

ROGER FEDERER:  Well, I don’t think that actually changed a whole a lot.  In the last few times I played against him I ?? very often, I think if you look back I won the first set.  Ended up losing the second set and then can’t find my way back into the match in the third.

So that’s kind of how he sort of ran away with it.  To me it was obviously important this time rather the same doesn’t happen again.  You know, I stayed aggressive.  I was always looking to make the plays, and I think in the end I deserved to win just because I wasn’t scared to go after my shots, you know.  And I think I served well today.

It was just overall a very good performance.

Q.  Given that pattern of matches that you mentioned, were you quite relieved to close it out in straight sets?

ROGER FEDERER:  I mean, sure, you know.  But even maybe losing the second set this time around, you know, I felt I was in the match, I was feeling well, I was striking the ball well.

Whereas at other times I really felt like, This is gonna get really hard in the third set.  I kind of felt it coming that I was not gonna win the match.

Today was different.  If even if I were to lose that second set, I would have been in the match with a good mindset.  You know, I was feeling well.  I think it’s also in a way normal after two very windy days that made it very difficult to play here.

Today was just much easier, and I played a really good match.

Q.  Talk about the pressure in the tiebreaker that can lead to double faulting a match away?  Have you ever done that?  And how do you keep your cool in those points?

ROGER FEDERER:  I’ve done that as well last week, so I’m very happy.  I did the same against Tsonga, and that was 7?6 in the third.  Sure, that’s not something you really want to do, but sometimes that happens.  Maybe you’re trying to spin the ball too much or, you know ?? I mean, it’s pressure.

Double faults just sometimes happen.  You hope they don’t happen on match points, but they sometimes do happen.  Very rarely actually, and especially between two top guys they don’t because we’re too consistent.

But I think it’s maybe also something to do that I was able to pressure him.  He was not sure if I was gonna maybe run around the backhand and thump a big forehand or maybe just chip it in.  Maybe making him doubt a little bit brought a double fault out as well.  I don’t know.

Q.  When was the last time you felt that good on this surface this year?

ROGER FEDERER:  Well, I mean, I guess it was at the Australian Open.  I played some good matches as well in Indian Wells and Miami.  I haven’t played a whole a lot yet on this type of a surface this year yet, so this is good that I played well today.

Q.  You’re playing very well today, but do you think that the timing of the win is as important as the win itself obviously going into New York?

ROGER FEDERER:  Um, I mean, to me, not really.  I told the guys yesterday that winning or losing for me against Murray is not the key here.  For me, it’s about playing well and trying to win the tournament.  I’m playing the tournament, not the player, you know.

So I’m not gonna change my tune saying, Now this is gonna put me as a massive favorite for the US Open and now Andy is not gonna beat me next time.  That’s not true.  He’s a wonderful player, and he’s had an incredible streak on hardcourts.  He’s just been very consistent, and it takes a great performance to beat him these days.

You know, that’s what I was able to do that today.  I know it could be different, but right now obviously it helps my confidence.  But I have to focus on what’s to come, and this is the final tomorrow.  The tournament is not won yet, even though I beat the second best player in the world right now.  We’ll see how it goes.

Q.  Do you consider yourself a natural?born entertainer, or is that a role as an athlete you had to grow into over the years as you’ve been in the biggest stages?

ROGER FEDERER:  Um, I think on the court, yes.  Off the court, no.  Um, I think that’s something I grew into because I was ?? I mean, I was very outgoing and energetic off the court when I was younger, but rather on the shy side if it came down to ceremonies, let’s say, of award shows, or maybe signing autographs, taking pictures.

For me, I didn’t think that was sort of part of whole pack, so I didn’t kind of figure that out early on.  Of course it was nice when it happened, but I didn’t know really how to handle it.  Also in the beginning you get mixed up.  They ask you if you’re another player.  So that doesn’t help your confidence sometimes.

Today I feel great.  On and off the court, for me, it’s a lot of fun.  Now it’s for me natural to feel good everywhere I go and everything I do.

Q.  The fans are hoping Rafa wins tomorrow.  Do you have a preference?

ROGER FEDERER:  I’d like to play Rafa just because he’s been hurt.  It’s always nice seeing a guy back at the top right away again.

But, again, same thing with Novak.  He’s maybe not had the run he was hoping for and he’s also coming back.  I think it’s a good match for both players.

Q.  How would you describe the difference between the last tournament in Montreal and here in Cincinnati?

ROGER FEDERER:  Well, not serving out the match I should have won, and then maybe who knows what I would have done in the semis against Murray.  But the next thing you know, you have to concentrate on the first round again in Cincinnati.

That’s how it goes in tennis.  But, I mean, I think I could have done something good in Montreal.  Maybe it was too early for me to…

Q.  Do you feel better now?

ROGER FEDERER:  Well, I mean, I thought I was playing okay yesterday and the day before.  But conditions were so windy, so it was just ?? some of those matches you just want to get through them and hopefully win.

But I definitely think Ferrer and Hewitt, who are both baseliners gave my better rhythm for the semifinals today, for instance.  Whereas maybe last week I wouldn’t have been so consistent off the baseline yet because I came through different type of players.  You know, Tsonga who’s mixing it up a lot and doesn’t give you that much rhythm.

Q.  If it’s Rafa tomorrow, did you expect to face him so soon after his comeback, or does it seem like a long time since you played him?

ROGER FEDERER:  Well, I mean, we played in Madrid.  That’s not that long ago.  That really got the streak going for me, beating him on clay and then going to win Paris and Wimbledon.

Not that surprised, you know, that he’s doing so well just because ?? I mean the guy’s only lost like six matches this year.  It’s not like he already lost like 20.  I know he’s coming back from injury, but the injury wasn’t ten months.  I mean, it was two months.  I know that’s a long time as well, but it’s not too long after all.

I mean, of course he’s looking for his game.  I hope he’s feeling well now.  At the end of day, he’s a great player and an unbelievable competitor.  He’s got that image, too, which the players know about.  He’s obviously going to make it hard for the opponent.

It seems like things are coming back together for him, which a great to see.  Of course I would like to play him, but that’s not something that I think was playing in our heads, of Rafa and myself, that we’re gonna play in the finals here.  He’s still got some work to do.  I’m there already waiting.  Maybe it’s gonna happen.

Q.  Even though recent matches with Andy have been close ones, psychology starts to enter into it if it gets too lopsided.  How important was it to win today rather than going into New York perhaps with an 0?5 streak if you meet again?

ROGER FEDERER:  Doesn’t matter to me.  I’m past that point, you know.  People and media like it hype it up that you get a ?? you know, you don’t have the mental edge and stuff.

I don’t read into that stuff.  For me it’s important that my game is on.  I know when it’s on, I can beat any player in the world on any given day.

Sure, it’s better to have winning streaks.  But if you don’t, you kind of forget about those and you regroup and come up with a better game plan next time.

Q.  Who presents more of a challenge for you tomorrow?  Both players are very difficult.  In terms of your game, who would be more difficult to play?

ROGER FEDERER:  Well, it’s just a completely different matchup, you know, just because ?? I would say that too if, let’s say the other guy were to be Nieminen, let’s say, against Djokovic just because one is a lefty and one is a righty.  That has nothing to do with the quality ?? both are quality players.  Both have incredible footwork and solid shots, forehand and backhand.  That’s why they’re up there in the rankings.

Sure, Rafa has caused more problems for me in the past, but I also played him about, I don’t know, 12 to 13 times on clay which didn’t help in my head?to?head.

Sure, I’ve had better matches with Rafa than with Novak in the past.

Q.  Who would people confuse you with when you said you were just coming up?

ROGER FEDERER:  Oh, I had long hair, so it was Carlos Moya and Tommy Haas and some other guys, you know.  So I knew I had some work to do.

Day 6, Cincinnati, Andy Murray Post Match Interview

R. FEDERER/A. Murray

6-2, 7-6

An interview with:

ANDY MURRAY

THE MODERATOR:  Questions, please.

Q.  That challenge in the tiebreak, did you know right away it was ?? were you second guessing yourself?  You kind of fell on the ground when you said challenge.

ANDY MURRAY:  I looked at the mark and I knew it was in, so I knew I had lost the point.

Q.  Do you take anything from the fact that you fought back?  You fought back from a hole in the second set, to fought back from a hole in the tiebreak.  Does that mean anything?

ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah, I mean, I was just happy that I managed to keep it close in the second, because I returned poorly and served poorly.  Against Roger, if you do both of those things, it’s gonna be very, very difficult.

I stayed strong and played some good points from the back.  Obviously had chances to win the second set.  You know, I thought that was a pretty good effort, because that was not one of my best performances.

Q.  Was Roger’s level of play similar to the US Open final from last year?

ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah, I don’t know.  You know, obviously different matches.  You know, I didn’t think I played that well in either of the ?? well, today or in the US Open final.

But, I mean, if you let Roger play well, then he’s very, very difficult to beat.  I mean, the first set, you know I was leaving the ball short and giving him a lot of second serves to look at and not making a whole a lot of returns, so therefore unable to put any pressure on him.

He was going for his shots because I was leaving the ball in the middle of the court.  I did that a little bit in the US Open, too.

You know, I was happy managed to up my game in the second set.

Q.  Why do you think you couldn’t play your best today?

ANDY MURRAY:  I don’t know.  Sometimes that happens.  You know, I had a long couple of weeks.  I played ?? this was my ninth match in, I don’t know, 13, 14 days.

Every single match I played in the heat of the day.  Every one of them.  Not one day did I get to play a night match.

So it was good for my fitness to get used to the heat and the conditions.  Any of the guys will tell you that playing in this heat these back?to?back weeks is a very difficult to do well in both of them.  I think I’ve had a good, good few weeks.

Q.  How do you feel then just ahead of the US Open?  Do you feel in really good shape for the Open and pretty high on confidence after the efforts over the last couple of weeks?

ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah, well, I played seven, I thought, very solid matches.  And then yesterday and today weren’t so good.  That could have down to a combination of things:  My opponent was playing well, my level dropping slightly.

In both of matches I just started a little bit sluggish and then managed to find my game.  I don’t know if that’s a sort of mental fatigue thing or not just playing consecutive days a lot.

You know, it’s been perfect preparation for the US Open.  I’ll go there this evening or tomorrow and rest up for a couple days and train hard before it starts.

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