Federer was clinical in his approach as usual and demolished his opponent easily in an easy three set victory. Nadal also played impressively to win a rain delayed match in three straight sets. But as Wimbledon moves into the second week, the biggest Grand Slam stage is becoming more and more competent.
But what is more interesting is to have a look at FEDAL stats in Wimbledon until now and to see where we are headed in the next week:
Statistics* | Federer | Nadal |
1st Serve % | 161/233=69% | 167/240=70% |
Aces | 37 | 20 |
Unforced Errors | 47 | 24 |
Winning on 1st Serve | 135/161=84% | 133/167=80% |
Winning on 2nd Serve | 49/72=68% | 46/73=63% |
Winners | 127 | 103 |
Receiving Points Won | 105/253=42% | 116/280=41% |
Break Point Conversions | 13/24=54% | 15/30=50% |
Average 1st Serve Speed | 117 | 113 |
Average 2nd Serve Speed | 99 | 90 |
*includes all the three rounds of Wimbledon
Roger Federer:
My Opinion: It is interesting to see that except unforced errors, Federer seems to have an advantage over last year’s defending champion Nadal. Federer is looking better than last year and playing with extreme confidence. You can see a spark in his eyes which says that this time he is ready for the big day. He is hitting some sweet shots, big serves and winners heading into the next week which could probably be the defining moment of his career. At times, it seems that he is a replica of Sampras with his service games over in a minute’s time. Phew!
Tip: To beat him, one needs to pray that he plays with a closed eye and makes more unforced errors.
Quote: "I played well from start to finish. I am playing better than last year -- more confident on serve and more relaxed with my returns. I think I played a great match."
Rafael Nadal:
My Opinion: He is playing pretty well and it can be seen from the fact – 0 unforced errors in the second set of third round. But it’s the next week that he is waiting for as with the sun coming out more and more, he feels that the court will start to behave more like clay court. Deadly. Isn't it? For other players, that might be a bad omen. This is the first time he hasn't dropped a set in the first three rounds of the first week in Wimbledon. He is playing an all-round game with only 24 unforced errors till now. That in itself is enough, isn't it?
Tip: To beat him, one will have to hit winners on a consistent basis as he is Mr. Error Free. And also hope that his discomfort in leg prevents him from playing his game.
Quote: “I'm very happy with how I served [and] in the third set I certainly played very well.”
Next Round Matches:
Roger Federer vs Mikhail Youzhny: Mikhail defeated Almagro in 4 sets but I would predict an easy victory for Fed in three sets.
Rafael Nadal vs Juan Del Potro: This will be the match of the tournament so far. With Del Potro in great form, Nadal will have to play at his best to have any chances. And who better than Nadal to know that Potro's ranking is not indicative of the kind of player he is (US Open Semifinal 2009 where he had beaten Nadal). But with Nadal playing so well and experience behind him, I would pick Nadal as the winner.
All In All, we might be heading for a FEDAL final based on their current form and statistics. Something every tennis fan would be looking forward to. And how fitting it would be for Fed to win his seventh Grand Slam against his old nemesis and erase the memory of 2008 final which has haunted him till date. The stats above say Federer CAN.
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(Djokovic/Murray- What do first week Wimbledon stats indicate: Part 2)
Follow ApekshaHA on Twitter for Latest Updates: http://twitter.com/#!/ApekshaHA
(Djokovic/Murray- What do first week Wimbledon stats indicate: Part 2)