Federer-Nadal VII
Okay, this will be the 19th meeting between these two (Nadal leads 12-6, not least because so many of their meetings have been on clay). But perhaps more significant: this will be Federer and Nadal’s seventh meeting in a Grand Slam final. That ties a record that dates way back to 1919-1925, when Bill Tilden and William Johnston were the pair in question. It’s my guess that it’s a record that will be broken this year….
Federer will have the advantage of both an extra day’s rest, and a much easier semifinal, after Nadal ground out a record-breaking 5 hour, 14 minute marathon with Verdasco. Still, Rafa did get a day off, and he’s extraordinary in terms of physical endurance, so I don’t really expect fatigue to be a huge factor.
Tough call on who will win this – Nadal’s serve has finally become a big weapon, which is so necessary on hard court, and he’s learning to play a lot more aggressively. Meanwhile, Federer, despite a hiccup against Berdych, when he had to come back from two sets down, looks to be back on his game after a 2008 when he fought himself much of the year due to mononucleosis and the resultant lack of proper conditioning (not to mention rest). But I’m pulling for Roger to win his fourteenth Slam, tying the all-time mark set by Pete Sampras.