(Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images)
But it is the primary factor in this match. Roger knows the Roddick game and each and every movement from Roddick dictates Federer’s response. The mental edge goes to Federer.
Roger must serve well and give Roddick no opportunities to break his own serve. Federer must also return well against the blistering pace of the Roddick serve just as he has always done in defeating Andy.
Federer must also precise in firing passing shots by Roddick whose forays into the net will be frequent. It will be Andy’s game plan to disrupt the Federer rhythm.
Will Lose If
Roddick is a better, fitter player, than he has been in recent years. His desire to win has never been suspect. Now he has more game to go with his hunger to win this Championship that has always eluded him.
He will have to overcome Roger Federer to get there just as he needed to do in the past.
Roger’s form and confidence have returned in full measure and the only thing that could cause Federer to lose is if he does not play to the level of his ability.
Intangibles
History will repeat itself in the final. No one intuits the movement and game plan of his opponent as consistently as Federer.
As much as Roddick wants to win—so does Federer. What Roger wants—most of the time—Roger gets.
Shots To Look For
Look for Roger to surpass Roddick in aces in this match.
Also watch for the Swiss master to zero in on the Roddick serve and return against the scorching pace in equal and often surpassing measure.
My Call
Federer will win. Does he do it in straight sets? Yes, if he wins the opening set. There is a chance he does not win the opening set, in which case he will nonetheless pull out a hard-fought contest.
Roddick will not go quietly because he has fought too hard to get here. He will not be content just to have made it to the finals because he has been there—done that.
No doubt about it—Roddick wants this victory and he will work hard. In the end, though, he just does not have the arsenal to compete against Federer, the greatest man so far to have wielded a tennis racket...
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