Roger Federer’s attacking style did not pay off this time.
There is a very encouraging and analytical understanding of the Federer Nadal match at Internazionali BNL d’Italia final. Craig O’Shannessy breaks down for the ATPworldTour site. Craig O’Shannessy uses extensive tagging, metrics and formulas to uncover the patterns and percentages behind the game.
“Don’t be fooled by the scoreboard; Federer’s updated game plan was absolutely correct. A lot of times in tennis you may still fail as you manufacture a new pathway, even for the elite players of the game.
Federer won six of the first nine points of the match and served and volleyed twice in the opening game to signal his aggressiveness. The intent was correct; it was Federer’s inability to sustain the attacking success that was the problem for the Swiss.
Federer Serving
Federer served and volleyed eight times (six in the first set), winning 75% (6/8). That helped create shorter points to stop Nadal running his favourite grueling baseline patterns. Federer directed 17 serves out wide to Nadal’s backhand in the deuce court, making 10 and winning six. He also surprisingly hit seven second serves out wide, winning three of them. The tactic didn’t deliver in Rome, but it may be something that bears fruit in Paris.”
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