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Federer searches for ways to stop Djokovic
credit: rolandgarros.com, By Matt Cronin
t may seem like a century ago that Novak Djokovic lost a match, but it was a little more recent than that, back in late November in the ATP World Finals when he fell 6-1, 6-4 to Roger Federer. That was just a week before Djokovic began his great run in the Davis Cup final when he won both of his matches and led his nation to its first title. Fast-forward to 3 June in Paris where the two will face off for the 23rd time, and we find Djokovic on a 43-match unbeaten run.
In that time, he has taken down the mighty Swiss on three consecutive occasions, in the 2011 Australian Open semi-finals, the Dubai final and the Indian Wells semi-finals. If Federer does not find the right formula to disturb the much-improved Serb, Djokovic will take over world no.1 ranking for the first time, pushing defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal down to no.2, regardless of how the tournament finishes.
Federer leads their head-to-head clashes 13-9, but the two have only played three times on clay, twice in Monte Carlo in 2006 and 2008, both wins for Federer, and once in Rome in 2009, a victory for Djokovic. Federer has won four of their seven matches at the majors, but with the way that Djokovic suffocated him in the their last two matches, his past success against a man five years his junior can largely be tossed out the window. He has to play at a higher level than he did in their matches this season, with Novak seemingly playing better with each passing week.
"He has a lot on the line, which we all know about," Federer said. "I have been there myself before in 2004 when I was going for world no.1 against (Juan Carlos) Ferrero in, Australia in the semis of a Grand Slam as well, so it's a similar situation. I'm looking forward to the match. We always really play well against each other. Australia was fantastic, Indian Wells was good too, Dubai a bit more disappointing. But in Grand Slams we also have tough matches, and that's why I'm looking forward to play against him."
Their last two matches at the majors have not gone the way of the 16-times Grand Slam champion, with Djokovic fighting off two match points to stun the Swiss in the 2010 US Open semi-finals and then taking him out in four sets at the same stage of the 2011 Australian Open.
When Federer was on top of their rivalry, he was the more dominant server, could control rallies with his forehand, was able to attack Djokovic's service and played the big points better. This season, Djokovic has developed a dependable, forceful delivery that is arguably as effective as Federer's, has added force and depth to his forehand and can usually equalise Federer on that side. He is returning service just as accurately and with more aggression and has won the vast majority of big points against every player on the tour.
"I just know what to do on the court," Djokovic told Tennis Channel recently. "Physically I'm very fit and mentally I'm very stable."
In short, the reason for his seizing control of their rivalry is because he is peaking in mid-career, while as well as Federer is still playing, he is no longer at his former dominant level at the age of 29.
However, Djokovic still has tremendous respect for his foe and realises that he must be wary of letting his guard down. "He's a great player, a great champion. But I've been playing the best tennis of my life, and I need to get out there and believe that I can win," Djokovic said. "That's the only way I can get a positive outcome... Roger has been the most successful player in Grand Slam history."
The interesting thing on Friday will be to see whether Federer can add some new twists to his strategy. His coach, Paul Annacone, would like to see him attack the net a little more, but that will be difficult if Djokovic is serving well and keeping him pinned behind the baseline. Federer must effectively employ his low backhand slice, occasionally go for backhands down the line and keep the Serb guessing, because once the ball is in the latter's strike zone, he is very adept at controlling the court and shackling his foe. In fact almost everything will have to go right for the 2009 Roland Garros champion to win the match, but he has found himself in difficult positions before and come through.
Regardless of who wins the match, their first clash at Roland Garros should be fascinating. "I have a couple of days to prepare and come up with a good game plan," Federer said after his quarter-final win over Gael Monfils. "I don't think I have to change a whole lot, but there is a lot to change because it's a clay court match. That's where I have to go back in time, because I haven't played him that much on clay… Now maybe [his] streak is less at stake in some ways because it's more of a big match against me so it's easier to focus just on playing me instead of the whole situation. But I think the no.1 situation is the big one right now for him and not so much the streak. But it all goes hand in hand - it's going to be an interesting day."
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july 19 
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3 มิ.ย. 54 13:20:48
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Tennis....French....>> Federer....vs....Novak
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