Will Federer Boom or Bust—Nathan’s Notice

Written by: Staff on 17th February 2012

Will Federer Boom or Bust—Nathan’s Notice |

By: Nathan M. Cuny

Roger Federer has had a fun February. He accomplished his most recent success this month after defeating Jarkko Nieminen, 7-5, 7-6² on Friday the 17^th, in the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament quarterfinals. Roger Federer has not won a title this year, with his biggest loss so far at the Australian Open semifinals, where his old rival Rafael Nadal defeated him. His most recent loss came at the hands of No. 14 John Isner in their Davis Cup tie.

Federer’s start to the year is nowhere near his end of the 2011 season but his luck is changing. In his quarterfinals match against Jarkko Nieminen at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, Federer did not face a single break point. Federer hit eight aces and won 86 percent of his first serve points. Fridays win made Federer’s 13^th straight one over Nieminen.

Nikolay Davydenko, the next man in Federer’s way on his course to the finals, reached his first semifinal of the season after beating Richard Gasquet 7-5, 6-3. Davydenko lost to Federer earlier this season at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in January. As many of you recall Federer withdrew from that same tournament just prior to his semifinals match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Roger Federer’s current match record against Nikolay Davydenko is 16-2.

Of all the top 4 players Roger Federer is the only to have a full schedule this month. Following his likely success in Rotterdam he travels to New York City, where he participates in the BNP Paribas Showdown. His challenger, Andy Roddick, faces off with Federer in Madison Square Garden. You can also catch Maria Sharapova smacking it out with former women’s No.1 Caroline Wozniacki at the showdown. Soon after the Showdown, Federer moves over to Dubai for the Dubai Duty Free tennis championship where he’ll play his last tournament of the month.

Winning the tournament in Rotterdam will give Federer a nice 500 point boost to his current amount of 8,010 points, according the South African Airways rankings. His closest rival, Rafael Nadal, at the No.2 spot currently holds 10,435 points, putting him just within arm’s length. Success in Dubai would also add a much needed 500 points to Federer’s points ranking, however Dubai will likely be more difficult with both Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray returning for the tournament.

Federer faces either No. 10 Juan Martin del Potro, or No.7 Tomas Berdych in Rotterdam’s finals. Del Potro and Berdych face off Saturday, February 18^th at 2:00 pm. Federer contends with Davydenko on Saturday as well, following 7:30 pm. Federer fans hope for the best as he gives his all to win his first title of the season. We all know Federer is a great player, and he’s still too young to retire without going out on a bang.

Topics: Roger Federer