Ok so this post maybe a little premature with both Federer and Nadal yet to play their Quarter Final matches at Indian Wells this year. Granted we would all love to see Federer vs Nadal in the Semi Finals and it's very likely it will now happen with both players clear favourites vs their next opponents in California. Personally I cannot see an upset before the ultimate rivalry in the modern day game comes to the forefront again.
Federer will face off against world number 67 Hubert Hurkacz whose best win thus far is defeating Kei Nishikori in three sets earlier in the tournament. Federer brushed aside number one Brit Kyle Edmund 6-1, 6-4 yesterday and looks unstoppable. Neutralising Edmunds power off the forehand wasn't too much of a task for the 20 time Grand Slam winner. His backhand whilst not quiet to the standard of 2017 which saw him overcome Nadal at the Australian Open in a five set dramatic encounter is still doing damage to his opponents. But his net play has been the highlight of the tournament. Whilst Federer fans drool over his forehand firing once more, they are missing the real weapon he possesses - his net game. With such a delicate touch and crisp volleying his opponents aren't getting a look in on his service games. Rarely does the Swiss star fail to kill off a volley or smash, even those that drop gingerly below the net.
Nadal is facing a more difficult task than Federer, he will be slugging it out vs the towering and hard hitting Russian Karen Khachanov. Whilst Khachanov has not been playing anywhere near his best recently, actually since his surprise win at the Paris Masters vs Djokovic, he has found some decent form in California though admittedly he's by passed many of the big names in the draw so far. His best result here was in his last match vs John Isner. There can only be one outcome in this match, Nadal isn't a good match up for Khachanov, he hit's with too much spin and this will wear the big guy down who will struggle to hit flat and aggressive enough to trouble the world number 2, watch him melt down and become impatient with his baseline play. I expect a straight sets win for Nadal here.
Federer Gunning for Six Straight vs Nadal...
So where does this leave us in terms of the likely result for Federer vs Nadal? Judging by Nadal's capitulation in the Australian Open vs Djokovic, a clear win for Federer considering its a hard court is the likely outcome. I just can't see how Nadal will find a way past Federer with the form he's in. Nadal may lead their head to head 23 wins to 15 wins for Federer, but Federer has won their past 5 matches, all on hard courts and I can't see any chinks in his armour with his form and standard of play. Federer knows how he needs to play against Nadal now to win consistently, so expect to see him reduce the number of slices more and go for the drive backhand to pin Nadal at the back of the court and allow him to come forward and close points out at the net.
I will be looking forward to seeing just how much force Federer will create off his forehand side given Nadal's top spin. If Nadal becomes too passive, he will be punished swiftly, so he won't be able to play against Federer the way he did against Djokovic and expect a different result. No doubt their will be little compromise in regards to the Swiss' position on court, he will be on the baseline looking to move in and I don't expect to see him often a yard or two behind it. Just how well Nadal will cope with Federer in this type of form remains to be seen, but the likely outcome is another run away win for Federer. So I am calling it now, a straight sets victory for Federer.
But I will be taking positions on both a Federer outright win and 2-0 vs Nadal. Watch this space!
Watch Federer Blow British Number One Kyle Edmund Off Court in his Last Match
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