Read on Twitter
After beating Djokovic in the 2015 WTF RR, Federer lost the next 4 sets vs Djokovic, 3-6 4-6 1-6 2-6. What changed?
Well, it seems like Djokovic finally started dominating the Serve-Return battle in their matchup. Given his already better baseline abilities, the matchup swung.
Well, it seems like Djokovic finally started dominating the Serve-Return battle in their matchup. Given his already better baseline abilities, the matchup swung.
In the 2015 WTF Final:
Out of the 59 points on Federer's serve, only 28 of them ended in the first 3 shots. That is less than 50% of the service points, meaning RF's serve was neutralized. ND won only 18% of those points but he had achieved his primary goal.
Out of the 59 points on Federer's serve, only 28 of them ended in the first 3 shots. That is less than 50% of the service points, meaning RF's serve was neutralized. ND won only 18% of those points but he had achieved his primary goal.
In the first two sets of the 2016 AO SF:
Out of the 43 points on Federer's serve,only 19 of them ended in <=3 shots.This time,ND won 9 out of those 19 points.RF's serve wasn't just neutralized. It was dominated.
Tennis's greatest returner had destroyed Federer's biggest weapon.
Out of the 43 points on Federer's serve,only 19 of them ended in <=3 shots.This time,ND won 9 out of those 19 points.RF's serve wasn't just neutralized. It was dominated.
Tennis's greatest returner had destroyed Federer's biggest weapon.
To add some more statistical data to this, Federer has an ace rate of 9.8% vs Djokovic in his career. In those four sets, his Ace rate was just over 5%.
It had taken more than 40 matches but I would say Novak Djokovic had finally gotten a read on the fabled Federer serve.
It had taken more than 40 matches but I would say Novak Djokovic had finally gotten a read on the fabled Federer serve.
That is, on an average. Fed's ace rate was higher in the second set of their 2015 match but it was way lower in the other 3 sets.
