CAMELOT FANTASIES

I see 3-4 issues that seem to tilt the final slightly in nole's favor:


1. he is healthy and fit. and now he will be well rested as well.

2. these are the hard courts and this is a best of 3 sets final. nole has the edge in such formats.

3. nole is serving and returning better than Rafa. that is what gives nole the competitive edge on the hard courts. on the average, the guy is just a beast when returning and serving on the hard courts.

4. nole has had no back issues like Rafa has. Rafa was not able to even serve for 10 days after Rio.

5. Rafa wont give his backhand a chance to get in the groove. he keeps running around it when returning serve and also in rallies.


that costs him the control of the center of the court. that forces him to account for more space.


so we will just have to see if he can make some adjustments in the final.  I do expect Rafa to get by Berdych today.

all that being said, I have to support my player as much as possible. I will say Rafa in 3 in the final provided he makes the adjustments I have outlined.

and the biggest key for Rafa: he has to return well. and in addition, he has to have some rhythm with his backhand.