Will Nadal win Wimbledon?
Writing in The Times today, Simon Barnes says that there is hardly a player in history who could have lived with Rafael Nadal on the form he showed to defeat Andy Murray at the All England Club. Yet the Spaniard is likely to face one of the greatest grass-court players in history if he and Roger Federer progress to the final on Sunday. Who do you think will prevail then?
Has the best-loved blogger in cyberspace sufficiently improved his game to prevent the Swiss adding to his five consecutive titles? Or did Federer show in his humiliation of Mario Ancic that he remains unbeatable on the surface?
Maybe - though it's a long shot - you think Marat Safin or the winner of the barely-mentioned quarter-final between Arnaud Clement and Rainer Schuttler can go all the way?
Vote now and let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
It will all come down to what's in Federer's head. After the thrashing he got in the French Open final, he'll either come out for the long hard fight as King of center court and win it or if the unforced errors start early he could collapse. He will need to be at his best. Nadal is in the form of his life.....
Posted by: Tober Reilly | 3 Jul 2008 12:35:14
I cannot wait for the showdown. With both players in their top form, it will be another blockblaster breakfast at Wimbly I supposed. I will pick Rafa. It's time for the change of guard that probably should happen if not because of the nerve and fatique factors of Nadal last year. Good luck to both!
Posted by: rafa4ever | 3 Jul 2008 16:14:05
Rafael Nadal is one of the best tennis players in the all time history of this sport. Further to his physical strength, his eagerness for victory and his humility out of the courts makes him a real model of a great sportsman. I am sure he can win this Wimbledon. Furthermore: he deserves it.
Posted by: Arturo | 3 Jul 2008 17:08:29
The force is with Nadal.
Posted by: Alan | 3 Jul 2008 18:43:21
I think that Rafa is in progression, and anxious to play a final with Federer. Otherwise the swiss fears to play five sets against Rafa, who fights all points as a final one. So my favourite is Rafa
Posted by: José Calvet | 3 Jul 2008 20:43:42
Yes, it has to be said that Rafael Nadal is great tennis player and his game on grass has come on 'leaps and bounds' over the last two years. Last year, he shocked Roger Federer by just how much his game had advanced since their previous meeting on grass. This year, Mr Federer knows just how good Rafael is and will come out 'all guns blazing'. I think that Rafael will be made to look like a 'fish out of water'. This is Roger's 'Roland Garros'. Sorry Rafael, you will have to wait until Roger retires.
Posted by: Mathew Rowlands | 4 Jul 2008 01:29:38
Rafa Nadal is in top shape. I don't think Federer is going to get his way in spite of playing on grass, yet may the best man take the crown
Posted by: Edward | 4 Jul 2008 14:44:38
It's going to be very close, but I'm going to back my main man Rafa to win it in a 5th set tie break!
Vamos Rafa!!
Posted by: Jack | 4 Jul 2008 20:28:19
The force is with Roger. He will win Wimbledon for the sixth time on Sunday.
Posted by: Maria | 4 Jul 2008 22:36:03
We are so lucky to watch two such fine players and fine sportsmen battle for the title.
Who minds who wins, it will be such a splendid battle?
But the contest between Federer's serve and Nadal's ground shots will decide the winner. Since his serve comes first, the match is Federer's to lose.
Posted by: Alan Wilkinson | 5 Jul 2008 02:43:32
Nadal knows this his very best moment, and sure he will try to beat Roger at 'his court', just as Roger tought this year at Rafa's territory, Roland Garros. But nobody runs faster than the ball, specially on grass, and Federer knows it. The biggest dream for the 5 times Wimbledon champion is not to get his 6th cup but to breake his own goals and became the best of the best without any doubt, this is what really moves to Roger Federer and will make him win again.
Posted by: Alberto Gamboa | 5 Jul 2008 04:29:28
It's pretty simple. Just a basic arithmetic progression. In 2006 wimbledon final, Nadal won 1 set off Federer, in 2007 won 2 sets so in 2008 will win 3 sets.
Posted by: Alejandro | 5 Jul 2008 06:05:10
It seems ominous that mac lost in 5 at borg's 4th wimbledon and then won the year after. Now I can see the same happening to roger and rafa
Posted by: martin | 5 Jul 2008 10:22:24
This reminds me of trying to pick winners in a big horse race. You think this or that horse can do it on form and you try to look past the favourite. But who wins? The thoroughbred favourite with all the form in the world was always right under your nose. It will be Federer of course.
Posted by: peter | 5 Jul 2008 11:55:04
Might I say it will all depend on Nadal. If Nadal is on, it could be over in straight sets.
It is Nadal's to lose. All true tennis fans will want to see both players at their best tomorrow.
Posted by: li | 5 Jul 2008 13:29:31
Federer just edged it last year and Rafa's improved more than Fed.
But still a tuf un to call!
Posted by: Mike Donald | 5 Jul 2008 19:53:48
Nadal is the best at the moment, and he will win Wimbledon !!!
Posted by: | 6 Jul 2008 00:30:02
very good play, nadal have had in this period, all the previous Wimbledon matches, and tommorow is goig to win, what else? He just dont have choise. Federer has very bad 2008-season.
Posted by: Ole Nadal | 6 Jul 2008 00:33:47
Nadal is the best, at the moment. very good form.he is especially motivate to win Wimbledon, because he hadn't done it before. he is in perfectly fisical condition, and very good play on grass. what else?! he is going to win tommorow.
Vamos Rafa !!!
Posted by: Olivera | 6 Jul 2008 00:40:01
I'm a RAFA FAN!
i say Rafa can do it!
As long as he plays his best tennis and nvr give up (:
Roger can win it too.
his brimming with confidence and this is his turf so i found it weird when people started discounting him.
It also depends on fed and if there's a psychological fear after that thrasing. but tht said, this is his turf so maybe rafa could be in this position?
also if fed is looking for revenge which i think he might, he'd definitely make it hard for rafa..
Rafa has the quality so it'll be a hard fight!
RAFA FTW
Posted by: Val | 6 Jul 2008 06:50:11
rafa all the way - he has everything this year.
Posted by: darcey wynter | 6 Jul 2008 12:43:24
Sorry guys but Federer is the best player on earth. And he will win.
Posted by: Dani Major | 6 Jul 2008 14:01:12
End of discurssion, I am sorry for Federer fans but Rafael do it again, And now he has one Wimbledom and Roger has not one Roland Garros. Another matter what Grand Slams had Federer was he has 22 years ? Rafale has 5 Grand Slams
Posted by: JUAN LUIS DESDE ASTURIAS | 6 Jul 2008 22:19:29
looks like you were wrong pal!!!!!!!
Posted by: | 6 Jul 2008 23:14:04
rafa done it today and won it so happy to tell all these haters get a live he is the champion 2008
Posted by: afrah | 6 Jul 2008 23:42:25
Dani Major,
You need a serious reality check..
You're living in the past.
Posted by: Luisfer | 7 Jul 2008 00:01:57