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Spaniard runs 10 per cent less in second set; Federer runs more
An Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers analysis of distance run in the first two sets of matches by the current Top 10 in the FedEx ATP Rankings from 2018-2020 identifies that almost all run less in the second set than the first. Rafael Nadal leads the pack by running 10 per cent less in set two than set one.

And then there is the curious case of Roger Federer, who was the only Top 10 player in the data set to run more in the second set.

The data set is comprised of matches at ATP events on Hawk-Eye courts.

Overall, Nadal ran more in the first set than any other player in the Top 10, at an average of 3512 feet. That is right at 30 per cent more than Matteo Berrettini, who ran the least of the Top 10 in set one at an average of 2478 feet. But once set two began, Nadal was the master at running less compared to his opening set.

The Spaniard averaged running just 89.7 percent of his set one distance in set two, which can be attributed to several factors. Perhaps he wore his opponent out in the first set and they didn’t have the stamina to stay with him in set two. It could also be Nadal cleverly formulated a strategic edge in set one that bore fruit in set two. Another possibility is that he simply loosened up and dictated more in set two after taking the opening set.

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Daniil Medvedev was second best at reducing his work rate in set two, running 89.8 per cent of the set one distance. The other players who covered significantly less court in set two than set one were Novak Djokovic (91.9%), Dominic Thiem (92.1%), Alexander Zverev (93.0%) and Matteo Berrettini (95.4%). Stefanos Tsitsipas and Gael Monfils were almost identical with distance run between sets, with both being within one percentage point of their set totals.

Federer ran 104.2 per cent more in set two compared to set one. Possibilities why include opponents being able to play more baseline to baseline points in set two compared to the marauding net game Federer typically likes to employ right out of the gate in the first set. It could also have to do with the fact Federer is already on the low end of the spectrum, running just 72 per cent of the distance Nadal did in the first set.

Of all players, Gilles Simon took the honors with the highest average of distance run in set one (4165 feet) and set two (3904 feet), while Nick Kyrgios ran the least in set one (2081 feet) and set two (2024 feet).

Overall, the dynamic of player movement highlights various game styles and the willingness to either try and force errors early in the point or extract them later by wearing down an opponent both physically and mentally.

2018-20: Top 10 Set 1 vs Set 2 Player Movement (in feet)

Ranking

Player

Set 1

Set 2

% Diff. Set 2 vs. Set 1

2

Nadal

3512

3150

89.7%

5

Medvedev

3280

2944

89.8%

10

Goffin

3338

3016

90.4%

1

Djokovic

3206

2945

91.9%

3

Thiem

2929

2699

92.1%

7

Zverev

3053

2839

93%

8

Berrettini

2478

2363

95.4%

6

Tsitsipas

2965

2934

99%

9

Monfils

3380

3374

99.8%

4

Federer

2521

2628

104.2%

Relive the pair's memorable 2006 clash at the Foro Italico
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have played 40 times across 16 years in their legendary ATP Head2Head rivalry. But still today, 14 years on, their clash in the championship of the 2006 Internazionali BNL d’Italia remains one of their most memorable.

It was only the pair’s sixth meeting, but it was clear that Federer and Nadal were tennis’ titans. Federer first earned the No. 1 FedEx ATP Ranking more than two years before their Foro Italico battle, and Nadal took World No. 2 in July 2005. He held a 1,290-point buffer ahead of World No. 3 David Nalbandian the week of 2006 Rome.

Nadal had already proven to have at least some kryptonite to counter Federer’s aggressive, free-flowing game, winning four of their first five matches. The ever-improving lefty won 2005 Roland Garros — including a semi-final victory against Federer — and beat the Swiss to triumph at the 2006 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters in four sets.

“I think I'm actually going to improve a lot by playing more against him, and I already feel like I have since he's been around,” Federer said after his defeat in Monte Carlo. “The more I play him, the more I'll also figure out his game and the easier it's going to get for me. Maybe I'm too optimistic, but I really believe it.”

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Federer got his chance to prove it on 14 May 2006, competing against Nadal on a hot Rome afternoon. He went for his shots, and was unafraid of being passed at the net, winning 64 of 84 net points.

The Swiss was in a winning position while leading 6-5 in the fifth set. Nadal hit his first double fault of the match to give Federer two championship points.

Triumph appeared even closer when Federer worked his way to neutral in the rally on his first opportunity, smacking a forehand down the middle of the court. However, he missed long.

“The first one I was more disappointed about because I was in a good position, and I didn't want to go for the outright winner at all,” Federer said. “I just tried to play solid and with a lot of spin to his backhand, and long. I just couldn't get quite over it in time, so that was a pity. I guess the first match point that cost me the match.”

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Federer still had another chance, and he went for broke on the run with a missile-like forehand down the line, missing well wide.

“I think the second one was definitely rushed. I tried to hit a winner. Why not? I already had one match point, so I thought I might as well go for it a little bit,” Federer said. “I didn't try to totally hit a winner, but tried to play aggressively and I was a little late on it.”

“I was lucky that when he had match points,” Nadal said. “He made a mistake with two forehands, one which was quite simple for him.”

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Federer also led 5/3 in the deciding tie-break. He missed a mid-court forehand that would have given him three consecutive match points. Instead, Nadal won four straight points and fell to his back after clinching his second Rome title with a 6-7(0), 7-6(5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5) win.

“I have won, but I could have lost. I've been down many times,” Nadal said. “For sure I played very well, but it was a very tough match. It was complicated.”

The clash remains the longest of their rivalry, lasting five hours and five minutes. Of the 40 matches they have played, it was the only one clinched in a deciding-set tie-break, and the only one in which the winner saved match point. Federer won 179 points to Nadal’s 174, marking the only occasion in their rivalry that the loser won more total points.

“It was very close from [the] start until the finish. The result obviously reflects that, too,” Federer said. “I came back well and in the end I should have won. He caught me right on the finish line… That's all I could do, fight hard and try and play as well as I could. It was a pity in the end.”

Did You Know?
Nadal also beat Federer in their other Rome clash, which came in 2013. The Spaniard triumphed 6-1, 6-3. Nadal now owns a record nine titles at the Foro Italico, while Federer has never triumphed at the ATP Masters 1000 event.