We’ll be following the match live here if you want to comment on the blog or follow the action on Twitter. My Twitter feed is on the left-side of the blog and here’s a link as well.

Does Federer have enough left in the tank to go three sets with Nadal? Several signs point to a Nadal win and this shouldn’t be hard to fathom. One, he’s almost always played Federer well (ha ha – understatement of the era). Two, Nadal has to be as hungry for a win as ever – he’s NEVER won Miami, he’s playing his 13 year hitting partner, and this is his third final of 2017 (AO – lost, Acapulco – lost). He’s due. Not to mention the last three matches vs. Federer. So, a Nadal win here is certainly in the read of this match.

On top of all of that, Federer has had a brutal draw here in Miami, his last two virtually taking him to a last breath – near death. Berdych and Kyrgios both gave Federer almost more than he could handle. The SF went over three hours. Nadal’s Fognini affair was a Cuba Libre next to the pool by comparison.

We know how good Federer has been playing. If he is a step slow (would seem only natural given the circumstances – age and draw), he needs that serve to keep him in the match.

The one thing that could be a critical element is Federer’s ROS vs the Nadal serve. Let’s keep our eye on that exchange.

Talk to you during or on the other side. Enjoy the match, folks.

Update:

6-3 6-4. Well, that was anti-climactic, which I called in my post yesterday, referring mainly to the QF and SF matches Federer played. But Rafa does make the match stand-out. This was not very compelling, from a point-by-point perspective. I will explain all of this and more in my post later tonight. Need to get outside and smell some sunshine.