Game plan
Roger Federer v Ivan Ljubicic
Every number combines what Roger Federer does well with what Ivan Ljubicic allows, each measured against the tour average and shrunk toward it when the sample is thin. Flip perspective
Forecast
Each player's serve and return strength is fitted against every opponent they were charted against, so a record built on weak opponents counts for less. At least one of them is no longer active or has too little charted in the last three seasons, so both are compared on their careers. The result is then nudged by Roger Federer's record against Ivan Ljubicic's tactical lookalikes and in their charted head-to-heads (lookalikes: −0.5 on serve, −0.7 on return vs expectation (10184 points); head-to-head: +2.0 on serve, −0.3 on return vs expectation (1240 points)). A game-by-game Markov chain turns point odds into match odds; the 90% range covers the uncertainty in the two strengths, not the nudges. Charted matches lean toward big events, so treat this as a scouting estimate, not a betting line.
Head to head, per 100 shots
| Career | Roger | Ivan |
|---|---|---|
| Direction choice | +0.04 ±0.02 better than 68% | −0.05 ±0.12 better than 44% |
| Shot selection | +0.18 ±0.03 better than 72% | −0.08 ±0.25 better than 43% |
| Execution | +0.08 ±0.09 better than 72% | −0.17 ±0.61 better than 59% |
| Points left on the table | 2.74 ±0.04 lower than 35% | 2.68 ±0.17 lower than 41% |
Each player's career against an average tour player in the same position, adjusted for opponent strength, with a 90% margin (shots clustered by match). Points left on the table is the gap to the best-value direction for the same stroke, so lower is better. Percentiles are within each player's own tour. A side is highlighted only when the gap is larger than the margin on the difference.
Serve plan
The share of points the server wins when a first serve lands in that direction (hover a rate for its 90% interval; ± is the 90% margin). "Matchup" combines the server's rate with how this returner handles that serve. "Optimal" is the mix that wins most against this returner once they start reading a habit, at the response measured across the tour, and only within the range servers' habits actually vary. The gain over the current mix is how exploitable that mix is.
Roger Federer serving
Deuce court
| 1st serve | Now | Roger wins | v Ivan | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 46% | 76% | 73% | 76.1%±4.4 | 41% ▼ |
| Body | 8% | 68% | 65% | 69.7%±7.6 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 46% | 81% | 80% | 85.2%±3.4 | 59% ▲ |
Optimal v Ivan Ljubicic: +0.6±0.5 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving T every time would read +5.4 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Ad court
| 1st serve | Now | Roger wins | v Ivan | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 56% | 78% | 79% | 83.7%±3.4 | 69% ▲ |
| Body | 6% | 64% | 68% | 68.9%±9.8 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 38% | 76% | 77% | 80.2%±4.6 | 31% ▼ |
Optimal v Ivan Ljubicic: +0.8±0.5 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving wide every time would read +2.2 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Ivan Ljubicic serving
Deuce court
| 1st serve | Now | Ivan wins | v Roger | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 45% | 71% | 69% | 67.5%±5.0 | 39% ▼ |
| Body | 7% | 66% | 63% | 65.2%±9.3 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 48% | 84% | 70% | 80.8%±4.5 | 61% ▲ |
Optimal v Roger Federer: +0.6±0.6 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving T every time would read +7.1 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Ad court
| 1st serve | Now | Ivan wins | v Roger | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 54% | 79% | 68% | 74.9%±5.1 | 48% ▼ |
| Body | 7% | 58% | 61% | 56.0%±9.8 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 39% | 77% | 67% | 72.3%±5.6 | 52% ▲ |
Optimal v Roger Federer: +0.5±0.6 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix, inside the 90% margin. Serving wide every time would read +2.4 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Return plan
Value of each return, in points per 100 returns against an average return of the same serve (direction, court, surface): the tour's result with that return, the returner's own edge with it, and what this server gives up when it comes back to that side. Returns with no charted direction are left out, so values compare with each other rather than with zero. Depth isn't a choice here: missed returns have no depth. Serve quality isn't charted, so a block through the middle partly reflects the serve that forced it.
Roger Federer returning
1st serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Ivan | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 49% | +4.3 | +0.3 | +1.3 | +5.8±2.0 |
| FH down the line | 25% | +1.7 | −0.4 | −1.5 | −0.2±3.3 |
| FH crosscourt | 17% | +5.5 | −0.6 | −1.5 | +3.4±3.2 |
| FH slice through the middle | 5% | −4.2 | +2.8 | +0.8 | −0.6±1.9 |
| FH slice down the line | 2% | −4.3 | +1.9 | −0.6 | −2.9±2.7 |
Lean FH through the middle: +2.6±1.4 per 100 returns v the current mix (11918 returns charted)
1st serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Ivan | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH slice through the middle | 26% | −4.2 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +0.1±1.8 |
| BH through the middle | 25% | +6.4 | −0.8 | −2.0 | +3.6±2.0 |
| BH slice crosscourt | 23% | +0.5 | +3.3 | −4.3 | −0.5±2.2 |
| BH crosscourt | 14% | +8.8 | −2.0 | −0.8 | +6.0±2.7 |
| BH down the line | 8% | +4.2 | +1.0 | −3.6 | +1.6±3.4 |
| FH through the middle | 0% | +7.7 | −0.9 | +1.3 | +8.1±2.5 |
Lean FH through the middle: +6.6±2.6 per 100 returns v the current mix (16185 returns charted)
2nd serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Ivan | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 45% | −3.5 | +0.5 | ±0.0 | −3.0±2.1 |
| FH down the line | 28% | −1.8 | +1.2 | +0.5 | −0.1±3.6 |
| FH crosscourt | 20% | −0.2 | −1.5 | −1.6 | −3.3±3.4 |
| BH slice through the middle | 2% | −6.9 | +1.5 | +2.5 | −2.9±2.2 |
| BH through the middle | 1% | +0.1 | +0.3 | −0.9 | −0.5±2.0 |
Lean FH down the line: +2.2±2.8 per 100 returns v the current mix (3030 returns charted, inside the 90% margin)
2nd serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Ivan | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH slice crosscourt | 25% | −4.0 | +1.4 | +0.4 | −2.2±1.9 |
| BH through the middle | 22% | −2.9 | −1.4 | −0.9 | −5.2±1.7 |
| BH slice through the middle | 16% | −11.3 | +1.0 | +2.5 | −7.8±1.8 |
| BH crosscourt | 14% | +1.0 | −2.3 | −1.0 | −2.3±2.4 |
| BH down the line | 8% | −0.2 | −0.3 | −4.7 | −5.3±3.9 |
| FH inside-out | 3% | +1.0 | −1.3 | +0.5 | +0.2±3.1 |
Lean FH inside-out: +4.4±3.2 per 100 returns v the current mix (11907 returns charted)
Ivan Ljubicic returning
1st serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Roger | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 48% | +4.3 | −0.4 | −0.9 | +3.0±2.0 |
| FH crosscourt | 25% | +5.5 | +4.2 | −0.8 | +8.9±3.2 |
| FH down the line | 24% | +1.7 | −2.4 | −2.0 | −2.7±3.3 |
| FH slice through the middle | 3% | −4.2 | +0.7 | −0.4 | −4.0±1.4 |
Lean FH crosscourt: +6.1±2.7 per 100 returns v the current mix (288 returns charted)
1st serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Roger | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH slice through the middle | 31% | −4.2 | −0.4 | −0.8 | −5.4±1.7 |
| BH slice crosscourt | 21% | +0.5 | −0.5 | ±0.0 | ±0.0±2.2 |
| BH through the middle | 20% | +6.4 | +0.2 | −1.4 | +5.2±2.1 |
| BH crosscourt | 14% | +8.8 | −1.0 | −0.8 | +7.1±2.6 |
| BH down the line | 10% | +4.2 | −3.5 | −3.0 | −2.2±3.4 |
Lean BH crosscourt: +7.5±2.4 per 100 returns v the current mix (351 returns charted)
2nd serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Roger | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 40% | −3.5 | +0.5 | −1.3 | −4.2±2.1 |
| FH crosscourt | 23% | −0.2 | −0.1 | −1.5 | −1.9±3.0 |
| FH down the line | 22% | −1.8 | +0.5 | −1.4 | −2.7±3.1 |
| BH through the middle | 15% | +0.1 | −0.2 | −0.7 | −0.7±1.2 |
Lean FH crosscourt: +1.0±2.5 per 100 returns v the current mix (78 returns charted, inside the 90% margin)
2nd serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Roger | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH through the middle | 36% | −2.9 | +0.3 | −0.7 | −3.2±1.8 |
| BH crosscourt | 33% | +1.0 | −2.2 | −0.9 | −2.0±2.3 |
| BH down the line | 13% | −0.2 | +1.3 | −1.0 | +0.1±3.6 |
| BH slice crosscourt | 12% | −4.0 | −0.3 | −2.5 | −6.8±2.0 |
| BH slice through the middle | 6% | −11.3 | −0.7 | −1.9 | −13.9±1.7 |
Lean BH down the line: +3.6±3.3 per 100 returns v the current mix (223 returns charted)
Rally plan
Edge, in points per 100 shots: the hitter's skill with the shot (own) plus how much the receiver usually gives up against it (theirs), both measured against the tour average on clay. Each player's clay record is shrunk toward their all-surface one, so a thin sample on it moves the numbers only a little.
Roger Federer
Favour
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| BH to their forehand · rally | +4.2±3.1 | −0.4 | +4.7 |
| FH to their forehand · serve +1 | +2.6±2.6 | +1.6 | +1.0 |
| FH to their backhand · rally | +2.4±1.9 | −0.4 | +2.8 |
| FH to their backhand · serve +1 | +1.8±2.3 | +1.8 | ±0.0 |
| FH to their backhand · return +1 | +1.1±3.0 | +0.3 | +0.8 |
| BH slice to the middle · return | +0.8±1.7 | −0.7 | +1.6 |
Avoid
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| BH to their forehand · return | −8.1±3.7 | −1.8 | −6.2 |
| FH to their forehand · return | −3.9±3.7 | −1.6 | −2.4 |
| FH to the middle · return +1 | −3.7±2.2 | −2.6 | −1.0 |
| BH to the middle · return | −2.8±1.6 | −0.4 | −2.4 |
| FH to the middle · rally | −2.7±1.6 | −1.8 | −0.9 |
Ivan Ljubicic
Favour
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| BH to their backhand · return +1 | +1.9±2.5 | +1.9 | ±0.0 |
| FH to their forehand · return | +1.1±3.6 | +4.2 | −3.1 |
| BH slice to their backhand · return | +0.9±2.4 | ±0.0 | +0.9 |
| BH to the middle · return +1 | −0.6±2.0 | +0.9 | −1.5 |
| BH slice to their backhand · return +1 | −0.9±2.6 | +1.2 | −2.1 |
| BH slice to the middle · return | −1.0±1.8 | −0.5 | −0.5 |
Avoid
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FH to the middle · return +1 | −6.9±2.2 | −4.9 | −1.9 |
| BH to their forehand · rally | −5.8±2.9 | −4.3 | −1.5 |
| FH to their forehand · serve +1 | −5.6±2.6 | −3.2 | −2.5 |
| BH to their backhand · return | −5.5±2.2 | −3.7 | −1.8 |
| BH to their forehand · serve +1 | −4.6±3.8 | +0.1 | −4.7 |
Against Ivan Ljubicic-like opponents
| Roger Federer v | Matches | Serve pts won | Return pts won |
|---|---|---|---|
| All charted opponents | – | 69.4% | 39.1% |
| Players most similar to Ivan Ljubicic | 58 | 68.5% | 38.6% |
| Ivan Ljubicic (charted head-to-head) | 7 | 72.3% | 36.8% |
Similar by tactical fingerprint: Flavio Cobolli, Stan Wawrinka, Benjamin Bonzi, Richard Gasquet, Gregoire Barrere, Tommy Haas, David Nalbandian, Andrei Pavel, Yevgeny Kafelnikov. When two players have rarely met, their records against these lookalikes fill the gap.
Charted head-to-head
- Roger Federer v Ivan Ljubicic Masters Cup RR · Hard · 16 Nov 2006
- Roger Federer v Ivan Ljubicic Miami Masters F · Hard · 26 Mar 2006
- Roger Federer v Ivan Ljubicic Masters Cup RR · Hard · 14 Nov 2005
- Ivan Ljubicic v Roger Federer Indian Wells Masters R16 · Hard · 15 Mar 2005
- Roger Federer v Ivan Ljubicic Dubai F · Hard · 26 Feb 2005
- Roger Federer v Ivan Ljubicic Rotterdam F · Hard · 20 Feb 2005
- Roger Federer v Ivan Ljubicic Doha F · Hard · 8 Jan 2005