It's 3 a.m. and I am still reflecting on the wonder that was the U.S. Open. To truly recap all the memorable highlights (oh, how I enjoyed USA's coverage of Safin) would take a fortnight-plus-a-bonus-day itself! So I'll write that looking-back tome in my head, and only focus on some highlights here that have me looking forward...
MAJOR GENERAL
Perennial powerhouses Spain and the U.S. each have two players in the top ten. It was stunning that both countries lost their number two players -- David Ferrer and James Blake, respectively -- to unseeded opponents in the third round.
But it attests to the depth of talent that two of their lower profile countrymen stepped in to reach the second week. On strong merit. Tommy Robredo notably beat Marat Safin and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and then scrambled through five sets with Novak Djokovic before his run ended in that fourth round match. And American Mardy Fish yanked three seeds, including Blake -- and one set from Rafael Nadal -- before his ouster in the quarterfinal.
This makes their upcoming Davis Cup semifinal even more enticing. Though the US squad has already been named (Fish, who is getting married a few days after the tie, is not on it), it will be interesting to see Spain’s lineup. As the 15th seed, Robredo was actually the number four Spaniard coming into the Open, behind Nadal, Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco.
PRIMARY TIME
Jelena Jankovic in yellow. Serena Williams in red. Cracking the ball across the blue expanse of court in Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was as if a stage manager articulated the set and costumes, fitting right in with the USTA ad campaign, “It’s Showtime.”
And though the Serbian was in her first Grand Slam final -- the stakes not only the trophy, but also the number one ranking -- she showed no signs of stage fright. The Women’s Final was a highly entertaining match, with the second set lasting one hour and seventeen minutes -- longer than any of Serena’s first four matches.
In contrast, only Jankovic’s first round against American Coco Vandeweghe (now Girls' Junior Champ) took less time than that 77-minute final set. Though inconsistent play early on in the tournament kept the second seed on court longer than she’d have liked, she tidied things up for the final three rounds. And on Sunday night, she proved that she belongs in Grand Slam finals... and the fans love to see her there. Not just because of her play. With her vivacity and interaction, she upstaged Serena’s star power.
MORE TIME TO SHINE: HER FUTURE'S BRIGHTER THAN FOOTLIGHTS
THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF THINGS
Significant tennis news was not solely dialed on the Open. On September 1, Neil Harman of the Times of London revealed that Russian Nikolay Davydenko will be cleared in the ATP match-fixing investigation that originally made headlines before last year’s U.S. Open.
Absolution of both guilt and the burden of his scandal-bait status was originally expected at the time of the French Open. By then, it was already the longest-ever such inquiry in tennis & Davydenko was frequently referenced in stories of the Tim Donaghy-NBA gambling fix. Let’s hope this time, it's truly resolved.
Unlike many, I hadn’t written him off, but I was admittedly thinking narrow. Though I always kept in mind that Fed’s relative slump is still a damn fine year -- and that his Olympic gold in doubles was meaningful -- I was hinging huge significance on this one man in this one tournament.
But now that he has actually won his fifth U.S. Open in a row, I’m excited about the remainder...
Of the season. The Big Three of Nadal, Federer and Novak Djokovic had already qualified for the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. Since Andy Murray just joined them, the scrap for the other four spots is on!
Of the decade. Maybe we'll be soon referring to The Big Four. Today’s top four ATP players all made Grand Slam finals this year. With the most wins, Nadal will have many points to defend in 2009. A man familiar with that scenario, Federer proved that the king is not dead. Australian Open champ Djokovic morphed into a bad boy. Murray beefed up & has beaten all three men ranked above him. And the only other Slam finalist, Tsonga, is finally coming back from an injury lay-off.
Of Fed’s resurrection. Roger had to fight for this title. He’s admitted to his struggles with movement, which Jim Courier attributes to lasting effects of Federer’s bout with mono. The Swiss still never showed a consistent elevation, but he felt those moments of flow back at times. And we witnessed it.
Of his career. Sure, there are the records. But more importantly, Federer displayed his relish for challenges and the difficult matches. His ability to recover from great disappointment. This year has been a different kind of test for him and adds to my respect for the man, the athlete.
He may not be world number one, but he’s still leading.
After squeaking through a fourth-set tiebreak to beat Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals, Novak Djokovic petulantly addressed the New York crowd.
On Tuesday, Roddick made fun of the Serbian's medical self-evaluation, which is starting to sound like Bill Belichick's weekly assessment of Tom Brady the last few seasons. (Probable.) Reading the American's transcript, I laughed out loud... Vintage Roddick.
But Djokovic apparently took serious offense and, post-match with Michael Barkann, fired back Roddick's line about his "16 injuries." Barkann tried to mitigate the 21-year-old's message, but the world number three continued on, insulting the crowd.
Now I am not particularly a Roddick fan. And there's been times I really didn't like his attitude. But I have always given him props for his sense of humor. And intelligence. Even after his semifinal dismantling in Australian Open 2007 (Roger Federer beat him 6-4, 6-0, 6-2), the top American displayed grace in sarcasm.
And in addressing the Serbian's spate of injuries, Roddick was FUN-NY. Anyone who knows Roddick's shirt-sleeve shrug and shimmy of his philanthropy wrist band knows his propensity for lampooning all, even himself.
James Thurber said, "The wit makes fun of other persons; the satirist makes fun of the world; the humorist makes fun of himself."
Roddick takes it to all three levels. Djokovic, on the other hand -- barely a one-trick pony.
A year ago in Flushing Meadows, Djokovic endeared himself to the U.S. Open crowd through his post-match imitations of players, including Roddick, Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal.
Thursday evening he alienated the crowd. Even when they started to boo, he continued to whinge.
Back in 2007, Djokovic's charades were amusing for a round or two. Though not original material. Many of the ATP and WTA players imitate each other to entertain crowds at charity and exhibition events. It's a natural extension of watching the game. I've seen so much Safin that I reflexively mimic part of his forehand swing when taking a swig from my water bottle. (Yes, I know that's odd. It's also messy.)
Tour veteran Jonas Bjorkman is widely considered the master of imitations. It's something the soon-to-be retired Swede has done with class. His jocularity is affectionate* and the camaraderie is reflected in his long term of service on the ATP Players Council.
In contrast, Djokovic's send-ups are retrospectively looking mean-spirited.
Up until now, I have been trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. But there is a shade of bitterness in his actions. For example, his chest-thumping is not the hearty joy of a Marcos Baghdatis, rather a jeering, chin-jutting arrogance. It's both a preening and an isolating gesture, the latter when directed toward his family.
During that match, Djokovic at times looked dispirited. I suspect part of the reason was that the crowd warmed to the perpetual hustle of his Spanish opponent. They were backing Robredo over the course of those long five sets. The Spaniard kept his performance to athletic display and the fans roared.
Djokovic craves attention and crowd support. I believe he was playing a sympathy angle. I'm not saying he is 100% healthy, but his post-match attempts at self-effacement fell flat.
Reflecting on the tournament so far, I would say the Serbians (including the also dramatic and oft-injured Jelena Jankovic) are prone more than David Duchovny.
Jankovic would probably laugh.
In the latest era of players, there hasn't been a clearcut villain, man or woman. There have been nefarious incidents, but not a consistent foe. Some would cite Lleyton Hewitt -- in 2006, GQ placed him tenth on their most hated athlete list -- but I've found him to be likably scrappy, cocky, and yes, occasionally surly. He's had some definite missteps, but mostly I'd call him pugnacious rather than contemptible.
Besides, becoming a family man has mellowed him. And has he ever had a showdown like this?
No matter what spin is now put on Djokovic's immediate on-court reaction, the crowd won't easily forget. They're good at remembering...
Across the net from The Djoker in the semifinals stands world number two Roger Federer.
In the Opening Night parade of past champions, the defending champion -- who has won it four years running -- got the biggest applause. Though Swiss, he is a native son.
Who is not in his past intimidating form. He's a flawed hero. In the fourth round, Igor Andreev pushed him to five grueling sets, just over three-and-a-half hours. But Fed's reaction at the conclusion showed the public how much he wants to make it five in a row and claim the last Grand Slam of the year.
In his post-match interviews, You're Still The One by Orleans plays over the speakers. This is in acknowledgement of the struggles the former world number one has had all year.
Which began with his semifinal loss at the Australian Open to... Novak Djokovic.
It would be even better if Fed busts out his all-black get up again. He'd make a classic Batman.
Tennis in 2008 has gone to the flip side! Topsy Turvy! Inside out! What was once ineffable is now fallible. A little tunage might not turn things right, but here’s a suggested mix to make sense of the upside-down nature of this year’s pro season as it affects Flushing Meadows.
Brethren in Battle:Who Wants to Live Forever? - Queen
This song crafted by Queen for the movie The Highlander has its
own immortality, with renditions done by several, including Katharine
McPhee and Sarah Brightman. Sure, this soaring arrangement tucked into
the shmoopy, emotional heart of the film, but the Queen original
harkens you back to the plot, which is about kicking #### when you have
to. Even when that #### belongs to your bud.
The trickiest countrywoman matchup matters most to France. Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo faces Nathalie Dechy, who was points away from taking out then (and current) number one Ana Ivanovic in the second round of Wimbledon. Mauresmo is seeded 32nd, but Dechy just ousted her last week in Cincinnati.
Across hemispheres, Argentina will be watching intense veteran Guillermo Canas try to tame 19-year-old Juan Martin Del Potro, the hottest player on tour who didn’t go to Beijing. He’s won the last four tournaments he’s entered.
Bracket Busters:Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash/Social Distortion
Accept it, they’re both good. Ring of Fire: n. what happens when unseeded talent -- aka a dangerous floater -- gets plugged into the draw alongside a top seed. Twelfth-ranked Richard Gasquest starts out against German Tommy Haas, who has made it to the quarterfinals in New York the last two years. If you tap the Frenchman to live up to his rank, play Cash. If you pick the upset, go punk. Expect to hit replay, because this could be a marathon.
Blake’s Block:Till I Collapse - Eminem
Another countrymen duel. James Blake takes on former number one junior Donald Young in the first evening marquee match on Arthur Ashe. This is a matchup of speed. Which is good preparation for the Harvard man for what he’ll need to make it through his quadrant. Technically, it should be called Rafael Nadal’s quadrant, but Blake has a winning record against the new world number one. Blake would probably tell you that he’s not looking that far ahead. But I am. He's done two things this year he's never done before: a) come back from two sets down to win and b) beat Roger Federer. While you’re at it, go play the 8 Mile soundtrack; Eminem is one of Blake's faves.
Rabbit is talking to you, James.
Bookended:What Do You Go Home To? - Explosions in the Sky
Over in the Novak Djokovic quadrant, the two highest seeds face similar first round quandaries, crafty veteran Frenchmen. Even though Arnaud Clement fared much better at Wimbledon than the Djoker, expect the Serbian to win.
On the other hand, an injured Andy Roddick must battle magic -- Fabrice Santoro in his final US Open. If the American makes it through, he could see rising Latvian Ernests Gulbis next. The draw has often been kind to Andy. It doesn’t seem to be the case this time. The swirling instrumentals of his fellow Austinites Explosions in the Sky could be interpreted as soothing... or chaotic. At any rate, Roddick’s luck seems to be holding in the romance department, which helps, at least, who he goes home to...
Balls and Butterflies:Sleeps with Butterflies - Tori Amos
A limited edition US Open organic cotton tee designed by supermodel mom, Heidi Klum. Is it turnabout for Serena’s forays into fashion? Or perhaps encouragement for Ashley Harkleroad to keep her shirt on. Actually, a portion of the profits go to Unisphere, Inc., the non-profit organization that maintains and preserves Flushing Meadows Corona Park. I’m all for that, but for some reason I am boggled by the tennis ball-butterflies. The song selection is self-explanatory. The title to this entry is all kinds of wrong... You're welcome.
PSYCHED UP OR PSYCHEDELIC?
Big Brother’s Big Shadow:Killer or Crazy - Seal
How poetic to follow up Heidi Klum’s creative effort with her husband’s. And perhaps Marat Safin’s younger sister Dinara Safina will follow up on her US Open Series win with her breakthrough Slam -- at the same site her older brother won his first major eight years ago. Poetry. The women’s silver medalist is looking good for it; she has momentum, health and a pretty good draw.
... I tried. I really did. But I just had to name Marat* first. I would naturally be quite delighted with a sibling tandem championship two weeks from now. Symmetry. Delighted is an understatement. Mr. Klum may not be referring to biological brothers and sisters in the former song, but it works. And in the latter, he means the good kind of crazy. That works for the mercurial Safin clan too.
Battered:Sympathetic - Seether
Safina has a good draw, even though she is in Ivanovic’s quadrant, because the number one seed is nursing a thumb injury. The Williams sisters never seem to be completely healthy. Jelena Jankovic styles strapping as much as eyeliner. Maria Sharapova withdrew from the tournament due to a shoulder injury. As the song says, I’m feelin’ ya, ladies. The WTA ranks are unpredictable these days, which makes me long for months gone by...
Belgian Waffling: Almost anything by Tim McGraw
Dear Justine, you are still defending champion here. Doesn’t it seem weird to be retired? And Kim, Lindsay Davenport is back after giving birth. Does that give you any ideas? In hopes that the young Belgians would take a page from Brett Favre’s many books, I am recommending the oeuvre of his favorite musical artist. Except for I Like It, I Love It, which got more airtime than Favre’s unretirement.
Bean-Stalking:La Tortura - Shakira & Alejandro Sanz
Lacking the consistency the Belgians brought to the majors has left me undecided on a new favorite female player. However, one measuring stick has been met. In a time during which the women’s top ten averaged taller than the men’s top ten, Justine Henin proved she could, at 5’6”, power up with the statuesque. Currently, Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova, at 5’3” is ranked 18th in the world and has scalped Venus Williams, Elena Dementieva, Jelena Jankovic and Anna Chakvetadze this year. And Cibulkova cites Clijsters as her role model. The petite Shakira can belt it out, too. I suggest the duet because Sanz is sexy... for a non-Russian, non-ATP Pro.
Bottoms Up:Lost - Coldplay
But arguably the most mindbending upending is Roger Federer at the bottom of the draw. This eventuality has long been announced and prepared for. Yet it’s still difficult to grasp, at least for people with leanings toward the Swiss. Could this in fact be what the maestro wanted, even if just subconsciously?
He had been alluding to the so-called monster he created, the expectation to win everything. Now he is echoing those comments in reference to Nadal. After all, only the world number one has that unique pressure, and nobody ever had it like Fed. I’m not saying that’s the only thing at work, but I have to wonder...
Just because I'm losing, doesn't mean I'm lost...
Not that I believe Roger purposefully lost, but I think he eased up a bit. He was forced to in the beginning of the year. He needed some sort of break & his body delivered that in the form of mono. Since then, he hasn't found his highest level. Something he made look easy to maintain for several years, though it obviously is not.
A Wimbledon official admitted yesterday that the twilight hour impaired the ability to see and what ultimately decided the championship was Rafael Nadal’s flop.*
“This was such an incredible match... no one on Center Court except for the players ever wanted the tennis to end,” the anonymous source said. “But when flashbulbs from the stands revealed Nadal prone on the grass at the conclusion of the fifth set, we had to give him the win.”
But this new revelation in London has given cause for investigation. It has been well-documented that flopping can affect the outcome of an athletic event.
Flopping in the NBA is so prevalent that it has practically been elevated to a contest itself. And while known by alternate names, this questionable tactic is pervasive in other team sports as well.
It is referred to as “diving” in hockey, an activity more suited to water that is not frozen. Another matter of enthusiastic escalation in this already contact-heavy sport: when one cannot connect with jawbone, hit the ice.
But this form of acting perhaps finds its greatest stage on the pitch. So much so that FIFA, the governing body of soccer, has taken a stand against what it calls “simulation.” The new rules can apply to embellishment on-field, as well the unique symbiotic relationship between soccer players & porn stars.
At first glance, Nadal’s hammy back-smacker seems contrary action for a man who likes to test the authenticity of his trophies like a Deadwood prospector.
However, further inquiry shows the young Mallorcan star is influenced by both the theatrics of his countrymen and the man he had -- until that tumble to the earth late Sunday in London -- lost to in the finals at Wimbledon.
DID FELICIANO LOPEZ OF SPAIN WIN HIS FOURTH ROUND FIVE-SETTER AGAINST MARCOS BAGHDATIS WITH HIS POST-MATCH FLAILING?
HAVE CHAIR UMPIRES BEEN GLORIFYING ROGER FEDERER'S FIVE-TIME CRUMPLE?
So while the flop in the non-contact sport of tennis has yet to come under great scrutiny, it too may explain some results, as well as lack of, in recent years...
SAFIN'S MISSION: Marathon Marat's superior position on
hardcourts could be too suggestive for Roland Garros & The All-England Club.
POOR FORM: Andy Roddick dared to drop
after only winning three sets at the U.S. Open Men's Final in 2003.
The breach of unwritten netiquette may have cost him since.
*This isn’t meant to paint me a Fed apologist. When the going gets tough, the tough blog absurd.
For me, the Men’s Final in action was cause for joy; the outcome a bit of pain. I expected to wake up today feeling like I did the morning after Peyton Manning won his Super Bowl ring. However, I now suspect the latter sensation was actually a hangover.
New Wimbledon Champion? Yes. New Number One? No. For the calendar year thus far, true... it is the Spaniard.
But given so little betweenFederer and Nadal over the long course of Sunday, I think we need to see the follow-up before we label Rafa the best. I don’t think Federer could have asked for a better challenge to his career. His response -- on-court & off, both yesterday and onward -- will help define his legacy.
Now for the more obvious... Contrary to popular speculation, I did not commit jigai after Safin’s semifinal loss, or the threat of competition for his affection. As a matter of fact, I am practicing my flop in expectation to win over Marat myself!
In my family, ripping is a year-round sport. No one is spared. Though my mom, not one given to making many mistakes, has a perennial Steel Curtain-like D.
My dad, on the other hand, consistently faltered in the warm-weather seasons. For that was the time his three divisional opponents -- my mom, my brother & myself -- could unite to prey on one particularly glaring weakness.
My dad, then Master of the Grass, would go out to tackle the yard in a uniform of white undershirt, plaid shorts...
And BLACK SOCKS!
Once upon a time (according to a yarn I read*) a college basketball coach was asked how he made a time-pressured personnel decision. He answered, "The first thing I did was cut the guys wearing black socks."
Outside of the office, black socks were a sign of frailty, knits that would fold under pressure. Mockery of my father became such a shorthand that eventually it was just a matter of stocking-laugh.
Now I'm starting to believe he was actually ahead of his time.
Because I have unraveled the mystery of why yet another Master of the Grass is so dominant!!!
IT'S HIS SOCKS!!!!
Of course, at Wimbledon, the world's best athlete is confined to wear white. But this past fortnight on the Flushing Meadows hard courts, the fashion-forward Swiss star earned the nickname "Darth Federer" for his all-black night match get-up.
Even while practicing with boys' junior champ Ricardas Berankis, Fed -- clad in a pale, unkempt tee -- could not forego the dark footwear.
Except for his quarterfinal against American Andy Roddick, Federer was not playing at the top of his form. He lost sets to John Isner and Feliciano Lopez. And the scoreline of 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-4 in his final against Novak Djokovic is only a straight-set win on paper. Djokovic had nine break point chances and seven set point chances.
Djokovic was a break and 40-0 up in the first set. And then in fifth game of the third, Fed was 0-40 down on his serve.
Where a pair of white socks would have wilted, black socks prevailed.
'Cause when you think about tough men's tennis attire, you think of... Shoes?... Shorts?... Manpris?!??
No, SOCKS!!! If a player's preference is "Boxers" or "Commando," well those have a certain zing (especially when I think about Marat Safin). But Socks, which doubles as a verb, packs the most punch!!!
And evidence supports that the color of the hosiery matters.
As the song says:
White socks, they always get dirty The longer you wear them; the weaker they get Sometimes, I think I shouldn't wash them But something inside me says "Do it right now!"
Black socks, they never get dirty, The longer you wear them the stronger they get! Sometimes I think I should wash them But something keeps telling me No, no, not yet!
Yes, once upon a time, black socks were the marker of mockery, the sign of shaky footing, the stamp of a heel! But perception has been turned inside out:
They're not just for girl scout campfire songs anymore! Members of Lamb of God -- a band hardcore enough to kick each other's #### -- are so convinced of the power of black socks that they double-duty them, cutting them off to fashion arm bands.**
Darth Federer.
My dad now has someone else cut the lawn while he slices blades of grass with a seven-iron instead. He & his black socks just won his golf league and he has already spent his earnings on a new club. Master of the Grass...
And fashion, apparently... Hmmm, I might just have to dig up some new material for ripping. But before I jump back into the fray, I'm going to throw on a pair of black socks.
Yes, this is a medical evaluation of sorts. But no, the five-time Wimbledon champ does not have calculi in his kidneys. I'm talking about the pair between his thighs. It shall never again be questioned whether Mirka keeps them at home or in her purse.
It was a wild and wobbly Wimbly, with the rain delays and some outstanding matchups... Henman v. Moya, Vaidisova v Ivanovic, and Djokovic v Baghdatis were most thrilling. But the gentlemen's final topped them all.
One would think Tommy Haas' fourth-round withdrawal and the cramped second-week schedule of his Spanish opponent gave Federer an advantage. Quite the opposite.
Take as an example the way both Williams sisters worked their way into form for their Grand Slam titles this year. The first couple of rounds are always tricky, and a player likes to build on challenges as he or she goes along.
The blustery forces of nature that gave Federer a week off in the middle of the tournament!!! left the champ with rust. (Hey, how about that Juan Carlos Ferrero?!!) And this after the Swiss -- once again flying solo as his own coach -- skipped Halle, the grass-court lead-in he had won four years running. Preparation and superstition, be damned.
The man was not what you call match-rich. And he had a lot of time to think about the immense significance of what he was attempting. Even he said he did not feel as confident and prepared as he did in 2006.
Meanwhile, an improved game and heavy dose of luck produced an opponent that was match-saturated and rising in confidence as the tournament moved on. The same opponent from the year prior, the indefatigable Rafael Nadal. Not completely surprising, but the reigning French Open champion was also fortunate that Mikhail Youzhny and Novak Djokovic played impaired.
Where Fed would have likely been challenged by healthy Tommy Haas, Nadal would have likely been toppled by a healthy Youzhny. And Djokovic had scrapped his way to results that live up to his brashness before he had to retire from the semifinal. So the two finalists spent roughly the same time on court Saturday.
Fortunately, I'm used to the roller coaster of anxiety of a Marat Safin match. This experience gave me the stamina to survive this final. The opening three games had me feeling secure with Fed at 3-0.
That sense of security did not return until late in the fifth set.
In between, Federer battled a grass court that was slower than ever, some dubious calls from -- oddly enough -- the electronic line judge and obviously, the one opponent who is most in his head.
This has been a challenging year for the world number one. He parted ways with Tony Roche shortly before the French, Guillermo Canas took him out of two tournaments early, and in the French Open final, his best game -- especially his serve -- abandoned him.
Federer's serve was premiere Sunday, but his best game was not all there. Five sets in a Slam is unusual territory for Fed. And he was irritated enough by the seemingly erroneous Hawk-Eye that he asked for it to be turned off. (Which didn't happen.)
It was a rough day on center court for the defending champion. But he needed this.
Despite a timeout for treatment to his knee, Nadal had the momentum going into the final set. Twice in the fifth, Federer was down 15-40. Since last year, I had Fed as the man who should and would win this tournament. (Provding he got past Safin, of course!) But on that long series of break points, even I doubted the historic Bjorn-like moment would happen.
And then in the sixth game, Federer scorched a forehand winner down the line and I knew.
This was the Roger I recognized.
No... this was the Roger I hadn't seen in a long time. He was pushed to an extreme the entire match and came through. He didn't always play brilliant -- which is his trademark, but he played brave.
He needed this checkup. Head, heart, guts and nuts... intact!
Some have doubted Federer's ####... but probably not the folks that erected this sign.
While talk spirals from the pro-am pairing of Tiger Woods & Michael Jordan today at the Wachovia Championship, there's unfortunately less coverage on a more intriguing pairing. Two other dominant athletes meet today on a court divided.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are playing an exhibition match designed around each one's most notable specialty. The four-time defending Wimbledon champ and the two-time defending French Open champ face off on a half-grass, half-clay court in Mallorca, Spain.
On the surface (pun intended), this is ingenuous marketing of the sport. The world's top two, the only Grand Slam winners of 2006, styling shots in front of a sell-out crowd in Nadal's birthplace.
Along with this home court advantage, Nadal has the winning edge over Federer. A 7-3 head-to-head record, including a perfect 5-0 on clay. Fed has a 1-0 advantage on the lawn. The hybrid court requires each to switch their best surface with the one each would love to claim a first rivalry victory.
And this is where I think this exercise in fun will best serve the Swiss.
Nadal is not the first player to own Federer. (Nor the last. In 2007, Guillermo Canas has been that man.) David Nalbandian used to have a hold on Fed for years, starting in the juniors. The world number one eventually switched that momentum.
Fed has been chipping away at the dirt. This could be his tipping point. The fresh challenge of the on-court shuffle -- which will even have the players changing their shoes whenever they change ends -- is ripe opportunity for Fed to design a new game plan.
Strategy is one of the Swiss star's most potent weapons. Without discounting the presence of Tony Roche, Federer's dominance and longevity owe much to his ability to coach himself, both throughout a season and specifically during a match. Having to shift and alternate tactics for today's match favors Fed's long-range goals, including winning the French Open.
According to the Associated Press, Federer said, "It'll be fun to find out what it's like to play on a court with mixed surfaces... And it ought to be interesting to see who chooses the better tactic."
Throw-away comments about a throw-away match? I think not.
Remember the buzz on Andy Roddick when he beat Federer in the Kooyong exhibition right before the Australian Open? Federer was willing to sacrifice that win in order to experiment with his game and later demolished the American in their AO semi. Not to mention, Fed won that tournament without dropping a set.
We may look back on today's showy playtime as the catalyst for Federer's quantum leap. His integration on clay -- and separation from Nadal. The timing couldn't be better. There's 25 days, 15 hours and 39 minutes until Roland Garros...
The Melbourne fortnight went by too quickly, so now is time for pavlova, Australian shiraz and a little reminiscing.
Heavens Above! Sublime... the semi-final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick. In the third game of the second set, the world number one broke the American at love with a series of passing shots. One included a miraculous get at the Swiss' feet while on the run for a crosscourt winner. By the third set, Roddick was so frustrated that he fired off a near-expletive that had him immediately apologizing to the deity he evoked.
Things are looking a little fuzzy... While the newest "New Balls Please" campaign was just launched featuring some of the hottest youngsters in the ATP's Top 50, three out of the four semi-finalists were originals from the old "New Balls Brigade." Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Tommy Haas were part of the 2000-1 promotions. Fernando Gonzalez, at age 26, is also of their "veteran generation." Since the old balls still have it over the new balls, they may have to bring back the "These balls still bounce." slogans as well.
Kimmie still wins. "Aussie" Kim Clijsters has been a fan favorite Down Under and was one of the favorites to win the championship after her fast start in Sydney. The Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup would have been a nice trophy to add in the Belgian's final year on tour, but Maria Sharapova stopped her in the semis. However, the WTA launched a new initiative called ACES Race 2007, which rewards players for promoting the sport. It's no surprise that Clijsters, who won the ITWA's Ambassador for Tennis Award in 2005, was the early leader as of January 15.
Going the Distance. Several athletes, such as breakthrough player Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic, embodied the Australian spirit by sporting the host country's colors of green and gold. But fashion-foward Serena Williams knows the value of accessories and added a pair of earrings perhaps inspired by the dot paintings of Papunya Tula. This style of comtemporary Aboriginal art has been popularized by painters including Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri.
Get Some Guts, Girls! I'm tempted to credit the earrings plus Serena's sheer talent for her title win. But it also seemed the ladies cowed to Serena's reputation and competitiveness. The exception being Shahar Peer, who pushed the American in the quarterfinals only to lose, 6-3, 2-6, 6-8. The Israeli player is also working off her mandatory military service and excels at sharpshooting tests. Nadia Petrova and Nicole Vaidisova should consider training that will teach them how to pull the trigger.
Speaking of guts. We don't have to miss Hardenne, but we missed Henin.
Most Dominant Player You've Never Heard Of. Esther Vergeer of the Netherlands, winner in Women's Wheelchair Singles & Doubles
Best Rivalry You Don't See. America's Bryan Brothers versus Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi. Where was the Doubles coverage, ESPN?
So where the bloody hell are you? Said in the nicest possible "No Worries!" way, of course! This controversial slogan is Tourism Australia's marketing campaign. As if I hadn't already wanted to go! They had me at 5,500 lbs. of curry consumed in a fortnight!
So what the bloody hell are you thinking? During the first round match between Marat Safin and Benjamin Becker, Ball Girl #111 was observed pinching Marat's used and discarded towels between her thumb and forefinger and holding them out away from her body as if she was afraid of boy cooties. I would have been stuffing all of those sweaty terrycloth treasures down my shirt... and my shorts -- I'd even be wrapping them around my head like a turban -- to spirit away after the match.
10) Bite the Bullet It's time to kick your late-night QVC habit. A little tennis action should keep your mind off buying Paula Abdul's jewelry.
9) Better Than Jewelry You like your men tall, dark and handsome... and/or athletic, rich and sweaty...
8) Carrying On Since this is a night match in the Australian summer, live coverage starts at 3:30am ET. Should you be returning from a night on the town, you can just continue the festivities with a drinking game. One suggestion would be to imbibe every time a commentator makes a sly reference to ABBA'####Fernando. Pay close attention to Luke Jensen!
7) More Carrying On If Roger Federer cries again, you can cry with him and there probably won't be anyone around to see. Not that I've ever blubbered over tennis... or the Miracle On Ice... or an episode of 24...
6) Play the Swami Since the final will be rebroadcast at noon ET, keep the fact that you watched the match live a secret. Then amaze and astound your friends -- maybe even sucker them out of some money -- by predicting the sequence of shots in a rally. If they catch you nodding off, claim it is the trance-like state required to access your inner guru.
5) Anything You Can Do... Sure, Federer holds a 9-0 record over Fernando Gonzalez. But Gonzalez has never played like this before! You were impressed that Fed only allowed Andy Roddick six games in their semi-final? Gonzo only allowed Tommy Haas five: 6-1, 6-3, 6-1. Other stats in which the Chilean tops the Swiss:
Aces: Gonzalez leads the tournament with 85; Fed has 48.
Serve Speed: Though both have an underrated serve.
Service Games Won: Gonzalez again leads all with 92%. Jaws drop at this number 99.3% of the time.
Winners to Unforced Errors:307/130! Jaw droppage -- 99.9%. The remaining 0.1% percent passed out.
Speedy Indeedy: The most popular athlete in his country
4) Good Times... Good Times... Gonzalez may be shyer than Federer's opponent in last year's final, Marcos Baghdatis. But his game is flashy and his smile as jubilant. And his celebratory spirit is great, regardless of outcome. After a straight-set loss to Fed in October's Madrid Masters final, Speedy still whooped it up with the Swiss. Just keep the champagne bottles away from the tenth seed, as his bubbly-spraying is not as accurate as his forehand.
3) Historical Value The marked difference in the Chilean's game hints that this match will be competitive. In the zone, dialed in... both finalists have embodied the popular tennis phrase "playing out of his skin!" (Did I just make that an oxymoron?) Gonzalez rightly believes he has a chance. If he wins -- or even gets close -- you can say you witnessed the beginning of men's tennis newest rivalry.
2) Historical Value, Part II: Pretty much anytime the world's number one plays, he adds to the argument of him being the greatest men's tennis player of all time. Of note here:
Federer has yet to drop a set. If he wins the title in three, he will be the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to earn a Grand Slam championship in that fashion.
He could break his own personal streak of consecutive hard-court match wins, and separate himself to fifth on the all-time winning-streak list.
A win here starts off another year that he could win the calendar Grand Slam. Regardless, his easy passage thus far bodes well for his chances at the French Open. Which to some is the only credential he lacks to be anointed the best ever.
El-e-va-tion! There's a reason he's called the Swiss Maestro
1) Artistic Value Looking at the scoreline of the two semifinals, you'd think a 6-0 or 6-1 spanking o####rown man would be boring. Not so! Shotmaking, variety, angles, velocity... each winner provided a show on his own. Best case scenario is that they both keep that level up. Probably the two best forehands in the game, two stylish servers and two men who are playing so well this fortnight they have elevated themselves above a very competitive ATP tour.
The men's final will be shown live on ESPN2 at 3:30am and rebroadcast at noon Sunday. Follow live, streaming radio commentary via the Australian Open website. Radio archives include the women's final.
After all the tubthumping of Andy Roddick's "improved chances" against Roger Federer, it's the percussive potential of tonight's semifinal that truly inspires nippling! No matter who you are.
For one, the more unexpected match-up of the tenth and twelfth seeds will produce a virgin Grand Slam finalist. While the lower-ranked Tommy Haas is making his third appearance in an Australian Open semi-final, even this round is new for Fernando Gonzalez. The Chilean has been to the quarterfinals in the other three Slams, but his best prior result in Melbourne was fourth round.
I remember long ago another starry night like this In the firelight...
On one side of the net is a former junior number one. Gonzalez's early career included boy's singles and doubles French Open titles in 1998, yet his game is well-suited to the hard courts also. A powerful forehand has always been his signature stroke, but he has thus far lacked consistency to achieve as much on the ATP circuit.
On the other side is the six-foot-two German, who was ranked second in the world in 2002 with impressive head-to-head records against top-ranked players. Haas left the tour to care for his parents, who were in a motorcycle accident severe enough to leave his dad in a coma. That, injuries and a shoulder operation more or less sidelined him until 2004.
They were closer now...
Both men were players to watch in 2006 and just missed qualifying for the Tennis Masters Cup.
After spending 2005 camped out in the ranking range of 11-26, Gonzalez cracked the top ten for the first time.
Haas had one of the hottest starts on the ATP tour and finished with 49 wins, the second most in his career.
Every hour, every minute seemed to last eternally I was so afraid...
Neither men has strolled to this semifinal match Down Under. They've earned their places by surviving scares and notching upsets in earlier rounds.
Gonzalez started out slow and had to come back from a two-sets-to-one deficit in his second round against Juan Martin Del Potro. In subsequent rounds, he defeated the scrappy Lleyton Hewitt, fifth seed James Blake and world number two Rafael Nadal. Each win more emphatic.
In contrast, Haas' biggest challenge came in the quarters against the world number three Nikolay Davydenko. The tennis-addicted Russian has no problem grinding an opponent down and held match point, but Haas outnerved him: 6-3, 2-6, 1-6, 6-1, 7-5. In the prior round, Haas upset David Nalbandian in four sets.
There was something in the air that night,
For those who appreciate the bonus of a beautiful athlete, this match has a tandem beat.
Once you break away from his mesmerizing eyes, you'll see the six-foot baseliner from Santiago has possibly the nicest set of legs on the ATP tour. Note particularly the separation between vastus lateralis and vastus medialis. And with good quads, often comes good glutes. Check that! To borrow a rating from my ex-boyfriend, the Connoiseur of Callipygian, ka-BLAM!
Nick Bollitieri was so impressed with Haas' tennis that he invited him to train at the famous Florida academy for free. The media gurus for the Australian Open website are so impressed with the German's core workouts that they compiled a shirtless photo gallery of the 28-year-old. Yep, you could handwash something silky on that! Let us not forget he is the original champion of the sleeveless shirt.
The stars were bright...
Roger Federer has already secured the chance to defend his title, serving up a bagel in a three set win over Roddick. Is there a possibility that either of these potential finalists could provide more of a challenge?
Well, they both have something that Fed does not. Something he wants dearly. Olympic hardware. Haas won a silver in Sydney 2000, falling to Yevgeny Kafelnikov. Gonzalez won Chile's first tennis medal in 2004, defeating Taylor Dent to capture the bronze. At nearly three am the next morning -- after seven hours and eight minutes on court inside of a ten-hour span -- he and Nicholas Massu added to the total by winning the doubles gold.
They were shining there for you and me For liberty...
But more relevant to this match is the present. Federer's dominance translates to his 9-0 record against Gonzalez. Haas has two wins in his nine matches against Fed, though the last came in 2002. Still, if you can take a set from the Swiss, you can hope. Fed has yet to drop a set in Melbourne, but both his potential opponents had their moments in 2006.
The avocado-loving Chilean took the second set from Federer in the semis of Canada's Masters event in Toronto on hard court.
Haas gave Federer his biggest test here last year, by winning the third and fourth sets. He was the only player to push Fed to five sets in a Slam. Later in the season, he won a tiebreak on grass in Halle.
Do I wish to make a prediction on which man will attempt to throw Fed off his straight-set rhythm?
I would, my friend... FERNANDO!
Last May, Gonzalez enlisted Larry Stefanki as his coach. The American -- who has coached John McEnroe, Marcelo Rios, Kafelnikov and Tim Henman -- lists the 26-year-old's strengths as: movement, forehand, serve and competitiveness. After taking a few months to assess Gonzalez's dedication, Stefanki agreed to help him work on his game. Since then the aggressive baseliner's game has gotten smarter and has more variety.
Throughout the tournament, La Reina Bomber has proven those smarts, showing his increased consistency and patience. He leads the event with 76 aces and his differential of winners to errors averages almost +28. He's snapping the ball with incredible velocity and depth. One of his service returns against Nadal was clocked at 102mph.
Haas won't roll over. He's quite a talent and gamesman. But he may rue that 61-minute fifth set he needed to win the last round. It should give him pause that Speedy Gonzalez was practically climbing into the stands to retrieve shots from Nadal, himself one of the best defenders around. The soft-spoken Chilean has dropped weight and added fitness, which has given him more defensive options.
In addition, his nerves seem steadier. He laughed off a narrowly-missed challenge call and a shouldn't-have-been-missed overhand smash in the quarters. He admits that wobbly confidence has cost him in the past. Those recent scalps are good for the confidence.
Gonzalez is already the most popular athlete in Chile and the third most popular person, following only current and former presidents. Imagine the reception this man will get... already... if he beats Haas... if he beats Federer. Mere headlights can't measure that kind of excitement!
