Fedex Rolls On
So, Roger Federer wins another Grand Slam. 10th to be exact. 3rd Australian. At just 25 years. How many more he will win, is anyones guess. This Australian Open final was a majestic and elegant display of the repertoire that he possesses. Almost everything in his arsenal was on display. And poor Fernando Gonzalez just had to admit that he was in the presence of greatness, afterall. But he did not just hand it over. He fought for his place in the sun. And very gallantly too.
The first set of the final was pure ecstacy. Both players played some great tennis, especially, Gonzalez. Breaking Federer, playing already at a high level, should not be considered mean. Gonzalez befuddled Federer with his heavy spinning, sliced returns, and also peppered him with strong forhand winners. Finally, he was serving for the set, and at 40-15, it sure looked sealed. But then the rise of the master was inevitable. Federer duly broke back and then easily held his serve. But the game of the match was to follow next. Gonzalez displayed great resolve with back to wall and saved at least 5 set points in that game and held on for the tiebreak. After that, Federer just stepped up his game furthur and never let Gonzalez have any realistic chance. It was amazing to see him make Gonzalez work for every point when facing serve and then hold on his own service game easily. So, in the end although Federer was a deserving winner, Gonzalez was a worthy loser as well.
These days, Grand Slam presentation ceremonies have become more about thanking the sponsers it seems. Every winner/runner, be it in singles, doubles or mixed events thanked the sponsers. Gonzalez comments (".. and thanks for a really big cheque") were refreshing and funny. Federer's on the other hand seem more and more like the king that he is these days ("...I 've been watching your progress.."). The guy seems in waiting of some serious competetion. His careless, sighed, yeah-well shrug when the presentor asked him that it must be boring winning so easily. I, too, hope for some competetion for him. The only man to run him down in 4 of the previous 5 meetings, Rafa Nadal, is struggling with injuries. Who knows what happens in the next 4 months. May be, just may be, someone will rise to challage the master.
My tips for beating Federer? Run him down, get on his nerves and wait for him to start making mistakes.
The first set of the final was pure ecstacy. Both players played some great tennis, especially, Gonzalez. Breaking Federer, playing already at a high level, should not be considered mean. Gonzalez befuddled Federer with his heavy spinning, sliced returns, and also peppered him with strong forhand winners. Finally, he was serving for the set, and at 40-15, it sure looked sealed. But then the rise of the master was inevitable. Federer duly broke back and then easily held his serve. But the game of the match was to follow next. Gonzalez displayed great resolve with back to wall and saved at least 5 set points in that game and held on for the tiebreak. After that, Federer just stepped up his game furthur and never let Gonzalez have any realistic chance. It was amazing to see him make Gonzalez work for every point when facing serve and then hold on his own service game easily. So, in the end although Federer was a deserving winner, Gonzalez was a worthy loser as well.
These days, Grand Slam presentation ceremonies have become more about thanking the sponsers it seems. Every winner/runner, be it in singles, doubles or mixed events thanked the sponsers. Gonzalez comments (".. and thanks for a really big cheque") were refreshing and funny. Federer's on the other hand seem more and more like the king that he is these days ("...I 've been watching your progress.."). The guy seems in waiting of some serious competetion. His careless, sighed, yeah-well shrug when the presentor asked him that it must be boring winning so easily. I, too, hope for some competetion for him. The only man to run him down in 4 of the previous 5 meetings, Rafa Nadal, is struggling with injuries. Who knows what happens in the next 4 months. May be, just may be, someone will rise to challage the master.
My tips for beating Federer? Run him down, get on his nerves and wait for him to start making mistakes.
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