Tag Archives: Federer
A Second Stamp
Australian Open, Final Djokovic d. Murray, 6/4 6/2 6/3 Channel 7 didn’t exactly redeem itself at the eleventh hour – we’re way beyond that – but it could have been worse. Of course there was the usual ear-jarring nonsense – … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Blinking First
Australian Open, Semifinal Djokovic d. Federer, 7/6 7/5 6/4 Ever since the 2007 US Open final, when Novak Djokovic augmented the biomass at the elite end of men’s tennis by roughly half, the Serb and Roger Federer have constructed a … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
The More Things Change
Australian Open, Quarterfinals Rashly, I started this article prior to the last men’s quarterfinal, in which a hamstrung Rafael Nadal was overwhelmed in straight sets by a sporadically inspired and always-solid David Ferrer. Of the four quarterfinals, that was the … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Thrashing Roddick As Aesthetic Experience
Australian Open, Fourth Round Wawrinka d. Roddick, 6/3 6/4 6/4 Aficionados of tennis demolition hold the 2007 Australian Open semifinal between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick in stratospheric regard. Undoubtedly, Federer has dished out more comprehensive hidings – the 2004 … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
A Stuttering Stream
Australian Open, Third Round Djokovic d. Troicki, 6/2 ret. Roddick d. Haase, 2/6 7/6 6/2 6/2 It was really brought home to me today what a lottery buying tickets to the tennis is. At a shade under fifty bucks, a … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Overload
Qatar Open Any hope that Doha might provide a clear form-guide ahead of the Australian Open was frustrated by Rafael Nadal’s illness. The tribal zealots are of course over-analysing it, which is a kind way of saying they’re incapable of … Continue reading
El guerrero imparable
Only 24 years of age, Rafael Nadal has for some years been marching inexorably towards greatness, and in 2010 his march gained pace. He is ranked No.1 in the world, and will remain there until at least the middle of … Continue reading
Filed under Players
Incomparable
Paul Annacone now coaches Roger Federer, who is 29 years old. Annacone originally coached Pete Sampras, who at one point was also 29. The parallel is uncanny, irrefutable, yet when Annacone is invited to compare Federer with Sampras – and … Continue reading
Increasingly Global
Isn’t morning television wonderful? I’m especially fond of those variety-type breakfast shows: the forced badinerie, the practiced solecisms, the brutally jolly weather segments. Their commitment to safeguarding the English language is especially commendable. One story this morning featured the delightful … Continue reading
Unforgettable Memories
ATP World Tour Finals, London The ATP World Tour Final redeemed itself at the eleventh hour – of course it would – and a hasty re-relocation to Shanghai probably won’t be necessary. That’s the good news. Actually, it’s all good … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour