Tag Archives: Federer
If You Pay Them
Dubai, Quarterfinals Having laboriously convened the most august congregation of men’s tennis players it could afford, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships was today blessed by the finest assembly of quarterfinalists since . . . well, it’s been a while. … Continue reading
The Twilight of the Ponies
Rotterdam, Final (1) Federer d. (3) del Potro, 6/1 6/4 For no defensible reason, Juan Martin del Potro remains inextricably connected with Nikolay Davydenko in my mind. There are, of course, the striking physical similarities (I’m astonished Ivan Reitman has … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
A Fine Week in Holland
Rotterdam, Semifinal (1) Federer d. Davydenko, 4/6 6/3 6/4 The last time Nikolay Davydenko took a set from Roger Federer was in the quarterfinal of the 2010 Australian Open, a notorious match that remains almost unique in the history of … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
Tactics and Execution
Davis Cup, First Round Day One Fish d. Wawrinka, 6/2 4/6 4/6 6/1 9/7 Isner d. Federer, 4/6 6/3 7/6 6/2 Last year’s Davis Cup first round was as crushingly dull as it was predictable, or crushingly dull because it … Continue reading
Filed under Davis Cup
A Question of Judgement
Australian Open, Semifinal (Day Eleven) (2) Nadal d. (3) Federer, 6/7 6/2 7/6 6/4 The winning pattern was clear from the beginning, as it so often is between these two. You go at his backhand hard – press and knead … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Gravitational Forces
Australian Open, Quarterfinals (Day Nine) (3) Federer d. (11) del Potro, 6/4 6/3 6/2 As I made my way in to Rod Laver Arena tonight, where Rafael Nadal aimed to become the first Spaniard to defeat Tomas Berdych ten times … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
A Species of Insanity
Australian Open, Fourth Round (Day Seven) (3) Federer d. Tomic, 6/4 6/2 6/2 Channel 7 in Australia tonight asked its viewers whether Bernard Tomic could ‘pull off the upset’ against Roger Federer. Sadly, thanks to the miracle of social media, … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Slaying the Dragon
Australian Open, Third Round (Day Five) (3) Federer d. Karlovic, 7/6 7/5 6/3 There is a pervasive tendency – entirely inexcusable – for commentators calling Ivo Karlovic’s matches to treat him like a kind of mythical beast the hero must … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Stern, Assured and Aromatic
Brisbane, First Round (8) Tomic d. Benneteau, 6/2 4/6 7/5 Baghdatis d. Harrison, 7/6 6/4 Mixed results for the scourge of troubled youths in Brisbane. Bernard Tomic showed a stern and rare manliness in overcoming Julien Benneteau in three sets. … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
Significance without Meaning
Abu Dhabi, Semifinals Djokovic d. Federer, 6/2 6/1 Ferrer d. Nadal, 6/3 6/2 Novak Djokovic today crushed Roger Federer in less than three quarters of an hour. David Ferrer took slightly over an hour to inflict the same treatment on … Continue reading
Filed under ITF