Arena Federer/Nadal/Djokovic Era - Now 1/3rd Over

i'm enjoying the federer and nadal as underdogs era. it's frustrating in ways but in a way it's more fun to root for them. i guess i always feel a tinge of guilt when i'm rooting for a heavy favorite. the federer era is over, but it's not like he's suddenly a bad tennis player. he's a good pro still, he can win a tournament, maybe even make a run at a major. now the federer fans can taste a bit of what it's like to be a fan of someone like tsonga or ferrer or even monfils.

 

Really liked Stan's fourth set tiebreaker

 

Good god-- Nadal was bageled in the second set of his straight sets loss to Thomas Berdych (6-2, 6-0, 7-6). It's a good thing Nadal made Berdych win 7-6 in the third, or else it would have been a complete embarrassment.

Rafa has his work cut out for him if he wants to get a tenth French Open title. If he's favored again going into Roland Garros, it will only be because of his unparalleled history there.

Edit: When Nadal's career is done, I'll be interested to see whether people wonder why Nadal didn't win more Australian Opens, or how he got a title there at all. He's not had the best time of it in Australia.

 

I don't think at this point Nadal will ever have a shot at winning all four titles in a single year.

If I were Nadal I would only be worried at this point in my career about staying healthy for Roland Garros. He could beat Federer's majors record "merely" by dominating clay for another 4 years, and at the same time establish a record at a single slam that may never fall.

 

Wawrinka/Nishikori could be a great battle tonight. Hopefully Williams/Keys will be the same. Also, Martina Hingis soldiers on in the mixed doubles quarter final.

 

And was subsequently dismissed.

Serena v Maria again, yawn.

 

that service hold at 5-1 in the second set was a hoot

 

Classic fifth set implosion.

 

Serena Williams captured her 19th title last night in what appeared to be a relatively good match with Maria Sharapova.

 

the second set could have gone either way almost.

 

Good old fashioned Murray choke in progress

 

worse and earlier than the Wawrinka implosion.

 

from si.com about federer. what a classy guy:

One more for the Federer file: So Federer loses that match to Seppi and crosses the net to congratulate the opponent. He then vacates the court as soon as possible—in part because he is unhappy in defeat, but in part to surrender the stage so Seppi can take his victory lap and do his on-court interview. In his haste, he forgets to shake the hand of chair umpire James Keothavong. Federer realizes his omission and, despite having lost a brutal match, later seeks out Keothavong to apologize.

 

*peeks in*

Looks like I could be the minority if this thread...but yeah, what the heck...BRAVO, NOLE! I overslept the game like a true patriot, but still, BRAVO.

 

Indian Wells. Djokovic looks like he's on target to win again. Federer just had a win over Djokovic, but I don't think it will matter here.