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

Federer looks good to possibly be Australian Open runner up this year. Not bad for a 31-year-old. Eventually, there will come a time, if Roger keeps playing, when he'll fail to reach the quarters of a major. That hasn't happened since 2004, but no one would be surprised to see it happening within the next 18-24 months. The big question I guess is whether he'll retire before that happens, or how long he keeps playing after that happens. His natural elegance of movement has helped keep Federer injury-free all these years, and it may well prolong his career. I don't see him quitting as long as he has a shot at grand slam finals.

Nadal hasn't been so fortunate. Even though Nadal became one of the all-round greats when he was able to adapt his unique playing style to hard court tennis, the effort took a heavy toll on his knees. The rest of Nadal's career is going to be about preserving his joints so he can stretch his Roland Garros record to something no one will be able to match for decades. At least, that's how I hope it plays out.

 

it's the era of the big four now. glad murray could finally join the party, with his olympic and subsequent u.s. open win. i'd like to see a fifth player break through and win a major, especially since nadal is so often injured. perhaps this will be the year that tsonga makes the leap. he looks to be in the best shape of his life.

 

True. I will not be at all surprised if Tsonga takes out Federer in the quarters.

 

And lo, it came to pass: Tsonga and Fed in the quarters. Top 5 men's seeds all into the quarters. Djokovic wins one of the greatest matches I have ever seen. Nice start to the year.

Not so great start for my girlfriend Ana Ivanovic, but she was never going to take out Radwanska. Here's hoping Ivanovic finds her way back into the top ten. I love her...........style.

 

for some reason, i really can't stand Djokovic. shame he won that epic 5 setter. with Fed and Nadal probably fading in the next few years, looks like it will be he v Murray as the main two. despite having almost no charisma whatsoever and generally being fairly unlikeable, i'll take Murray every time.

 

ivanovic is looking even skinnier than usual. i was surprised she could even get the ball over the net. my new fake tennis girlfriend is vika. love her attitude, plus she actually has game. i was so disappointed when she lost that final to serena at the us open.

 

"fake tennis girlfriend." You make it sound so cheap.

I don't understand what people dislike about Djokovic. I'm relatively straight, yet my knees still go wobbly when Novak takes off his shirt.

 

djokovic/berdych starting to get good.

 

Great match from Ferrer. Would be cool to see him make the final, tho that quarter will have taken it out of him.

 

Two thirty somethings in the men's quarters and two thirty something's in the women's quarters. Pensioners' tennis.

 

i loved watching sloane stephens beat serena. it's too bad serena's bad ankle stole a bit of sloane's thunder but it was still a huge win for the player who is probably most likely to inherit serena's role as america's top player. her game is making huge strides.

tsonga off to a slow start here.

edit: now looking much better. this could be a good match!

 

going to the 5th, turn it on if you can.

 

Can't, but I see that Federer is dominating in the 5th, up 4-1.

 

And lo, it came to pass. Fed ekes out a 5-set victory, into the semis. Great effort by Tsonga.

 

Djokovic also ripped Armstrong a new one. (link because I can't find a YouTube of it)

 

Fed: back to back 5 set matches.

 

If I've followed this correctly, Federer is 4 for 4 in tie breakers the last two matches. Makes you wonder if his service return is a bit wanting.

 

COME ON MURRAY

 

Murray up a break in the 5th, 3-0.

 

LOL @ Federer

 

What a match for Murray. Looking forward to an outstanding final.

 

i wasn't able to stay up for either of the semis, going to try for the final though. last year i was completely wrecked at work the next day but it was worth it.

 

Federer was extremely lucky to make it into a fifth set at all. He worked it with everything he had but was badly outgunned.