Thursday, June 27, 2013

Federer Floored: Weird Wimbledon Wednesday...!

Rafael Nadal's first round loss on Monday was a huge upset. Federer though pushes him one down in that list with one of his own two days later!

Roger Federer! Such a loss, 10 years after his first triumph at All England Club though he came in as the defending champion. And guess, who has just tweeted in at Wimbledon tweets....? Andy Roddick. He says, "Well, this is very interesting." Yes, he was denied a lot by Federer but it's not to settle some score or so. Without Nadal and Federer within first two rounds any tournament will become interesting. It hasn't happened often in almost a decade.

Federer went out in four sets without being able to threaten his serve in any way. He only broke him once, but that was when he was himself down one in the fourth. He had chances, he had openings, but each time the door was shut by Sergiy Stakhovsky with a big serve or confident shot making. Sta...kho...whatever! Sergiy is 116 in the world, never gone beyond round 3 at any Grand Slam; but that is all history. Today, he is the winner over Federer and neither his own career history nor Federer's great past could do anything to stop him from taking on the glory. And like i said with Nadal, it's not about how bad Federer played but how well Sergiy played to defy him. He held on; solid & tough! It's for him to savour forever.

Not many believed Federer to go, even when it went to the fourth set tie-breaker; he has turned it around too many times at Slams before. In the wake of "oh no", "it can't be", "not possible", Federer went on to complete the shocker. Guess, with so many other things, it's a way of nature to tell all people that with time - everything shall pass. Nobody rules forever. Time catches up with you, no matter who you are!

I am not saying that Federer is all gone and will retire tomorrow. Most likely, he'll not. Most champions want to go out on a high and he can still have a last hurrah. But that is without denying the fact that he is not the player he once was, which is quite a natural phenomenon in sport with age. This ends the unmatched run of consistency (36 consecutive Grand Slam Quarter Finals) he has accumulated starting with Wimbledon 2004. In Nine Years, he never lost before Grand Slam Quarters. That is something!

We as people and as fans, we never want to lose our loved ones and never want good things to end in life. But it is also good in a way. It gives the opportunity for the next in line's to come and take the stage. I absolutely love this process of ageing and natural removal. Had Bradman not gone with time, a Tendulkar would never have emerged. Had Laver, Rosewell, Conners, Borg, McEnroe, Sampras and Agassi not gone, a Federer would not have raised the bar.

As a fan, i may feel bad in Federer's loss but i feel happy in what he has done in all the years before this loss.  The accuracy of the serve, the elegance of the one handed backhand, the on court movement akin to a ballet dancer and the 'liquid whip' of the Forehand, which McEnroe termed as the Greatest Shot ever in Tennis are still around for some more time for all to enjoy. He may not win a lot, but the joy of watching the 'effortless' game will still be there.

Till Wimbledon 2003, critics and fans wondered if he'll ever do justice to his huge talent and fulfil his potential  or will he be like so many other talents to never reach the heights. In 2013, that question is answered beyond reasonable imaginations and there could be more.

What's also interesting is now players like Darcis and Stakhovsky ranked way below are not getting bogged down by the might and aura of players like Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray and are believing in themselves to win. That's a great sign. Sergiy Stakhovsky said today after defeating Federer, "With him, it's like you are playing against two players. One, as a player and two, is his aura. "Each upset gives a lot of hope to the underdogs and the results on Day 3 at Wimbledon 2013 attests to that. 

Today Azarenka, Sharapova, Jankovic, Hewitt, Tsonga, Wozniacki, Ivanovic, Isner and Cilic were the top seeds to tumble along with the Big Rog. There were injuries to few, a lot many tumbles, few complaints about the courts and their slippery nature but upsets nevertheless. We'll come to see whether this weirdness will continue in the days to come or the contenders Nole, Muzz and Williams will be able to defy their lesser successful counterparts from more such upsets. 

For some fans and tennis lovers, it's all over with Rafa, Rog, Maria and Vika....for the rest it's just beginning to get interesting!

Monday, June 24, 2013

Rafael Nadal: Grass not so green!

It's over for Rafael Nadal at this year's Wimbledon. Yes! It is gonna take time to sink in. First round loss for the reigning French Open Champion. He went out in the second round last year to Lukas Rosol, the bad knees came into picture soon after, but he couldn't even make it to the second round this year.

There is a certain Steve Darcis (no we don't need to know him; he's ranked 135 in the world....35 behind Lukas Rosol also) to credit for that who served and volleyed (yes, you heard it right...some crazy people still do that) Rafael Nadal out of the grass courts of Wimbledon. And he did it in some style 7-6, 7-6, 6-4....a straight set win over the two time Wimbledon champion.

Darcis went for his shots, even after he missed them, he served well and moved ahead to the net even when he was passed by Nadal. Simple game plan, extremely well executed. He also held his nerve quite remarkably as he saw three set points went by in the second set tiebreaker. Steve Darcis held his serve in the third with the prospect of causing the biggest upset of this century, yet not letting it mess with his head. 

And, for the people speculating on the reasons of Nadal's first round exit, i would like to give all the credit to Mr. Darcis for the way he played and held his nerve. But how can we complete any write up on Nadal without talking about his beloved knees. No we don't! He moved absolutely fine in the first two sets but yes, after the early break in the third set, he moved a bit hindered. That knee surely must have a nerve directly connected to Nadal's brain; maybe getting an 'upset alert'.

Nadal's is a great player, no doubt, with a troubled knee (factored in because of his grinding style of play), but giving the credit to the knee and talking too much about it after losses (Eg. Rosol, Soderling) does not do much good to his image. We'll see in the days to come, if all the blame will still be cast on to the poor knees. One has to feel for them, they take immense physical load and even the blame....phew!

Like i said, when i started writing about Wimbledon on this blog, Grass causes upsets. It suits attacking players. We have one.... a big one! The great prospect of a Roger-Rafa QF showdown is now 'poof' in the air but there is not much opening of the draw or anything. As long as the top three players are around in the draw, it's impossible for anybody else to rejoice.

Grass makes you look older and slower a bit earlier than the other surfaces; coz it's the fastest. When Sampras went out to a 19 year old Federer in 2001 at Wimbledon, his decline was registered. When Federer lost to Tomas Berdych at Wimbledon Quarter Finals in 2010, his decline was spoken of. Then Tsonga blasted off Federer next year making him look more vulnerable. Sampras never won Wimbledon after that loss to Federer; Federer has managed only one in three years after that Berdych loss.

Nadal has now had two upset losses here in two years. Is the curve bending downwards? We'll come to see that in the near future. But for sure that curve doesn't apply on the red clay. He can keep winning there for....what, another 8 years?

P.S. - Nobody will talk about it with so much focus on Nadal's shock exit but Mr. Defending Champ has romped off to a comfortable 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 win over Victor Hanescu. Ten years after his first Wimbledon crown, Roger Federer is still gunning for Major titles and at Wimbledon, he'll always have a chance. It's his territory!




And finally, adding this pic as an afterthought, since most people have never known how Steve Darcis looks like. He, after all, is the man of the moment :)

Wimble-dawn!

The wait is over, the heat is on. A fortnight of play, seven consecutive match wins (best of five set matches for men) to get the names etched on the prestigious Wimbledon crown. Wimbledon begins today on the lawns of All England Club. In accordance with the tradition, each year the men's defending champion opens the play at the centre court. Roger Federer will yet again (for the Eighth time) do the honours; against Victor Hanescu.


Adding to Federer, the line up for the opening Monday is star studded. Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka all have their opening round matches today. 

As a result, players like Nadal and Azarenka will only get to play on Court 1 while Federer, Murray and Sharapova will take the Centre Court. Anyway, none of them will be hoping to hang around in their respective courts for too long. It's only their respective challengers who would hope for a match of their lifetime to cause some turbulence in the tall order.

Other than the star show, there are some interesting contests also that are brewing today. On Court 1, former world no.1 and Wimbledon champion Lleyton 'fight till you fall' Hewitt takes on Swiss No. 2 Stanislas Wawrinka - the 11th seed, in what promises to be a mouth watering clash. Hewitt is not a title contender these days but he really likes to take out a couple of seeds in the opening rounds of the Slams. Will Stan be up for him?

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga takes on young hope David Goffin, who might just give him a few anxious moments to start the tournament. Though an upset is unlikely, a set at best might be for Goffin's taking.

Marin Cilic, though being the tenth seed, is constantly struggling in slams and will have to put his act together to pass the tough test in Cypriot Marcos Baghadatis. Baghadatis, like Hewitt, is past his best days but that can only fuel his thirst to go deeper in the draw.

On the women's side, the bright young guns of American tennis Sloane Stephens and Jamie Hampton will have to outdo the other for advancing into the next round. Stephens, a seeded player, is a bit ahead of Hampton in the ranking race but Hampton has flatter ground strokes and more compatible game for the grass. Also, Stephens run since defeating Serena in Aussie Open hasn't been very good. An upset may be on the cards.

Nevertheless, the match-ups, anticipation and results will keep on happening for the next two weeks. As the pre-tournament preparations are over, the players are warmed up for glory, let's get into our seats to enjoy the show. As they say in Tennis, it's....TIME!

Friday, June 21, 2013

Wimbledon 2013 Draw: Federer-Nadal set for Quarter Final showdown!

Rafael Nadal vs David Ferrer in 2013 Roland Garros Final. Nadal won the trophy with Ferrer's demolition, Ferrer still won the No. 4 ranking. That's how the ATP Ranking system works, where players have to defend the points they won last year.

Nadal seeded fifth at Wimbledon creates problems both for him and for one of the top four guys. Plainly, it meant that, he'll be facing one of the top four seeds in the Wimby Quarters (if no upset is caused). And putting an end to the speculation, today's draw announced that 'not so lucky' player as....Roger Federer, the defending champion! 


At least, the British fans would have heaved a sigh of relief but not for long as the winner of this Quarter Final can meet Murray in the semifinals.

As per the Draw, the potential Quarter Finals at Wimbledon'13 will look like:
  • Novak Djokovic (1) vs Tomas Berdych
  • David Ferrer (4) vs Juan Martin Del Potro
  • Roger Federer (3) vs Rafael Nadal
  • Andy Murray (2) vs Jo Wilfried Tsonga
So, clearly Novak Djokovic has a GREAT advantage. As he sits comfortably in the top half of the draw, all the other three contenders share the bottom half. It also means, Djokovic needs to defeat ONLY one out of Nadal, Federer or Murray on his way to win the title. Jackpot....isn't it!

On the contrary, the toughest way to negotiate is for both Federer and Nadal. Unfortunately, for any tournament and fans, only one of them is going to reach the last four stage. Also, if one of them has to win a title, he'll have to potentially defeat the other, Murray and Djokovic in three consecutive matches. That's hell of a task for anybody.

Again, all this is considering there are no upsets on the way and the seeds hold. Still, the draw is called 'lucky' and proves to be so for some and the opposite for some. Novak Djokovic will be the happiest man out of this draw, Murray quite ok and neutral with it....but Federer and Nadal facing in the Quarter Finals of a Slam....well, its 2013 - how much has changed in five years, when they played that epic final.

But life isn't fair always! So, if one of them wants to win this title, he has to do it the hard way. And who better than the two of them, 29 GS Singles titles between them, a great rivalry to beckon, one owns the other in head to head, the other practically owns Wimbledon....fighting it out one more time! Though it is a bit early in the tournament, it's still the clash of the champions; let's relish till it lasts....!

Happy Watching :)

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

It's Grass, It's Wimbledon!

Change is in the air! Green is in! The red clay is no more to be seen, the colourful clothings also go and the whites come in. We'll also have some royal guests in the box. But more than that, the grinders go and the first strike tennis comes back.

Wimbledon separates itself from the other Grand Slams in history, tradition, the uniqueness of surface and the pull to join the league of greats who have won here. Wimbledon has it all. And from 2009 its centre court also has a retractable roof. However, what makes it the most special is the fact that its the ONLY Grand Slam that is played on grass. 

In 1982, the great Ivan Lendl skipped Wimbledon and went for a holiday, famously quoting, "Grass is for the cows." He must have regretted that. After 1982, he tried several times but he is the best player in the history to have never won on the grass of Wimbledon.

The grass season is very very small. Two weeks at Wimbledon (that too not for all) and two weeks before that. But no Masters 1000 or even ATP 500 - just a few ATP 250 tourneys. So the less it is, the better it is to savour while it lasts. Actually, we all know the grass courts are hard to maintain and to manage them over the year for one tournament does not seem to be a great idea for many investors. 

Having said that, grass is for the shot makers. It is exciting because it produces more upsets than any other surface. Remember, Lukas Rosol vs Rafael Nadal 2012. They are the fastest courts in tennis, with the ball skidding and snatching away the time to grind in the rallies. Serving is strength, the volleys are rewarded, the top spin passing shots are difficult to execute and the ball stays low to enhance powerful drives but even the slices are pretty useful. Basically, it encourages an all court game and versatile players succeed more here.

Still, purists believe the courts of Wimbledon are not what they used to be. They have grown slower and slower in the first decade of 21st century which can be seen from the gradual demise of the serve-volley game. Baseline exchanges have increased and the grinders have a fair chance as well. Still, it's still grass.

In the tune up for the event, the reigning French Open champion Rafa Nadal and world number one Novak Djokovic have decided to keep out of the events and enter directly at Wimby. The other two - Federer and Murray have won at Halle and Queens respectively to set themselves adequately for the Lawns.

Player Dynamics

No surprises here. Djokovic, Murray, Federer and Nadal are the top contenders without doubt. The rest of the field like Tsonga, Del Potro, Berdych can cause upsets but does not have the fire power and sustenance to go all the way.

Let's assess the top four briefly:

Rafael Nadal: Back and back at his best. With virtually no points to defend from here on till next years Aussie Open (having been out for 7 months last year), and having won the French by defeating Djokovic on the way, his confidence buldging like his biceps. He'll be ready to make the title run and the run for the World No. 1 position as well. Rest three are all under pressure. He just needs to adjust better to grass in the earlier rounds to avoid upsets. Also, his seeding (5) may put him against one of the top seeds in the Quarters itself.

Novak Djokovic: He'll be hungry, both for title and to hold on to the top spot. Losing to Nadal at French once again must have been hard to swallow and he'll have to work hard to put it together again. He lost to Federer last year and understands the increased threat with Nadal's return. Consistency has been the concern area for him recently.

Andy Murray: He skipped Roland Garros to be fit and fighting at Wimbledon. He is more than hungry and its in front of his home crowd. He had a tough loss last year but that made him more determined and he got rewarded at Olympics and US Open. Just a chink in the armour here, Nadal wasn't around. He has never defeated Rafa in a Grand Slam. Well, you gotta beat everyone around to gain the title. And dear Ivan Lendl in his box, will want one for himself too - even if its as a coach only.

Roger Federer: Not in his best form, just won his 1st title in Halle after almost an year's drought but he's the defending champion. And he did it defeating Novak and Andy in consecutive high pressure matches. This is his favourite tournament, he has reined here more than others and he'll see Wimbledon as his better chance to add to his Grand Slam glory. Still, he cannot afford off days which are more there these days. Considering recent form, the expectations will be low from him to win. Let's see if he responds otherwise like last year.

....we'll see how they all fare in the next few weeks as the draw opens on Friday 21st and the Tournament begins on Monday 24th June. Grass is greener for all tennis fans in the days to come. Happy watching :)

Friday, June 7, 2013

Roland Garros '13 - Clash of the Titans


We have all heard about the Roman gladiators. TV series and movies have made them come alive for us. It was a sport, a fun thing, involving blood and gore and even lives...just for fun! It was a spectre to prove one's might and strength over the rest and stand glorious. It may be unjustified but it pulled the crowd.

In today's more civilized world we have versions of sports with no life's at stake but no less anyhow. Sport has always been the world's biggest reality show, made even more glorified and rewarding with the technology and its reach.

Today's tennis reminds me of those Gladiatorial battles, with two individuals closed in an arena, highly skilled in an art/sport, trying to outdo the other with tactics, power, speed and skill. To come out on top is to snatch all glory and more money.

With the advent of more and more slow courts around the globe, the baseline battles have become bloody. And the two pioneers of this type of play are facing each other for the 35th time. Nadal vs Djokovic - the 35th edition. Their 6 hour+ Australian Open final led even the spectators weary. They have had epic clashes in the past and today promises to surpass.

Much is at stake for both. For Djokovic, a 1st French Open title and career slam. For Nadal, retaining the title and proving that Djokovic is not in his head. Losing to Djokovic at his favourite arena will hurt him for sure.

Conditions favour Nadal the most, so is the previous head to head and his impeccable record at the French Open - and even the weather forecast. Match-up suits Djokovic. He's 1-0 against Nadal in 2013 and that win was on Monte Carlo clay. Djokovic's backhand will play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of this match but for sure it will be a long and taxing battle.

In the other, much subdued half, because of the hype surrounding Nadal-Djoko semi, a frenchman Jo-willy takes on the Duracell battery David Ferrer for a place in the final. Despite Ferrer dominating the previous H2H, I believe the outcome is on Tsonga's racket here. He showed immense mental fortitude to dispatch Roger Federer in straights (the game always there) and I like his chances over Ferrer. But with Ferrer's tenacity and unending energy, the result may come not easy and not quick.

We are in for a feisty Friday here at the French Open and the modern day Gladiators will be all set to lighten up the arena. Let us begin!

Picks for me are (and I'll take my chances here), Djokovic in five sets and Tsonga in four sets!

Serena vs Maria - the one sided battle

As we arrive at the final match of women at French Open '13 the top two seeds have held their ground. What better than the top two players battling it out in the final of a Grand Slam? Still the expectation of a great contest may fall flat, and we might see a one sided affair.

Serena Williams is resurrected at 31 yrs of age both in fitness and motivation. She always had the skill. Her dominance of the field has been outrageous this season. In Quarter Finals, she had a tough match with experienced clay courter Svetlana Kuznetsova and for a part of the second set she must have felt threatened. However, her resolve is steely this year and helped her came through the QF in 3 sets. In semi she demolished Sara Errani in about 45 mins to earn a place in the final.

Maria Sharapova, on the other hand, is the defending champion. She had two very tough matches in QF and SF against Jelena Jankovic and Victoria Azarenka, but she made it in the third on both occasions. I think, her will is commendable and despite being 2-13 against Serena in all matches, she'll give it her best shot. Though, its a long shot.

Maria defeated Serena in 2004 Wimbledon final and looks like till date Serena is avenging her loss. She comes out extra motivated against Maria and routes her to defeat.

To me, the result would be the same in favour of Serena since Sharapova doesn't do anything different against her. Sharapova's game plan works well against everybody else but not Williams and if she is willing to change the results she must come out and play out of her comfort zone. Even then, it won't be easy.

Deep within Maria, the belief levels are low and even Sharapova's dad has said that she can't beat Williams. When such a psyche is within you and team, you sure can't.

Williams in straight sets!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Roger Federer: Will the streak end today?

It's sometimes better to avoid the anxiety of following every point in a match and speculate about it on the blog. Currently, Roger Federer is down 2 sets to 1 to Gilles Simon after winning the first set.  Well, Roger Federer has been quite consistent. He has a running streak of 35 consecutive Grand Slam Quarter Finals. That means he has not lost before Quarter Finals in a Grand Slam for almost nine years...phew!!!

However, people only noticed this Quarter Final streak when he lost to Robin Soderling in the 2010 French Open Quarterfinals. Before that, he had a streak of 23 consecutive Semifinals at the Grand Slam stage. That's what, nearly 6 years! These are huge statistics of consistency. But no record goes on forever and today seems one such day.

As Federer right now plays Gilles Simon of France in the fourth round of the French Open, things don't seem too bright for him. He played and executed pretty well to take the first set 6-1 and seemed in control in the second. Simon wasn't playing bad at all but he needed something to change the way things were proceeding. And then suddenly, at 3-3 while reaching for a backhand, Federer got the toe stuck in the sand and took a tumble. 

There wasn't any visible injury but he surely lost his rhythm and lost his next service game. Simon leveled the match winning the second set. He upped the ante in the third set where Federer seem to struggle finding his range. Simon broke Federer twice in the third set, to win the third 6-2 and take a 2 sets to 1 lead.

What remains to be seen is how well Federer fights back and whether it will suffice? But as Rocky Balboa would say, "It ain't over, till it's over." 

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Day 7 @ Roland Garros: Exciting Encounters

We are nearing the half way of this year's French Open where the clashes would get only bigger and better. Let's have a look at some of today's highly anticipated battles.

1. Grigor Dimitrov vs Novak Djokovic

Last match on Phillipe Chartrier today, this is big. The formidable world no.1 facing the talented 'baby-federer'. Well, he's not that baby anymore. The bulgarian Dimitrov has already overcome Djokovic in Madrid Masters and has troubled Nadal quite a few times. He has the shots, all of them, and he will be out to prove a point. But i believe the match will be on Djokovic's racket in the best of five. His consistency will decide the course of this match. He's hungry for the only Grand Slam still not in his kitty. Dimitrov might take away a set but in the best of five, Grigor Dimitrov might not yet, hold his ground against the seasoned campaigners. Djokovic in Four!

2. Marion Bartoli vs Fransesca Schiavone

The ever restless Bartoli against the former French Open champion Schiavone. Bartoli is a power and rhythm player, Schivone has variety and all court play. Bartoli currently is higher ranked and thus more consistent. Still, at the clay court where she has won the title before, Schiavone must be able to find her way to win this match. Schiavone in three!

3. Benoit Paire vs Kei Nishikori

The french hope faces the hardworking Japanese Kei Nishikori for a place in the fourth round for a potential encounter with Rafael Nadal. Paire has got flair and Nishikori has the energy powerhouse to send back every ball. It'll be a tough match for both players but i'll give an edge to Benoit Paire for coming out better at crucial points. He is still on the rise, and we are yet to see the best of him. Paire in Four Sets!

Other notable ones: Jelena Jankovic vs Sam Stosur, Nikolay Davydenko vs Richard Gasquet and Tommy Haas vs Jon Isner (if Isner can recover from his long match against Harrison yesterday)

Roland Garros Day 6: Snippets

As it happened on Day 6 of RG, in brief.

  • In a heart breaking news for the French fans, Gael Monfils' inspired run at this year's French open is over. He held three match points against Tommy Robredo but lost in five sets. The french fans will still pin their hopes on Tsonga and Benoit Paire more than the remaining french players.
  • In women's draw, Sharapova, Serena Williams, Radwanska, Sara Errani, Ana Ivanovic registered easy wins in straight sets. Fransesca Schiovone struggled in her three set win over Kirsten Flipkins.
  • Janko Tipsarevic prevailed over Fernando Verdasco in five sets. finishing 8-6 in the fifth. Giles Simon also went to five sets in his win over American Sam Querry. In another match, all american, John Isner came back from a two set deficit to prevail over young Ryan Harrison in five.
  • David Ferrer, Jo Tsonga, Tommy Haas and Stan Wawrinka came on top in straight sets.
  • The only notable upset was, the tenth seed Marin Cilic losing to Viktor Troicki in three straight sets.

Roland Garros: Federer def. Benneteau 6-3, 6-4, 7-5


Arguably the greatest player of all time, is old. His decline is inevitable. It has happened to Laver, Borg, McEnroe, Sampras and he'll not be spared. He hasn't won a single title till now in 2013 and that hasn't happened in years and years. So, is it time? Maybe. But this isn't the first time his obituaries have been written. They sprung on after he lost the Best Match of Tennis at the Lawns of Wimbledon in 2008 to the younger, stronger Rafael Nadal. And, more so this is clay. He isn't the favorite and Benneteau has done it before to him.


Anticipations were high as Federer and Benneteau walked on the court yesterday. The heavy conditions would be supporting Benneteau's big hitting and Federer's back issues tend to surface. Roger's been seen wearing a warmer inside his T for some time now during cooler conditions. And to top the speculations, he got broken in the very first game with 3 unforced errors, failing to convert break points in the 2nd, to hand a 2-0 lead to the Frenchman.

That was that. Federer pounced back finding his range and movement breaking in forth and eighth game to close the first set 6-3. The rare to see these days, the one-handed backhanded was on fire. It was solid in return and spectacular in down the line shots that leave Benneteau stranded.

Federer was on such a roll that he won 14 out of last 15 points holding the opening game of second set with ease. It needed a 'lucky' net cord in the 2nd game from Benneteau to hold serve and put a stop to Federer's momentum. In the next two sets, Federer broke Benneteau only once in each set and wrapped the victory in straights. Despite less number of breaks, he was too solid on serve, holding many games to love and was in no threat.

Benneteau was consistent in the match, never fading away, but never in control as well. He looked a bit restricted with his movement. Still, he went out today to a better player while Federer marches on another Grand Slam match of his long and legendary career. His cute twin daughters were in the box wrapped in pristine identical fur coats and he did not disappoint.

In the on-court interview, Roger Federer was asked if his daughter's in any way comprehend or understand his success, and he replied "No. They have no clue. It's better that way. But they know that i play a lot of tennis, and i go back and forth, back and forth. I come back from the courts, and i go play a match and i come to the practice and then i come back to the room. They must be, like, this guy is crazy. I don't know what he's up to." 

Well, the girls are pretty right, i say. This guy do play a lot of tennis because he's seldom upset-ted and goes deep into the draw. And i am sure they'll soon come to understand the term "tennis legend".

Roland Garros: Nadal def. Klizan 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3

Rafael Nadal strode on the Suzzane Lenglen court in the typical fashion on Friday for a 2nd round match, as rain stopped play on Thursday right after he warmed up. In retrospect of rain, he must have known that he'll be playing on consecutive days and winning quick with minimum fuss will help. Nobody expected any greater challenge from the unseeded left-hander Martin Klizan.

Nadal came out very aggressively in the first couple of games to press an early advantage but Klizan's serve was working well. Klizan went for his second serve at crucial points to get himself out of the spot of bother. After a first couple of games it was clear that the overcast heavy conditions are not helping Nadal's topspin and it did not have the usual bite. So he tried to change the game and employed a few drop shots to disrupt Klizan's rhythm; only to find that the guy had pretty good wheels. In the seventh game, a double fault by Nadal and a drop shot well reached by Klizan set two break points. Klizan needed only one and had the first break as Nadal went long with his forehand. 

In the battle of two lefty's, which surely is awkward for both, because of not so many of them around, Klizan held his nerve and managed to win the first set 6-4. Martin Klizan has took a leaf out of the book of Daniel Brands in the 1st round but he shared the same fate. It is fine to disrupt Nadal with aggressive tennis on clay for one set or two but to win three with such low percentage tennis is nigh impossible to maintain. Roger Federer has done it a lot of times, only to find himself unable to complete the task. Robin Soderling stands the only man to manage the feat.

Nadal responded as expected in the second set and broke Klizan twice to romp at 4-0 lead. Though Nadal gave one break away with a poor service game, he held on to win the set 6-3. Nadal was playing solid by now and Klizan was fading. The third set only saw one break of serve which was enough for Rafa to secure the set.

The 4th set of the match saw a resurrected Klizan and both players struggled to hold serve. Taking inspiration from the women's matches, it had a total of five break of serves with Nadal having one more than Klizan to close out the match.

It was a win for Rafa but not the easiest of outings. But he tends to get better with each match in Grand Slams. In the on-court interview he really prayed and hoped everybody else would also pray for the Sun to be out (for his top spin to be lethal in dry conditions) to help him. That's so greedy...no? I believe on the French clay, it is the other players that need help, not Nadal.