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Sunday, July 3, 2011

Wimbledon Has A New Champion In Novak Djokovic



Novak Djokovic became the new Wimbledon champion defeating Nadal in four sets 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3 .

Djokovic played the same game with which he had defeated Nadal in the four ATP Masters finals played this year. In the rallies, it was Nadal who was made to play a defensive retrieval which Djokovic was able to smash to the other corner easily. Djokovic was returning Nadal’s serve better. The second shot after serve which is the winner shot from Nadal, was infact becoming a defensive shot sometimes. Djokovic was able to create more acute angles since he was standing nearer the baseline and taking the ball early. He was making Nadal run from corner to corner and creating gaps.

It was Djokovic who got the first break as was looking imminent. Since Nadal had chosen to receive serve after winning the toss, it became the set point at 4-5. Nadal could not put his first serves on crucial points in the game which showed his state of mind. He then committed unforced error to give the set to Djokovic 4-6.

No winners from Nadal were passing the racquet of Djokovic and Nadal was committing errors, especially from the forehand. Djokovic was clearly in ascendancy.

Superlative shots in the first service game of Nadal gave Djokovic the break in the second set. Nadal was nonplussed. His body language became defeatist. Djokovic was drawing all the applause from the stands. His court coverage and footwork was better than that of Nadal. It was looking as if Djokovic had magnet on his racquet. He was always in proper position to play his shots. His victory shouts were eating into the confidence of Nadal. There was no way Nadal could win even a set in this match if the same pattern continued. He continued to hit more winners and commit fewer errors. His shots were landing so close to the lines that nobody could have taken them. Djokovic got the second break playing so acute angles that Nadal looked shattered. In between points, Nadal was walking in such a dejected way to the other side of the court that he appeared mentally out of the match. Djokovic served out the second set 6-2 with ease.

There was more power and more safety in Djokovic shots. The first two sets had taken such a little time, that both players were very fresh physically, though mentally Nadal appeared jaded. Nadal’s lifting action which has imparted extraordinary top spin was sending the shot out of the court. Pace of the game and power on the shots were working in favour of Djokovic. Dampening the game and shots was the need of the hour but it was not in Nadal’s plan perhaps. It was in the second game of the third set that Nadal earned his first break point. A netted backhand from Djokovic gave Nadal first thing to cheer about. Dejected as he became, errors crept into Djokovic game from this point. Nadal continued with his same game and found himself winning riding on Djokovic errors. He was seen hitting more to the forehand of Djokovic than his usual inside in forehand from the deuce court. Djokovic who was anticipating Nadal’s stock shots well started giving gaps on his forehand side. A double fault on break point gave opportunity to Nadal to serve out the set. Djokovic appeared now to let this set pass and mount his aggression in the fourth set. Nadal got the last game of the third set at love. It was clear that there would be a no holds barred battle in the fourth set. 

Djokovic saved a break point in the first service game which Nadal should have converted since the momentum was with him. This was the turning point. Confidence of saving the break point gave the fillip needed by Djokovic. He earned two break points in the very first service game of Nadal. He converted without difficulty to go up 2-0. Nadal too earned a break point in the very next game and was distinctly lucky to get it courtesy the net cord. But Nadal returns of serve were so poor that Djokovic was invariably going up 30-0 in his service games. The set appeared to be going the same was as the first set. Djokovic was serving first and the danger was always there with Nadal. It happened at 3-4 on Nadal’s serve. Nadal committed his first double fault and Djokovic sensed blood. He started playing his best tennis and got the crucial break. It was now on Djokovic racquet to serve out the match. He did so without any difficulty winning the set 6-3.

Nadal’s main difficulty was that his second shot after serve which is his winning shot was taken away when Djokovic return often fell at his feet, deep on the baseline. More than that, the choice to receive than serve first, was indicative of the confidence level with which Nadal entered the court. Wimbledon can celebrate a new champion. Tennis world can celebrate victory for the new number one.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Wimbledon 2011 Men's Singles Final Preview: Nadal versus Djokovic



When Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic play each other in the Wimbledon finals on Sunday, they would be looking through a mirror on both sides. The mirror however would have a bit of curvature, but on which side, is not known. Lately, both have been playing a similar game which relies on endless running, ferocious ground strokes and few unforced errors. Djokovic has ended up the better of the two in all the four ATP Masters finals they have played on hard courts and clay in 2011. Overall they have played each other 27 times with Nadal enjoying a 16-11 advantage. They are going to meet in the finals of a Grand Slam major for just the second time. In their first meeting, Nadal had prevailed in four sets at the U.S.Open 2010. But Djokovic is a different player today than he was nine months ago.

Nadal’s excessively spun forehand was a novelty and was the single shot that helped him decimate all opposition from the baseline especially at the French Open. After so many years, it has now lost its surprise value. It is still very effective, but does not vary in content. Djokovic has developed a multi-dimensional forehand where he uses different amount of spin at different points. Djokovic swing is more horizontal than Nadal which clears the net lower and falls nearer the baseline. Nadal continues to have an upper motion on his swing which makes ball travel a longer distance in the air with a higher net clearance. Djokovic has now found ways to absorb ferocity of Nadal’s forehand and he has been seen winning points in long rallies riding on his own brand of ground strokes.

Djokovic is displaying better athleticism than even Nadal. Gone are the days when he would retire midway on fitness and health grounds. He has made Nadal move from corner to corner whereas he himself was found nearer the Nadal return. With Djokovic, Nadal is getting a taste of his own medicine. Djokovic is putting the ball one more time in Nadal court forcing Nadal to go for the winner nearer the lines. A lot of running can be expected. It would be no surprise if we see the physio on court after an hour or two.

Nadal plays the percentage game to perfection. His first mantra is to keep the ball in play and wait for the right opportunity. If opportunity will wait for twenty shots, he is prepared for it. He rarely loses his focus. Djokovic however has managed to rattle him a few times in the four Masters finals played this year. Djokovic is practicing raw aggression these days and since he is in proper position to hit the ball, he whacks it with all his might. This is where Nadal finds time taken away from him to make a proper shot.

Djokovic has often attacked Nadal’s backhand unleashing down the line backhand shot. Since Djokovic has perhaps the best backhand, Nadal is forced to play a defensive return. It sometimes is easier to get error from Djokovic forehand than backhand, but Nadal’s stock shot is the backhand corner of a right hander. Nadal has the best inside out forehand from the deuce court. But against Djokovic, it sometimes tends to go beyond sidelines, since Nadal is forced to go finer.

Prolonged focus is Nadal’s forte. It is difficult to wish him away in straight sets. As the match progresses towards the fourth hour, Nadal’s stock rises even if he has run the greater distance in the match. Djokovic wins over Nadal this year have come in three set format. If Djokovic starts winning, Nadal will just hang in and strive to take the match into the fourth or fifth hour.

The big heart, never say die spirit, mental toughness, match temperament and tenacity will give an edge to Nadal. Overriding hunger, recent successes over Nadal, ambition, superior aggression, willingness to take risks and confidence against Nadal will give an edge to Djokovic. It will all reduce to who plays better on the day. It will be a worthy fight between the number one and the number one to be.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Wimbledon Semi-Final Result: Nadal Sinks British Hopes For Another Year



Rafael Nadal met British hope Andy Murray in the semi-finals for the second successive year. He conceded a set to Murray for the first time but was able to prevail in four 5-7 6-2 6-2 6-4.

Andy Murray started the proceedings placing his first serve to the backhand of Nadal which he could not return. The second serve also was to the back hand and Murray moved in to volley a winner. The third serve was an ace to the forehand. All the three first serves went in. The fourth serve was again an ace to the forehand. The pattern was clear. Murray was playing the game of Australian Open 2010 when he had overpowered Nadal before the latter retired hurt.

Nadal played four points on his first service game. He won the first three through rally and the last one through an ace.

In the second game, Murray continued going to the net at the first opportunity, but suddenly one heard that he has called for the trainer. The trainer came but there was no treatment given. The crowd was made aware that Murray is not in cent percent shape. There was no trace of movement getting affected outwardly. Both were making each other run from corner to corner. Few shots were sent to the middle of the court.

Murray had already hit four aces by the third service game. He started exploring the forehand corner of Nadal and got a point there to close the fifth game. Murray was serving above 70% which enabled him to ride through his service games with ease. Since he was always one or two points in credit, he was able to play a few risky shots. In the eleventh game, Nadal failed to convert the break points he earned and it was Murray’s turn in the next game to earn break points which would be set points. He earned a triple break point by aggressive play. Nadal capitulated on the second and Murray had taken a set from Nadal for the first time in Wimbledon semi-final.

Murray started playing his best game, controlling aggression with precision. Crowd roar must have been tearing through Nadal’s ear drums. His game went down a bit. Murray started winning the ground rallies. A double fault at 30-30 in the fifth game gave a break point to Nadal and Nadal got the break when Murray overhead missed the baseline. A drop shot attempted at 30-30 in the seventh game gave another break point to Nadal. This time again Nadal did nothing much to win it since Murray backhand went into the net. With such costly gifts, Nadal had no option except to oblige by serving out the set 6-2 with loss of just one point. Murray had truly led Nadal back in the match.

Murray appeared to be playing to avoid the criticism that he is not aggressive in the big matches rather than to win the point. An aggressive second serve went out and Nadal got a double break point. Murray regained poise and served an ace to save the second break point. Murray played two aggressive shots to see both sailing out of lines and gave a service break to Nadal in the very first game. Another break came Nadal’s way in the seventh game. He now had to serve out the third set at 5-2. He committed a double fault on the first set point but duly converted the second one to go up 2-1 in the match. What changes will Murray attempt to change the course of the match was to be seen in the fourth set.

Uncontrolled aggression continued in Murray’s game and he lost his very first service game. He was trying to play a Djokovic, which is not his natural game. But his normal game was not succeeding too since Nadal was making few unforced errors. It was not clear to Murray nor to any of the thousands of spectators as to what should be done to stop Nadal juggernaut. The main problem was that Nadal was playing at his best. Murray tried to play at 125% and committed two consecutive double faults in his second service game. Fortunately, his aggression paid of there and he did not lose that game. Murray raised his level in the fourth game and did not let Nadal win his serve for nine minutes. But ultimately Nadal was able to prevail. Murray was going for the broke and succeeding here and there. Nadal remained on course and got his first match point on a double fault from Murray. Murray saved it with an ace. Nadal had the difficult task of serving for the match with Murray determined not to let him do it. Nadal prevailed on the third match point, 6-4.

It was a day when Murray threw everything he could at Nadal and yet came short. There was no shame in losing to the best player playing at his best. Nadal moves into the dream finals on Sunday where number one will clash with another number one for the title.


Wimbledon Semi-Finals: Djokovic Defeats Tsonga To Move Into His Maiden Wimbledon Finals


Novak Djokovic defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets 7-6 6-2 6-7 6-3 to book his place in the Wimbledon finals for the first time. 

Tsonga was not the player that people saw against Federer. He broke Djokovic in the very first service game and had chance to serve out the set at 5-4. The moment he failed to serve out the first set, his game deteriorated and Djokovic gained momentum. Tsonga was no where in the tie breaker or in the second set. His serves were not crisp. The unforced errors were mounting. There was little power in his shots. All the positives of his game that were seen against Federer were missing. Djokovic was giving acute angles which were being sent into tram lines by Tsonga. The body language said it all. He was nonplussed. His bag of weaponry was misplaced somewhere or displaced out of London by Djokovic. He does not carry plan B. Will there be a last hurrah from him in the third set. He was two sets to love down against Federer too after all.

Nothing of that sort happened. The despondency continued. Frustration did not set in since he was not defeating himself. It was Djokovic who was defeating him. Service break in the third game of the set at love meant that every thing was over for him. Crowd was desperately looking for something to cheer about, but nothing came. There was little contest. Perhaps Tsonga had decided to let the audience conserve their vocal chords for the second semi-final. But then he changed his mind. In the eighth game, he earned triple break point through sheer aggression and broke Djokovic to come to level terms. But then he broke himself in the eleventh game failing to control aggression. Djokovic could not serve out the match due to sudden bout of aggression by Tsonga. The crowd now had something to give vent to their desires. After a bit of drama, Tsonga rode the cheers of the crowd to save match points and take the tie break 11-9.

Stung by the reverse, Djokovic broke Tsonga at love in his very first service game to take 2-0 lead in the fourth set. Tsonga was serving double faults at the rate of one per game now, but he managed to register himself on the fourth set score board 1-3. With no further breaks of serve, Djokovic reached 5-3 to serve out the match. He did not falter and took the set 6-3.

The new number one player of the world will bid for his first Wimbledon title on Sunday against the winner of the second semi-final.