Wimbledon Semi-Finals Preview: Andy Murray versus Rafael Nadal

Andy Murray will challenge the defending champion Rafael Nadal in the Semi-Finals of Wimbledon Championships 2011 on Friday for the second year running.

If wishes were horses, Murray will ride the victory chariot. He must be having an overwhelming desire to prove that he is not the best player never to win a Grand Slam title. Nadal, on the other hand, has ten already. He is hungry for more, but is not starving. Murray has lost Grand Slams finals through sobs, humiliation, and critics’ ire and is now a thickened man. He is not a choker but does not play best in the crucial stages of the Grand Slam tournaments. In Wimbledon, he has always carried a burden of huge expectations. He has not found it to be a privilege. It would be interesting to evaluate what would have been the result if Wimbledon were not played in United Kingdom.

Nadal’s game is the same tried and tested game, day in and day out. He will hit the serve on the T from the deuce court to the back hand of a right hander, move in and kill the weak return. He will repeat that from the ad court too except that the serve may be anywhere in the service box. If the opponent is a good returner, Nadal would initiate a never ending rally and pull the trigger from the forehand when the opportunity comes. If the opponent is playing at an astronomical level, Nadal would hang on there playing rallies after rallies testing the patience of the opponent. If the opponent remains composed and does not commit errors, Nadal would try to take the match into five sets where his superior conditioning will prevail in about four hours.

Both Nadal and Murray play similar type of game, which is safety first and attack later. They strive to patiently create openings and then pull the trigger. Nadal’s shots are ferocious. Murray will have to absorb the ferocity for a few shots in the rally before unleashing his own shot into Nadal’s forehand corner. The second tier players continue to attack Nadal’s backhand, but the top players attack his vacant forehand corner where the gaps reside. Murray has to compensate for comparative lack of power in his ground strokes by foxing Nadal out in the cat and mouse exchanges.

Murray may try to keep the ball away from Nadal’s forehand. But such an approach would hamper his own free flowing game. Nadal’s forehand is good but not that it can not be returned at all. The ball may bounce a few inches more due to the excessive top spin, but then Murray is two inches taller and it is grass, not the highest bouncing surface. Murray will have to run more since such heavily spun ball speeds away after landing close to the side lines. But he has got impressive wins running like hare to such balls. Murray’s movement is as swift as that of Nadal since he has better anticipation. His shot making on the run is better since the action is smoother.

It will be very important for Murray to break Nadal’s rhythm. He can employ the same tactics which he successfully used in the Australian Open 2010. He would serve to the back hand of Nadal, come to the net and volley a winner. Nadal’s back hand is vulnerable on service and he is sometimes seen trying to go round it. His back hand return gives higher net clearance and has less power in it. Even if Murray was not able to reach the net in adequate time to execute a volley, he was comfortably hitting the sit up ball on the rise to the other corner. It is difficult to predict that such tactics will always work, but this is a template which has worked well. It looks certain that Murray will at least try this a few times to test the effect.

The first serve percentage will be one of the indices of Murray’s mind make up. If his percentage exceeds 60%, he has come in as a determined man. Nadal, of course, would be serving around 70%. Murray has capacity to hit aces at a minimum of two per three service games. But his percentage goes down at crucial stages when he needs them most. This is in sharp contrast to Federer who uses serve to get out of the trouble spots. Nadal does not have overriding dependence on serve alone. He has ground strokes to get the points.

Murray has a stronger back hand. If his team has seen Djokovic defeating Nadal in the four Masters finals this year, they would be prompted to suggest that down the line back hand is a successful shot. Murray has got good results by hitting back hand cross court winners in the vacant forehand corner of Nadal from the ad court.

Murray can not defeat Nadal by playing the same endless rallies which Nadal wishes his opponents to play. If he is trying that, he would fall into the Nadal trap and play to his tune. He will have to be aggressive. There have been occasions in the past when Murray was accused of turning into a pusher when he fell behind. Both he and Gael Monfils have tasted defeat repeatedly with such reactive tennis. If Murray tries not to lose, he will lose for sure. He has to win playing aggressive tennis. He has won in this fashion in Australian Open 2010. Nadal’s prominent losses have come against opponents who attacked incessantly. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Australian Open 2008, Robin Soderling in French Open 2009, Juan Martin Del Potro in the U.S. Open 2009 and David Ferrer in Australian Open 2011.  

It was said that Murray's best surface is hard court followed by grass. Clay was not said to suit his style of play. But then, he has performed beyond expectations during the clay season. If he could play well on clay, there is no reason why he can not do it on grass. He has lost to Nadal both times when they have met at Wimbledon. If there is a law of averages, Murray could be lucky the third time.

Wimbledon Semi-Final Preview: Will It Be A Tsonga Show At The Djokovic Show Down

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has had an eventful grass season so far. He beat Rafael Nadal at Aegon Championships, but lost to Andy Murray in the finals. He has beaten Roger Federer at Wimbledon in the quarter-finals and is now scheduled to meet Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. Of the top four, it is Djokovic only against whom he holds a favourable head-to-head record. He has beaten him five times while losing only twice, the most significant of that loss having been in the finals of the Australian Open 2008. That was the tournament that brought Tsonga to lime light when he made short work of Murray and Nadal as an unseeded player and went on to bag the runners up trophy. It was a victory of sorts for Tsonga inspite of the defeat in the finals to Novak Djokovic in four sets.

Tsonga has never been able to replicate that performance. He did not mature into a champion. Many seasons went by and each time when there would be a glimmer of hope for his fans, he would uncharacteristically lose. His fitness was hardly good enough to let him play at the highest percentage of his talent and capacity. From the best French player, he degenerated into a journeyman, only occasionally showing flashes of brilliance.

Novak Djokovic too had fitness and health problems. His progress in big events started generating suspense as to when he would throw in the towel. His frequent mid match retirements did not find favour with the bookies. But he held on and kept on progressing to the second week in the Grand Slam majors. And then came 2011. He decimated all opposition in all the tournaments he played leading to the French Open. Before his winning streak could break all records, Federer took him out in the semi-finals of the French Open to deny him a chance to bid for a maiden Roland Garros title.  

Both Tsonga and Djokovic are in good form. There is a lot of excitement in the air. There will be a new finalist at the Wimbledon Championships.

Djokovic and Tsonga have similar height but Tsonga carries an extra 11 kgs. on his broad frame. Since he is a good athlete, this extra weight might have given him some advantage if he fought a boxing bout. But in tennis, it is not an advantage. Tsonga is quick on court, can sprint to the net for picking drop shots and is a natural rusher to the fore court for volley. But the big frame and the extra weight affects his foot work and quick shuffle. While trying to control body momentum, he becomes unbalanced sometimes while getting into a posture to execute a volley or other close body shots.

Djokovic game is more suited to the hard courts. He is a baseliner who can come to the net when needed. His newly acquired power on ground strokes has created problems to all in the last six months. He can hit the ball hard consistently over a long rally, something that even Nadal does not do. His balls go deep into the court but do not go out. The opponent is pushed back and back and back. But with Tsonga, this will not happen. Lose or win, Tsonga will come to the net. Executing a power ball while opponent is advancing menacingly is not as easy as hitting it to the opponent standing at the baseline. Nadal lost to a rushing Tsonga at Aegon Championships earlier this month.

Tsonga, the attacker, is the best spectacle on court. But Tsonga, the defender, is brittle. Tsonga has the capacity to go down without fighting. When losing, first serve percentage goes down, absence of Plan B starts biting, latent mental and physical exhaustion starts taking toll, movement becomes laboured - infact everything starts crumbling. It is not like Nadal where every point is a new point which starts as if from love all.

Djokovic has not shown good game against Bernard Tomic. Which Djokovic comes out in the semi-final is crucial. If it is the one who was on winning streak prior to the French Open semi-finals, Tsonga can book the return flight home. If it is the one that came out against Tomic, Tsonga will be in the finals of a Grand Slam for the second time. In between, it would be on Tsonga’s racquet, but win or lose, he will come out bruised.

Wimbledon Quarter-Finals: Tsonga On Song, Federer Fades Away

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga registered one of the biggest wins of his career when he came back from dead to defeat Roger Federer in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in five sets 3-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 6-4.

Tsonga was widely expected to provide a tough match to Federer to prepare him for the seventh Wimbledon title. He had been playing well this summer having defeated Rafael Nadal in the Aegon championships and having taken a set off Andy Murray in the finals there. But then Federer too had been in the best form from the French Open. Federer was quick to go off the blocks breaking Tsonga in the very first service game and raced to first set victory in 27 minutes riding on cent percent conversion of break points. He committed no unforced error while hitting 12 winners. Tsonga was left licking wounds having failed to convert any of the two points he earned in the fifth game.  

Tsonga improved in the second set. The spectacle of the usual Federer games when he induces a short return from the opponent in the middle of the court and belts the ball to the other corner was missing. Tsonga was developing confidence in his shots. He neither conceded any break point nor could earn any of them. The set went to the tie breaker. It is a cardinal mistake to enter tie breaker against Federer. Federer serving at 82% in the second set meant trouble. He went up 5-0 in the tie break before Tsonga could pull back 3. More importantly for Tsonga, his graph was going up whereas Federer’s dominance was going down. It was just that Federer had played the important points better. Two sets up, it was looking a straight sets victory for Federer since he plays his best when ahead.

The third set started in a familiar fashion. Federer took his first service game at love, but the turning point came in the third game. Tsonga got two break points and converted the second to break Federer for the first time. The crucial test came in the tenth game when Tsonga would have to serve out the set. He earned 3 set points only to see them vanish in thin air. But on the fourth occasion, he mustered up all his concentration to put a strong first serve in which Federer could barely touch. This win changed the complexion of the game. Two things happened simultaneously. Tsonga’s game went up and Federer’s game went down. But when does it happen that Federer can be expected to lose from two sets to love up in a Grand Slam match.

In the third game of the third set, Tsonga earned three consecutive break points on Federer’s serve. He was able to convert the third and went up 2-1. He did not let Federer get any break point on his serve. The game reached 5-4 with Tsonga to serve the set out. Four good serves including two aces sealed the fourth set in Tsonga’s favour. The spectators were held with disbelief in their eyes on the turn of events.

If Federer had to win, it was here and now in the final set. Federer started the set but surprisingly went down 15-40. Tsonga did not let the opportunity go and converted the very first break point. It was now dawning on the spectators that Federer was vulnerable at age of 29. Tsonga did not let Federer come anywhere near a break point. When he arrived at the penultimate service game, Tsonga served well to earn triple match points. He converted the very first.

Tsonga has ousted the best contender for the title. Infact, he has himself become a serious contender for a spot in the finals.

Wimbledon 2011: Nadal’s Win Over Del Potro Through Injuries And Medical Time Out

Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin Del Potro in four sets in the fourth round in a dramatic match that lasted three hours and fifty two minutes. The drama was not complete without feel of injuries and medical time outs.

In the first set, Nadal had one break point on Del Potro’s serve in the sixth game and two set points in the tenth game and a set point in the twelfth game. He squandered all of them and before the set could be continued in the tie break as per rules, Nadal came out to his chair seeking medical time out. Del Potro was not amused and he complained to the chair umpire but in vain. Del Potro would have thought that since the tie break was to be in continuation at set score 6-6, there was no provision for injury time out. On Nadal’s side, it could be argued that the game was over at 6-6 and the serve had now to change hands. The chair umpire did not revise his decision and the medical officer attended to the problem while Del Potro waited. The continuity was broken, the rhythm and momentum might have been broken and course of the set may or may not have changed. Nadal came back into the court and won the tie break when Del Potro double faulted on the set point.

Are such incidents throw back to times when kids would suddenly bow down to tighten shoe laces in slow motion at 30-40 in a game and then tighten the other show laces too by way of precaution while eternity will seem to pass at the opponent's end.  

There is no smoke without fire. The fact that Del Potro objected to what he perceived as stretching the rules is testimony to that he felt injustice was being meted out to him. He would not have protested if he thought that he too benefited from such time out. Chair umpire could be helpless at times. First of all, it will not be construed proper for a chair umpire to deny medical time out by literal adherance to the rules. Secondly, this would be even more risky if the player was the best player in the world. Umpire did issue warning for time wasting earlier to Nadal, which is easier since time is a measurable unit. But the seriousness of the injury can not be known even to the medical officer, least to the umpire. The player alone can feel the degree of pain. 

The number of medical time outs Nadal takes is higher than average. He has indeed suffered more injuries than other top players. His intensity and never say die spirit forces him to chase unchaseable balls. Without intention, his body gets pushed over the limit in a match. After the experience of 2009, he has slowed down a bit, but his game has by and large remained unchanged in nature. He might have become overanxious about some impending injury and if there is a facility available, why not use it by calling a medical expert to evaluate his problem. If it affects his opponent, it is his problem. Why can’t he too utilise the break in a constructive manner by pondering over the finer nuances needed in his game played so far. By placing the blame on Nadal, his detractors seem to suggest that he resorts to these tactics to break the rhythm and concentration of the opponent; that he does it when under pressure, when momentum is with the opponent; that he plays mind games in a dubious way. If that is to be believed, it would lead to a conclusion that Nadal is a great champion but a bad sport.

It will be better to leave the matter at that and have faith in the competence of the authorities to detect and repair any damage being done to the system. There appear to be no grounds to cast any aspersion on any player.

Wimbledon Match Report: Nadal Overcomes Gutsy Del Potro To Enter Quarter-Finals

Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin Del Potro met in the most anticipated quarter-final contest on the centre court. It was a high octane contest, not for the weak hearts. The crowd favour appeared to be with the challenger.

The games went with the serve as both the players were serving great, especially Del Potro who not only served fast but at such angles that Nadal found it difficult to return the serves. Nadal too had little difficulty in winning his service games. Nadal made his move in the sixth game on Del Potro serve and earned his first break point. Del Potro served an ace to nip it in the bud. He was an equal to Nadal at this point of the match. Del Potro was winning his service games with ease whereas Nadal was winning it through rallies. Del Potro was playing the game he played at U.S. Open 2009. His ground strokes were hard. It was surprising to see Nadal blocking the service returns which were just sitting up on landing in Del Potro’s court enabling Del Potro to belt them to any part of the court. Del Potro was able to wriggle out of trouble again and again which must have been very frustrating to Nadal. He called the trainer when the set went to the tie breaker. His heel was apparently hurting on the outer side. He took medical time out inspite of Del Potro’s protest. He was in clear discomfort in the tie breaker. The momentum alternated tantalizingly with the excitement reaching a crescendo when Del Potro arrived at the set point. He could not make it. Nadal got the set point next at 7-6 and did nothing to win it since Del Potro committed a double fault.

Del Potro started the second set in the same fashion winning service game without difficulty. His serve was returned short by Nadal, who continued to just block the serve. Del Potro was returning the serve deep making service games more difficult for Nadal. Nadal was not at his best both physically or game wise. Having been gifted the first set, the misplaced apprehension of retirement vanished from his fans’ mind. He was playing without looking at his heels now. But he was repeatedly overhitting his inside out forehand. Nadal was looking not his usual self but was just hanging on. Del Potro broke Nadal to go up 5-3 and served out the set without loss of a point. He was the deserved winner of the set.

Pattern was the same at the start of the third set. Del Potro will put a heavy first serve in, invite short return from Nadal and put away the ball to the other corner. Inspite of the loss of the first set, Del Potro had looked the better player thus far. A second serve ace in the first game of the third set told it all. Del Potro was reading Nadal’s game clearly and Nadal’s body language was not inspiring. The basic difference was the depth of the shot. Nadal was unable to keep the ball deep. Del Potro’s ground strokes were increasing in pace and power. At 2-2, Del Potro slipped badly and went out with the trainer. He returned and continued pummeling the ball as before. Unlike in the first set, Nadal was not even reaching the break point on Del Potro’s serve. Del Potro was growing from strength to strength and it looked a matter of time when Nadal would face a break point. Del Potro was the aggressor and Nadal, the retriever. There was no break of serve and the tie breaker arrived with momentum riding with Del Potro. But it was Nadal who won the tie break 7-4.

All the quarter-final matches had finished but this match was still in the fourth set running into fourth hour. The rallies were rather short but both players were taking a lot of time in between the points. Nadal had got the warning in the first set. In the fourth set, Del Potro appeared to concentrate more on Nadal’s backhand. At 2-2 in the fourth set, Nadal got a chance to break and utilised it successfully. This was the first time Del Potro was broken. Games went with the serve and it was on Nadal to serve out the set at 5-4. He got all the four first serves in and successfully got through 7-6 3-6 7-6 6-4.

The match lived upto the billing it had received. It was a top quality display which will linger in the memories for a long time. Irrespective of the result, one thing was clear. Del Potro has arrived.

Wimbledon 2011: Djokovic Brushes Aside Llodra To Set Up A-Tomic Clash In Quarter-Finals

Novak Djokovic had it rather easy against Michael Llodra in the fourth round. He won in straight sets 6-3 6-3 6-3.

Michael Llodra has an excellent serve and volley game. But he served only 38% of first serves in the first set. He served 3 aces but 4 double faults. He is reasonably good in ground strokes but against Djokovic, his single fisted backhand was a liability in long rallies. His all shot game serves him well except against the top guns. His menacing advance to the net rattles quite a few but not those who hit hard and deep. Djokovic was never threatened in the first set and took it 6-3 on the very first set point. He was playing a normal game which was proving to be too much to Llodra.  

Try as hard as he did, he could not put up any significant resistance. He was now serving at 62% and yet not making any dent on Djokovic game. Djokovic broke twice to take the second set 6-3. His level of play was a level above that of Llodra. Down two sets to love, Llodra’s resistance was over. He went through the motions knowing that it was not his day.

The third set went with serve upto 4-3 when Djokovic made his move to break Llodra. He earned two break points. Llodra saved one with an ace, but conceded the second to give a chance to Djokovic to serve out the set. Djokovic served out the match at love.

Djokovic has progressed with the authority of a top player. He faces the young Australian Bernard Tomic in the quarter-finals. 

Wimbledon Match Preview: Tsonga's Attack Vs. Ferrer's Defence

One of the most interesting matches to be played in the fourth round at Wimbledon 2011 will be between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and David Ferrer. Tsonga is a natural attacker and this would have suited him in the past. Pete Sampras, Goran Ivanisevic, Roger Federer, all have won with attacking tennis. But things have since changed a bit. Players with excellent defence are succeeding on all surfaces with their ability to counter punch. David Ferrer is one of them. There is no player who works harder than him on court. He will reach all balls and put it back one more time. An attacker has to hit several winners in a rally to finally win the point. Does Tsonga have the capability to hit like that?

Tsonga has wider range of shots than Ferrer. His biggest asset is his natural movement to the net whenever he senses an opportunity. But Ferrer has excellent passing shots. Tsonga has good first serve and he moves in to set up a volley. He has good speed while advancing to the net, but once he reaches the service line, the return comes. If the return is in the normal volleying zone, he can win the point. But when it requires quick shuffle, problems could occur. Having a big frame, quick foot work is not Tsonga’s forte. Sometimes, he becomes unbalanced while hitting the volley, which makes his volley an inconsistent shot. Moreover, Ferrer has a very good return of serve. It is not easy to get aces past him.

David Ferrer keeps the ball deep. He likes to go on hitting top spin on both flanks. Players tend to avoid long rallies with him. Tsonga is a good baseliner too, but not as consistent. In the process of winning baseline rallies, it is Tsonga who is likely to go for the extra and hit beyond the lines.

If the match prolongs to a fifth set, Ferrer will have the advantage as he is a workaholic. Tsonga has had problems of prolonged focus. He also does not carry Plan B. His aces taper off as the match starts slipping out. His first serve percentage dips. Tsonga reaches a break point more easily than he converts it. If he has to win, it should be in 3-4 sets. For that, he would require first serve percentage around 70 and high rate of conversion of break points.

The crowd is likely to cheer Tsonga more vociferously. Ferrer is unlikely to get undone by it, but Tsonga can find extra motivation. Both he and Gael Monfils perform well when the crowd is behind them.

Wimbledon 2011: Roger Federer Cruises Into Fourth Round Quelling David Nalabandian's Challenge With Ease

David Nalbandian faced Roger Federer amidst a lot of expectations. He was the player who went on defeating Federer everywhere in the early years. Even today, he is one of the few players who boast a close 8-10 record against him.

But that is an old story. This day, in the very second game, Nalbandian was forced to drop his service game by Federer.  Nalbandian earned a break back point in the very next game, but breaking Federer is a Herculean task for almost all. Nalbandian could not return Federer serve and the opportunity went as soon as it came. Federer is able to find his best serve when he needs it. With a splendid return, Nalbandian earned a second break point, but could not convert it. The quality of tennis was high from both sides and the thunder of the crowd was an apt testimony to it. After a bit of difficulty, Federer served two consecutive aces, the second ace on a second serve, to consolidate the break. Nalbandian earned another break point in the third service game and was third time lucky to even the set score at 3-3. Nalbandian has limited resources and it was a matter of how well he selects the limited range of shots. He conceded a break point in the very next service game and Federer induced error from his racquet to convert it. Federer was playing to his capacity and that was proving to be too much for Nalbandian playing at his best too. Soon the difference started widening. Nalbandian was forced to go for more and cracks started appearing. Errors started visiting Nalbandian. He did well to win his service game but could not stop Federer from serving out the set 6-4. Federer had served seven aces in five service games and was serving at 71%.

With Federer on the ascendance, Nalbandian could not hold serve in the very first game of the second set. The only interest that remained now was how much resistance would Nalbandian be able to offer. Federer started playing unmindful of cost of loss of point. He started making numerous errors on Nalbandian’s service games. When Nalbandian called the trainer after five games, doubts emerged whether the fight could get closer. He lost his service for the second time and Federer served out the second set 6-2. Nalbandian was a beaten man at this stage.

The trainer was called again at the beginning of the third set by Nalbandian. Federer was now playing a carefree game. He gave a long rope to Nalbandian and let the set drift to 4-4 before Nalbandian committed suicide with two double faults at deuce to hand over the break to Federer on a platter. Nalbandian brought the crowd to last minute excitement by saving three match points. Federer succeeded on the fourth match point. The match was over 6-4 6-2 6-4 in one hour and forty six minutes.

Wimbledon 2011: Rafael Nadal Overcomes Muller’s Resistance To Move Into The Fourth Round.

Rafael Nadal found a difficult opponent in Gilles Muller in the third round. Muller was playing into the rallies, sometimes slugging it out from the baseline, sometimes following the serve to the net for volley. He was very comfortable in the rallies in the first two service games. It was Nadal who was made to do harder work in his service games. It was partly because Muller was a left hander too. Nadal’s excessively spun forehand tends to go to the back hand of the right handers and cause trouble on the bounce. But these were going to forehand of Muller and with his good height of 6 ft. 4 inches, Muller was able to cope up with them without difficulty. He was playing an unorthodox game to befuddle the opponent. What would be his next move was unpredictable. He was springing surprises by rushing to the net when least expected. Muller was untroubled in his service games. His serves were unreturnable by Nadal. He was not able to extend Muller into rallies.  He was not able to read Muller’s service. Muller would serve wide while Nadal would move towards his left anticipating serve on the the T. With Muller serving at 88%, there were few opportunities for Nadal. On his own serve, he had to win the point through rallies since Muller was able to return the serve mostly. Nadal was serving first serves at 59% which is below his usual target. The first 11 games consumed only 3 minutes each on an average which is much below the 4.5 seconds Nadal’s matches take. Muller made move in the twelfth game and got two set points on Nadal’s serve. When he failed to capitalise on them, he had not only missed the golden opportunity but also awakened the tiger in Nadal. Tie breaker arrived. Nadal stood much closer to the baseline than in the earlier matches. Muller started with an ace and broke Nadal on the very first serve. It was the power and the depth on his ground strokes that were troubling Nadal. He was putting in almost all his first serves. On top of it, Nadal badly slipped at 5-4 and appeared to injure his right knee. Muller made it 6-6 in the tie breaker to change the ends. He was serving much better than Nadal, but served a double fault to give set point to Nadal on his own serve. Nadal made no mistake on the opportunity gifted to him when he sent down an unreturnable serve down the T. The tie breaker was over 8-6, but Nadal called the trainer. Before he could come, the rain came and the play was suspended.

Muller had matched Nadal shot by shot and he continued to do so when the play resumed the next day. His serves were usually winners and he won most of the points on his first serve. Nadal was not able to return deep and his returns were mostly sitting up in the middle of the court. Nadal was making very few errors and yet he was unable to stop Muller from winning points. In the first 22 games, Muller had come 23 times to the net and won most of the points. In the rallies too, Muller was able to stay toe to toe making Nadal work hard to win his service games. The tie break arrived in due course. Muller was not threatened on his serve until the eleventh point when a backhand error into the net from Muller gave Nadal a mini break. Nadal did not look back and served out the tie break 7-5. The pressure on Nadal could be gauged from the fact that he did not commit a single unforced error in the second set and yet found it difficult to get past Muller. Muller won almost all his first serve points.

In the third set, things changed. Muller was broken in the very first game. Nadal started forcing errors from Muller's racquet. In the next service game, Muller committed double fault on the third breakpoint after saving two of them. In his third service game, Muller again committed double fault at deuce and gifted a break point to Nadal. Nadal obliged and went up 5-0.  He promptly served out the set and took the match 7-6 7-6 6-0.

Djokovic Makes Short Work Of Tall Anderson To Move Into The Third Round

What was billed as a difficult match turned out to be a mismatch. Djokovic defeated Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-4 6-2 without any difficulty.

Djokovic had it easy against the difficult opponent in Kevin Anderson. He moved Anderson  side to side and created gaps. The big serve of Anderson was often returned. Anderson was not able to match him in the ground strokes. Djokovic was serving first serves at a high 74% in the first set. He won the set 6-3 in 30 minutes.

Anderson went for the big serves to win his service games in the second set. He served at a high 75%, but whenever he did not succeed with his serve, he mostly lost. Djokovic was impeccable in both defence and attack. He raised the percentage of first serves to 85%. When Djokovic went down 0-30 while serving out the second set at 5-4, Anderson could see a ray of light. But Djokovic shut the door in emphatic style.

Anderson was finding that his frame of 6 ft-8 inches was more a liability than strength as he was often caught on the wrong foot. He might have made a good impact against some baseliner who could play only long rallies. But Djokovic was someone who was able to sense the weaknesses of his opponent and exploit them effectively. In the process, Anderson was looking a one dimensional player. Even in the baseline rallies, he was often unbalanced while hitting the shots. Such shots were mostly going beyond lines.

Anderson was broken in the very first game of the third set. One of the reasons why he could not reach the balls was that he stood much behind the base line. It is in sharp contrast to somebody like Venus Williams who utilizes her good height by standing inside the baseline while receiving serve. Anderson stood where generally Nadal stands on a clay court. He was a sitting duck for drop shots.

While serving at 3-2 with break of serve, Djokovic became casual in the sixth game and committed two consecutive unforced errors to go down 0-30. Anderson got a double  break point soon but when he failed to capitalise on the golden opportunity, it became clear that he could win only if Djokovic chose to lose. Djokovic won his service game and broke immediately to go up 5-2. But just as the end was in sight, Djokovic committed two double faults. Anderson got two break points but it was not his day. Djokovic served out the set to win the match 6-3 6-4 6-2 in less than two hours. .

Anderson can take solace in that there was no shame in losing to the hottest player on the tour. 

Wimbledon 2011: Rafael Nadal Puts In A Professional Performance To Defeat Ryan Sweeting

Rafael Nadal moved into the third round defeating Ryan Sweeting in straight sets 6-3 6-2 6-4.

Rafael Nadal started his match against Ryan Sweeting under closed roof. He continued his serve strategy from the very first game hitting first serves with the same power he had hit them at the U.S Open. He had already come to the net five times in the first three games and won 4 of the 5 points. Ryan Sweeting, a former U.S Open Junior Champion, was playing freely, least overawed and without any apparent nerves. The excessive top spin was not creating any abnormal problems for his 6 ft. 5 inch frame. But in the fourth game he double faulted on a break point and gave the game on a platter to Nadal. Champions do not look back from there. Trailing 2-4, Sweeting changed his game plan and started hitting the ball harder. Nadal continued his aggressive play and closed out the first set without loss of any point in the ninth game. He hit his second ace on the first set point.

Ryan Sweeting lost the very first service game in the second set. It was mainly due to impeccable defences of Nadal. It was becoming clear that Nadal was taking the match more seriously than he does in the earlier rounds of Wimbledon. He had committed just two unforced errors in the first 13 games of the match. Sweeting had decided that only offence is going to get him somewhere, if at all. But it was not a reckless aggression. He had also committed just five unforced errors in the first 13 games. In spite of that, he could not make any impact. It was only in the fifth game of the second set that Nadal loosened his grip a bit by indulging in backhand slice practice and gave a game to Sweeting. Sweeting got the second game of the second set when Nadal dumped backhand slice into the net. Nadal closed out the second set with an ace without dropping any point.

Nadal broke Sweeting in the third game of the third set and it looked that it would be the decisive break. Sweeting broke back immediately, rushing to the net on the break point and volleying a winner. That was the only way Sweeting could make an impression in the match. He had nothing to lose now. Nadal backhand slice into  the net gave the fifth game to Sweeting. The match was becoming more interesting. In the seventh game, Sweeting committed two double faults and was broken by Nadal. Sweeting wanted to spend all the remaining energy on the court and hit some very powerful winners. He brought the third set score to 5-4 and passed on the pressure to Nadal to serve out the match. The six points played in the final game were the best and the lingering cheers after the match told how much the spectators enjoyed the match.

Wimbledon 2011: Roger Federer Moves Into The Second Round

Roger Federer moved into the second round after defeating Mikhail Kukushkin in straight sets 7-6 6-4 6-2..

Federer started briskly thundering down two aces in the first game. But Mikhail Kukushkin was not overawed. He held his own and kept step with the great champion. With score line at 5-4 in Federer’s favour, it looked that he would make a decisive move for the set. Kukushkin put in three good first serves including an ace and went up 40-0 denying any chance to Federer. Another opportunity presented at 6-5 for Federer when Kukushkin double faulted. It was squandered and the set went to the tie breaker. Federer is rarely the loser in a tie breaker. He served superbly and got the tie break 7-2.

Kuskushkin was surprising Federer with unusually good shots and forcing him to go in for the lines. It did not look that Federer was in any trouble but he was not having his way too. There was a bit of labour and a bit of struggle. But the turning point came in the fifth game of the second set. Federer played a casual and relaxed return game and got two break points. He converted the second. Kuskushkin got a double break back opportunity but squandered it. He got another break point at deuce but Federer thundered down an ace. Therein lay the difference between experience and exuberance. Kukushkin was playing well but he was proving to be just a good practice partner. Federer had no tension in his arm or mind. He served out the second set in the tenth game at love.

Federer broke Kukushkin in the third game with a delicate lob to go up 2-1. Soon the set was over at 6-2. Kukushkin did not play badly but did not know what to do to win against Federer. It was his first match against the master. He can take solace in that the riddle he could not solve has been solved by just a few over the years.

Wimbledon 2011: Rafael Nadal Has It Easy In The First Round

Rafael Nadal did not have to dig deep in his first round match against Michael Russel. He played his normal game and won in a canter. The score line was 6-4 6-4 6-2 and the match lasted 1:58 hrs. There were no fireworks during the rallies. Nadal won most of them and got a good practice of hitting winners. 35 winners in 26 games is higher than what we see in his normal match. This was perhaps occasioned by ample scope for hitting winners since the degree of resistance did not call for extra caution. Nadal was playing in a relaxed manner and was going for his shots. Towards the end, he was seen practising a number of backhand slice shots, which he sometimes indulges in the early rounds. He committed a paltry 14 unforced errors in 26 games. He hit 4 aces with average first serve speed of about 185 kmph. This was nearer his serve in U.S Open and way above his serve in the Roland Garros.

Wimbledon 2011 Preview: Roger Federer And Novak Djokovic Favourites For Semi-Finals

Roger Federer is again drawn in the same half as Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon Championships. Last year, he lost to Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals. Novak Djokovic also lost to Berdych in the semi-finals. History may not repeat itself and they are likely to meet each other in the semi-finals. Both have displayed good form coming into the Championships.

Big servers can not easily get past Federer as they do against many others. Tricky serve in the corners is the one that can bother Federer a bit. Somebody like Ilija Bozoljac in the last year's Wimbledon when he fired 31 aces past Federer. David Nalbandian in the third round or John Isner in the fourth round pose no threat to Federer. His most equipped quarterfinal opponent could be Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. As well as Tsonga plays, Federer plays all those shots a bit better except the backhand. But the variety in Federer’s backhand can turn out to be decisive against somebody like Tsonga whose footwork is not that good in spite of good athleticism.

Jeremy Chardy, Kevin Anderson, Baghdatis or Montanes can not trouble Djokovic. Viktor Troicki or Ernests Gulbis can bother. Ernests Gulbis does not have the big match temperament, but Troicki has played some big matches. Robin Soderling looms large in the quareter-finals. Novak Djokovic is a different player from the one that lost to Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals last year. But a player like Berdych playing much above his capabilities can cause an upset. Soderling is one such player who could have troubled Djokovic last year. But Djokovic of 2011 is a different package. He is an updated version with a lot of add ons. He hits as hard as Del Potros, Soderlings, Berdychs; he moves as fast as Nadal, Murray, Federer; his serve, return of serve, ground shots have all improved. His backhand was already the best. It will require an equal only to take him out before semi-finals. Whoever plays better than him on a given day will take him out.

Federer has already drawn the critics’ favour and is likely to draw the crowd favour too during the Championships. But will that be enough to repeat the result of the Roland Garros. Well, not. He will have to play as well as he did in the French Open. Even if he did, nothing is guaranteed. Novak Djokovic is out for revenge.

Wimbledon 2011 Preview: Semi-Finals Showdown Likely For Rafael Nadal And Andy Murray

Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray could meet in the Semi-Finals though their road is not free from landmines.

The first test for Rafael Nadal will come in the third round where he is likely to meet Milos Raonic. Raonic is a rising star and is predicted to reach top ten status in a few seasons. Nadal’s top spin will not hurt his backhand, but his big frame might come in the way of mobility on court. He can cause some trouble but is unlikely to cause an upset. In the fourth round there could be greater challenge in the form of Juan Martin Del Potro. Del Potro’s game was said to be more suited to surfaces with firm bounce. His capability to adjust to a skidding ball is not the best. But then, the game of tennis is veering round to a point where surfaces matter less and less. Nadal completing a career Grand Slam, Djokovic and Murray doing well on clay are pointers to that fact. Del Potro is not likely to upstage the defending champion. He has not yet found his top form after return from injury. If it happens to be Gilles Simon in the fourth round instead of Del Potro, the result would not change. The challenge is lesser in the quarterfinals whether it is Tomas Berdych or Mardy Fish or Philipp Kohlshreiber or Fernando Verdasco. The main challenge will come in the Semi-Finals where a hungry Andy Murray might await him to avenge all previous mortifications.

Andy Murray will also have his first test in the third round where Marin Cilic could be the likely opponent. But Cilic has not been playing well during last one year and he is unlikely to beat the British crowd in the stands. Richard Gasquet or Stanislas Wawrinka are unlikely to land a fatal blow. Gael Monfils too can not beat the British crowd. He needs a home crowd to bring out the best in him, but that too may not be sufficient. Andy Roddick did not provide any evidence at Aegon championships last week that he has the capability to turn a villain in London. He might find it difficult to get past Thomaz Bellucci, a clay court specialist.  

Murray is a different person and player from his younger version. He has gone through pressures, nerves, defeats, humiliations and can be expected to play his best game. He scores over Nadal in serve, return of serve, court craft, volley, change of pace and general anticipation. Nadal scores over him in ferocity of shots, mental strength, killer instinct, match temperament, first serve percentage and general consistency. Whatever happens, one would perhaps see an aggressive Murray in a match up with Nadal.

Judgement reserved on the match outcome.

Wimbledon 2011 Preview: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer And Andy Murray Are The Contenders

The seeding and the draw is going to have a great say in making a prediction as to who is most likely to win Wimbledon 2011. If Roger Federer does not get number two seeding, he could fall in the Nadal’s half and that would seriously affect his chances. It may not matter as much to Djokovic who might prefer to play Nadal than Federer in the semi-finals.

When Nadal was winning only on clay, it was said that he was one dimensional and no match for Federer on other surfaces. He steadily improved and completed career slam and now the talk is that Federer is no match for Nadal in any Grand Slam. In the same way, Djokovic of today is different from that of yesteryears. It was a common sight to see him retire on health issues when trailing. Endurance and prolonged focus was not his forte. However, during the last six months, Djokovic has almost created history. This self belief perhaps started from his win over Federer in the last U.S Open. He said that he was swinging racquet with every ounce of energy in the late fourth and fifth sets. He has continued this type of hitting and now hits so many virtual winners in a single rally that even after absorbing some of them, the best movers capitulate ultimately to lose the rally. He is the master of baseline play today. It is he who controls the points in the rally. Nadal pulls trigger when in the best position on court but Djokovic goes on pulling trigger in any position and yet finds the ball falling within the lines. A match up in a Grand Slam with both Nadal and Djokovic playing at their best only will settle the issue, the same way it was settled between Nadal and Federer 2008 onwards. This is not to say that Djokovic will reach the milestones set up by Nadal or Federer, but Djokovic has certainly played like the top two player so far in 2011, notwithstanding his loss to Federer in the French Open. What devastation this loss has inflicted on him is yet to be seen. 

Roger Federer has resurrected his best form and is playing with more self belief. Barring Nadal, he perhaps thinks he is capable of beating any one. His back hand did not crumble against Nadal in the French Open and was almost as good as Nadal’s backhand. He confidently used backhand slice against Djokovic which he had stopped relying upon in the last few seasons. Continuous top spin from backhand, even on return of serve, was not succeeding previously. Slice and variation of pace induced errors from Djokovic who prefers to play the same type of shots from the baseline. At Wimbledon, a slice would pose even greater threat for such type of play. In the French Open finals, Federer made 41 approaches to the net in 44 games which he will have to repeat or exceed at Wimbledon.

Nadal’s form has dipped both in the hardware and the software. His forehand is going out more frequently and his backhand is more often going into the net. He has two games, the hard court game and the clay court game. The line between the two is getting blurred. and he is not sure what should be the swing, the net clearance and the power behind the shots. Earlier he used to win clay tournaments making few unforced errors and pulling trigger at a later stage in the rally. But that defensive game did not succeed on hard courts. He started standing nearer the baseline and hitting forehands with lesser top spin on hard courts. He performed much better and got career Grand Slam when he won the U.S Open in 2011. Now the dilemma appears to plague his instinctive play. He is consequently making more unforced errors by hitting out from the forehand side. His first serve speed in the finals at Roland Garros 2011 was 172 kmph as against 187 kmph in U.S.Open 2010. Nonetheless, Nadal playing at 75% is likely to win over most of the opponents.

The dark horse is Andy Murray who is capable of playing well before the home crowd. When he did that well on dirt, there is no reason why he can not be a serious challenger on the grass of his own backyard. His victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the finals of the Aegon Championship 2011 last Monday showed that he is there mentally and physically. There are two Murrays, one who plays in the earlier rounds and the other who plays in the final rounds. If both merge into the former, Andy Murray will be a serious contender to the throne. Whether this would happen, it would be known in three weeks time.  

Aegon Championships 2011: Andy Murray Is The Champion

Andy Murray became the champion at Aegon Championships by defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 3-6 7-6 6-4 on Monday, the 13^th June.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was the first to sprint away hitting heavier ground strokes than Andy Murray and took the first set 6-3. He was hitting ground strokes at 78 mph while Murray hit the ground strokes at 69 mph. His serve was very good. He was playing great, but the only suspense was whether he can go on playing like that for the remainder of the match. Those familiar with his game were keen to see where the things would go wrong for him to lose the match. It started around the eighth game in the second set. He started indulging in casual game on Murray’s serve and made it automatic for Murray to hold his serve. The basic principle of percentages that you at least return the serve to the other side of the net was given up. Two break points came and went away in jiffy. Both the points were lost without succeeding in prolonging the rallies. Both these points were lost by Tsonga than won by Murray which a top ranked player does not usually allow. He fights and makes opponent earn it the hard way. This did not happen with Tsonga in that game when he surrendered the game going for a spectacular shot. The set went to the tie break and Murray wrapped up the tie break 7-2.

With the crowd cheering Tsonga’s mistakes too, things started getting to Tsonga’s psyche. It happened last year too at Wimbledon where Tsonga played so well to take the first set from Murray, but faded thereafter. The final set would provide a turning point in the fifth game when Murray earned a break point and converted it when Tsonga tried to go for a spectacular down the line shot. Murray was winning without having the need to hit many winners. If the old script had to be repeated, Tsonga would not come near breaking Murray in the remainder of the match. It indeed happened that way. When Murray played deliberate half volley between his legs to win the eighth game, the crowd cheer made it clear to Tsonga that he was in an alien land. The fear of the unknown was getting to him. It looked easier to sail with the wishes of the crowd. He lost the set 4-6.

A question might arise one more time as to why does Tsonga lose. The answer is the same - it is his nature to lose when he can also win. Why should he win if it is easier to lose.

AEGON Championship 2011: Rafael Nadal Ousted By Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Rafael Nadal opted to continue with his schedule of playing at AEGON Championships while his illustrated rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic cancelled their participation in the preparatory tournaments before Wimbledon. Nadal suffered defeat at the hands of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and appeared happy to be heading home before he comes back to participate in Wimbledon 2011 in about a week.

Nadal’s expression of frustration when his seeming ace in the beginning of the second set was called a Let said it all. This does not usually happen. It could be a reflection of lack of desire for extra fight for one more point which is so uncharacteristic of Nadal who goes on playing each point as the first point of the match. It could be a sign of mental tiredness. Were the effects of seven finals this year showing up or were they the consequences of the rigours of the French Open just undergone. Nadal appeared to be going through the motions without any inside force driving him. This became more and more apparent as the match progressed. He was not displaying the usual tenacity. Tsonga was not playing that great, but the match was tilting towards him. The body was instinctively fighting but mind was applying breaks. He gave away the second set without showing glimpses of extraordinary resistance which is the hallmark of his game.

Tsonga has an excellent grass court game but his fans have repeatedly been let down when he did not fulfill his potential. He has never been short of spectacular shots but has never showed the perseverance to reach the deserved place in a Grand Slam since the Australian Open 2008. His instinctive net approaches to attack and good baseline game should have been the recipe for success on grass. He has squandered opportunities by not getting into the extra gear when needed. He never showed the tendency to control his aggression at a critical stage in a match when it was simple percentage play that was needed.

In the third set, Nadal tried to stem the rot, but by this time Tsonga was in a different mood. Nadal did not try to go to the extreme of his talent to make a dire attempt to change the course of the match and lost 7-6 4-6 1-6. He signed a few autographs on his way out. He looked unfazed by the defeat.

Tsonga is a very good player but lacks champion’s attributes. He is a natural attacker at the net, which should have served him in good stead on grass. He has an excellent serve too. He plays well both from baseline and at the net. But he does not keep focus through out the match. He is too instinctive to play percentage. He is too casual to be a champion. Australian Open 2008 catapulted him into a serious contender at Grand Slam but he has mostly been downslide since then. Nadal on the other hand has moved into a zone where such losses are inconsequential. This win is worth celebration for Tsonga but the loss does not appear to have much value for Nadal.This loss therefore is unlikely to make any dent in the self confidence of Nadal just as it did not last year when he lost to Feliciano Lopez at the same stage. He went on to capture his second Wimbledon title. Will the history repeat itself - its a mystery that will unravel in just a fortnight.   

French Open 2011: Rafael Nadal Downs Roger Federer For Sixth Trophy

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer squared off for one more time in a Grand Slam final against all odds. It was expected to be a duel between the best player of 2011 and the best player in the world. Roger Federer nurtured other ideas and in one of the best matches played in a long time, he defeated Djokovic in four sets in the semi-final. 

Roger Federer quickly got into rhythm and got four break points in the very first service game of Nadal. When he converted the fourth break point, he made his intentions clear. Once ahead, he started playing his best game and consolidated the break to go up 3-0. Nadal was serving at around 175 kmph only and missing routine shots from his forehand. He appeared distinctly relieved when he got on board at 3-1.  Federer surprised Nadal with serve and volley on the first point when serving for the set at 5-3 and went up 15-0.  But Nadal’s determination got him the break back when he converted the very first break point.  Nadal broke back to get a chance to serve out the first set at 6-5 by making some excellent passes. The quality of play had just picked up on both sides. Nadal did not commit silly errors in the final game and 5-2 became 7-5 in Nadal’s favour. Nadal had served only at 176 kmph to 195 kmph of Federer. But with better shot making, he was able to instill doubts in Federer’s mind. 

Nadal rode the momentum in the second set and broke Federer in the very first game. The soft touch had gone from Federer’s hands and errors were mounting. Federer stemmed the rot putting three good serves to hold the second service game. Nadal appeared to be sacrificing speed to achieve a higher percentage of first serve and also place it to the backhand of Federer. Two aces saved two break points in the fifth game of second set for Federer, but whenever Nadal returned well, he kept going to the backhand of Federer to induce errors. A great backhand to the forehand corner of Nadal got Federer out of trouble and he kept close company with the score line. Self belief and the fighting spirit were eroding fast for Federer although he was still occasionally making great shots. He played three consecutive excellent shots trailing 0-40 on Nadal serve, but could not get a break point. He got three break points in the eight game and was able to break back on the third. The momentum had swung in his favour, but only momentarily. Nadal immediately broke again and got an opportunity to serve for the second set at 5-4. But rain came and changed the course of the set, though momentarily. Nadal lost the serve and the set went to the tie break. The master of tie breakers blinked and the set was gone 7-6. 

The third set too saw Federer going down 2-4 and the beginning of the end was in sight. He did not lose heart and like a blue collared worker kept working and working. The crowd roared behind him. Reward was reaped when he broke back and later served for the set. Nadal lost the set 5-7 and looked disconsolate.  

Federer rode the momentum, held serve in the first game of the fourth set and went up 40-0 on Nadal’s serve. But when Nadal saved all the three break points, it was the beginning of the end of Federer. A casual play in the fourth game by Federer proved fatal and Nadal went up 3-1. He did not look back from there and Federer will not have another game in the match. Nadal won the match 7-5 7-6 5-7 6-1. It was the same old story in the end. The mutual respect stories were told and Rafael Nadal lifted the trophy for the sixth time. He should have remembered the gift given to him by Federer when he eliminated Novak Djokovic in the semi-final.

French Open 2011: Rafael Nadal - Roger Federer Duel Preview

Roger Federer has done what nobody else could have done, i.e., defeat Novak Djokovic in 2011. Novak Djokovic was unbeaten in 41 outings having captured all the ATP Masters 1000 events of 2011 which were mandatory. Roger Federer had suffered three straight defeats and Rafael Nadal had suffered four straight defeats, including two on clay, at the hands of Djokovic. It was being considered certain that Djokovic would lift his first Roland Garros title on Sunday. Instead, the finals would be fought between the two candidates for Greatest of All Times.

Rafael Nadal was given a gift by Federer when he defeated Djokovic. Nadal has not been looking capable of beating Djokovic in 2011. Djokovic plays the Nadal brand of game in a better way. He wins the baseline rallies hitting equally hard on both flanks. He has more powerful serve. He creates more acute angles. His balls mostly fall deep in the corners. Federer could not have defeated Djokovic by playing below par. He played like the young Federer mustering up all the positives of his game.

Federer’s win over Djokovic is nothing less than Mohammed Ali prevailing over Joe Frazier, but Ali-Foreman is not likely to be staged in the new avatar of Federer-Nadal. Djokovic fans might call it a Federer-Nadal conspiracy since Nadal might not have come in the way of Djokovic’s first Roland Garros title. It was the old wine that has always tasted better when Federer brought back his all court game and all court athleticism against Djokovic. He ran much more than Djokovic to hand him a defeat which was totally unexpected. Was it the last hurrah for Federer or can he repeat it against Nadal. Well, lightening does not strike twice. If both were to play at their best, Nadal will come out the definite winner. Federer’s best game is not new to Nadal. He has defeated the prime Federer on clay again and again.

Nadal's forehand top spin does not hurt double handed backhand but bruises single fisted backhand of Federer. Even if one were to say that in the semi-final, Federer’s backhand more than held up against Djokovic, the real test would be against Nadal’s excessive top spin. If he repeats what failed him against Delpo in 2010 U.S.Open, i.e., trying to meet fire with fire, he will be hitting his head against wall. Instead he should vary the pace and slice as he did against Djokovic. More than anything, it is the serve that is going to hold the key. Nadal is not as good a returner as Djokovic and Murray. His failings against John Isner in the first round could partly be attributed to that. One ace per game and first serve above 65% will pose real threat to Nadal. Federer plays best when ahead. First set win will be a bonanza for him. But then Nadal plays each point as a match point. It is going to be a long and weary day for Roger Federer. It is difficult to see the match going even to five sets unless Nadal plays below par. It is expected to be the sixth title for Nadal at Roland Garros. But miracles are not ruled out.