In what can only be described as the single most dominating performance in recent memory, Rafael Nadal secured his fourth straight French Open title by completely annihilating World Number One Roger Federer, allowing his opponent only a mere four games total in three sets.
Aside from a glimmer of hope early in the second set, Federer was never allowed to even join in the decidedly one sided conversation. What was even more impressive was just how dejected Nadal’s game made Federer feel from the very first game all the way through to championship point. It was as though Nadal was just playing some lowly ranked high school JV scrub. Only Federer is the world’s number one player.
Federer is still young. He plays a type of graceful game that will allow him to play well into his 30’s without injuries. I don’t know if the same can be said for the long term future of Nadal and his much more aggressive and wear and tear style of game. He’ll certainly be around for the next few years.
That brings us back to Federer and how he can cement his legacy even deeper than it is already. In order to secure no doubt about his legacy, he must win The French Open. Do most believe that he can do it? Certainly. But that was probably before they witnessed today’s final. Will Roger end up walking down the similar trail of Pete Sampras who just a short time back was considered “the greatest of all time… only if…”. Or maybe Federer will pull off an Andre Agassi and win the French at the next stage of his career. We Federer fans can only wait and hope.
“Ha ha, Rafa, good match. Yeah, why don’t you go sprint yourself into a brick wall there, pal?“
(I know Federer would never say that, but I’m pissed right now.)
Federer will be back at Roland Garros next year. Possibly back at the finals. Probably. Most likely facing Nadal for the fourth straight year. Definitely. But this may be the most stinging loss in Federer’s storied career to date. He was more focused and motivated than ever this year and he went into the finals with a definite game plan. Unfortunately for him, Nadal was having none of it.
Federer has 50 weeks to try again.
Okay, that was a great two weeks. I need to get back to being productive the next two weeks before The Championships at Wimbledon.
My prediction? Federer will win his sixth straight Wimbledon title… unless Nadal makes it to the final Sunday. Then all bets are off.
Third time was certainly the charm for Serbian beauty (and new World’s Number One) Ana Ivanovic. She previously fell short in the 2007 French Open final and the 2008 Australian Open final. This was a different Ivanovic.
Also, unlike a year ago where nerves seemed to overwhelm, Ivanovic displayed equal parts of cool and top quality play to quell any sophomore French final jitters. Bravo.
Unfortunately the same could not be said for Dinara. The younger sister of Marat Safin, Dinara often showed very similar characteristics to her older brother’s (in)famous fiery temper passion when frustrated. But this did not seem to affect Ivanovic in any way.
As a kid, when I used to go by bike to the practice, I used to dream of this.
- Ana Ivanovic
The title was awarded to Ivanovic by seven time grand slam champion and recent retiree Justine Henin. Perhaps a passing of the torch?
Roger Federer will be looking to win his first French Open title and complete “The Roger Federer Slam” of being only the sixth player to win all four majors and the first since Andre Agassi did it in 1999 — by winning Roland Garros.
Rafael Nadal will be looking to maintain his dominance on clay, preserving an undefeated record at Roland Garros.
Roger Federer will be looking forward to breaking Nadal’s 34-0 undefeated streak.
Excited about the final yet?
Despite how ridiculously impressive and particularly dominating Rafa has looked throughout the fortnight I believe that if Federer can get an early edge and maintain his he may just stun Nadal enough to take it in four sets.
The fact is Nadal has not been truly tested this year so his confidence is high. However, he has not been truly tested this year so anyone (Federer) who does, may shake up Nadal enough to get into panic mode.
At least that’s what I hope.
I feel this year is different. This year Federer has got more to prove. This year Federer has Jose Higueras in his corner. This is the same guy that coached Jim Courier to back-to-back French Open titles.
Update: Gael Monfils just beat David Ferrer 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 setting up a semi-final with Federer this Friday. My guess is that this young talented French kid will be overcome by the situation and get racquet smacked by Federer’s game in straight sets.
On the other hand, Nadal may have cruised too easily en route to meeting Novak Djokovic. That’s the match to watch obviously because if Djokovic gets his ish together, he may shock Nadal.
Roger Federer beat Julien Benneteau: 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 on Monday to reach the quarterfinals
Roger Federer needed about two and a half hours to defeat his fourth round opponent in straight sets.
Now is where it begins to get a little sticky.
Federer is scheduled to next face Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez in the quarterfinals in what will no doubt be his greatest challenge yet. Gonzalez had an easier time in his fourth round match defeating the last American left in the 2008 draw Robby Ginepri 7-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Gonzalez has previously made it to the finals of the 2007 Australian Open where his efforts were rewarded with a straight set loss to Federer. His other major career highlight has to be in the fact that he won the bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece as well as the gold medal in doubles the same year.
As long as Federer stays completely healthy and fatigue free, it looks as though he’ll have a very slightly easier time reaching his third consecutive French Open final where he’ll most likely meet Nadal… or perhaps even Djokovic?
Federer’s quarterfinal match against Gonzalez is expected to be played this Wednesday.
Sharapova needs another year to win the one grand slam title to elude her.
13th seeded Russian Dinara Safina needed a little more time than Federer to defeat the default Women’s World Number One Maria Sharapova 6-7, 7-6, 6-2. Despite taking the first set, Sharapova never looked all that comfortable in this or any of her previous matches this year on the red clay of Roland Garros.
“I celebrate each win with a nice, tall glass of Guiness Stout. Sometimes two.” (Okay, Federer didn’t actually say that but how pimp would it be if he did?)
Showing absolutely no signs of fatigue, pressure or stress, Federer has done what most have expected by reaching the second week of the only Grand Slam title tournament that has yet to grace his ever expansive trophy case.
The Frenchman is expected to have more time for his other endeavors on Monday right after his impending loss to Federer.
“I celebrate each win by forcing my opponents to sniff my left pit.” (Actually, I think Nadal did say this one.)
In the other half of the draw, despite the consecutive days of official play he’s had to endure, Rafael Nadal continues to steamroll through his rounds defeating Finnish player Jarkko Nieminen, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 in their third round match.
Federer drops the first set before crushing Montanes 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-0, 6-4
You have to love the drama so far.
In the last 24 hours we saw:
Maria Sharapova two points from being the first top seeded women’s player to lose in the opening round of a Grand Slam in nearly a decade (Martina Hingis loss to Jelena Dokic at the ‘99 Wimbledon).
James Blake continue the recent US tradition of losing early at the French.
So I guess Roger Federer wanted to add to the drama by dropping the first set of his second round match in a tie-break.
And then he woke up.
Playing like every bit of the champion he has been in the past, Federer rocketed past Spainard Albert Montanes in a pretty quick route: 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-0, 6-4.
At least Montanes can say that he got a free lesson from the world’s number one.
Rafael Nadal also put on a clinic trouncing past his second round opponent Nicolas Devilder 6-4, 6-0, 6-1. Rafael is now undefeated at Roland Garros at 22-0. However, it’ll be interesting to see how he plays the rest of the draw as he’s already played on three consecutive days due to an epidemic of early round rain delays.
Shades of last year’s Wimbledon where Rafa played several consecutive days en route to meet Federer in the finals? Several journalists have cited that fatigue may have played a major role in Nadal’s five set loss then.
With rain halting play later in the day, World Number 1 Roger Federer managed to make short work of his first round opponent American Sam Querrey: 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in a match that just passed the 90 minute mark to complete.
With arguably landing on the more forgiving half of the draw (both Nadal and Djokovic are on the other half) Federer looked solid and well on his way to Championship Sunday.
With former Jim Courier (2 time French Open Champ) coach, Jose Higueras by his side, Federer may have just found the right combination to improve his results of the past two years by one more match.
Rafael Nadal is expected to make his first appearance tomorrow.
At 21-0 so far at Roland Garros, rain or no rain, things are starting to warm up already!
The 2008 French Open brings on a few new dynamics that hasn’t been there the last couple of years:
- Federer isn’t dominating the tour quite the same way he has in the past. YTD Federer has won only one ATP Singles’ title and we’re already in May!
- Nadal isn’t dominating on clay the way he has been in the past. YTD Nadal has won two ATP Singles’ titles so far.
- Both modern day legends have been plagued by injuries and illnesses throughout the year.
- Other players are making a point to use this lull in Federer and Nadal’s game to make an impact including: Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick and French hometown favorite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
One of the best Nike ads.
So will the 2008 French Open shine a light on some new faces on Championship Sunday?
After I beat my opponents, I usually like to relax with a double frappuccino. Maybe two. Extra Foam.
Rafa’s won the last three years. Federer made it to the finals the last two. With the Fed-Express temporarily slowed down so far in 2008, he hasn’t been this hungry in a while. This is not how Federer wants to remember 2008 — without a grand slam title heading into Wimbledon. Even in 2005 when he was 0-2 in slams, he made up for it by winning a few tournaments including a pair of Masters’ series events before successfully defending his title at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Federer has never been more hungry to turn around an otherwise uneventful year. At a mere 26, he’s still at the peak of his powers. And nothing silences a group of haters critics like winning a career Grand Slam.
Of course, I may just be hoping wishfully. Either way, it’s gonna be a great two weeks for certain.
Posted by cap
Posted by cap
Posted by cap
