Novak Djokovic has his sights lined up on his third major and the No.1 ranking at the French Open. Barring his path to the final is Roger Federer, holder of 16 Grand Slams.
The duo fought it out at the semis at the last two majors, with Djokovic mastering his erstwhile conqueror. This year, Federer is content to lurk in the shadows while the top two seeds battle it out for the premier ranking in men’s tennis.
What he said:
“Against the world No. 1, you never expect anyone to play bad.I mean, it would be pretty stupid.”
Robin Soderling claims that Rafael Nadal’s bad-mouthing his own form had no impact on his level of play against the World No.1.
What he really meant:
“Come on , we all know how modest Nadal really is. Do you really think I’d play terrible just because he says he’s not up to par?”
What he definitely didn’t:
“I’m bad, I’m bad. Image via Wikipedia
So, who is Alexandr Dolgopolov?
WHO IS THIS GUY?
Why did I not know or hear of him?
He’s Ukrainian, you don’t say? Ukrainians play tennis, you say?
Aren’t Ukrainians Russian? They speak the language, don’t they?
But talk to me again about this chap.
Image via Wikipedia
Today—the 16th of January—is the eve of the 2011 Australian Open.
History will be made at the Asia-Pacific Grand Slam if Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal clinch the men’s title.
It will be Roger Federer’s 17th major. It will be a Star Trek landmark—going where no man has been before. If Nadal wins, it will be the culmination of the Rafa Slam—an event much anticipated by players and fans.
It will be Robin Soderling versus Gael Monfils this Sunday at the Paris Masters but not before both protagonists overcame hiccups en route to the final.
The first semi featured Michael Llodra—on a hot streak—against Swede Soderling.
The initial set went with serve 6-6. And it was Llodra—playing with the foot pressed to the accelerator—who romped home 7-0 in the tie-break.
That served as a wake-up call to Soderling who started to find his feet in the second, hitting his returns nice and deep. But it was all bazookas and Llodra’s brilliance until 5-5.
Soderling broke Llodra to go up 6-5 and then served out the set to make it 1-1.
Scintillating tennis continued with Llodra negating an early break to come roaring back into the match in the third set.
There’s nothing more dangerous than a wounded or cornered tiger and Nadal was a wounded tiger who had been licking his wounds ever since he was diagnosed with acute tendinitis in his knees in 2009. After being out for the most part of 2009 and unable to defend his 2008 Wimbledon crown, Nadal decided that it was time to ration out his appearances in the clay court season this time around. A little bit of rest and recuperation for his much abused knees could do no harm!
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