Well, what an exciting tournament Aus Open 2008 is turning out to be. One couldn’t have asked for a better start. The early rounds witnessed a series of breathtaking 5-setters, with Federer – Tipsarevic match toping the list. Roddick – Kohlschreiber turning out to be a gud one as well.
One cannot forget the incredible shots that Kohlschreiber played when he broke Roddick for one final time in the fifth set. And, on his part Roddick did what he does best (rather, whatever he can). He served at 230 km/hr everytime he was down a break point.
Federer was a bit out of touch. His backhand ‘down the line’ never once failed the net, his forehand lacked the its usual grandeur but his serve helped him keep the match alive. Fedex realizing that he was losing the rallies would serve 4 aces a game and then wait for an opportunity in the Tipsarevic serve. Fedex served some 40 plus aces in the match.
And, when it mattered…when came down to a decisive break in the 5th set, Fedex almost magically raised his game (How many many times have we seen him do that!!). He stepped up the pedal and broke Tipsarevic from a seemingly impossible position. Tips was leading 40-0 on his serve before Fedex spun his magic web, from which Tips never managed to wriggle out. Amazing winners from Fedex’s racquet and an error from Tips’s set the match up for the former. And, one decisive judgment error took the match away from Tips.
It would be very interesting to know how much can he actually be pushed! It’s very unfortunate that Fedex doesn’t really have a competitor who can push him to his limits. A competitor who can match him for shots, serve and the ‘mental toughness’!! Wishful thinking!
Coming back to the Australian Open, an important question is how long can the dark horses keep up the momentum…..well, Kohlschreiber had already run out of steam in the fourth round.
One cannot forget the incredible shots that Kohlschreiber played when he broke Roddick for one final time in the fifth set. And, on his part Roddick did what he does best (rather, whatever he can). He served at 230 km/hr everytime he was down a break point.
Federer was a bit out of touch. His backhand ‘down the line’ never once failed the net, his forehand lacked the its usual grandeur but his serve helped him keep the match alive. Fedex realizing that he was losing the rallies would serve 4 aces a game and then wait for an opportunity in the Tipsarevic serve. Fedex served some 40 plus aces in the match.
And, when it mattered…when came down to a decisive break in the 5th set, Fedex almost magically raised his game (How many many times have we seen him do that!!). He stepped up the pedal and broke Tipsarevic from a seemingly impossible position. Tips was leading 40-0 on his serve before Fedex spun his magic web, from which Tips never managed to wriggle out. Amazing winners from Fedex’s racquet and an error from Tips’s set the match up for the former. And, one decisive judgment error took the match away from Tips.
It would be very interesting to know how much can he actually be pushed! It’s very unfortunate that Fedex doesn’t really have a competitor who can push him to his limits. A competitor who can match him for shots, serve and the ‘mental toughness’!! Wishful thinking!
Coming back to the Australian Open, an important question is how long can the dark horses keep up the momentum…..well, Kohlschreiber had already run out of steam in the fourth round.
The top seeds (Roddick excluded) struggling in the early rounds should not be construed as lack of form. The early rounds are a bit tricky, but the top seeds would find their feet soon. I’m sure we would get to see the best of Fedex in the semis and the finals.
3 comments:
Is this Nithya.K ? Nirmal Shekar has begun to suck.. Nice time for u to step in :)
wow! u made my day, Baidik :)
i'm a big fan of Nirmal Shekar...he rocks....miss 'The Hindu' these days...
Yeah.. I love his columns.. esp the ones post Leander Paes Davis Cup heroics :) But of late his writings have'nt been so sharp. Yup, Hindu's a classic.. u must be aware that ToI's entered Chennai na..
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