Federer moves past Novak in Monte Carlo 2008

courtesy: Pete Boro, tennis.com

It took a long time to get the chance to write a success story for Swiss against the Serb this year. And a lot to write, I guess, since the climax did not adhere to the norm.

First, a breeze through the game itself. The match started beautifully with both the players stylishly winning their first service games. None was looking weak or willing to relinquish, just yet. The welcome change was to see Federer not too much conscious of his current form and giving his full into the game. Few stupendous passing shots made his new coach give away a smile of satisfaction over the Swiss's progress. Well poised initially, the Serb got the first break point on Fed's 3rd serve. A bit of luck helped Federer save 3 break points that proved too costly for Novak later on. He was seen getting ruffled a bit easily and the inability to encash the breakpoints reflected in his weaker serves and double faults later on. Federer held on and continued to break the opponent at 4-3 to finally wrap the set at 6-3. While both the players displayed some great baseline action with strong forehands and passes, Federer remained calm and the Serb appeared to give up. When Roger again broke the Serb in his 2nd serve in the second set, the red and white flags could be seen gusting all through the beautiful court at Monte Carlo. But Serb came back right on to break Roger equalling the score. This did not give much of an advantage since too many error cost him another service game and he looked flushed. Then, something happened and he gifted the match to the Swiss. Federer was declared the winner as the Serb left the court in a disappointed (and disappointing?) state.

One need not be a sportsman herself to imagine how much would have this match and the consequent victory meant to Federer, whose career had been in the worst of down slide for him since his loss to this very Serb at the start of this year. And the half hearted smile he gave on being announced as the winner revealed that he had been robbed off his victory. But, leaving that apart, he is through to his 3rd consecutive Monte Carlo finals where Rafa is waiting to thrash him.

The Swiss-Serb rivalry is getting dirty just like the surface. One would be wrong to compare it with that of gentlemen like Pete Sampras and Agassi because the business here is not at all sophisticated or sportsmanly. The debate over why Serb decided to retire in a match which possibly had just few more games shall go on for a while. Apparently he had been not feeling well and dizzy since the start, which was surprisingly not visible to many people until he lost the first set. And another spicy stuff from the match - Federer had to ask the Djoko family to keep it down during the first set. Novak's parents have been in news for sometime now for their weird behavior towards their son's competitors. But again, who can define how far should the players go or how should their parents behave. I hope Novak had good reasons to retire and Roger meant no disrespect. Lets leave this at that. I wish both would be more professional.

And now, about amazing Rafa. I saw few points from his semifinal clash against Davydenko and I can say that Federer will not be the favorite in the final. The Spanish bull just moves brilliantly on clay and he is 'everywhere'. He can run from the baseline to retort to a cunning drop shot and angle it so acutely that the opponent(disarmed coz he is so sure of winning this point) at net can only watch the passing shot hitting the ground just before the sideline. He loves the clay and it seems that clay loves him equally. So here is Rafael, as brilliant as ever on dirt and there is Federer, stronger and more aggressive on clay.

Overall, awesome stuff! The finale should be very strong. Predictions? My loyalty forbids me to state practicality and so, I would go with 3 set win for Roger Federer.