I wasn’t able to watch Roger Federer’s win over Philip Scholscreiber in the Gerrer Weber Open at Halle because, well, it wasn’t televised. Star Sports showed Nadal vs Djokovic battling it out for the Stella Artois Championship instead. Perhaps the guys at Star Sports thought that the Fed’s match against Scholscreiber was a foregone conclusion while Rafa and Nole’s match would be a lot more competitive.
They were right of course. Roger thrashed Philip in straight sets while Nole pushed Rafa to the limit before Nadal was able to lift the gigantic championship trophy.
I have to admit, Rafa’s game on grass is getting scarier. And the mere fact that he has easily transitioned from clay to the sport’s fastest surface should make people stand up and notice. Yes, even us diehard Federer fans. Rafa’s improved cross-court backhand is a thing of beauty. He has also started using flatter strokes on grass and by the looks of it, he’s getting comfortable. And he’s only 22!
Still, all is not lost dear Federer fanboys and girls. Rafa’s serve, though improved, is not ‘there’ yet and all our idol has to do is capitalize on this. Roger’s pinpoint serving and groundstrokes that are specially more potent on grass would still be a force to reckon with in case these two icons of the sport should meet again in the Wimby finals. This of course presupposes that James Blake does not ambush Rafa, and Nole leaves Federer alone.
But the real good thing is, I’ve got cable! Nyaha! Just in time for Wimbledon which starts next week, which means I can do gulp gulp in my own living room while watching Roger mow down the competiton on grass. It’s an intoxicating thought.
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