US Open '13 - Victories and their Implications!

With the US Open the Grand Slam drama is over for the year. Though the tennis season still goes on for some more prestigious prizes to bag, but the stage will only be a bit lesser as compared. Even amidst quite straightforward and predictable results over the fortnight, the US Open leaves us with a lot to ponder. 

Most of the tennis pundits predicted Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams for the title and both of them did not disappoint. Unlike in Wimbledon '13, where both Rafa and Serena fail to meet the expectations of wise men and lost early. Of course, predicting isn't rocket science - everybody just goes with a bit of history and flow of current form and thankfully for the pundits, tennis champions are generally very consistent these days. 

Rafa & Serena - Heating up the Greatest of All Time Debate!

Serena Williams is dominating the women's tour like anything. Yet, the first two slams of the year somehow slipped her grasp under inspired challengers. She wanted this second slam and badly. She run through the first six rounds with minimum fuss to meet Vika in the final. Serena was the favourite but she had to really get into a dogfight before clinching the trophy. Victoria Azarenka is no Serena Williams. Her arsenal is not so wide and lethal. But she is a fierce competitor and moreover, she is not afraid of Serena. Vika has a heart of a lion and when everybody (including Williams) thought that she is done, she fought her way back in that final. By just not going away no matter what, she made Serena suffer, berate herself, even cry and eventually bring out her best to win. All credit to Williams for fending off this fightback and win 7-5, 6-7(6), 6-1.

Unlike Sharapova, who despite being in the top 3 consistently cannot hold a candle to Serena in their encounters and just fades away without a fight, Azarenka brings her best against Serena. Till now, it has not been enough to topple Serena in Grand Slams but it can now be said that the only WTA player who can consistently challenge (if not defeat) Serena is Azarenka. Like Vika said in her post-match conference, "I can't wait to face her again"; well neither can we.

When Rafael Nadal missed 7 months from injury, people said he will not win another slam outside his beloved clay. When he won back to back titles in Montreal and Cincinnati before US Open, people made him the favourite to win the slam. No wonder, everybody goes with the flow. Like Serena, Nadal also wasn't really challenged en route to the final. The anticipated and expectedly tough Quarter Final against Roger Federer never happened, as Federer faltered his end of bargain to reach there. Yet, when Novak Djokovic stood across the net in the final everybody knew it wouldn't be easy for Rafa. But Nole is nowhere close to his 2011 form and he looked not so confident in the entire match. Nadal was the more determined, more consistent and more hungry player of the two and he came out on top in four sets. The 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 scoreline had only the third set which could have gone both ways. The rest did not have that great a drama. Minus the purple patch of form that Djokovic hit in the late second and early third set, it was all Rafael Nadal's day. Djokovic still remains world no.1 but only...just. Most likely, by the year end the World No. 1 ranking would have Nadal's name written against it.

Things aren't so rosy beneath the top two's of the world on the ATP tour. Andy Murray's meek loss can be easily attributed to an inspired Stan Wawrinka but Murray needs to revisit his hunger after winning US Open and Wimbledon titles. He doesn't seem as desperate as he was and the field is so tough that any slight lack in motivation could be a lethal blow in fighting for big prizes. Roger Federer surely doesn't lack motivation like Andy. In fact, it seems that's the only thing he has as of now. He is lacking in confidence and at 32 age of course is not helping. He got steam rolled by Tommy Robredo who has never won against him in 10 previous meetings. With the current rank being 6, it will take a massive effort from Federer to bounce back at the top of the table. Yet, it's not wise to count against him like experts did after 2009 Aussie Open and a major-less 2011 season.

And more disappointingly, none of the younger lot like Raonic, Janowicz, Del Potro, Gulbis or anybody for that matter showed any promising signs to break the stranglehold of few people at the top. Not yet!

Interestingly, the winning of Serena and Rafa has heated up the debate of the Greatest of All Time once more. They both surely are already One of the Greatest and will go down in history. But somehow this non-objective, superficial debate has many participants in both spectators and experts. Serena Williams at 17 Grand Slam titles is sure to get ahead of Chris Evert & Martina Navaratilova at 18 Slams and might even challenge Steffi Graf's 22. Rafael Nadal with 13 Grand Slams is breathing right at Sampras' neck and even Federer's 17 seem very much gettable. More so, with Roger Federer in no seeming possibility of adding on to his current tally, Nadal will definitely make a run at it hoping his knees to last.

As of now, both Champions of US Open '13 will go down as all time greats but whether they'll be the Greatest in the Grand Slam tally is what we'll see. What we learned till now is - Serena Williams is undoubtedly the most dominant player at the WTA tour and Rafael Nadal just doesn't know how to give up; and he definitely is among the greatest fighters in the history of tennis.

Additional Note: In the not so popular doubles matches, the Bryan Brother's Bob and Mike were coming of wins at all previous slams this year and were gunning for a calendar grand slam. Unfortunately, they couldn't get over Paes and Stepanek in the semi's and lost a rare opportunity. Yet, Bryan Brothers are surely one of the best Doubles pair the world of tennis has seen. Also, India's Leander Paes at 40 years won his 14th Doubles Slam and is now widely regarded as a doubles legend in his own right.

The Good and the Bizarre at Cincinnati Tennis!

Like it or not, it's all happening in Cincinnati.

Marion Bartoli, the reigning Wimbledon Champion, has announced her retirement from professional tennis after her second round defeat at Cincinnati. She said the physical toll that game is taking on her is no longer bearable and after the high point at Wimby, the time seemed reasonable. She is about to turn 29 and any return prospects would not be too bright.

Seemingly, the motivation to keep going after the unexpected win at Wimbledon died and she found it best to leave on her career defining high. Her antics of relentless air swings, jumps, fist pumps and unique style of play will be missed on court. And what she will miss, with other things, is of course the opportunity to play the opening women's match at Wimbledon '14 as defending champion. She's done, most likely for good!

The highly anticipated pairing of Maria Sharapova with Jimmy Connors has come to a most abrupt halt. Yes, Maria fired (literally) the legendary Connors after just one WTA match that resulted in her first round loss at Cincy. Well, they also practised a bit together but....it's also over. Talk about giving time to the relationship here. So the highest earning women player enters the US Open without a coach in box. That's some saving!

With all these, Federer returning to his small racket becomes no news at all.

Despite all this, there is some order still left in the tennis circuit. Serena Williams is still winning in Cincinnati. So are, Djokovic, Murray, Federer, Nadal and Del Potro. They have all moved into the Quarters where some potentially explosive face off's are awaiting for Friday.

(1) Rafa vs Rog the 31st - Yes, it comes back. For the first time at QF stage (could not happen at Wimby). Nadal in superb touch. Federer really struggling. Odds not so good anyway in favour of Roger. Hope it becomes one of the 2005-2009 Fed-Nad matches that defines their rivalry. 

If you want to watch, it's 4.30 AM by IST on Saturday. Need some fire to get up and see.

(2) Azarenka vs Wozniacki - Both former World No. 1's. Baseline rallies to expect and lots to prove in this contest. And yes, two gorgeous girls in one match too.

(3) Djokovic vs Isner - A resurgent John Isner (normal for American male players in US Swing) dispatches Milos Raonic to meet World No. 1. Serve vs return contest; could really get interesting and might prove to be even better than the first two encounters.

(4) Murray vs Berdych - Only if the Berd comes to the party in form. He is way too off and on. If on, dangerous and can win; if off, well, routine win for Muzz. Murray of course will be consistent.

Enough on the platter for one day, eh?

Cincinnati: Gearing up for the US Open!

The tennis bandwagon is round the corner for the final Grand Slam of the year. After crossing Montreal, Canada with some great matches it is currently treading in Cincinnati with another Masters 1000 title for the taking.

But, it's not just the title - there's plenty more at stake. Ranking points, match practice before the US Open, a place to be the top 8 in order to qualify for World Tour Finals, psychological edge over the rivals and of course, the reputations. All the big names are present in the Cincinnati draw, fine tuning their preparations for the coming Slam. Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, the notable absentees from Montreal Canada due to injuries, are back in the mix. 

Though these tournaments are lesser in stature compared to Grand Slams and best of three in nature, their importance cannot be undermined in the least. They may not be the clear indicators of possible winners in the coming Slam but they give a fair idea of the current form and mindset of the players. So far in the women's draw, the top seed and prime pick of all experts, Serena Williams continues to roll. She quite easily swept the field to get her hands on the title in Montreal and there is no seemingly visible obstacle to her run at Cincinnati and the US Open. Maria Sharapova, with Jimmy Connors in her box, has lost the opening round match to Sloane Stephens in Cincinnati. That coupled with the absence in Montreal, is not the best way she would like to get into the Grand Slam.

In the men's section also, the winner at Montreal, Rafael Nadal is playing some of his best tennis on the hardcourts. His win over Novak Djokovic in the semis at Montreal and the title has made people forget his first round loss at Wimbledon and he suddenly seems to be leading the pack. Even otherwise, with the exception of Wimbledon, he has played flawless since his return from injury in February this year.

As Nadal returned more aggressively from the baseline returning to being World No 3, Novak Djokovic continue to lose the stranglehold he had on Nadal in 2011. He need to find some answers here at Cincy to give himself a better chance at the US Open. Though both Djokovic and Murray lost before the finals in Montreal, Murray is freshly confident from his Wimbledon win. Having said that, he has always struggled against Nadal in the past and hasn't got a chance to face off his nemesis for quite a long time now. He'll have to confront that question sooner or later.

The resurgent Juan Martin Del Potro, victimized by losing a key point (and the match) to Raonic's dishonesty and Chair Umpire's miss, is better than last year but is yet to go the distance on holding the trophies. He seem to lose just when everybody starts taking him seriously to threaten the quartet and win his first Masters 1000. Yet, he's up there with the big four.

While, Del Potro is moving up, Roger Federer is struggling to hold on to even his current fifth spot. Being a defending champion at Cincinnati, if he doesn't reach the Semi's here he'll be falling even further deteriorating his Grand Slam chances even further with tricky draws. To top the cherry of his problems, a possible Nadal clash in the Quarter Final awaits him should both reach there. Even without looking at his record against Rafa, Federer's current form saw him losing to 3 players outside of top 50 at Wimbledon, Hamburg and Gstaad while the problematic back made him sit out Montreal altogether.

With all this to deal with at once, Roger Federer's experimentation with a 98" Wilson prototype is officially over - at least for now. He's back in Cincy with the 90" Wilson pro staff wand and has confirmed to keep it till the US Open. Having won the US Open five times in a row, he hasn't held it for the last four years. At 32, the odds are stacked against him.

At Cincy, each of the players are keen to be as ready as possible giving themselves the best chance to come out on the top. While Serena is far ahead in the WTA contenders race; at the ATP Nadal, Murray and Djokovic, in that order, are going strong with Del Potro and Federer lurking pretty far behind.

Will this week supplement us with any possible alterations in this scheme of things? Watch it out for yourself!

Between the Wimbledon and the US Open!

In tennis, there is practically no off season. But there are peaks and then not so happening times. Grand Slams of course are the ones where the greatest drama lies and right now we are somewhat in the middle of two Grand Slams; so one may call it a lull.

Wimbledon 2013 had all the ingredients like upsets, close matches, emotional new champions leading to a perfect recipe for an unpredictable two weeks of play. As Marion Bartoli and Andy Murray lifted the trophy's at the Centre Court and as former champions tumbled on course, a peek of the new world of tennis was there. Going forward, the things only get more interesting.

That is why precisely the 'lull' we talked earlier is not really dull. There is lots that is happening in the world of tennis even in these times, and players are doing their best to get ready for the US Open at the end of August. Let's have a glimpse of the current events.

The run up to the US Open is still nearly two weeks away when two back to back Masters 1000 tournaments are scheduled. Before this, you will seldom find a top four or five player in any of the lesser tournaments. As Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne acknowledges many a times, "Rest is a weapon, don't forget that." So, this is when the best players hone this weapon.

On the contrary this year, the frontrunners of major championships Serena Williams and Roger Federer are out on court, and that too on clay. Roger Federer is making the biggest waves in the off season for several reasons. He is currently World No. 5 and is in the middle of a storm as far his form is concerned; and to top that he is playing with a new racquet. Till now, he had been using a 90" square frame racket when his competitors in Nadal, Djokovic use a 100" sq frame and Murray a 98".

Federer played in Hamburg with a black framed Wilson prototype of 98 inch sq frame which is a huge shift in the racquet size. It's never easy for a tennis player to change his or her stick and even if they do, the shift is very small or gradual like adding weight to the head, changing strings, small upgrade/change in size. Considering this and that Roger Federer is already 32, the change is mammoth. Also, to let go of the wand that has won him 17 GS titles (more than anyone else on ATP) is a great 'let go'.

To add on to the mixed responses he was getting, he lost to Frederick Delbonis (another player ranked outside top 100) in the semis at Hamburg and now almost every nook and cranny of tennis is out with a piece of advice for one of the greatest player tennis has seen. Federer also hasn't committed yet to use this racket at the US Open and he'll make that decision after having some more feel at Gstaad and maybe at even the Masters 1000's.

A bigger racket is supposed to add on more power and pop to his shots while compromising on the precision somewhat. It is also supposed to give him more options to keep the ball in play while returning. One thing that comes out positive is that - Federer is still willing to play till Rio Olympics 2016 (as he said earlier) and his early loss at Wimbledon this year has not vanquished the flame. Rather, he's willing to do whatever it takes (Racquet, Play) to hang around. Right now, the critics and some fans alike are advising him to retire while on top, leaving his legacy intact. Roger Federer so far is defying all, and wants to keep playing for his love for the game, even if he slips in rankings.

Another great champion Serena Williams won the Swedish Open couple of days back to find back the lost confidence after losing to Sabine Lisicki at Wimbledon. She's good for now and will most likely be the favourite at USO. Serena's favourite bunny to beat, Maria Sharapova is also on the change road alike Federer. Maria though isn't playing due to hamstring but has let go of her former coach (with whom she has been on a good run winning the French last year, going deep in GS and holding rank 2 currently) and hired Jimmy Conners. Yeah, the legendary Jimmy Connors! The one who coached Andy Roddick when he took Federer to five sets in 2009 Wimby Final and looked like winning it all along...till he lost. Connors would hope to do for Maria what Lendl has done for Murray.

And talking of Andy Murray, his roller coaster ride has reached to the top and he's now not only a challenger - he's winning the big ones too. His earlier nemesis' Federer and Nadal are on the low and even Djokovic isn't right at the top. Murray is resting and enjoying his Wimbledon success and will return to play the tune ups for the US Open in the quest for defending his title.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are also on the rest mode for now (actually practising their butt out) to get ready for the US hard court challenge. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic is ready for sharing the nutrition tips in his book called 'Serve to Win' which is a 'nutrition based performance guide'. It'll be launched before the USO. It'll share how changing his diet in late 2010 made him a formidable player from 2011.

Rafa, the biggest loser of Djokovic's new diet is happy fishing, playing poker and playstation in his home town Majorca for now. It'll be interesting to see how Rafa's knees hold up on faster hard courts and how Nole finds the motivation to keep Nadal and Murray away from taking the top spot.

In the current scheme of things, Federer seem to really struggle against the top three guys; Rafa surely against Nole, and Nole against Murray to a great extent. Yet, that concludes nothing. And there is one more guy, who can potentially blast off anybody, and who is more lethal on the fast hard courts and who is also a Grand Slam Champion. Yes, Juan Martin Del Potro! 

Del Potro fell short to Djokovic in the Wimbledon Semi but took enough out of him emotionally and physically to help Murray win easier than expected. Having said that, grass is his worst surface and US Open the most preferred. He's in good form and if he really wants to get back into the mix of top guys and the form of 2009; this probably is the best time and the best surface.

Federer is currently playing in his home town Gstaad and all the other big names return (well practised and rested) in the second week of August for the tune ups. The drama continues....!

Wimbledon '13: The Grand Finale!

It's time for the Men's Singles final at the Weirdest Wimbledon/Grand Slam we have seen in a while. Yet, the weirdness ends here. It's the top two seeds fighting for the right to hold the trophy. The final, does not have a Federer or Nadal in the final but it only shows that in current form Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are better than them and rightly hold the top rankings.

What to expect on Sunday? It's very very difficult to choose between these two. Nole and Muzz, as they are fondly called, are not just close in the rankings but similar in so many other aspects. They are separated by only a week in birth; they are both extremely extremely fit; they both have very similar styles of play; both like to stay at the back of the court and hit the ball hard, retrieve every ball, quickly turning defence to offence; they both practically have no 'weak spot' in the game; they have been playing each other since the age of 11 in Juniors knowing each others game like their own; they will both have their lovely girlfriends cheering up from their respective boxes, tense as ever; they have had some epic contests in the past on all surfaces - their matches almost always going the distance.... let me stop at this...phew!

In their Juniors, Murray was the one who started dominating earlier. As they turned pro, Djokovic handled the transition better and won his first Grand Slam 4 years before Murray. But now, Murray too has won one of his own at the US Open last year. Also, this late blooming of Murray can also be attributed to the humongous pressure and expectations he was under from a entire Great Britain. Andy has that monkey off his back now and he'll be playing freely with almost all of the crowd support behind him today. Novak sure is seasoned in these kind of moments, already having six Grand Slam singles titles under his belt and he won't be easy to put away at all.

Expecting all the possible celebs and royals today again at the Centre Court Royal Box; we're certain to have a long long match. Five sets maybe, but nonetheless lengthy in nature. I believe, for the first time in a Grand Slam encounter Nole and Muzz are on an equal footing in the combination of things. The only difference of GS titles 6 to 1 is nullified by the excessive crowd support and the fact that Muzz has his first by beating Nole and an Olympic Gold beating Federer. So, now he also knows how to do it.

A definite action packed match is on the cards, no matter who wins it. A few crucial points are going to make all the difference in the world. I don't want to make a pick on this one; it's so bloody damn close from how i see it. Yet, however difficult i may find it to bet against the ever consistent World No.1....maybe just, it's time for Britain to be happy! 

Pick: Murray in Five!

Marion Bartoli - the new Wimbledon Champion!

Wimbledon has a new women's champion and a first time Grand Slam winner, in Marion Bartoli. In spite of no big names being there, the final was like a wave of fresh air. Though, it wasn't any sort of an epic as Sabine Lisicki was extremely overwhelmed by the occasion. Marion Bartoli, surely benefited from her appearance in Wimbledon 2007 final where she lost to Venus Williams, took the game to her opponent with intense demeanour and shot making winning 6-1, 6-4 fending off a late fightback by Lisicki.

It was more like a blink and miss final yesterday. Many experts believed and favoured Sabine Lisicki to take up this title. That too had good reasons. Sabine Lisicki has been very consistent on grass; She has come out winning the tough three setters against quality players even while trailing; and her list of casualties on the way were opponents like Francesca Schiavone, Samantha Stosur, Serena Williams (all Grand Slam winners), Aga Radwanska (the world no. 4). On the opposite, Marion Bartoli hasn't faced a top ten opponent on her way to the Final and not even dropped a set.

Yet, Bartoli had a comfortable win. It's not about the speculations and how well one did before the Final but also the day itself that matters. Experience plays a big role at a big occasion and Baroli being there once purely made good use of Lisicki's jitters to finish the match much before she could settle herself down.

There were tears, on both ends, for different reasons. Marion Bartoli now is a Wimbledon Champion and Sabine Lisicki will surely give herself another shot at least on grass, as she's just 23 and has a lot of tennis up her sleeve. There is only one Champion but they are both winners in what they did this year at Wimbledon. Both of them can be proud of the fortnight they had at the All England Club.

Men's Semifinals Wimbledon'13: Favourites vs Giants

Wimbledon '13 is in its final lap. The Men's semifinals are already on at the Centre Court with Djokovic and Del Potro battling right now and Murray and Janowicz next. This Wimbledon has been very different from the Grand Slams we have been used to in the last 5 years or so. But in the Men's draw, at this stage, it doesn't seem that much turbulent.

The top two seeds are yet in the draw and on course to meet in the finals as per the seedings. But, who they are contesting the semifinals against is somewhat different. Djokovic playing Del Potro instead of David Ferrer in the semi's is very understandable considering the explosive nature of play the big giant has. Del Potro's win over Ferrer is no great surprise and would not even be called an upset by any standards. So, in this half we can say, we got what we were expecting, more or less.

The other half, has British hope Andy Murray as the top seed and one of the semi finalists. He has held is game and temper to come back from two sets to love down against the resurgent Fernando Verdasco. And he faces Polish Jerzy Janowicz, instead of a speculated Nadal or Federer here. The heavyweight bottom half has lightened up to quite a great extent with Federer Nadal going out early. Murray, for sure, is the biggest beneficiary here. Let's see what to expect today as they battle for a place in the finals.

(1) Novak Djokovic vs Juan Martin Del Potro

The ever consistent World No. 1 has been meticulous in his run up to this point. He has fended off challengers like Tommy Haas and Tomas Berdych without even dropping a set. He knows he can win it, and he really wants it. But still, he would have been happier to see Ferrer on the other side than Del Potro, even if he's the favourite going in. Del Potro, has also done well and he's also here without dropping a set. He isn't in quite the form he was when he won US Open in 2009, smashing Nadal and overcoming Federer in consecutive matches, but he's nevertheless dangerous. Standing at 6'6", he's the sort of player who on his day can win over absolutely anybody...and yes, anybody it is. But he's also carrying an injured knee which did not hamper him much against Ferrer but as we all know, Djokovic is no Ferrer.

Djokovic will look to play consistent and move around Del Potro as much as possible. He'll also look to return well as JMDP has been serving very well this tournament. Del Potro will again have to serve extremely well (as Djokovic is the best returner we have) and fire his booming forehand to gain advantage.

Del Potro can in no way outplay Djokovic but he sure can out-hit anybody off the court. Only, if that rocket of a forehand is up and running today, he may just have a chance. Djokovic has advantage to get into rallies; Del Potro in finishing the point early.

Pick: Djokovic in Five! -if Del Potro's knee holds.

(2) Andy Murray vs Jerzy Janowicz

This seems like a no-contest to many. But, that surely isn't the case. Jerzy Janowicz might have benefited from not having to face Federer or Nadal but he's still come out as the best player in the quarter. He is not too popular but he has a lot of potential and whatever happens today, he's still most likely a future top 8 player. Janowicz stands at 6'8" and his serve is like a cannon down the barrel. Yet, he's not only all serve and no play. He has a very good forehand and a solid backhand to boast off. Despite all this, what he's facing is no petty task. Janowicz faces - (a) Andy Murray who's been a hell of a player (only improved further under the great Ivan Lendl); (b) who's seasoned for such big occasions and has won the US Open last year and the Olympics Gold to get the monkey off his back; (c) the overwhelming occasion of playing the Wimbledon Semifinals on the centre court with a lot of royalty and celebs to be expected; (d) the British crowd who wants Murray to win at any cost and who'll back him to the hilt.

Jerzy Janowicz has to hold his nerve and focus on his game (much easier said than done) and hope Andy Murray goes into the slump like he did against Verdasco. Murray needs to play solid and ride the support wave without thinking ahead about the Finals; and thank the Gods for giving him Jerzy instead of a more experienced player as expected.

Pick: Murray in Four!