The more I see the round robin system in the ATP final tournament the less I like it! Simply because at a certain point of the tournament it leads to some very questionable matches like the one between Andy Roddick and Roger Federer. It is obvious to me that since Francisco Gonzales had lost to Nikolai Davidenko, Roddick was automaticaly qualified winning or losing, so when he lost the 1st set against Federer he figured he would save his energy for the semifinal against David Ferrer and let Federer deal with nemesis Rafael Nadal by NOT FIGHTING! This does not mean Roddick would've avoided a pummeling from the Swiss even if he had tried his very best. The point is, in a regular ATP tournament under the professional code of conduct Andy Roddick would have been heavily fined for lack of performance against Roger Federer (no fighting!).
"ATP Officcial Rule Book
7.03 PLAYER CODE of CONDUCT (CODE)
4) offenses
h) Best efforts
I) A player shall use his best efforts during the match when competing in a Tournament. Violation of this Section shall subject a player to a fine up to ,000 for each violation.
II) For purposes of this rule, the Supervisor and/or the Chair Umpire shall have the authority to penalize a player in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule. In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a Tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation of this Section shall also constitute the Player Major Offense of Aggravated Behavior."
Aside from that "incident" I must focus my attention on Roger Federer and his performance. Sublime?
Forgetting that Francisco Gonzales played the match of his life against Roger Federer in the first round robin match and in the process showed that if you stay close to the baseline and punch away toe to toe with the "King" (just like Nalbandian does) and put his "Majesty" on the run, you can come out a winner from the brawl! As I have mentioned in the past, you have to take your chances on Rogers second service, which Francisco did. I guess someone in the entourage has been reading my articles! A check must be in the mail for me! :))
Do we have to bow to the "king" and take our hats off just like the mosqueteers did to king Louis? Nikolay Davidenko with a game to bring Federer to exasperation, but with less nerve then a chinchilla, once more double faulted over and over (just like at the US Open) to hand the win to Roger on a silver platter. Does this mean Federer did not play well?...I dare to say Federer was ripe for another defeat after bowing to Nalbandian twice in Madrid and Paris, and to Gonzales not even 48hrs before. He just did not look the usual Federer full of confidence. Nevertheless a win is a win and Roger fully deserved that one.
Once Roger Federers bruised ego was a little restored with that win, there was nothing better to boost his confidence then a few more gulps from the elixir of victory and sure enough Roddick obliged. The score speaks louder then words; R Federer (SUI) d (5)A Roddick (USA) 64 62 .
Leaving Roddick licking his wounds, Roger Federer had more important things on his agenda, which was to teach another lesson to one of his most dreaded foes, Rafael Nadal. Oh boy, did Roger want to beat that jumping Spaniard with his fist pumping and loud screams "Vamos", plus the "Olés" from the crowd! No, Nadal did not know what was coming but, by the time he realized it the express letter was delivered and the bottom line read (1)R Federer (SUI) d (2)R Nadal (ESP) 64 61.
Looking at the spotty performances of late from Rafael one can infer his career is in a rut. He knows he has to improve his net game and get closer to the baseline. But the challenges are; does his coaching staff know what a volley is?...or do they have any idea how to train the attack?...or yet, what is a serve and volley combination? I know your head is shaking side to side saying, no! Furthermore at the baseline, Nadal's large wind-up swings and the heavy topspin in his ground strokes need plastic surgery for efficiency versus effort. To perform all of those laborious tasks Nadal needs time, so he gets 3 to 4 meters behind the baseline and that is something Federer and "others" have learned to pick on and march forwards inside the court on every short ball Nadal hits and spank them up the lines then finish with a volley. This is what I have been waiting for Federer to do for the last 4 years!
Next was David Ferrer, a valliant worthy opponent but, Roger Federer was not about to take any prisioners from what was left of the battered Spanish Armada and Ferrer was going to fall prey to that dictum. ATTACK!!...and attack it was, Roger combined serve and volley with the usual dose of measured slices that I have not mentioned yet but, which are so effective, that the Davidenkos, Roddicks, Nadals and the whole of the ATP tour players before their matches against Federer, break into tears, get on their knees and pray he plays more topspin backhands on the day just to allow them to look a little better! Federer has no time for such pleas nor mercy and punishes them ruthlessly!...and then to add insult to injury Federer finally decided that running extra miles every match is nonsense and opted to shorten up points by heartlessly putting away short balls at every opportunity, using the down the line approach-shot and finally throwing the serve and volley into the mix as well. Hallelujah!
Here is how Alberto Eleta a die hard fan of Roger describes it from his point of view:
"Well Sergio, it looks like Roger has finally owned the game at the net, and he now is no longer suspect on his forehand volley. It is a thrill to see him adding a new dimension to his game, wich is now nearing to a complete arsenal of weaponry. I watched him lose to Nalbandian and Gonzalez, but he didnt display the game he closed the shanghai session with against Ferrer. I guess he`s finally understood that at the net is where he must be to win big and consistently from now on. I have seen him attack like never before from positions he would only keep on rallying from the baseline. If he can use his backhand slice with more power (or a flatter backhand) he could even attack second serves like Mac used to do. Guess he hasnt realized yet how good his slice can get, and if he can combine it from the baseline with a flatter backhand he would make more opportunities to attack by forcing short balls from his opponents. If he can get to that level, he would probably become the greatest tennis player in history.
Regards, Alberto."
All I have to add is...and Federex delivered the package to David in a hurry; (1)R Federer (SUI) d (6)D Ferrer (ESP) 62 63 62.
Enjoy "The Game". :-)
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