Mens Oz Open.
In my opinion Dimitri was the better player in his quarter final match against Nadal, and should have won. That he didn't do so was because he allowed himself to be intimidated by the legend of Nadal, instead of simply playing the opponent on the other side of the net. He had the tennis match won, but the deciding factor was the mental mismatch. Dimitri could learn from the examples provided by the conquerors of Williams, Sharapova & Azrenka, all of whom demonstrated the essential ingredient of self belief, in achieving their wins. It is also arguable as to the extent to which the continuing determination of the officials to allow Nadal to be the sole arbiter of the recovery time he can take between serves and games, (yet again very much in evidence in this match), contributed towards his win.
On the Mens first semi final. Over the last twelve months, the very talented Berdych has shown signs of adding more consistency to his, at times, quite brilliant stroke play, and has earned his shot at reaching the final. I hold up my hand and admit I have been a long time admirer of Wawrinkas game, and his mental strength, while being frustrated at his failure to capitalise upon his abilities. Again, as with Berdych, he has taken his game to a whole new level during the course of the last approximate twelve months, and I believe that he is now at a level on a par with the current top four, and which he will demonstrate this Tennis Season. With the caveat that his marathon match against Djokavic has not drained him physically, I think
Wawrinkas' greater all round game, fitness and single mindedness, will gain him passage to the final.
Irrespective of my less than flattering opinion of Nadal, I feel that, despite his absolutely outstanding record since his return from injury, he is no longer the unbeatable colossus the media would have us believe. Indeed, his performances in this current Major, have tended to support my view. Certainly that the unheralded Dimitri outplayed him, should be giving him cause for concern. On the other hand the "newborn' Federer has spent to first ten days of the tournament ressurrecting memories of the game of tennis as only he knew how to play it, and causing us all astonishment and pleasure, in equal measure. Should he continue on, in the same vein, against Nadal tomorrow, Nadal would have no option but to point to his, suddenly, bad knee, as he limped off the court, a beaten man. But fairytales are just that, fairytales, and this is real life. Federer has confounded us all with his performances over the past ten days, and I am sure he will; give Nadal the match of his life to-morrow. But the fact is that Federer is pushing 33, and will be playing his sixth game, in just a few days, and against arguably the number One player in the world and, unarguably, the physically strongest and most aggressive player in tennis. Sadly, I can only see a
Nadal win; but I shall continue to pray for a miracle!!!
Jackspratt wrote:
You clearly have a different definition of "humiliate" and "thrashing" to mine, m80.....I DID NOT WATCH THE GAME
[-o< [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o<
[-o< 
Probably saving that ploy for when/if he finds himself in trouble later in the week.
