U.S. Open Final: Six-foot-Six ≠ 6

We used to be able to take some things for granted when it came to Roger Federer. But this U.S. Open had one final dramatic event left to imprint on the tennis world's collective memory... and it starred Juan Martin del Potro.

In the past, when the all-time slam champ grabbed the opening set against a nervous slam final novice and was but two points away from taking a two-set lead, as was the case against the Argentine del Potro on Monday, the proceedings were all but over. Even if he flinched for a moment, Federer would right himself quickly and go on to make an example of an opponent who'd made the mistake of challenging his dominance. Then Rafael Nadal came along, and everything changed. His aura damaged, Federer had to rebuild his image.

As 2009 has gone along, after a rough start that saw him unable to top Nadal in the Australian Open final in Melbourne, Federer has managed to do just that. Going into this U.S. Open final, he was looking to tie Bill Tilden's record with a sixth straight crown in New York and set himself up to head Down Under next January with a shot at a "RogerSlam" and a fourth straight slam title. For a bit, it looked as if he might just pull off the feat, but his opponent would have nothing of it.

Of course, not every opponent is as physically imposing as the 6-foot-6 del Potro. Nor do that have as pulverizing a forehand as del Potro, or the intelligence to pull back at times on a powerful serve to keep Federer off balance as he did on Monday. Once del Potro got his game going, Federer simply could not hold off his forward motion toward the title for five full sets. Last summer, del Potro ruled the North American hard courts but flamed out at the Open. A year later, having left his teenage years behind and grown into his large frame, removing all traces of the physical awkwardness most players his size always seem to be hindered by on the court, he entered this tournament with the knowledge that he had the ability to beat anyone in the draw. In the semifinals, he smashed Nadal, allowing just six games in three sets. Next up was Federer.

Federer got off to a strong start, taking the opening set 6-2 and having break points for a 4-1 2nd set lead on del Potro's serve. The Argentine held, but when Federer served at 5-4, 30/love he seemed well on his way to a sixth straight defeat of a sixth different man in the U.S. Open final. But after questioning a replay decision (after a late del Potro challenge) that awarded del Potro a point, and seeming to not be able to get the moment out of his head (after arguing with the umpire during a changeover), Federer began a long, subtle descent toward defeat. He lost the 2nd set tie-break, but grabbed the lead again by taking the 3rd set at 6-4 after overcoming a break up, 4-3 del Potro lead.

In the 4th, del Potro again led with a break at 4-3, but Federer couldn't overcome yet again. He pushed things to a tie-break, but the Argentine claimed another set-decider to send the final of the U.S. Open men's final to a fifth set for the first time since 1999. In the final set, after struggling with his first serve for the entire match, Federer simply couldn't find his way. With his serve flagging, his groundstrokes went off, as well. He never seemed to be able to get a handle on del Potro's powerful forehands, framing returns of serve and in-point shots often. Del Potro raced to a 5-2 lead. Federer managed to save two match points, but he could only hold back his opponent for so long on this day. A backhand shot that sailed long was immediately followed by del Potro crumpling to the ground in the back court, stretched out on his back in amazement at his accomplishment.

Del Potro won 3-6/7-6/4-6/7-6/6-2 in 4:06.

So, while 2009 didn't turn out to be Federer's "greatest" season, four slam finals, including a first at Roland Garros and a return to the throne at Wimbledon (even though he didn't have to defeat Nadal for either), not to mention the re-claiming of the #1 ranking, it certainly ranks amongst them. Not too shabby in a calendar year in which he became a husband and the father of twin girls, as well.

As for del Potro, he's hardly a "shocking" slam champion considering his Top 5 ranking and North American hard court exploits the last two years. No matter what he does the rest of his career, which could be much considering his young age (20) and still-improving game, it'll be difficult to top a 30-hour span in which he defeated both Nadal and Federer on the biggest court in the world to earn this U.S. Open title.

"I have two dreams in this sport, one is the U.S. Open," del Potro said after the match. "The other is to be like Roger. One is done."

2009's slam season began with the sight of Federer's tears after losing a fifth set in Melbourne to Nadal, and now ends with del Potro's watery eyes after his own five-set win over Federer. It's not exactly the fairytale bookends to the season that Federer likely envisioned, but they're surely memorable moments for everyone else.



All for now.

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U.S. Open Preview: The Joy of Six?

Here I was ready to throw Roger Federer off the Statue of Liberty (ah, another good thing about the re-opening of Lady Liberty's crown to visitors for the first time in eight years -- a whole new batch of "homicidal" metaphors).



Can you say, "stupid?"

Earlier this year, Federer left Australia with his head down and tears in his eyes, commenting about how glad he was that the hard court season was over (remember, this is the same person who once set an ATP record with 56 consecutive hard court victories during 2005-06). A year after he was dethroned as the king of men's tennis, it was yet another moment that raised eyebrows.

But I guess we should have known how dangerous it was to question the logic of a mono-free former King.

Federer found his footing on the clay, winning his first Roland Garros title to complete a career Grand Slam. Then he outlasted Andy Roddick in a 16-14 5th set to re-claim his Wimbledon throne, stepped back into the #1 ranking in place of the injured and/or absent Rafael Nadal, and passed Pete Sampras on the all-time slam title list (with #15).

But then, earlier this month, Federer returned to the hard courts and choked away a 5-1 3rd set lead over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Montreal, double-faulting on match point. He arrived in Cincinnati with new #2-ranked player Andy Murray (on a four-match winning streak over Federer, plus an exhibition match victory) looming in his path in the semifinals, and it was so easy to mentally put one's foot down and believe that Federer's five consecutive U.S. Open titles was more than likely going to be enough.

But then he defeated Murray in the SF, and Novak Djokovic in the Cincy final, in straights sets to win his second Masters title of the season and move to within one of tying Andre Agassi with seventeen career Series crowns.

Now, Federer heads to New York with his aura re-established, or at least as intact as it can be without a 100% Nadal there to challenge it, for the first time in more than a year. After a brilliant summer run of 26 victories in his last 27 matches, riding a 34-match U.S. Open winning streak, Federer is the favorite to set an Open Era men's record with a sixth consecutive title at a single grand slam (and match big Bill Tilden's U.S. Open run from 1920-25).

I didn't really want to pick Federer to win the Open yet again... but he may have left me no choice.



**ROUND OF 16**
#1 Federer d. #21 Blake
#22 Querrey d. #8 Davydenko
#4 Djokovic d. #27 Kohlschreiber
#5 Roddick d. #20 Haas
#7 Tsonga d. #17 Berdych
#3 Nadal d. Chardy
#6 del Potro d. #24 Ferrero
#2 Murray d. #19 Wawrinka

...during ESPNEWS' coverage of the unveiling of the Open draw, Patrick McEnroe called Blake's early potential match-ups a "dream draw" for the recently-injured-and-traditionally-always-prepared-to-choke American. Translation: Blake could very easily lose in the 1st Round. Anyway, I'll pick him to make it this far. But I really don't believe it'll happen. Del Potro would be a cool slightly-under-the-radar (compared to the "Big 4 or 5") pick to win this title, by the way.

**QUARTERFINALS**
#1 Federer d. #22 Querrey
#5 Roddick d. #4 Djokovic
#7 Tsonga d. #3 Nadal
#2 Murray d. #6 del Potro

...Djokovic might just have to stare down his Open nemesis Roddick, now with a whole new fan base after his near-miss at SW19 (not to mention those "fans" who latched onto him when he became "Mr. Brooklyn Decker"... of course, come to think of it, those "fans" might root against him now on principle, just for jealousy-inspired spite). Nadal did win in Melbourne, proving his hard court slam mettle. But that was many months, wear-and-tear and aching knees ago. The returning-to-action Rafa might not be prepared to go at full speed on this surface for two weeks... not yet.

**SEMIFINALS**
#1 Federer d. #5 Roddick
#2 Murray d. #7 Tsonga

...Murray has passed Nadal for #2 on the computer, but he's still yet to fulfill his potential in the clutch in a slam. Whether it's been at the Open or Wimbledon, he's been bested in the biggest matches against players he's had fine records against in the past. Still, I'll pick him to reach his second consecutive U.S. final. Roddick needs to face Federer again, just to erase that Wimbledon final from his memory banks. Ever since failing to top Federer there, he's shown a nagging inability to win close matches (twice losing tight ones to del Potro, then dropping a pair of tie-breaks against Querrey, during his U.S. Open lead-up schedule). Of course, that doesn't mean he'd succeed in given a second chance at Flushing Meadows.

**FINAL**
#2 Federer d. #2 Murray

...Federer beat Murray here a year ago, and he's not trying to "save" his season this time around. A win here would make 2009 one of his "classic" campaigns, if not his best ever.


All for now.

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Wimbledon Final: Mr. European Cool vs. Yankee Doodle Dandy (or, "An English Classic, Pt.II")

Apparently, there's a new tennis law that says that anytime Roger Federer plays in a slam final, one of the competitors has to shed tears when it's all over.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

The 2009 Wimbledon Gentlemen's singles final was expected to be something of a coronation ceremony, with a revamped and reinvigorated Andy Roddick quite possibly providing enough decent competition to not be considered a pushover. But no one was expecting what actually happened on Centre Court today. One year after "The Greatest Match Ever Played," Federer and Roddick conspired to cobble together a fitting sequel. The end product might not have been QUITE as groundbreaking as the duel between Federer and Nadal of 2008, but it was more than special is so many ways all its own.

Ironically, the opening shot of NBC's coverage of the final today didn't exactly inspire anyone to think big.

There was the fidgety Roddick, waiting impatiently while dressed in his familiar cap and on-court short-sleeved shirt and shorts attire. He looked just so... well, for lack of a better term, "American," a virtual Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court who resembled an unknown kid who might have just been pulled off a neighborhood tennis court and given the chance of a lifetime -- to face the kingly gentleman champion of a more stately age on the sport's grandest stage.

It was like they were of two entirely different ages.

Standing behind Roddick, Federer was oozing European "cool"... or maybe it was something akin to a royal air. Dressed in impeccable cream slacks and tailored military style long-sleeved jacket, he sported a countenance as calm as still water. Hands casually, but regally, resting in his pockets, he appeared to be waiting for the call to civilized battle. Of course, when you reach seven consecutive Wimbledon finals, and the final of sixteen of the last seventeen slams, you tend to have an unbreakable routine that makes even the impending moment during which you are expected to be officially "crowned" seem like a walk into the kitchen to grab a drink of water.

Then again, while this day wasn't supposed to be easy, it would have been hard to imagine that Federer's path to his record-breaking fifteenth slam title would be as hard to traverse as it was versus a player against which he had an 18-2 career head-to-head advantage heading into the match. But that's exactly what it was.

Once play began, it took three games for the true reason this match had an historical angle to become sufficiently apparent. When all-time slam champ Pete Sampras arrived -- fashionably late -- to the Royal Box and took his seat alongside the likes of Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg to complete tennis' version of an Elder's Council, there was no question how serious this would-be coronation was supposed to be.

Thing is, Roddick wasn't playing along with the ceremonial aspects of this final. He believed this was HIS day to shine. At 5-5, he denied Federer four break point opportunities. What we didn't know at the time was that it would be nearly four hours before Federer would have as good a chance to break Roddick's serve, and that his inability to get one here would very nearly cost him the championship. Then again, maybe he DID know, for one game later, after having previously lost only three points on serve, Federer lost four as Roddick converted a break to take the 1st set 7-5.

The 2nd set was about Federer holding on for dear life. Roddick's backhands down the line and deep, penetrating shots kept Federer off balance in the back of the court, unable to get into an aggressive position (somewhat similar to how Maria Sharapova took down Serena Williams in the '04 Ladies' Final). In the set's concluding tie-break, Roddick jumped to a 6-2 lead and held four set points for a two sets to none lead, but Federer survived by outplaying him on five of the next six points (the American's miss at a high backhand volley at 6-5, while a difficult shot, was all on him) to steal away the breaker 8-6.

Roddick rightly believed he could win, but Federer was not ready to lose. Not on Centre Court. Not again.

Federer won the 3rd set in another tie-break at 7-5, while Roddick seized control of the 4th and won it outright 6-3. But both sets were just a prelude to an epic 5th set that lasted more than an hour-and-a-half and is destined to go down in grand slam history.

Truthfully, the final set wasn't filled with a handful of great, thrilling, heart-stopping moments ala the Rafa/Roger final of a year ago. Both Federer and Roddick were largely routinely holding serve. It was tennis' version of a marathon race, and everyone was waiting to see which player would suffer the single unfortunate stumble down the final stretch that would lead them to be beaten out while "leaning for the tape." One of them HAD to do so, because otherwise the match would NEVER end. They played on, and on. 7-7, the same point at which Nadal broke Federer's serve before serving out the 9-7 final set in '08, went by without either player grabbing an advantage.

Throughout the set, there were brief moments of truth. The first came at 8-8. Roddick went up 40/15 on Federer's serve, but the five-time Wimbledon champ hit a service winner, then used a wide serve to set up an easy put-away volley. He held for 9-8. At 9-9 a new Wimbledon final 5th set record was achieved. 10-10. 11-11, as the grand slam final 5th set record was surpassed after Roddick held serve despite Federer having pushed him to a deuce point. 12-12, as Federer climbed out of a 15/30 hole on his own serve. 13-13, as Roddick again was forced to play a deuce game. 14-14.

And then it happened. Roddick stumbled ever so slightly, and Federer pounced.

Down love/30 on his serve, Roddick scrambled to stay ahead, but Federer could smell the finish line and his calling to history. At deuce, Federer's short return led to a Roddick shot that Federer promptly pushed into an open court. After 4:16, behind only last year's match in terms of lengths of a Wimbledon final, 76 games, and 435 points, Federer reached match point.

When Roddick framed a bad-bouncing Federer shot off the chopped up earth on the baseline, Federer exploded with the joy he'd missed out on a year ago in the fading light at the All-England Club. For the first time all day, after failing to convert his first six opportunities, Federer broke Roddick's serve on his seventh break chance. For his reward he received the match, 5-7/7-6/7-6/3-6/16-14, and the honor of being the new all-time slam king.


EPA/G.Penny

In the end, for all the greatness of Roddick's serve, Federer put away 50 aces (to the American's 27) and had a remarkable 89% 1st serve win percentage (to Roddick's 83%).

For as good as it was, Federer/Roddick is destined to somewhat live in the shadow of the '08 match, which had all the intangible elements of two players in an epic struggle to possibly become not just the Wimbledon champion but also the best of their generation, and maybe all-time. It provided a tangible changing of the guard moment in near-darkness in the final match at a roofless Centre Court, with Federer's long-held position at the top of the game suddenly being questioned while Nadal's greatness was simultaneously being recognized.

None of that can be said about the '09 final, but one gets the feeling that the legend of THIS final will grow over time (some might even attempt to maintain that it was quite possibly superior to the Rafa/Roger classic, just to be contrary). It won't have an entire book written about it like the '08 match, but it WILL provide a rather snappy chapter in the careers of both Federer and Roddick... not to mention some beaming smiles from all those who watched it. THIS match was just plain fun, pure and simple, even if Roddick (who shed tears on the court, then was his usual blunt self after the match when it came to drawing the stark line between winning and losing a slam final, fully believing at least for this one day that he's never been more hurt by a single loss in his entire career) might not be capable of seeing it right now.

Recognizing in Roddick the same hurt that he'd felt on Centre Court a year ago, Federer tried to console him at he took the microphone during the trophy presentaton, saying essentially that one match lost doesn't make a career. I'm not sure that Roddick totally bought it, considering one slam that slipped away means far more to a one-time winner than it might a fifteen-time champ, but at least at that moment, the two players who'd seemed from such different worlds not five hours before had at least found some common ground. Sort of.

In the light of this latest Wimbledon five-set final, the third straight at SW19, could Federer's position be more different than it was twelve months ago? Last July, his "reign" seemed to be over. Now, he's the reigning champ (again) at three of the four slams, will be looking to win a third straight in New York with a sixth consecutive Open crown and, of course, is once again the subject of "Is He the Greatest Ever?" discussions in all corners of the sport.

After the post-match ceremony, Federer exited the court and entered the All-England Club with the champion's cup. He proceeded to shake hands with the entire Elder's Council (with three-time Wimbledon champ John McEnroe standing nearby, microphone in hand, as well) awaiting him there. It was a quite a meeting of tennis greats, and everyone was careful not to slight another while pondering Federer's place in the game's historical hierarchy, of which each person in that room was himself a powerful member. But, interestingly, if you looked closely, you could see the sunlight peeking through a window and shining directly on Federer in that gathering of greats. And ONLY him.

I'm not saying that the Tennis Gods were making THEIR choice obvious... I'm just pointing out a little detail that I noticed.



After so many years living in the long shadows of the other, greater players of his generation, Roddick proved up to the task of standing along side the best of them all today. Well, almost.

While Roddick might have lost this final, he could still get the last laugh, or at least a satisfying smile of TOTAL redemption soon enough. His new lease on tennis life suddenly makes him a real contender at Flushing Meadows.

Remember, Nadal's health is unknown heading into the North American hard court season, and the Spaniard has yet to make a great Open run. Plus, Federer has won five straight U.S. titles, and might be due to lose (well, maybe) before lifting the trophy again. Might an Andy vs. Andy final be possible, or another Roddick shot at Federer in the American's back yard?

Could be. Could be.



Hmmm, as happened the Sunday on which Federer won Roland Garros, did anyone notice that his fellow march-toward-history comrade -- Tiger Woods -- also won a PGA tour title today (not far from Backspin HQ, actually, at Congressional Country Club in Washington, D.C.)?

Sometimes, everything just lines up perfectly. Of course, where Federer is concerned, "sometimes" happens fifteen times... and counting.



*ALL-TIME MEN'S SLAM TITLES*
15...ROGER FEDERER, SUI
14...Pete Sampras, USA
12...Roy Emerson, USA
11...Bjorn Borg, SWE
11...Rod Laver, AUS
10...Bill Tilden, USA

*WIMBLEDON SINGLES TITLES*
[all-time]
7...Pete Sampars
7...William Renshaw
6...ROGER FEDERER
5...Bjorn Borg
5...Laurence Doherty
[Open Era]
7...Pete Sampras
6...ROGER FEDERER
5...Bjorn Borg
3...Boris Becker
3...John McEnroe

*LONG WIMBLEDON FINALS*
4:48 - 2008: Nadal def. Federer
4:16 - 2009: FEDERER def. RODDICK
4:16 - 1982: Connors def. McEnroe

*SLAM FINALS - ACTIVE*
20...ROGER FEDERER (15-5)
8...Rafael Nadal (6-2)
5...ANDY RODDICK (1-4)
4...Lleyton Hewitt (2-2)
4...Marat Safin (2-2)

*ALL-TIME ATP SINGLES TITLES*
109...Jimmy Connors
94...Ivan Lendl
77...John McEnroe
64...Pete Sampras
62...Bjorn Borg
62...Guillermo Vilas
60...ROGER FEDERER
60...Andre Agassi

*2009 ATP SINGLES FINALS*
7...Rafael Nadal (5-2)
6...Novak Djokovic (2-4)
5...Andy Murray (4-1)
4...ROGER FEDERER (3-1)
3...Radek Stepanek (2-1)
3...ANDY RODDICK (1-2)

*MOST SLAM FINAL MEETINGS*
7...Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal
5...Andre Agassi vs. Pete Sampras
5...Ivan Lendl vs. Mats Wilander
4...Bjorn Borg vs. Jimmy Connors
4...Bjorn Borg vs. John McEnroe
4...ROGER FEDERER vs. ANDY RODDICK

*CONSECUTIVE SLAM FINALS*
10...Roger Federer (2005-07)
7...Jack Crawford (1932-34)
6...ROGER FEDERER (2008-CURRENT)

*"RODDICK IN SLAM FINALS*
[vs. Federer, 0-4]
2004 lost Wimbledon final
2005 lost Wimbledon final
2006 lost U.S. Open final
2009 lost Wimbledon final
[vs. anyone else, 1-0]
2003 won U.S. Open over Juan Carlos Ferrero




All for now.

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