Surviving "Paradise"

After watching the replay of the thrilling five set semifinal match between Roger Federer vs. Andy Murray, here are some observations (albeit from a Federer fan!!).

1) Roger looked a bit tired, no denying it.  The five set quarterfinal match with Tsonga took it’s toll.  Important to note: Roger Federer has never played back to back five set matches in a Grand Slam.

2) From a superstitious viewpoint:  He wore the wrong color undershirt.  He should have worn the black one, wore it at Wimbledon and in the five set victory over Tsonga two days prior.  Just saying…

3) Federer did not play aggressive, attacking tennis like he needs to do to win against the likes of Murray, Djokovic and Nadal at this stage in his career.  Part of this can perhaps be attributed to Murray’s play and Roger having to play a good bit of defensive tennis.

4) Finally, Federer’s magnificent serve was sketchy.  He needs this very important weapon to be spot on when he plays the likes of the other big four players to have a really great shot at winning.  His serve was good, but not up to the standard he needs it to be at in a match of this magnitude against this great level of competition.

OK, I am a Federer fan, and I am sad.  I will get over it.  Hoping for a great final between Djokovic and Murray.  Onto the next Masters Tournament in which Federer will compete and I still believe…he will win a Slam in 2013!  (Making it 18!)

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3 Andy Murray has beaten Roger Federer for the first time in a Grand Slam.  Even though Murray held a slight edge in their over all match ups coming into the Australian Open semifinal match, Federer was 3 – 0 against Andy in Grand Slams.  No longer as Murray prevailed in a tough five set win that lasted four hours.  Andy had sailed through his matches in the tournament, not really being tested (Del Potro getting knocked out by Chardy helped) and Federer had looked terrific but did face a tough three and a half match in the quarters with Tsonga (5 sets).  This match went the distance as well and for me, it did not go the right way.  I am sad but will watch the replay to see just how it all went down.  Reading about it is one thing, watching is another.  I had hoped for a Federer-Djokovic final but it will in fact be Djokovic vs. Murray for the Australian Championship.  There are those in the media who are calling this match up the new great rivalry in tennis.  This of course factors in Nadal’s absence and questions about his status once he returns next month.  It is a great rivalry, these two came up through the ranks together and are the “same age”.  The old guy, Mr. Federer is 31 and will turn 32 later this year.  Don’t count him out of these next majors.  Congrats to Andy.  Should be a great final with Djokovic.  As a loyal and devoted Fed fanatic, I say look for Roger to be right back in it come Wimbledon and the US Open.  There are of course some Masters Tournaments in between the Slams that all of the big four will be competing in as well.

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