Australian Open 2018

[don_budge]

Australian Open 2018

don_budge is experiencing computer failure so I am doing the honours with the Australian Open. He hopes to be with us again soon.

It's Roger's for the taking....

The draw: https://ausopen.com/sites/default/fi...15_MS_draw.pdf

I'm back. Brand new Apple iMac. More to come. Thanks stotty for stepping up. It's great to hear you guys...from you guys. Not having a computer for such a long time taught me something. Not having one is sort of an inconvenience and on the other hand it showed me how far we have fallen into the "virtual morality" paradigm of things.

What an odyssey it has become. The last three months...I quit my job. It is nice to come back with Roger in the driver's seat. It is his for the taking or for losing. Thanks again...stotty.

[stotty]

I'm back. Brand new Apple iMac. More to come. Thanks stotty for stepping up. It's great to hear you guys...from you guys. Not having a computer for such a long time taught me something. Not having one is sort of an inconvenience and on the other hand it showed me how far we have fallen into the "virtual morality" paradigm of things.

What an odyssey it has become. The last three months...I quit my job. It is nice to come back with Roger in the driver's seat. It is his for the taking or for losing. Thanks again...stotty.

Glad you made it back. Perfect timing....Roger is just getting into his stride for you.

Not too much to see so far but give it time and a good match might turn up. In my experience they tend to happen in week two.

Good news about the iMac. A good computer which shouldn't let you down. I have one.

[don_budge]

Glad you made it back. Perfect timing....Roger is just getting into his stride for you.

Not too much to see so far but give it time and a good match might turn up. In my experience they tend to happen in week two.

Good news about the iMac. A good computer which shouldn't let you down. I have one.

I watched bits and pieces of Nadal in each of his three matches. The pink...the sleeveless shirt. I like Nick Kyrgios more than I like this character. But he looks like he is a lock to the semifinals where hopefully Nick Kyrgios will be waiting for him. I think it's great that Kyle Edmund is through with a real chance to advance. Great for you Brits. Dominic Thiem should advance to a quarter final showdown with who? Djokovic or Zverev? Does Zverev get past Hyeon Chung who manhandled Daniil Medvedev who was looking pretty formidable.

The next quarter, opposite Roger Federer's quarter is looking pretty stacked...Benneteau, Fognini, Berdych and Del Potro. Berdych and Del Potro may be a surprise. But of course all eyes are on Roger Federer. He is the only watchable player in the draw for a match of any length. If he plays five sets against anyone you can stay glued to it. But the rest of them are just dreadfully boring. You know it, I know it and everyone knows it. Except for the dreadful Nick Kyrgios.

It is Federer that makes or breaks a tournament. As long as he remains in the draw it is exciting. Once he exits the air goes out of the balloon.

The old iMac crashed a couple of days before New Year's Eve. I was without a computer for nearly three weeks. I took it to a local repair shop here in Skövde, Sweden to a guy named Josef Israel. His parents are both from Iraq even though he was born in Sweden. When I checked the computer in the technician told me it might take several days. I returned a few days later and the computer was still on the shelf where it was when I checked it in. Josef assured me that he would make a move on it. The next time I went back the computer was moved into the work area but Josef told me that all of his employees had called in sick and he was swamped. But he promised he wouldn't go home without a diagnosis.

After several more days I returned and there was a sign on the door saying..."Closed...shop discontinued". I was rather shocked and had a tough time getting Josef to respond to email, text message or phone calls. Finally he answered me with more promised of a fix but nothing. A couple of days ago he responded to my desperate messages with the news that the lawyers were in control of everything...he had gone bankrupt. The wife and I went out and bought the new iMac yesterday and today I got in touch with the lawyer in control of the bankruptcy. When we were just about ready to say goodbye Josef arrived at his office...he called me later to come and get my computer. I returned to town...I live way out in the sticks to pick it up. I arrived on the button at 3:30 but he called as said he would be a few minutes. After a half an hour I texted him and he said he was almost there.

I got my computer in the car. Another milestone in my three month odyssey. All kinds of road blocks and obstacles which I have successfully cleared with improving the current situation. What a trip! It's going to be boring if things return to normal. But it is going to be a new normal so it isn't going to be normal at all. The wife and I are thinking about how to adapt to this current situation. A move further north is on the table. Exciting stuff and I must say...I don't mind the fight at all.

All this dysfunction has made it interesting while waiting for this tournament to heat up. It is pretty hot down under there in Australia. The tournament itself is heating up as well. There is going to be some serious bang ball to play here in the next couple rounds. Roger has an excellent draw...the kind of draw that enables him to get hitting on all eight cylinders as he goes up a steady incline of the level of his opponents. Richard Gasquet is perfect fodder for the Swiss Maestro at this point in the tournament. A good solid player but not somebody that can hurt Federer if he is in good form...which he seems to be. He is 16-2 against Gasquet which should tell it all in this next match.

I still can't get over that loss to David Goffin in London late last year. Goffin is history as of losing to Julien Benneteau. There was something very fishy about that loss. Never in a million years will I understand that one. But here we go. Down Under. The scene of Roger's resurgence last year and the only question worth considering is can he do it again.

[stotty]

I watched bits and pieces of Nadal in each of his three matches. The pink...the sleeveless shirt. I like Nick Kyrgios more than I like this character. But he looks like he is a lock to the semifinals where hopefully Nick Kyrgios will be waiting for him. I think it's great that Kyle Edmund is through with a real chance to advance. Great for you Brits. Dominic Thiem should advance to a quarter final showdown with who? Djokovic or Zverev? Does Zverev get past Hyeon Chung who manhandled Daniil Medvedev who was looking pretty formidable.

The next quarter, opposite Roger Federer's quarter is looking pretty stacked...Benneteau, Fognini, Berdych and Del Potro. Berdych and Del Potro may be a surprise. But of course all eyes are on Roger Federer. He is the only watchable player in the draw for a match of any length. If he plays five sets against anyone you can stay glued to it. But the rest of them are just dreadfully boring. You know it, I know it and everyone knows it. Except for the dreadful Nick Kyrgios.

It is Federer that makes or breaks a tournament. As long as he remains in the draw it is exciting. Once he exits the air goes out of the balloon.

The old iMac crashed a couple of days before New Year's Eve. I was without a computer for nearly three weeks. I took it to a local repair shop here in Skövde, Sweden to a guy named Josef Israel. His parents are both from Iraq even though he was born in Sweden. When I checked the computer in the technician told me it might take several days. I returned a few days later and the computer was still on the shelf where it was when I checked it in. Josef assured me that he would make a move on it. The next time I went back the computer was moved into the work area but Josef told me that all of his employees had called in sick and he was swamped. But he promised he wouldn't go home without a diagnosis.

After several more days I returned and there was a sign on the door saying..."Closed...shop discontinued". I was rather shocked and had a tough time getting Josef to respond to email, text message or phone calls. Finally he answered me with more promised of a fix but nothing. A couple of days ago he responded to my desperate messages with the news that the lawyers were in control of everything...he had gone bankrupt. The wife and I went out and bought the new iMac yesterday and today I got in touch with the lawyer in control of the bankruptcy. When we were just about ready to say goodbye Josef arrived at his office...he called me later to come and get my computer. I returned to town...I live way out in the sticks to pick it up. I arrived on the button at 3:30 but he called as said he would be a few minutes. After a half an hour I texted him and he said he was almost there.

I got my computer in the car. Another milestone in my three month odyssey. All kinds of road blocks and obstacles which I have successfully cleared with improving the current situation. What a trip! It's going to be boring if things return to normal. But it is going to be a new normal so it isn't going to be normal at all. The wife and I are thinking about how to adapt to this current situation. A move further north is on the table. Exciting stuff and I must say...I don't mind the fight at all.

All this dysfunction has made it interesting while waiting for this tournament to heat up. It is pretty hot down under there in Australia. The tournament itself is heating up as well. There is going to be some serious bang ball to play here in the next couple rounds. Roger has an excellent draw...the kind of draw that enables him to get hitting on all eight cylinders as he goes up a steady incline of the level of his opponents. Richard Gasquet is perfect fodder for the Swiss Maestro at this point in the tournament. A good solid player but not somebody that can hurt Federer if he is in good form...which he seems to be. He is 16-2 against Gasquet which should tell it all in this next match.

I still can't get over that loss to David Goffin in London late last year. Goffin is history as of losing to Julien Benneteau. There was something very fishy about that loss. Never in a million years will I understand that one. But here we go. Down Under. The scene of Roger's resurgence last year and the only question worth considering is can he do it again.

Interesting...three months and a whole new life. Even a move north is possible? Why move north? North means colder...in many countries. Anyway, when one door closes another one opens, as they say. My favourite movie line ever is: "Life's funnier than shit". Do you know which movie that line is from? It was a great movie. One of the best ever in my view.

I am rooting for Kyrgios. That is how desperate I am for change. I'm glad he beat Tsonga, because Tsonga, like all the other household top twenty names of the past 10 years, isn't going to spring any surprises or had a hope in hell of winning the tournament. Kyrgios, by contrast, is afraid of no one and could beat anyone, even Roger. There is excitement in that...suspense...a thrill in not knowing who will win if he plays Nadal, Roger or Novak. At least Kyrgios has that going for him.

Yes the Goffin match was the most inexplicable match in the history of tennis. I was as dumbfounded as you.

I am not keen on your computer man Josef. I dislike people who don't turn up on time or don't return calls or emails. Steer clear if he starts up another computer repair business. Find another repair man would be my advice.

The draw is good for everyone and not just Roger. That's because so few players are a threat. Djokovic has spent a year in the doldrums and had six months out injured yet is still in with a shout of lifting the trophy. That's where we are at right now...if you know what I mean.

[don_budge]

Djokovic or Zverev? Does Zverev get past Hyeon Chung who manhandled Daniil Medvedev who was looking pretty formidable.

Hyeon Chung goes up 3-0 in the fifth. A couple of thoughts about Alexander Zverev. For example...too much too soon comes to mind. The hype has mind fucked the young man into a state of false expectations. Chung on the other hand comes in under the radar...hungry and mean. He is playing the forehand of Zverev very cleverly as the backhand side is stronger with Zverev. So he cleverly mixes it up much the same way Djokovic and Federer are now playing Nadal. Attacking the forehand until the opponent is guessing. It is the flaw of the two handed game. Once you are guessing it is more difficult to get yourself into position if your opponent is rushing you. Maintaining pressure...where have I heard that?

Zverev muffed a forehand volley which made me smile as I thought of him in the volley instructionals...truth is there are no good examples any longer. All court tennis is as good as dead and buried. Extinct.

Zverev smashed his racquet to smithereens...he's done. Fried.

[don_budge]

Interesting...three months and a whole new life. Even a move north is possible? Why move north? North means colder...in many countries. Anyway, when one door closes another one opens, as they say. My favourite movie line ever is: "Life's funnier than shit". Do you know which movie that line is from? It was a great movie. One of the best ever in my view.

Yes...about closing that door. I actually slammed it right in their faces. Went out with a bang. My partner was a thorn in my side for five years. But I had to eat...know what I mean. I put up with the nonsense and kept my nose to the grindstone. Showed up every day devoted to teaching the game of tennis. This guy, along with the director, of the club were expendable in my world so I got myself "into position" and delivered the knockout. The only revenge in life is success so they can have their little stupid club and I passed through the opening door. As I said it was fraught with obstacles but solving them only improved my situation. It's all about attitude. A little luck doesn't hurt. Actually I have to admit my faith in God seemed to deliver me. Going backwards is to play it safe. They offered me a nice little package. Too late. To be honest I don't miss it...not a bit. The new door is a wonderful opportunity. To go forwards is to grow. I am grateful for this.

I remember years ago when the company that I worked for for twenty five years was going to change hands to a Russian company...they let me go the day before the sale was to be consummated. The two women managers sat across the table giving me the news and I only looked at them. I had a vision of Jesus on the cross...my suffering was nothing I told myself. I silently sat their observing the conniving bitches. They asked me if there wasn't anything I wanted to say to them. I asked them if it would make any difference. The bitches looked at each other. I was way too strong to do what they wanted me to do...to break down. I looked them in the eye. I've had my revenge...in spades.

The next day I woke up and said to myself..."thank you Lord that I never have to return to that God forsaken place." It was much the same this time. Good bye...see you never. They are in the rearview and it will be left to them to sort it out. My retirement benefits amount to 190% of what I was making. A paid vacation for life. The door is opening...I am peering in.

I left tennis once upon a time. Twice upon a time actually. I have no problem turning my back and walking in the opposite direction. North means cold. That's true. Most people head for the heat...which is why I would choose once again the road less traveled. We will see. We shall see.

Meanwhile Roger has once again shredded Gasquet for the first set...6-2. It's a great matchup for Federer. He probes...he spars. He keeps the unrelenting pressure on. It starts with his service game. It is immaculate. Then he just goes to work on the opponents service game. He's tactically superior to all of the rest. Not to mention technically.

Berdych over Del Potro. Straight sets. Another great matchup for Federer...but Berdych has always been a tough opponent for Roger. I look forwards to watching that.

Life is funnier than shit? I don't know. Some movies would like you to think so. Once Upon a Time in America?

[don_budge]

Hawkeye down! Hawkeye is not working in the Federer-Gasquet match. Tied 3-3 in the second Gasquet has questioned a tight service call by the umpire. This could get interesting. These guys are not used to playing without the help of the robot.

[don_budge]

I am rooting for Kyrgios. That is how desperate I am for change. I'm glad he beat Tsonga, because Tsonga, like all the other household top twenty names of the past 10 years, isn't going to spring any surprises or had a hope in hell of winning the tournament. Kyrgios, by contrast, is afraid of no one and could beat anyone, even Roger. There is excitement in that...suspense...a thrill in not knowing who will win if he plays Nadal, Roger or Novak. At least Kyrgios has that going for him.

I'm rooting for him too...but not unconditionally. I am rooting for him to show and man up. If he pulls one of his no-shows he is digging a bigger hole for himself. A leopard cannot change his spots and I am skeptical if Kyrgios can. He is an absolute freak of his own psychic weakness. stroke pegs him pretty much for what he is. He is weak psychologically and hasn't shown much except in a handful of difficult situations. I had his match with Federer in the Miami semis as the best of three set match of 2017. If he was consistent in this sort of effort level he would be a real handful for anyone on any given day. Unfortunately his attention span is like scatter shot. There are a lot of holes in his psyche.

He is at home "Down Under" and he has Rod Laver in his corner. Unfortunately he is fretting over the attention he gets from a Hollywood type such as Will Smith. Kyrgios is a HotDog with a capital "H". His arrogance reveals that he thinks he is bigger than the game itself. This is a fundamental error in attitude. Without respect and passion what is there to fall back on. Slippery sand.

This will be a big moment for him against Dimitrov. Dimitrov is not playing particularly well as the over rated third seed. He is having problems with his backhand as I suspect he is trying to strengthen his grip ala his original. But the clone does not have a feel for it and he is really struggling with it. I watched a no name American, Mackenzie McDonald, push him to five sets by pressuring the backhand side of Dimitrov. Dimitrov didn't look at all comfortable coming over the ball and sliced most of the time. I didn't see much of the Rublev match to see if he had settled down on the backhand side. It will be interesting to see if Kyrgios can get himself interested here to keep the pressure on Dimitrov. The match is scheduled for 9 AM here in Europe. I will be there if it is interesting.

I call him "The Jerk" but it doesn't mean I couldn't like him. But he must show some respect for the game, people watching and his opponent before I could get very interested in him. Otherwise he is free to act like a jerk and be a liability to the game.

[stotty]

Yes...about closing that door. I actually slammed it right in their faces. Went out with a bang. My partner was a thorn in my side for five years. But I had to eat...know what I mean. I put up with the nonsense and kept my nose to the grindstone. Showed up every day devoted to teaching the game of tennis. This guy, along with the director, of the club were expendable in my world so I got myself "into position" and delivered the knockout. The only revenge in life is success so they can have their little stupid club and I passed through the opening door. As I said it was fraught with obstacles but solving them only improved my situation. It's all about attitude. A little luck doesn't hurt. Actually I have to admit my faith in God seemed to deliver me. Going backwards is to play it safe. They offered me a nice little package. Too late. To be honest I don't miss it...not a bit. The new door is a wonderful opportunity. To go forwards is to grow. I am grateful for this.

I remember years ago when the company that I worked for for twenty five years was going to change hands to a Russian company...they let me go the day before the sale was to be consummated. The two women managers sat across the table giving me the news and I only looked at them. I had a vision of Jesus on the cross...my suffering was nothing I told myself. I silently sat their observing the conniving bitches. They asked me if there wasn't anything I wanted to say to them. I asked them if it would make any difference. The bitches looked at each other. I was way too strong to do what they wanted me to do...to break down. I looked them in the eye. I've had my revenge...in spades.

The next day I woke up and said to myself..."thank you Lord that I never have to return to that God forsaken place." It was much the same this time. Good bye...see you never. They are in the rearview and it will be left to them to sort it out. My retirement benefits amount to 190% of what I was making. A paid vacation for life. The door is opening...I am peering in.

I left tennis once upon a time. Twice upon a time actually. I have no problem turning my back and walking in the opposite direction. North means cold. That's true. Most people head for the heat...which is why I would choose once again the road less traveled. We will see. We shall see.

Meanwhile Roger has once again shredded Gasquet for the first set...6-2. It's a great matchup for Federer. He probes...he spars. He keeps the unrelenting pressure on. It starts with his service game. It is immaculate. Then he just goes to work on the opponents service game. He's tactically superior to all of the rest. Not to mention technically.

Berdych over Del Potro. Straight sets. Another great matchup for Federer...but Berdych has always been a tough opponent for Roger. I look forwards to watching that.

Life is funnier than shit? I don't know. Some movies would like you to think so. Once Upon a Time in America?

Correct about the movie.

Berdych will fall in exactly the same way Gasquet did. I get fed up of watching these guys fall for the umpteenth time against either Nadal, Roger or Rafa. It's a forgone conclusion 98% of the time, which is why I am rooting for Kyrgios....for some entertainment, nothing else.

I intend to move south when the day comes to put my feet up. I get tired of the wind and the cold. I am lucky because I work a true 'tennis player's club' where members play in all weathers no matter how cold it gets. This morning I worked all morning in light rain. Yesterday I worked all day with the temperature of just above zero. That's my lot in terms of working environment. Of course, in spring and summer it's lovely most of the time. I guess Klacr spends much of the day cooking in high humidity. It's what you get used I guess.

The tournament hasn't caught light yet for me. We need a good match up...a hum dinging five setter somewhere along the way. I watched a bit of Novak before going to work this morning. I was hoping he would be more aggressive coming back from injury and now he's entered his 30s. But no, he was playing identically to how he's always played with not even the slightest change in game style or tactically, at least not from the 5 or 6 games I watched.

[tennis_chiro]

Just a couple of comments:

Federer's backhand looked as good against Gasquet as I have ever seen it. Awfully comfortable. Complete control going down the line off the crosscourt.

Djokovic looked very solid from the baseline. He didn't look rusty to me.

Chung is the one who really looked different. I was so impressed with Sasha last year. Chung completely broke him down from the baseline ... and he doesn't seem to mind following his shots to the net. He moves really well. I thought "Gosh, this is a really solid 170 lb 5' 10" guy with terrific mobility and strenghth" and then I looked it up and saw that he is 6' 2" tall and 192 lbs. This guy is fast, strong and agile. I'm looking forward to that match against Novak and I think we will find out whether Djokovic has his confidence back or not. If he is really struggling with that second serve like he was in earlier matches, Chung will take advantage. I think he hits a bigger ball than Novak. But the question will be if he can do it off a ball as deep as Novak's.

KLACR should be really happy. Berdych routined Del Potro.

I'm taking Nadal over Cilic, Kyrgios over Edmund, Chung over Thiem and Federer over Berdych. Federer over Nadal again in the final. The backhand has changed. You had to hear him talk about how it took 14 years for him to learn it in the post match interview. He believes in it now. Sad he would not choose to teach it to his kids.

on a different note, I really enjoyed the fight in the Halep/Davis match. They both gave everything; but I thought Davis blinked a couple of times late when she had 15-30 in the match game twice after 10-10; I'm not sure which games but I'm pretty sure it happened twice. And both times she had a medium to short ball on the second or third shot that she didn't attack as she had a few times earlier in the set. And it cost her. But what an effort...for both of them. But at 5' 1", Lauren Davis is amazing, and she attacks the net!

Finally, I was really hoping some of you would pick up the comment I had in the Segura thread about how his 2hfh was really a lefty 2hbh in structure and no one ever attacks that way with a 2hbh.

don

[don_budge]

Tennys Anyone?

The last of the Americans...the last of the Mohicans. Tennys anyone? As in Tennys Sandgren. I don't know that I have heard anything about this guy...certainly not all that much. But here he is in the round of sixteen facing thew wonder kind named Dominic Thiem. Best of luck to you Mr. Tennys. Dominic Thiem is another of these young wonder kids...the Next Generation that was over hyped too soon. The extra hype plays havoc on your psyche. Somehow it gives you a sense of entitlement which is the kiss of death on the professional tennis tour. The opponent senses it and it gives him that motivational edge which can get him over the top in a tight duel. Ask Alexander Zverev about this psychic phenomena. Does he understand what has happened to him and does he have the answer to get over it? Existential questions. Before it was a question of when young Zverev was going to win his first Grand Slam. To me the question is always "will he win a Grand Slam"?

In this regard Tennys has a little bit of a motivational advantage and he should feel as if he has nothing to lose. This is an occasion for him to play the match of his life. Get loose and stay loose. A good tactical plan in the bag is absolutely necessary. Go out and play with an idea in mind. How best to elicit errors from "Next Generation" Dominic Thiem. Put pressure on him is absolutely essential so that he might start to feel the expectations of those premature accolades. Thiem seems to be a bit more resistant to the problem than Zverev. Zverev seems fragile mentally to me. The smashing of racquets is a giveaway. There is no call for this type of behaviour from a true champion. Very few can afford this type of lapse of concentration.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/sandgren-marterer-australian-open-2018

While a win for Tennys may not make American tennis great again (MATGA) it certainly won't hurt. I was impressed with Tennys' down the line backhand. This will be a great starting point in his tactical approach against Thiem. In given situations he should elect to go down the line to press the issue instead of the safer cross court into the strength of the Thiem backhand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koNCsKxWZeE

[stotty]

A great win for Kyle Edmund. He is playing rock solid and has the guns to rouble Kyrgios should he play him in the next round. Kyrgios has the trickiest draw if he's going to make through.

[gzhpcu]

Diego Schwartzman, who is only 170 cm tall, played a fantastic match against Nadal in a cliffhanger of a match. He hits very hard and is a fantastic retriever. Some of his second serves are only 135 kmh, but he still managed to ace Nadal, who stands ridiculously far back, even for a little guy who rarely serves faster than 170 kmh.

[klacr]

Just a couple of comments:

Federer's backhand looked as good against Gasquet as I have ever seen it. Awfully comfortable. Complete control going down the line off the crosscourt.

Djokovic looked very solid from the baseline. He didn't look rusty to me.

Chung is the one who really looked different. I was so impressed with Sasha last year. Chung completely broke him down from the baseline ... and he doesn't seem to mind following his shots to the net. He moves really well. I thought "Gosh, this is a really solid 170 lb 5' 10" guy with terrific mobility and strenghth" and then I looked it up and saw that he is 6' 2" tall and 192 lbs. This guy is fast, strong and agile. I'm looking forward to that match against Novak and I think we will find out whether Djokovic has his confidence back or not. If he is really struggling with that second serve like he was in earlier matches, Chung will take advantage. I think he hits a bigger ball than Novak. But the question will be if he can do it off a ball as deep as Novak's.

KLACR should be really happy. Berdych routined Del Potro.

I'm taking Nadal over Cilic, Kyrgios over Edmund, Chung over Thiem and Federer over Berdych. Federer over Nadal again in the final. The backhand has changed. You had to hear him talk about how it took 14 years for him to learn it in the post match interview. He believes in it now. Sad he would not choose to teach it to his kids.

on a different note, I really enjoyed the fight in the Halep/Davis match. They both gave everything; but I thought Davis blinked a couple of times late when she had 15-30 in the match game twice after 10-10; I'm not sure which games but I'm pretty sure it happened twice. And both times she had a medium to short ball on the second or third shot that she didn't attack as she had a few times earlier in the set. And it cost her. But what an effort...for both of them. But at 5' 1", Lauren Davis is amazing, and she attacks the net!

Finally, I was really hoping some of you would pick up the comment I had in the Segura thread about how his 2hfh was really a lefty 2hbh in structure and no one ever attacks that way with a 2hbh.

don

Very pleased indeed with the Berdych performance. He keeps that up and Federer will have some issues against it.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[don_budge]

Very pleased indeed with the Berdych performance. He keeps that up and Federer will have some issues against it.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Take it easy boys. Both players still have a match to win. At least Berdych does. Fabio "Fabulous" Fognini is no push over when he has his head on straight. Head to head they are 2-2...this should be a very interesting match. Berdych did have a huge win over Del Potro...straight sets against Juan Martin in a Grand Slam is no small feat.