I didn’t see it (work’s a bitch) but Roger Federer fought back from two sets down to defeat the perpetual tease, Tommy Haas in five sets. Yet another “Warrior Moment” for the the guy that Old Peter (B)dodo used to rag on for not being macho enough. (Hey, I’ve left Pete alone for months now, cut me some slack. I hope he agrees that all his bashing of Rog’s pretty hair looks rather dumb in retorspect.)
You can’t deny that Roger has proved his mettle numerous times against the competition. It’s a common issue for players in his stratosphere – like Steffi Graf. They made it look so easy, people wonder what will happen if they got into a real tussle. Would they fight back or curl into a ball? Stupid question. You don’t get to be that great (All-Time Great) without fire in the belly. (Strangely enough, both Roger and Steffi wound up with rivals that dominated them, although I’ve argued that Graf was turning the tide on Seles)
Anyway, digging in from two sets down proves that Roger is a) feeling the pressure, b) realizing this is the last, best chance to take Paris, and c) desperately wants to achieve his place in history alongside Pete Sampras. (You heard me).
The real question is what does Roger have left in those legs? I’m not convinced he’s in great physical condition and I think he’s lost a quarter of a step, as we all do. Bouncing back from a five-setter feels different to him now. Time will tell.
In other news, Roddick got bounced in three disappointing sets. The Human Lightning Bolt plays Roger next. It will be interesting but I don’t think Lighting is ready to beat Roger in a grand slam. He’s still more of an athlete than tennis player, and although this has taken him pretty darn far, competing against the consummate tennis player requires him to actually play tennis. My predictions have tanked lately, so take heart Monfils fans.
Oh and Serena had an easy match, both Serb girls got beat (bye, bye defending champ Ana Ivanovic) and Juan Martin-Del Potro (all 6 ft 6 baseline-hugging inches of him) beat Jo-Willie Tsonga.
Passing Shots 
Posted on June 2, 2009
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