I got ninja-ed! Yes I caught both matches even though I had things to do and places to be I honestly thought Dimitrov would close it out against Nadal, he was practically gifting him the second tiebreak but no, this will be a good stepping stone and learning experience for him though. I don't think I've seen Nadal play that bad…ever? Three doublefaults in one game and missing forehand winners Those blisters must've been bothering him. Knowing him he'll bounce back and be in top shape vs Federer.

As for his game, well awesome two sets and then as it was nearing the end and matchpoint up his serve started failing him. Classic. Strong of him to close it out. I really do think Edberg has a good influence, notice that he won virtually every point when he chose to go to the net (contrast this to Djokovic net play…). I think it was good for his confidence to have to battle through though.

We'll have a real cracker semi final Gonna be great, I don't think Roger plays with any pressure and this matchup always brings out the best of them.

Re: your Djoko-points, might well be true. It's interesting to note that now after this AO is finished he has one grand slam title in 2 years. Or the same count as Federer. Peculiar when you think about it that way. He no longer hits those winners in tight moments that he did during 2011-2012, and his forehand is looking awfully bleak IMO. But it's a thin thin line, one or two shots stroke the lines and he is a clutch genius instead.

I couldn't watch the game Maybe just as good, I followed the live score though and that tiebreak...and 3-0. God damnit Federer. Well hopefully this was just the start of a long year of bouncing back. I'll try to watch the re-run on Eurosport.

P.S. I like that someone is still voting for Djokovic.

Double post alert. Ignore.

Roger highlights from the quarter final:

wrote:

Guess it's time to bump this one (no surprise that AlienM hit and runned this one as soon as Djokovic got eliminated). Wawrinka beat Nadal in the final Well deserved and good for tennis IMO. He blasted away the first set, in the second Nadal got back issues and wasn't really up to par.

This is the first time since 2009 anyone other than the Big Four has won a slam. Suck on that.

Yes I find it hard to accept Rafa's defeat, but well, full credit to Stanimal He had an amazing tournament, the best one in his career, beating the world No.2 and No.1 on his route to the title, being the first to do so on AO in more than 20 years.
Yes, the back issues were some kind of a disappointment, maybe took away from us the pleasure of watching another AO classic, but well, things like that happen. Credit to Rafa for not surrendering the match(which has been a habit for some other players in recent years, khmm ), and playing til the end, must've been hard and painful not being able to serve with more that 130kph. In the first set Rafa's body was ok, no injuries, and Stan's game was Mont Everest-high ! Amazing tennis from his side.

The general impression - Stanislas made an inhuman effort throughout the tournament and I'm really glad for him to be honest. Underdog in a way, beating the top dogs and making his dream come true

Other things we learned:
=Roger might improve his game, compared to last season, maybe win few titles, why not.
=Novak is keeping his high level of gameplay, but he is level or two below the tennis he was playing back in 2011. I doubt he will ever reach that level and manage to keep it for several months again.
=Rafa is confirming his status of all-round player. In the past, all you could hear or read was - clay clay clay, other than that he is just average. Well, in recent years - 2 wimbledons, 2 NY opens, 1AO and very close to 2nd title. That is really amazing achievement, noone can deny it now.
=Andy Murray will probably always be a level below the top dogs. He is second class player, and probably never will reach the level of Rafa, Novak and Roger(until 2011). His peaks in the game are too often, something that differs him from the likes of the three above.
=Grigor Dimitrov is the one to follow in next months. He's got the potential and talent to do big things in tennis.
=Na Li can be one hell of a stand up comedy performer - I loved her speech during the ceremony

p.s. Mirc, it's been a pleasure following the matches with you, along with some objective through analyzes and exchanging thoughts over various situations and players Would've been nice if someone else joined the discussions but well... GG man! Cya in Indian Wells.. and in Elite'z vs Dunno in RCAL