I have just finished watching the Federer-Del Potro quarter-final at the Australian Open. I cannot call it a match. It was a massacre. Federer took apart Del Potro, imperiously, elegantly, yet breathtakingly savagely. The scoreline was 6-3, 6-0, 6-0. And this against one of the rising stars of the tennis world, a fairly proficient player, Juan Martin Del Potro, ATP Rank 6. One can’t help feeling sorry for Del Potro, being made to look like a rank novice being given his first tennis lesson. And a little football lesson as well.
Throughout the brief encounter, Federer was so casual, so offhand and yet so effective. I’m running out of adjectives here, but one realises the sheer sublimity of the man’s game. It is not without justification that people say he is probably the greatest tennis player in history. I can see why they feel that way, and it was a privilege to watch this match. And I must also confess that after the French Open and Wimbledon last year, I too wondered if this was the beginning of Federer’s march into the sunset of history. Well, today he’s shown all of us that greatness has a mind of its own, and while setbacks are temporary, class is permanent.
And no, I’m not going overboard. I’m a Rafa fan, no two ways about that, and I hope he continues his brilliant form. But he’ll need to pull a really special rabbit out of his hat to beat the Federer we saw today.
UPDATE: Based on what little I have seen of the Nadal-Verdasco semi-final – still in progress – I have to admit that it’s not certain which of these two Federer will play in the finals.
January 27, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Oh he’s back! With a vengeance! 🙂
January 27, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Hey me a big rafa fan too.. there’s nothing like the fighting spirit of that guy. But Fedex is a class apart. The only player I can think of who had an almost perfect game was Sampras. Similar temperament. No emotion till they win the match:)
January 27, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Well I am really sad to see Del Potro going out like this. But still he is young and has a long way to go. In a match like this against someone as great Roger Federer, he can learn a thing or two from the maestro.
No arguments from my end. Federer was a mile ahead from Del Potro and as they say “The Numbers Don’t Lie”. Well done Fedex.
Perhaps you may wanna share your view of the game. I would love to hear them.
http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2009/01/no-match-for-del-potro-against-fedex.html
January 27, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Rafa fan or no Rafa fan…you know when you see a Master at his craft. Today was one such day! I hope Del Porto recovers soon. Over to Mr. Roddick now. Face the Music. 🙂
January 27, 2009 at 11:22 pm
yeah, but nothing better than a fed-rafa Close -close 5 set match…. 😛
(with fed winning, offcourse) 😛
January 28, 2009 at 12:44 am
He wasn’t named FedEx for nothing. The masterz of genius at intense work.
That ice expressionless look isn’t vain but constant processing of RF processorz that even Intel or AMD would bow heads infront of
January 28, 2009 at 1:53 am
Let’s go Federer!
January 28, 2009 at 8:08 am
Federer rocks; always has 🙂
Here’s looking forward to seeing him take Rafa apart on Sunday 😉
January 28, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Rafa fan!!! Hmmm… 🙂 Sunday my friend, Sunday.
January 28, 2009 at 7:31 pm
U call that massacre? Lol, wait till u read this: http://phoenixnme.blogspot.com/2009/01/apologize-for-winning.html
January 29, 2009 at 12:31 am
it appears as though he prefers to get beaten by rafa only 😛
January 29, 2009 at 12:13 pm
For me the memory of Federer, unless something more brilliant comes my way, has to be the Wimbledon final and THAT backhand volley in the fourth set. Federer can win 5 more slams and I’ll remember him for his contribution to the best tennis match I have seen.
Oh, I am completely anti-Rafa when he plays Federer 🙂
January 30, 2009 at 10:04 am
@Nikhil: He’s back….and he also demolished Roddick fairly easily….
@GypsyGirl: 2 PM IST today, Rafa vs Verdasco. Don’t miss it!
@John: Thanks for visiting and the comment. Del Potro, I am sure, will learn from this.
@whatsinaname: Roddick’s out, and Roger seems to be on a roll….will we watch another great Rafa-Fedex final?
@Ajit: Completely agree – but with Rafa winning! 🙂 Though I hope Federer gets his 14th slam this year..
@samirah: Thanks for visiting….he makes it look so easy. The man is a genius.
@themackoviak: Go Rafa! 🙂
@Abhishek: Now, now, don’t jump to conclusions!
@Chirag: Sunday is the day the truth will be revealed….. 🙂
@Oxy: Yup, I read that. How stupid can people get?
@TheDropper: My theory is that he hasn’t forgotten the French Open last year….so he’s very wary of Rafa…and perhaps can’t play as freely as he normally does.
@Avionicspanker: That final was an absolutely brilliant match….perhaps we’ll have a similar encounter Sunday if Verdsaco’s sent packing.
January 30, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Jan 20th- 7-30 pm The Nad-Ver Match still going on. Gosh !!
I am a die hard Fed-Fan.
My daughter has made an Esp flag that says, Go Nadal Go!!
CLash in the house if Rafa wins.
February 2, 2009 at 10:41 am
[…] Federer: The Return of the King? « The Quirky Indian […]
February 2, 2009 at 11:57 am
The king is dead .. thats it, man. Hes gone. I hope I am wrong, but I don’t think he will ever defeat Federer. Those tears were an admission of something being broken forever.
February 2, 2009 at 11:58 am
*ever defeat Nadal ..
sigh!
February 2, 2009 at 1:19 pm
[…] At Melbourne, last week, Federer demolished Del Potro, and a lot of us thought that the ghosts of the French Open and Wimbledon had been exorcised, and the King was back. […]
March 22, 2009 at 6:51 am
[…] Federer: The Return of the King? « The Quirky Indian […]
March 29, 2009 at 11:25 am
[…] Federer: The Return of the King? « The Quirky Indian […]
April 13, 2009 at 3:05 am
[…] Federer: The Return of the King? « The Quirky Indian […]
May 18, 2009 at 8:26 pm
[…] Federer: The Return of the King? « The Quirky Indian […]
June 6, 2009 at 9:17 am
[…] Federer: The Return of the King? « The Quirky Indian […]
June 9, 2009 at 8:24 am
[…] Federer: The Return of the King? « The Quirky Indian […]
June 17, 2009 at 9:12 pm
[…] Federer: The Return of the King? « The Quirky Indian […]
June 23, 2009 at 2:04 pm
[…] Federer: The Return of the King? « The Quirky Indian […]
September 7, 2009 at 4:57 pm
[…] Federer: The Return of the King? « The Quirky Indian […]