I’m not paying that much attention to Paris this week only because it feels all like overkill before London but yesterday’s action was obviously worth noting with Roger Federer losing to an inspired Julian Benneteau, Rafael Nadal surviving five match points against Nicolas Almagro and Andy Murray enduring a three set war versus James Blake before Murray finally won the third set tiebreak.
Wasn’t Federer’s long break after the U.S. Open suppossed to refresh him for the last leg of the year? Instead his long break seems to have made him rather lethargic about the whole thing. Fed is also starting a pattern of being broken in his opening service games of final sets. He did it against Del Potro in New York, Djokovic in Basel and now in Paris. Mental fatigue or baby fatigue? And why is it that everytime Fed loses, it’s described as “shocking” or “unforeseen”?
And yes, yesterday was the very last match of Marat Safin’s career after he lost a tough three setter to Juan Martin Del Potro. Delpo showed real poise during the whole affair. The ceremony for Safin at the end was very generous especially with many players coming on court to say goodbye. You can watch the end of it here.
I know everyone is moaning and groaning about him leaving but just watching him here, one can see that he’s at peace and ready to start a new life. Good for him. I wish more current players would take his cue and realize when it’s time for something else. And as he said it recently.
“I’ve lived my life the way I wanted to, whether scaling the mountains, partying long into the night or having fun playing soccer.”
Bonne Chance Marat!
Adjusting the Net 