There is nothing tennis fans wanted more than the ultimate match---ROGER--VS--RAFA , but alas, it's not to be.

My fellow blogger Hartmut Hesse may have misspent his day writing a comprehensive 10 part theory on why RAFA will beat ROGER tomorrow but he'll have to save if for another time.

Novak Djokovic derailed the Federer express this afternoon with as gutty a back to the wall performance as this old coach has ever witnessed.

  The whiner(his alter ego) made a few very brief  appearances but Novak pretty much kept him stifled and out of a position of influence.

  The warrior is the personality that broke through today! Time after time digging back one more ball--resetting the point then going for the crusher at just the right moment.

Federer was out fought today--- It was glib and guile edged out by grit and guts.


Down match points in the 5th, the Serb went for and made, spirit soaring winner after spirit soaring winner, leaving Roger shaken and doubtful.

The emotional let down Djokovic will experience tonight  would surely be enough to give Nadal a clear edge tomorrow, but  combine that with the physical toll todays match exacted and it makes any chance of tomorrows final being a competitive one  pretty much a   long shot..

Jokers satisfaction will have to be taken in todays performance because I don't see him basking in the glory of the championship tomorrow evening.
 
Well done Novak!!   Well done!!

                                                    Just My Opinion, Howie Burnett