Novak's injury complaints are growing tiresome. FROM THE US OPEN- The Big 3 morphed into the
tension-wracked three in the past two days, with Roger Federer and Novak
Djokovic joining Rafael Nadal in the teeth chattering, racket-quacking,
knees-creaking department on Tuesday.
All three men are still in the draw, but none looked sterling in their
fourth round matches. Federer strew errors all over the court in his admirable
yet sloppy 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 3-6 6-3 win over Igor Andreev, while Djokovic
did his best Jelena Jankovic imitation in a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 victory
over Tommy Robredo.
Andy Roddick is on fire, as id his 2005 conqueror, qualifier Gilles Muller
of Luxembourg, who stunned Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6. Roddick
destroyed Fernando Gonzalez 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 in one of the most impressive
serving performances in his life.
For the first time ever in back to back matches, Federer and Djokovic
both looked like they wanted to vomit, to end their seasons right here
and right now. Their power, decisions-making, consistency and depth was
lacking, All that was left in the fifth set was to heroically push through,
to dare their lesser talented opponents to be better. Their feared forehands
meant little, their serves were strong by undependable. It was pure gladiator
stuff on a hot and humid day and they asked Robredo and Andreev to prove
that they were more than phantom contenders.
They didn’t, while Federer and Djokovic showed that under the direst
circumstances, they want to press on and play another day. No other tournament
provides sheer angst like the US Open does and all 23,000-plus fans shared
in their misery and finally the salty yet sweet taste of their triumph.
“You always was get ready for five setters, but they're fun when
you play them,” said Federer, who will face Muller.
“Sometimes, of course, they're hard physically and mentally and
the pressure is huge on me, because Igor doesn't have a whole lot to lose.
For me it's way worse, so I'm very happy with the way we competed tonight.
I don't remember if I ever played an entire five set match on center court.
I remember playing Andre in five sets, but that was over two days, I don't
give myself the opportunity that much, because I always win easily. It's
fun for a change. Same as the Australian Open when I beat Tipsarevic 9
7 in the fifth. Being part of some dogfights, it's fun for me. I was really
happy because in five sets you go through different stages of feelings,
of playing well, playing bad. And in the fifth set you try not to make
that many errors, and hopefully you'll get off on a good start. That's
exactly what happened.”
It was hard to see pure joy on Federer’s face for most of the match,
but there were times when he roared his lion's roar and pumped both fists
that you could relate to his deep-seated pride. Like many champions who
have experienced slumps, the victories are more heartfelt now.
“I think I'm at a stage today where I just really enjoy playing
much more again,” he said. “Whereas maybe for a while it was
quite, always the same for me go on court, you win all the time, so maybe
you don't take it for granted that much anymore.”
Djokovic played a painful match in pain. His hip hurt, his ankles hurt,
his body hurt overall due to the workout that Marin Cilic gave him on
Sunday. Robredo more or less said that Djokovic wasn’t really injured,
just dragging along and calling for the trainer because he was tired.
But he won again and there’s no doubt that over the past year that
he’s been the most resourceful 21-year-old out there.
“Trying to be positive," Djokovic said. "After that fourth
set, I really doubted, because I didn't know if I was able to continue
on going on the high level, and he was just getting into the game more
and more. Physically he was fitter than me. So he was really going for
the shots. But somehow I manage to really stay focused and play the right
shots at the right time. It's always good to have the tough matches in
the Grand Slams. Not too much, for physical condition, but mentally, you
grow stronger. Over the years I've been playing, most of these long matches
I have positive score, so this is very encouraging. So I will have now
more time to recover, and I think it's more or less matter of my physical
condition, if I will be fit enough to challenge.”
Like Robredo, Roddick's eyes are popping at Djokovic's unending
list of ailments.
“Back and a hip? “ asked Roddick. “And a cramp. Bird
flu. Anthrax. SARS. Common cough and cold."
When asked whether he thought that Djokovic was bluffing, Roddick replied:
“No, if it's there, it's there. There's just a lot. You know, he's
either quick to call a trainer or he's the most courageous guy of all
time. I think it's up for you guys [the media] to decide"
Roddick and Djokovic have faced each other twice, a win for the Serbian
last year in Canada and a win for Roddick this year in Dubai. The contest
will feature Roddick’s sheer aggression against Djokovic’s
love of the backcourt grind.
:Roddick he's former U.S. Open champion, couple times Grand Slam finalist
and No. 1,” Djokovic said. So he has all the things under his belt
that he needs to have. He's playing in front of his crowd, on his favorite
tournament. It's always a difficult one to play against Roddick wherever,
but especially here.”
Dementieva to Face Jankovic
Elena Dementieva is saying what every other women’s player left
in the draw is saying, that she isn’t playing her very best, that
she can improve, and will improve.
So why then, hasn’t she dropped a set into the semifinals? After
thrashing Switzerland's Patty Schnyder 6-2 6-3 victory on Tuesday, the
Swiss gave her props, but like Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic and Dinara
Safina, Dementieva won’t hold pre-print her own US Open champion
poster.
"It's the best she's played against me. I lost to a great champion
today," Schnyder said. "I played some really good games but
didn't end up winning all of them... there was not much I could have done
differently She didn't give me too many chances to step in or even breathe
a bit during the rallies. She was just on top of me."
That’s how the Russian has been from the moment she paraded around
with all the other high level athletes at the Olympics – suffocating.
She isn’t quite sure why she is winning so easily, but it’s
clear to see and hear that now she’s worry free. It cannot be stated
enough how important it was for her to stop Safina in the Olympic final
after she choked to her at the French Open and lost to her again at Wimbledon,
“After this match, it took me a couple of days,” she said.
“ I didn't want to practice, I didn't want to want to think about
things. I didn't want to watch the final. It's really tough to have lost
in the way I lost it. But it was an experience. I started from all over
again on grass, and lost again to Dinara. But I was, learning every time,
and I think because of this experience I was able to win in Beijing.”What
she learned was that she has to cut loose against the top-flight players
when they are playing well and not just depends on her defense. She’s
as good as anyone off the ground left in the draw when she goes fro her
shots. But getting her to leap at her forehands isn’t always easy.
Mentally, she’s a late bloomer.
“That's what I was working for,” she said. “I really
wanted to attack more. I really to be very aggressive on the court. You
can't play defensive all the time if you want to be No. 1, if you want
to win something big. That's the way to reply.”
Yes it is and Jelena Jankovic, who played a poor match in besting Sybille
Bammer 6-1, 6-4, may have no reply for the Russian. She played a totally
uninspired contest and while she and Dementieva are very close in ability,
there’s no doubt who has been the more impressive player at this
US Open.
Just imagine if Dementieva actually hits her peak?
“I feel I need to improve my game,” Dementieva said. “
I'm not playing at my best. I'm trying to do everything right in the court,
and I really feel that there are some players out there that are very
powerful, and I need to provide something else. I need to be a stronger
player. I need to improve my serve. I'm so far away from being perfect."
