Up North: Assassinate me sweetly, KGB.

 

That sums it up really.

One of my new year resolutions in 2010 is to stop going all “Damir Dokic” on Federer whenever he loses. Needless to say, I’m failing miserably after snorting a mouthful of water up my nose early this morning when confronted with a 6-4 6-4 loss by Fed to Davo.

Roger appeared out-of-sorts at times during the match, finding very little rhythm on serve, and fluctuating between decent tennis and wild shanks into the net or the tram lines.

It showed in his stats, Federer served at 54% with 2 aces and 3 doubles. While he made 30 winners in total to his opponent’s 24, he also clocked an obscene 37 unforced errors, Kolya not exactly flashy in that department either with 21 of his own. 

All credit to Davydenko though: if Federer appeared out-of-sorts in the match, it was mostly because Kolya played out-of-this-world tennis – serving hard, making 100% of his serves in the first set and moving tremendously well around the court.

 

 

It was Roger’s 4th straight loss to a top 10 player, as Dootsie moved her hand that much closer to the panic button. Federer appeared to be nursing some discomfort in his wrist during the match, at one point, shaking and massaging it during the change of ends. But he was having none of it in his post-match press conference,

 

“Yeah, he served very well, especially when he needed to. He played better. I felt my arm from the cold but it is not an excuse. He served well, many 200s out there. He made it difficult as the match went on,” Federer said.

“There is nothing to worry about my arm. I will be fine.” He added.

 

No excuses, just the way we like it. It’s either really a minor issue, or he’s lying through his teeth when we’re so close to a slam. Serves him right for playing Doha. If you ask me, it’s idiocy to play in a colder Asian climate right before the Australian Open. 

 

“I like to come to Doha every year. I’m excited to go to Australia too and I need some rest before the year’s first Slam.“

 

Over in Kooyong, the organisers are passing out tissues.

Some hot legs and smoldering side profile to sooth your anguish.

 

 

 

In the other semi of the day, it was smooth sailing for Rafa as he dominated Victor Troicki to move into a final. He’ll have a tougher test against Kolya, as the pair is tied in their H2H at 4-4. Davydenko won their last 2 meetings, but admittedly isn’t feeling too confident right now.

 

“I don’t know for how much longer I can hold this level of tennis.” 

 

Dude, you served at 100% for a set. If you keep it up, I might have to throw a shoe at you. 

So: Will Rafa end his title drought at last? Or will Kolya head to the Australia with a share of the spotlight for once?

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