ATP Season Review 1/4

Before I get going here, I'd just like to say that hopefully this thing will be updated more during the off season and Australian summer. A combination of general laziness and real world assignments has meant that I haven't written anything since Wimbledon. However, I've now got a bit of time on my hands so hopefully I can keep the ball rolling so to speak. I'll divide this into four quarters as it will be quite detailed.

Here's the first quarter:

So how to review the 2011 ATP season? I will look at it chronologically. The 2010 season belonged to Rafael Nadal, with the Spaniard picking up the final three slams of the year that would have him heading into the Australian Open in January with the very realistic possibility of completing the "Rafa Slam". Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic also had a strong finish to the 2010 year, helping his nation to their first ever Davis Cup triumph. Winning the DC can do wonders to a players confidence and can really shape their subsequent year on the tour. Take a look at Fernando Verdasco for example. After defeating Jose Acasuso and securing the tie for Spain back in 2008, the pretty-boy lefty charged into 2009 full of confidence. Something had changed in his demeanour. The belief was there. The consistency was ever present, something that had always been left in the locker room up until December 2008. He made the semi finals of the AO in 2009 and narrowly went down to Nadal in what I consider to be one of the best matches of the decade. Verdasco went on to entrench his place in the top 10 for the best part of two years, something most people would have said was impossible given his previous showings on tour. It is with great regret that Verdasco took up part of that introduction, but his case was a perfect example on how a certain Serbian used that DC triumph to springboard himself into one of the best seasons of all time.

The beginning of the year saw the top players converge to Abu Dhabi where they played a couple of matches and collected their pay cheques. It's funny how they then complain that they don't have enough time to recover during the off season. Just had to slip that little jab in there hehe. The talk of January was the lead up the Australian Open and whether or not Nadal could become the first man since the legendary Rod Laver to win 4 slams in a row. However the Spaniard had found the going tough during his opening tournament of the season. He was bagled by Slovakian juggernaut Lukas Lacko in the 2nd set of their quarter final encounter in Doha, and while he was able to scrape out the victory there, he quietly succumbed to Russian nemesis Nikolay Davydenko in the semi finals. Nadal arrived in Australia a couple of days later and claimed he had been struck down by a mystery bug and was still not feeling 100%. People will see what they want to see here. His main rivals for the AO - ie, Federer, Djokovic, Murray and Soderling, had all kicked off there seasons in much better shape. Federer won the title in Doha while Soderling triumphed in Brisbane. Djokovic and Murray opted to begin their season in Perth at the Hopman Cup and both played exceptionally well. As I watched Nole laying the smackdown on Lleyton Hewitt I privately marked him down as a serious contender for the AO. The way he was moving, he just looked as fresh as I had ever seen him. The clean ballstriking was there and while Hewitt probably gives you the most rhythm out of any opponent, Djokovic looked a different player.

*Pointless but fun fact number 1: Djokovic actually lost his first set of the year to Andrey Golubev who went on to challenge Vinny Spadea for most consecutive matches lost with 18 defeats during the year.

The first week of the Australian Open presented numerous exhilarating matches that captivated the notorious Melbourne crowd. Hewitt and David Nalbandian resumed their long term rivalry on Rod Laver Arena on the first Tuesday of the competition and put on another classic that was definitely a candidate for match of the tournament. The last time they met at the AO was in 2005 where the Aussie prevailed 10-8 in the 5th set, the year he would go on to make the final. That match was highlighted by some tremendous shotmaking and athleticism from both players and the now infamous shoulder bump at the change of ends. There would be no such physical interaction from the two veterans this time around, but the supreme ballstriking from Nalbandian and the dogged never say die attitude from Hewitt was ever present. Again, the two fiery rivals split the first two sets in this encounter with the Argentine taking the 4th set in a classy tiebreak. Hewitt had a couple of match points deep in the 5th set but was unable to convert, with Nalbandian producing a stunning half volley drop shot winner to save one of them, and eventually take out the match 9-7 in the 5th. Unfortunately for Nalby, he wasn't able to back up a couple of days later against Lithuanian young gun Richard Berankis, surrendering the first two sets of their second round match up 6-1 6-0 before retiring early on in the third.

Nalbandian and Hewitt are physically spent after their enthralling 5 set encounter on Rod Laver Arena

Unseeded Frenchman Gilles Simon gave Swiss maestro and 2nd seed Roger Federer a huge test in their 2nd round match a couple of nights later. Simon was coming off a year that was much maligned with injury and was looking to regain some match fitness during the early stages of 2011. He had already re-discovered some of the form that had taken him into the top 10 in the rankings the previous week in Sydney, where he took the title over Serbian Viktor Troicki. However Federer proved a much more difficult assignment, at least in the early stages of this encounter. The 16 time grand slam champion dictated play from the back of the court, using his forehand to move Simon from corner to corner before eventually putting away the easy ball when the Frenchman had no more miles in the legs. 6-2, 6-3 and it looked like Federer was cruising to yet another routine victory in the early stages of a slam. Simon, on the other hand, had different plans. Abandoning his usual counterpunching style of play, the Frenchman through caution to the wind and started stepping up into the court and driving forehands and backhands flat and deep into the court. A clearly bewildered Federer struggled to adjust to the new tactics from Simon and couldn't contain the new found aggression in his game. 6-4, 6-4 Simon and game on. Federer hadn't lost this early in a slam since the 2003 French Open when he bombed out to Luis Horna of Peru, but as Simon held break points and all the momentum at 2-2 in the 5th set, things began looking pretty ominous for the Swiss superstar. Federer, however was able to steady the ship and save those break points and in the process, let the scoreboard pressure do some talking to Simon. As is always the case when a lower ranked player goes on a bit of a run against a top player, Simon began to slowly falter with his flat hard hitting forehands now sailing wide and deep for unforced errors rather than winners. Federer pounced in trademark fashion to quickly secure the break of serve and run away with the match, 6-3 in the 5th.

Federer reacts after going up a break in the 5th set

Other notable matches during the first week included Verdasco capitalising on a Janko Tipsarevic brain explosion to emerge victorious in their 2nd round battle on Hisense Arena. Tipsy blew match points in the 4th set and then crumbled in the 5th. In hindsight, it makes you think how much higher Tipsarevic could have been ranked had he not folded like a cheap suit here. Flamboyant Dutchmen Robin Haase gave American Andy Roddick quite a scare in their 3rd round matchup as well. Haase completely outplayed Roddick in the opening set, combining miraculous shotmaking with deft touch to take the opener convincingly 6-2. Baldick was visibly agitated and this was evident when he deliberately attempted to knock Haase's head off in the middle of the second set off an easy mid court smash. The aforementioned rattled Haase and the two battled off in a second set tiebreaker which Roddick won. The American would then cruise to victory with Haase never looking like getting back into the match.

The Aussie Open always presents a few surprises and 2011 was definitely no exception. This year it was Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov who turned a few heads and made several casual tennis fans stand up in awe. Dolgo, who's father Oleksandr also played on the tour, caused the two biggest upsets of the opening week in defeating number 4 seed Soderling and also 13th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in front of a packed Margaret Court Arena. Dolgopolov had been in Australia since November 2010 preparing with his Australian coach Jack Reader in his hometown of Adelaide. Reader is a real throwback to the old days and his laidback demeanour suits Dolgo perfectly. The Ukrainian also suffers from a rare hereditary disease known as Gilbert's Syndrome. It affects his blood levels and causes fatigue easily and the condition worsens when he travels extensively and it can take a long time for him to adjust to particular climates. However his comprehensive training program with Reader worked wonders, and Dolgo came into Melbourne in the best form of his life. He would ultimately fall to number 5 seed and eventual finalist Andy Murray in the quarter finals but this was still a breakout tournament for the young man and proved if he could turn his unlimited potential into more consistent results throughout the year, he could be force to be reckoned with on the tour for years to come.

Alexandr Dolgopolov was a breath of fresh air at the AO 2011

* Honourable mentions must also go to young guns Milos Raonic and Bernard Tomic. Raonic made it all the way through qualifying and won three matches in the main draw to advance to the 4th round where he went down to Ferrer. Tomic made it to the third round and led world number one Nadal 4-0 in the second set on Rod Laver Arena before succumbing in straights.

The quarter finals also proved to be the downfall of Nadal and his dream of capturing the "Rafa Slam". The world number one lost in straight sets to perennial workhorse and compatriot David Ferrer. After a marathon opening three games that lasted over forty minutes, Nadal hobbled off the court to get treatment on his leg after pulling up sore tracking down a Ferrer drop shot. Nadal returned with his left thigh heavily strapped and his movement side to side and forward was noticeably restricted. Ferrer still had to get the job done and he never gave Nadal a sniff of pulling his way back into the match, working his good friend over from side to side until Nadal could run no more. Many other players would have still crumbled to defeat against a player the calibre of Nadal but Ferrer never let up and pulled off a marvellous 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 straights sets victory over the world number one, shattering his mates grand slam dream. World number three Djokovic had no such problems in accounting for his quarter final opponent, defeating Czech Tomas Berdych in straight sets. The Serbian had cruised through the draw up to this point, dropping only one set to Croatian Ivan Dodig in the second round. Djokovic was rarely troubled by the hard hitting Czech, and while his charismatic fans did their best to try and get him back into the contest, it was no use with Nole taking it 6-1, 7-6, 6-1. The last remaining quarter final saw Federer square off against his compatriot and close friend Stanislas Wawrinka. It had already been a successful tournament for the Swiss number two after taking down three time former semi finalist Andy Roddick in the 4th round in straight sets. But like two of the other quarter finals, this one was a straightforward one sided affair with Federer emerging victorious to charge into yet another grand slam semi final.

Nadal mirrors a lonely figure after falling to Ferrer in the quarter finals.

Federer and Djokovic resumed their rivalry in the semi finals in a rematch from the 2008 tournament - where the Serbian went on to win his first grand slam championship. Unfortunately for Federer it was more of the same this time around as well. The Swiss champion just couldn't find a way through the dogged defence of Djokovic, who's movement was now at full force along with his trademark backhand down the line. You know when Nole is hitting that shot consistently with purpose that he is in good form. The two went tit for tat in the opening set which Djokovic was able to take in a tiebreak. Federer would then march off into a 5-2 lead in the second set and all of a sudden it was game on. But Djokovic was able to fight back and capitalise on some complacent play from Federer and take the next 5 games, storming to a two sets to love lead in the process. By this stage Federer was mentally gone, haunted by letting that second set slip by his fingers. Djokovic got the decisive break and served out the match in straight sets, 7-6(3), 7-5, 6-4.

The other semi saw the Brit when he wins and the Scot when he loses Murray take on the Spanish pitbull Ferrer. The Spaniard was full of confidence heading into this encounter, coming off the back of his recent defeat of Nadal in the previous round and winning the Auckland title the week before the AO. And it showed in the first set, with Ferrer running down everything on the baseline and beating Murray at his own game. For Murray, it must have been like playing a slightly better version of himself - a brick wall perhaps? Nothing was getting past Ferrer and he was also keeping the unforced errors to a low, which was beginning to frustrate Murray. The 7th seed was relentless and took the opener 6-4 and the second set was a similar story of Ferrer not missing and Murray hanging in there. But as the saying goes, the best players always find a way of winning when they are not playing their best and this was it case and point here. Murray hung in, held serve and got to the tiebreak where anything can happen in professional tennis. For Ferrer here, the mindset would have been "okay so I've just dominated Murray for two full sets of tennis, but in 5 minutes time we could be dead even at a set all...". Murray capitalised and took the breaker and with it, the wave of momentum. He stormed away early in the 3rd and Ferrer was clearly still thinking about the tiebreak. The Spaniard conceded and chose to begin fresh at the start of the fourth. Ferrer looked to have regrouped, both physically and mentally. He was back tracking down the untrackable and the free points were coming less easily for Muzza. Game back on. This set was reminiscent of the first two sets with neither player giving the other one an inch. Again, it went to a tiebreaker and again Murray prevailed to take out the match in 4 sets, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-1, 7-6(2).

So it was a Djokovic vs Murray final. The Scot once again with the weight of an entire nation of his shoulders compounded with the Brit media pressure and the Serb, hoping to capture his second slam - exactly three years after winning his first. Murray had found the going extremely tough in his previous two slam finals, failing to win a set in either of his two defeats to Federer at the US Open in 2009 and the  AO in 2010. Djokovic had experienced a rough couple of years where his serve went MIA (he's blaming nobody Todd Martin), and he had problems with his endurance as well, copping a lot of abuse for retiring in big matches. This was a massive match for both of them. The beginning of the match reflected this. Both were cautious, feeling each other out, getting a rhythm for the contest that could shape their season and careers. The opening set dragged on for over an hour before Murray faltered - conceding the decisive break in the 10th game to drop the set 6-4. The pressure of becoming the first British player to win a grand slam since Fred Perry in 1936 was increasingly getting to Murray as he hurled a tirade of abuse to his corner whenever a misfired shot flew off his racquet. Meanwhile, Nole upped the ante on his side of the net, dictating play from the baseline and hitting through the court with relevant ease. Murray couldn't find an answer and he succumbed to a 6-2 second set loss. Two sets to love down in a slam final is never a place you want to find yourself in, especially for Murray who's mental demons get the better of him in easier situations. You could just sense it early on in the third. This was to be Djokovic's night. Nothing was going right for Murray and his usually reliable baseline rally game was floundering abundantly. No need to write any more here. Novak Djokovic too good with a 6-4 6-2 6-3 win and 2nd Australian Open championship.

Djokovic lifts the Norman Brookes trophy after defeating Murray in the final

After the Australian Open, the tour splits off into three parts:

Latin America Swing:

All the clay courters can move back to their natural habitat after a month of trying to survive in a foreign environment. There are never any easy matches during this swing, with 3+ hour matches the normality here. The mini tour kicked off in Chile at the Movistar Open where unfortunately Tommy Robredo was able to pick up the title. I never like bagging a player when I'm writing, but the Spaniard has never been the most sporting of competitors and some of the stuff he has pulled over the years leaves a lot to be desired for. A lot of casual tennis fans probably don't notice it, but threatening to break Stakhovsky's neck at the AO was just not on. Robredo was involved in some more antics during this event when he squared off against Italian Fabio "The Fog' Fognini in the semi finals. Throughout the match, Robredo insisted on cheering and vamosing Fognini's easiest of unforced errors. Now it's okay, in my opinion, to cheer an unforced error off an extended rally but not after 2 shots and with the level of frequency Robredo was doing. The Fog didn't take to kindly to this either with the Italian professional strutter giving Robredo a piece of his mind after he'd had enough - "hombre de mierda". The aforementioned translates to "The Shitman" in English. A fiery match continued with even more vamosing from Robredo and he managed to show enough grit in the end to take out the match in three sets. After the encounter, Fognini attempted to shake Robredo's hand not once, but twice. On both occasions Robredo turned a blind eye and walked off the court to a chorus of boos to the vocal Chilean crowd. Two days later, he was again booed as he lifted the trophy. Some people don't forget.

The Latin swing continued on through South America, with Brazil and Argentina the next pit stops on the road to it's final tournament in Acapulco, Mexico. Another Spaniard Nicolas Almagro dominated these two events, dropping only one set in capturing the Brasil Open and two sets in taking out the Copa Claro. Almagro then managed to keep the winning streak alive, advancing all the way to the final of Acapulco - the only 500 tournament of the swing. Unfortunately for him, he ran out of gas, going down in three gruelling sets to Ferrer. Ferrer continued his excellent start to the season with a title in Auckland and a semi final in Melbourne already on his season resume.

American Hardcourts:

You can usually predict the players that decide to head over to North America every year after Australia. Most of the Europeans, understandably, want to spend some more time at home with their families after being away for a month and find the indoor tournaments closer to home a more appealing option. So you tend to get the North Americans, Australians and then the odd guys from Europe that make the trip over to try and pick up some valuable points. San Jose was the starting point as usual but had a surprising winner in many peoples eyes. Milos Raonic became the first Canadian in 16 years to win an ATP title as he swept through the entire field without dropping a set and only losing serve once. He won the title in two tiebreaks against Verdasco. The Canadian was only four years old when Greg Rusedski won the Seoul title in 1995, and also was the first man born in the 1990's to win a ATP title. Raonic had kicked off the year in style as well, qualifying for the Australian Open and winning through to the 4th round where he went down in four sets to Ferrer. He is definitely one to watch in the years to come and looks to be the most physically developed of the youngsters coming through. The serve will always give him the free points and get him out of trouble, it's just the movement and the consistency from the baseline that needs some work. His coach Galo Blanco, who was a consistent grinder back in his day, realises this and has him training on clay a lot of the year. It was very unfortunate what happened to him at Wimbledon with the hip injury but a guy his size is always going to be susceptible to injuries. Reminds me a lot of Philippoussis in that regard.

Raonic after winning San Jose

Raonic and Verdasco would remarkably meet again in the first round of Memphis a few days later. The Canadian would get the better of the 2nd seeded Spaniard again, this time prevailing in a third set tiebreak. Verdasco was noticeably frustrated after the match stating "I'd like to play him on a clay court to show him what real tennis looks like". Sour grapes from Verdasco who wasn't happy at all. Raonic would progress to his 2nd tour final in as many weeks, battling through a number of tough three setters to set up a meeting with top seeded American Andy Roddick. The two big servers would split the first couple of sets in tiebreaks with Raonic saving 4 championship points to take the 2nd 13-11. The American put the disappointment behind him however, and raced off to an early lead in the decider, breaking serve and having break points to go up 5-1. The Canadian youngster wasn't ready to throw in the towel yet though and proceeded to save those break opportunities and then capitalise on one himself to claw his way back to 4-5. There was nothing he could do on Roddick's 5th match point though. After hitting a flat hard off forehand deep into Roddick's backhand wing, the Canadian glided into the net to put away what he thought would be an easy volley. The American managed to get a good hit at the ball though and his backhand up the line drew Raonic wide which made him hit a stunning forehand volley to the open court. Roddick then sprinted across the baseline to the other side of the court, and with a diving forehand down the line passing shot, the 2003 US Open champion had collected his 30th career ATP title and joined illustrious company with Federer and Nadal the only other two active players to have accomplished the feat. The down side of winning the championship in such a fashion, was Roddick revealing to the world that he indeed was going bald and some instant hair regrowth seems to be on the cards for the man.

Here's a little clip of the bald man's winning shot and reaction:

In the last American event before the two Masters tournaments, Juan Martin del Potro continued on his road back to the top of the sport, defeating Tipsarevic in straight sets at Delray Beach.

European Indoor:

These events are mostly comprised of the European guys who prefer to stay close to home after a month of being away in Australia. The first tournament in Zagreb produced a delightful surprise with hard working Croatian Ivan Dodig winning his first ever ATP World Tour title. The win made sure that the trophy will remain in local hands for the third straight year. Dodig is perhaps the biggest fighter on tour and it is amazing to witness the success he has achieved with the limited weapons he possesses. Just goes to show that hard work pays off. He ended up defeating five players ranked higher than him at the time, including 2006 champion Ivan Ljubicic to walk away with the title. Here's a little piece I did on Dodig earlier this year that highlights his road to the top and fighting qualities:

http://slicendicetennis.blogspot.com/2011/06/in-spotlight-ivan-dodig.html

Robin Soderling continued his excellent start to the season, capturing the first ATP 500 tournament of the year in Rotterdam. The Swedish world number 4 also defended a title for the first time in his career, defeating Tsonga 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. It had a been a career best start to the season for Soderling who had picked up the title in Brisbane and posted his best performance in Melbourne in reaching the 4th round - a place where he historically struggles. It was a battle of flat hard hitting baseline rallies and it was the player that got the first big hit in that would usually end up winning the point. The Toad loves the indoor conditions where there are no environmental elements for him to contend with as the big wind ups he takes for his strokes can breakdown in windy conditions.

The success for Soderling didn't stop there however, with the Swede picking up the Marseille title one week later. It now meant he was now a staggering 17-1 for the season and also the first time in his career that he had won 3 titles in one season. This time it was Marin Cilic on the receiving end of the Swede's blistering groundstrokes. It was a match that was very similar to the Rotterdam final one week earlier in terms of match style. Two tall guys with effortless power on both sides, swinging through the ball and attempting to get the first big hit in to seize control of the baseline. It was still a successful tournament for Cilic who had only won three back-to-back matches in the last six months.

Soderling with his Rotterdam silverware

Dubai:

Many of the top guys then flew to Dubai in the middle east where money and participation fees trumped ranking points for most. It marked the return of Federer and Djokovic who had taken their usual breaks after the Australian Open. Dubai usually gets most of the top 10 players to participate there but the noticeable absences of both Nadal and Murray would have annoyed the powers at be here. It wasn't the best event of all time with a few retirements and the big names not playing their best ball. However that didn't stop Djokovic in continuing his great start to the season, defeating Federer for the second time this year in straight sets. Five straight sets now for the Serbian over the Swiss giant. Nole had been sub par for the majority of the event, dropping sets to Feli Lopez and Berdych before regaining the focus and stepping up his level to beat Federer. Still undefeated for the year.

Indian Wells & Miami:

All the players have gone their separate ways since the Australian Open and now they all meet up again at the first Masters 1000 event of the year in Indian Wells. California is an excellent place to host a tennis event and the complex and the facilities there are very nice. The schedule of the tournament though is utterly ridiculous but this is probably not the right place to write about that, might have to do a separate entry on calendar issues later. Lets just leave it with a fortnight to complete a Masters event with mid week starts is the ATP administration at its clownish best. The major talking point in the early rounds and one of the biggest upsets of the year so far was young American prodigy Donald Young taking out Andy Murray in the 2nd round. Murray experienced a similar post Australian Open slump this time last year after losing the final but this was something else. He didn't want to be there, the attitude was awful and he just wasn't up for the challenge. Credit has to go to Young who has not had the career so far that many had predicted of him during his junior days. There has been numerous fights with the USTA and the ongoing saga of who should coach him continues to haunt him. The family don't want to let him go but you've got to find that balance of being a parent and being a coach and in the end, it just doesn't work out. The USTA have offered Young many coaches but all have been knocked back resulting in a rocky relationship between the two camps. Doesn't help either when you hop on twitter to voice your feelings. If only Matosevic was Young's opponent in the first round then maybe Murray would have fared better here hehehe.

Murray is visibly frustrated during his 2nd round loss to Young

Surprise surprise, it was another Djokovic/Federer semi final and for the third straight time this season, the Serbian managed to come out on top. At least Federer was able to scrape out a set this time, but even the Fedmeister would be the first to admit that Nole has gotten to him mentally here. Del Potro was able to build on his title win in Delray Beach to make the semi finals here, but ran into a red hot Nadal. The Argentine has to be at peak physical fitness to be able to match it with Nadal and it was just to early in his comeback for him to withstand the Spaniard's relentless baseline game. Nadal takes it in straights, 6-4, 6-4. So it was Nadal Vs Djokovic for the first time this year. The final started off with the two engaging is some long drawn out exchanges from the back of the court, each attempting to get the upper hand in the point. The pair traded breaks midway through the opening set but Nadal was able to grab another service break and ultimately held to love to serve out the set. The second set began with the two easily holding serve until 2-2. Nadal in fact had won 16 straight service points in the match from when he broke serve at 4-3 in the first set. But all of a sudden the two looked extremely shaky behind the first delivery, with Nadal serving at only 25% for the entire set. He paid the price for this uncharacteristic piece of inconsistency with Djokovic nervously capitalising on his 6th set point to take the second 6-3. The Serb continued to ride the wave of momentum early on in the third, quickly taking advantage of Nadal's suddenly passive serving to snatch an early break. Once he was ahead, there was no stopping Nole who stormed home at a canter, taking the third set and the match, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. It marked the first time in six attempts that Djokovic had beaten Nadal in an ATP final. Oh how he would look back at that number with irony now in his Monte Carlo mansion hehe.

Nole all smiles after winning the Miami final over Nadal

Onto Miami now and it was pretty much a carbon copy of Indian Wells. Murray defeated by a lower ranked American? Check. Nadal, Djokovic and Federer in the semis? Check. Djokovic beating an out of ideas Nadal in the final? Check and mate. The biggest difference was the speed of the surface which was much slower in comparison. This was evident with good old Charly Berlocq reaching the third round and really pushing Berdych in that match. Murray decided again that the dilemma of who to pick at left midfield in his fantasy football team was more important than winning a tennis match. This time it was Alex Bogomolov Jr who benefitted, destroying the disinterested Scot 6-1, 7-5. Bogo is in the Dodig mould, not many weapons but has a workmans attitude and just goes out there and gets the job done. This time it was Federer and Nadal fighting it out for a place in the finals and unfortunately for Fed, it was same old same old, especially on a court such as this. Nadal uses the heavy topspin on his forehand to kick the ball out wide to Federer's backhand and then waits for the short reply and pounces. That is just how it goes for the pair in this environment, 6-3, 6-2 to Nadal. The second semi final was also a fairly one sided affair with Djokovic easily accounting for American Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-1. Nadal was no doubt sitting back in his hotel room watching Nole glide around the court with ease, dispatching effortless winners off both wings at will. Whatever the Spaniard was thinking, he certainly came out firing in the final the next day, quickly racing out to a 5-1 lead in the opening set before Djokovic could even beat his chest. The Serb regained his composure however, and reeled of three straight games to quickly put the pressure back on Nadal as he served out the set again at 5-4. Nole upped the ante and managed to get to 15-30, but Nadal stepped up with him and served his way out of trouble to close out the set. An early break at the beginning of the second ended up being enough for Djokovic to close it out. One set all and Nadal was thinking I've been here before. Both players were strong on serve in the third, with games going with the server all the way through to the tiebreak. Nadal had a slight sniff at 6-5 and 15-30 but Nole rapidly snuffed out the situation with powerful serving and solid baseline play. Into the tiebreak we go and it began with five consecutive mini breaks before Djokovic went ahead and consolidated on his own service, edging ahead 5-2. He then hit a glorious forehand winner down the line to set up four match points and he didn't look back, taking the match and the championship 4-6, 6-3 7-6(5) in over thee hours. It was an unbelievable start to the season for the Serbian who was now at 24-0 for the year and was looking in ominous form for his fellow counterparts as the tour moved across the Atlantic to the clay courts of Europe.