Full props to Roddick, he played a great game to the best of his abilities. Unfortunately he showed his lack of ability as a closer, a problem most tennis players have against Federer with the exception of Nadal, and missed opportunities cost him the title in an epic.
What a match. I was pulling for Fed of course, but Any played well. I thought it was a little tacky of Roger to have the warm up with "15" on the back. It was probably something Nike made him do. Anyway glad that Roger pulled it off.
No doubt that weakened Federer in the Australian Open 2008, but I think it's a stretch to argue that it affected him in last year's French, Wimbledon, this year's Australian (or last year's US, which he won). Roddick played the best match I've ever seen from him today; unlike in years past, he fought back after he choked two points in the second, and deserves a lot of credit. I don't get the Roddick-as-jerk sentiment. Check out the after-match interviews, especially 7:34 here: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ngs_2biNvqs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ngs_2biNvqs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Having a sweatshop worker sew in a gold filigree "15" on the back of your cardigan blouse, before the final even starts, is a sign of modesty? What kind of ***hole does that? A gold 15? Really?
Didn't see you mention that first, Franchise. Yeah, that move made me lose some respect for Federer. At least he wasn't wearing shoulder pads in his after-match ensemble, as per usual.
I'm glad Roddick has finally figured it out. He was resting on his god given talent for a long time. Hopefully this will be his Agassi moment and he can start winning.
I didn't see the match. I am stunned looking at the score. I actually feel bad for Roddick that he couldn't pull it off if he played Federer that well.
I would say the Nadal-Federer match had more suspense because every ball was a good rally that could've gone to anybody. Both Nadal and Federer hit amazing shots and covered the court so well in that match. This match was more of who could hold their serve. Roddick's serve was so powerful that if Federer could return it, Roddick would have a great advantage. On Federer's side, even though his serve isn't as good, he still has good velocity and placement that Roddick felt the same pressure on returns. If I had to explain it, I would say Nadal-Federer went down to the points. Roddick-Federer was games.
No way. It was a great match, but mostly just a showcase of serves. Federer had something like 46+ aces. The Nadal-Federer match last year was better because of the rallies.
i think federer is a gross douche. i was really hoping roddick would beat that irritating robot. great match though.
^^^ Thanks for the responses. I'll have to catch it on replay sometime. I failed thinking Federer would destroy him. I'm still shocked at the score.
Federer: "Don't feel too sad Andy, I lost this tournament last year." Andy: "Yeah, but I didn't win it 5 straight times before that." lol
Yes, but presumably Nike did not fly in its child labor / sew the thing in the twenty seconds between the end of the match and Federer putting that monstrosity on. Does anyone really think wearing a jacket with a gold "15" on it is in any way respectful of his opponents, humble, fashionable, or cool? Unless today was Federer's quinceanera, that was not befitting a champion of Federer's stature. Most people stop wearing their letterman's patches by their late teens, if not earlier.
def. catch the replay. most important point of the match was the unbelievable failure...tiebreaker 2nd set, roddick up 6-5 and serving. Great job setting up a bad shot by Federer extending on the sideline, leaving the entire court open. Roddick has a clean volley to literally anywhere on the court for a 2-0 set lead. And he chokes it. That's ignoring the fact that he was up 6-2...but really, 2 federer serves (he held) made it 6-4, and a great Fed shot made it 6-5. But he still choked it away. Amazed at Roddick's ability to come back from that. But yeah, it still wasn't on the level of last year's final. Like others said, Nadal and Federer had amazing rallies of multiple spectacular shots and returns. I think it has to do with Nadal's amazing athleticism and mobility--his ability to get so many would-be winners creates more rallies against a guy who hits so many would-be winners (Federer).
