Hi Rogerians, of course wished we could have ended the tournament in celebration today but not meant to be, though it would have been close. I am not offering excuses as a full-blown Roger fan but Rogers been playing the night matches all week where the ball is slower. Players might have some trouble adjusting to the afternoon heat like today, in a final. Just unfortunate it was Roger today who just lost his feel on court. Tsongas been playing the earlier matches more during the week. Tsonga held his nerves well and when Roger played that error in that crucial moment in that tie-break, our stomachs churned and feared the worst. He hasnt been making those shots in all those 2 sets and that was a pretty risky one to make in the tie-break. It would have been different if Roger had taken the first set but Tsonga was just determined to take his chances and sensing all the Unforced Errors that Roger was making today, he knew this was his best chance ever to take it in straights. I just had faith that if Roger had taken that second set, his game would have returned and the errors minimised and we would have gone on to win the 3rd, just my gut feeling. But then, this is tennis, always unpredictable, can cause ripples of happiness one moment and bring you down in despair at the very next point. Roger just with too many unforced errors today at moments where it mattered so much and Tsonga winning so many points on his first serves (the follow-ups) though he wasnt serving that well esp. in that 1st set. Both actually did not bring their A game to the courts today but Tsonga held on where it mattered and had a better feel of the court. Rogers been playing so well all week that most of us expected so much of him (the usual!) Rogers groundstrokes just let him down today but the net play today was such a marvel to behold! Magical! The brilliant shot making of Tsonga at junctures and Rogers anticipation and volleys, so Edberg-like at times, its frightening :P I was at the edge of my seat in that 2nd set at 3-4 and then at 4-5 and at match point but I saw the grit and determination on Rogers face, refusing to give up, knowing that today he wasnt playing his best tennis, his confidence was low, his frustration was high, he was getting angry and mad at himself for all those uncharacteristic errors he was making time and again, more disappointed because hes been playing so well all week. I half-expected the old Tsonga to surface towards the end, the one who misses a match-point and whose thoughts start to crumble at times, it nearly happened but Roger made things easy for him with the errors thus not applying the pressure enough. And the last point just about sums up the match today, it was an error-ridden match by Roger, the forehand and backhand all taking turns but his play at the net was so beautiful to see, at times jaw-dropping. Quoting Roger,Tsonga is one of the guys that “you think you’re in a safe place sometimes in the rally, and he takes one step and, you know, just hits it and the point is over.” Tsonga, with all his injuries and self-doubts in his tennis career, couldnt have pick a better time to take this title. He has worked hard to get back on top and knowing that Roger and Tsonga are such good friends off-court, it was reassuring to see him and Tsonga sharing so many light moments and laughter during the presentation ceremony. It sort of lessen my disappointment. Did you see the awkward way he kissed the trophy and how the reporters were asking him to pose with the trophy in various ways? Some might not like his trademark Muhammad Ali celebratory style but thats Tsonga, hes never fake, really friendly in real life, never cocky and very respectful of Roger. It couldnt have happened to a better guy today. On to Cincy, Roger! Better things to come!
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 05:37:27 +0000
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