A Look Back

As many tennis fans will likely agree, the last few weeks have been dragging. The US Open marked the end of an invigorating tennis season (minus the Davis Cup and a few minor tournaments still to come). While the Aussie Open commences January 19^th I suppose, at best, we can look back on a year of brilliant tennis and decide for ourselves what we loved and what we loathed. I've been doing some reflecting in light of this year's roller coaster of an Open and came up with my most beloved and significant moments in recent United States Open history.

#5 – First Match, First Tantrum
In 1977 John McEnroe played his first ever first round match at the US Open. The match itself was not spectacular (in fact, I cannot even recall the opponent). However, during this contest, McEnroe received his first US Open conduct violation: a custom he used to tarnish his entire graceful career.

#4 – The Straw that Broke the Camel's Back (err, the Tennis Player's Back)
1981, just as the few years prior, was a splendid one for Björn Borg. He was beautifully winning Roland Garros but was coming to the '81 Open final with a thirst for the crown. Just months before, Borg had been defeated by young nemesis John McEnroe to lose his Wimbledon crown; halting the quest for an unseen sixth consecutive championship trophy. Borg again met McEnroe in the final in New York and, as in London, took the first set 6-4. McEnroe, though, went on to rally back and defend his title. This marked only the beginning for the affectionately deemed "Spoiled Brat" as he would go on to win tournaments through 1992. The 1981 loss broke the Ice-Borg and Björn would never play another Grand Slam tournament again.

#3 – Bowing Out in Style
After 33 tournaments without a title, a ranking drop to 17 and straight sets loses in the past two years' Open finals, the 31-year-old Pete Sampras knew his time might be coming to an end in 2002. He again reached the final, but this time saw a familiar face across the court: none other than long time rival Andre Agassi. Two veterans took the stage with Pistol Pete coming out on top of the four set novelty. Though not formally announced until 12 months thereafter, Sampras ended his career with this 14^th Grand Slam victory.

#2 – Back and Makin' History
Perhaps it is premature to lump in an instance from this past event, but we cannot overlook Roger Federer's superb fortnight show to win his sole major title of 2008 and become the only man to win two different Grand Slams, each five consecutive times. After an un-Federer-like year, Roger was able to quiet the critics and play at a level, especially in the final, that would have handily beaten anybody. Not as if he hadn't already, but the Swiss proved his name to be worthy of the history books.

#1 – Americans at the Open
No commemorative match list is complete without a mention of the epic Sampras-Agassi 2001 quarterfinal that lasted 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 without even one break of serve. This was a moment where the two most lovely Americans became ignited at the US Open. By the end, both were drenched in sweat and physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. The largest court in the world witnessed possibly the largest display of will that has yet to be recreated by any contender.

King, not Prince

Roger Federer entered this year's US Open as a public underdog. His less than perfect year had the press asking if he could win this again. The Swiss owned the US Open four years in a row and you're asking if he can do it again?! Nonsense. Of course he can! Why would you ever consider the #2 player in the world out of contention? This season, Roger has merely shown himself to be human like the rest of us. How dare we assume his unprecedented dominance to be over just because he didn't win Wimbledon or Rolland Garros?

Well, Federer nicely shut the critics up with his 111-minute dismissal of young Andy Murray to win his fifth consecutive US Open title and made history by doing so. Only Roger has been able to dominate two separate major tournaments for five straight years. He has shown that many were much too quick to write him off. Even US Open match analyst Matt Cronin had predicted the inexperienced Murray to push Federer to five sets and that Federer would have as hard of a time as he's had against Nadal. Some prediction...

There isn't much to say about the match itself. Murray didn't play as well as he did to get there, but it wouldn't have made a bit of difference anyway. Federer's legendary forehand did not disappoint him and thrashed every short ball Murray threw in. The Swiss, who served at an astounding 79%, played a close to perfect match and, in Murray's own words "set the record straight."

Federer may still end the year at #2, but things are certainly getting back to normal.

Final Four

Nadal, Murray, Djokovic and Federer: the four most favoured men to reach the semifinals of the US Open did indeed live up to that expectation and met on Saturday to battle for the coveted spots in the final. Even though Nadal and Murray played their quarterfinal matches on Wednesday, they were scheduled to play the late session after Federer an Djokovic woke the stage. Federer, looking to defend his title, came out to dismiss Nole as he did so handily last year. Lucky for Roger, the Serb didn't seem come out with a vengeance to win. Djokovic, who had turned the New York audience against him just days ago, played a somewhat sloppy first set, giving the sharp Swiss every opportunity to take his shots (which he did to quickly take the set 6-3). Novak realised, then, what he was playing for and blew his way to a 4-2 lead in the second before Federer could break back to even it at 5 all. Federer could not gain ground though and lost the set 5-7.

The play of the match, by far, came in the third set. Djokovic, who was serving, had hit a powerful overhead that appeared to be just out of Federer's reach. He was 7 feet behind the baseline, on the run and saw Novak coming to net -- if Roger were even going to get to the ball, an error would have been expected. Instead, he jumped up (scissor-kicking!) and carved the ball over Djokovic's head, landing just inside the baseline: a shot the Swiss champion had invented days ago against Andreev. Such beauty, such perfection. Thereon, Federer was on cruise control and easily went on defeat the 3rd seed and enter himself into a match for the title.

The other side of the draw saw Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. Neither was a strong favourite against or over the other but the crowd immediately got behind Rafa as tennis fans were longing for another Federer-Nadal, epic, final. Despite that, Murray showed that he came to play. He had nothing to lose; this was his first grand slam semi and he was fighting for his first grand slam final. Andy had already topped his career performances and so now everything became icing on the already scrumptious cake.

The nerves may have plagued the Spaniard though, as he had never gotten past the quarters in New York, and could not play to the level we were used to seeing. Instead of stepping in to jump on Murray's serves he stood far away and just blocked every ball back, allowing the Scot to move forward and direct a winner wherever he'd like. Murray took every one of these opportunities, charging the net and powerfully flicked balls to the empty court. Andy, interestingly, received Nadal's serves from well behind the baseline and moved inside it after taking a full swing. Andy ran Rafa all over the court, fully exhausting him and was victorious in four sets, stretched over two days.

And so it's set: Federer vs. Murray. Though Murray comes in with a winning record over Federer (2-1), Roger was the obvious bet. He has made it to 18 consecutive semifinal grand slams and was playing the type of tennis which had given him his invincibility status. In fact, if Federer were to win this US Open, he will be the only player, ever, to have a winning streak of 5 years in a row for two different grand slam tournaments.

However, we are reminded of the 2000 Open final when the heart favourite, Pete Sampras met the Russian, Marat Safin. Safin, like the current Murray, had never appeared in a major final but went on to beat the American son. On an odd Monday night final, will Federer make history? Or will the pang of the past repeat itself?

Harrowing

No matter if you love Federer, hate him with a passion or really couldn't care less to see his smooth strokes, you were nervous during his 4th round match against 23rd seed Igor Andreev. I didn't even watch the battle and my heart was racing! When I saw the numbers change on my double-paneled computer screen to put the Russian up 3-0 in the first set (Federer being broken in less than a minute on his first service game) all I could think was: who are you and why are you beating my buddy Roger? Of course, he's not really my buddy, but that's always the thought when he plays: he's a friend and we're rooting for him, or at least expecting him to have an easy time winning. It's very different with Nadal who is obviously, constantly, working for every point; putting forth so much energy to run down a ball when he's up 40-0. Federer coasts along and if need be throws in an ace to erase break point. It's a difference of style and it's a difference of personality. It's why each of us loves either Roger or Rafa. Not both.

Anyway, initial worries were alleviated when Federer broke back to force a first set tiebreak, but was not able to stop Igor from taking it 7-5. That's okay: losing a set in a tiebreak is respectable, and it's even somewhat dictated by luck. He'll just step up his game and win the next three straight. No fuss.

Wrong! Neither player could break and found himself at yet another tiebreak. This time Federer came out on top and made this match a best of 3. The third set was what we all were waiting (and hoping) for. The Roger we knew and loved was back, going up an easy 5-2 and then held to win the set 6-3 in just 29 minutes. It was all but over. The perfect Swiss could just ride this momentum into the fourth set to send Andreev packing. Little did he, or we, know the Russian was ready to fight. He broke Federer to go up 4-1 and then took the fourth set 6-3, to even out the score, exactly.

A fifth set. Expected from Djokovic, Murray, even Nadal - but not our Federer. Regardless, he played it perfectly, getting the early break and keeping it to win, 6-3. In retrospect, Roger claimed to enjoy being part of the "dog fight" but I suspect he just enjoyed the outcome.