post sov

It was a very strange final today in Monte Carlo -- with its surplus of service breaks and wild swings of momentum. It resembled a match between the sort of mentally fragile (but technically sound) women from the old soviet bloc that have lately dominated the WTA more than a match between the two best players of the new millennium.

Still it was lots of fun to watch. At least until Roger's collapse at the end. His brilliant run to 4-0 in the second was the highlight of the year thus far. His collapse was disappointing. But it also brought to mind what is so interesting about the clay season in this era of unbelievable winners. Both Roger and Nadal had many more errors than winners today -- just like the typical club player. And Rafa dug his way back in today in just the way we do on courts all over the world -- hit it as deep as you can to the backhand over and over again.

Matches like today offer some great tennis. But they also remind us of what we have in common with tennis players everywhere, even Roger and Rafa.

God bless whoever this Justin is who runs "Justin TV." It offered a free stream of passable quality today and saved a lot of us a frustrating morning.