Even better at losing

A genuinely shocking result today. Soderling was absolutely killing the ball, but Nadal was, as he pointed out, leaving too many short.

A few things: Nadal handled it very well, from a classy handshake with a player he dislikes to a classy press conference. No one will be thinking about Djokovic's loss now.

This loss also is a reminder how unbelievable Roger's string of 19 straight semifinal appearances is. So many things can go wrong in a tournament, and even a healthy Nadal on a bad day can lose to a hot player. If not for his mono last year, Roger might be shooting for his 16th straight final.

Lets hope he gets there this time. Nadal hopes so. From his presser:

"Federer is the favorite, in my opinion... Federer is my favorite.... If one guy deserves it, that's him."

monf!

Monfils earning a break of serve. Next up Roddick.

Better at losing

Nole continues to struggle in grand slam tournaments.  He has not reached a final since his breakthrough over a year ago.  But at least he did not retire from this one.  He is getting better at losing.  He still seems to have a strange sort of mental fragility to him.  But taking his lumps the right way might save him from the rain of criticism that has forced him to become defensive and a lot harder to like.

Well done

Roger's raised finger to his box may have been wishful thinking. But even Rafa was happy to congratulate him for a job well done:

Besides, the boys look so much happier when Roger wins:

Great playing by Roger yesterday. Lovely drop shots, attacking tennis, serving and persistent backhands down the line. And he showed good nerves when down two breakpoints in the final game.

okay

For the eternal optimist it is nice to see Roger back in a final against Rafa. Rafa has been looking forward to it too. From a recent interview with a Spanish newspaper. Lets hope he is right!

"When I beat Roger Federer in January, in Melbourne, in the final of the Australian Open, I felt an animal excitement. But afterwards, I felt an emptiness and a loneliness indescribable. As if I had no more aim/no more purpose. To me, Federer is still the number 1 in the world. I want to meet him again on court. I know he can beat me."

alone

Djokovic must have felt pretty lonely out there today trying to fend off another gutsy Rafa comeback in front of a Spanish crowd. Rafa seemed to wrong foot Djokovic for loopy winners on every big point at the end. Great stuff. Tennis is more interesting when Novak is playing with confidence.