Here we go

Finally Roger and Rafa play their first slam final on hardcourts. It is hard to imagine it living up to the Wimbledon final in terms of the suspense and the drama. But with Roger in top form, and the surface encouraging both shotmaking and defense, there is great potential for the actual tennis, in the sense of the quality of the points, to be better. This should be good.

Same as ever

Roger has now made it to 19 straight semi-finals in grand slams. The demise of several of the guys who were anticipated to surpass him this year remind us of several the ways something can go wrong -- bad conditioning or a bad day (Djokovic) or you run into a hot player (Murray). To have been so consistent for over four years now is a testament to Roger's ability to find ways to win.

As Del Potro put it after their match: "He's Roger Federer. If you don't be good, you lose."

Roger looked like his old self against Del Potro, though delpo did make it pretty easy to step in and rip winners. Meanwhile Rafa looks as good as ever. In the past he has wilted in hardcourt grandslam semi's. I don't think he will this year.

long night, one hopes

If the tennis goes long enough tonight in Australia it will be possible to wake up early and see Roger play Safin with your coffee here on the east coast.

In 2005 they played a classic semifinal in Australia where Roger had match point but tried a between the legs shot and missed. Marat went on to win the tournament.

Safin, who tends to call Roger "the Federer," reflected on the match: "His life has changed and it didn't go too bad. He won a couple of grand slams afterwards, and me, I got injured,... so we went in different ways.... I want to be in his shoes."

Haircut

Fuzzy has been growing out his hair all fall so he can flick it out of his eyes between points like Roger. But Roger cut his hair short for the Aussie Open. He looks about seven years younger.

Stalking Rafa

It should be a very exciting Aussie Open. Djokovic came within a match of passing Roger for the #2 ranking this week. Roger will, I believe, bring the same intensity we saw at the US Open. And Murray is playing out of his head.

When was the last time we looked at a draw and did not wonder whether Rafa or Roger got stuck with Djokovic? With Murray playing so well there will be three guys looking to catch up to Rafa before the clay season comes and he becomes untouchable again.

Wii

Not counting exibitions, Roger's season is off to a fine start. Fuzzy has uncovered this photo of Roger practicing off season, which could help explain why.