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.

Mac redux?

The cruelest part of my childhood was watching the long slow decline of my hero McEnroe after his magical year in 1984. I became superstitious and jumpy from watching him lose to lesser players. From '86 to '88 I was convinced I was bad luck for him and would not watch him play.


I dread the possibility of having the same experience with Roger in the coming years. I hope it won't happen. Roger is a less tempermental champion, and I am a less tempermental fan. I have high hopes for him next year.

Gutting

A brutal weekend for Argentina, and their emotional top ranked player del Potro, who went down with an injury. Fuzzy sympathizes with his friends down there. It would have been stirring to see Nalbadian summon the heart to push all those extra pounds around the court and win it in a fifth match today, but it was not to be.

David

For those who wish that Nalbandian would live up to his talent more often, they should remember the satisfaction of days like yesterday when he destroyed Ferrer. It is much more exciting to see David at his incredible best -- Federer believes he has the best strokes in the game -- when we know that he is capable of his inexplicable worst at any moment.

With Del Potro injured, the Davis Cup finals would appear to rest on David's shoulders -- well rounded thanks to his Argentine love of red meat.

Having traveled down to Buenos Aires to slide around on their gorgeous red clay, it is a little sad to see David working his magic on carpet. But it probably helped him yesterday. Against a slicing, charging Lopez on Sunday things could be more interesting.