Federer beats Nalbandian

Roger and Nalbandian go back a long way, coming up together through the juniors. And in the early days on the pro tour Nalbandian eclipsed Roger winning their first five encounters.

But then Fed won 8 of the next 9 matches. So Roger went into today's final in Basle with a slender 9-8 head to head record.

Today Federer denied Nalbandian a chance of equalling that record beating the Argentine 6-3 6-4 to secure his 57th career title. The key was Roger's serve (he only dropped 7 points on serve all match)

You can watch the final game below

Is this the break Federer needs to get back on track?

Roger Federer must be feeling pretty happy today. He may get mobbed every time he sets foot in the Olympic Village, and he may not get a chance to actually eat his food in the canteen, but he won’t care. Because the draw is out and it looks good.

Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray – the form player coming into the Olympics – are all in the other half of the draw. OK there are some players in Fed's half who have unexpectedly beaten him recently (step forward Simon and Karlovic) but I can’t imagine lightening will strike twice.

So provided he get’s through his first round encounter with the erratic hard hitting Tursunov, and possible encounters with Canas and Nalbandian, he should have a nice run to the final.

Compare that with Rafa who is likely to get Lleyton in the second round, Querrey or Andreev in the third, Murray in the quarters, and Djokovic in the semi. You wouldn’t bet against Nadal after his recent run, but he will deserve a medal if he comes through that lot.

You can read it here

UPDATE: It just gets better for Roger. Karlovic has pulled out due to illness. Plus, I think Nalbandian may actually be in the other half of the draw, not certain, as the draw document is not very user friendly.

Don't cry for me Argentina

In recent years it's always been a safe bet to assume that at least one Argentinian player would make to the second week of the French.

But after shock defeats for Canas (1st round) and Nalbandian (2nd round), plus defeats for Chela, Junqueira, Decoud, Del Potro, Gonzalez, and Vassalo Arguello (all 2nd round), and Berlocq and Roitman (both 1st round), along with Murray's fine victory against Acasuso, a lot is resting on Eduardo Schwank, the only Argentine left in the draw.

And he has a tough match in the third round against Paul-Henri Mathieu, who is on fire at the moment.

Still every cloud... The good news for Murray is that if (and given his inconsistency this year it remains a big if) he gets past Almagro rather than face Nalbandian in the 4th he'll either play Chardy or Tursunov. Which gives him a decent chance of a quarter final spot against Rafa...

Federer back on track

Wow, what a great week of tennis in Monte Carlo. Nadal may have defended his title but for me there was only one winner this week: Federer.

Roger has got his mojo back. Against Nalbandian, Djokovic, and Nadal he proved that in terms of confidence and fitness he's almost back to his superhuman best.

And in the final yesterday he showed again that he is more than capable of beating Nadal on clay - Can't believe he let the second set slip through his fingers - and he defended his points into the bargain.

Didn't see enough of the match to see if Drucker was on the money (he usually is) with his analysis of what Higueras will bring to Federer, but it's a great piece on how slice is the key to beating Rafa on clay.

Youtube highlights below

The big 4 are through…

… to the semi’s. Apparently it’s the first time since Cincinnati in 1999 that the top 4 seeds have made it through to the last four of a Masters Event.

Federer was impressive against Nalbandian, easily his best performance in 2008. The first set was full of brilliant, absorbing tennis, culminating in Nalbandian breaking Federer and serving out to win 7 – 5.

But the Argentine – who has a 8 – 8 head to head record with Federer - was unable to keep it up or stay with Federer when he upped his game to another level.

He is slowly getting back to his very best. Not there yet but enough signs to suggest he will be peak in time for the run from Wimbledon to New York.

But in the meantime he has another major test. Djokovic in the semi tomorrow afternoon. Can’t wait.

Highlights below thanks to Cosmicoz

Any excuse to show Tsonga v Nadal...

I love Indian Wells, the first Masters event of the year. By the time it comes around the Australian Open - one of my favourite Slams – is all but a distant memory, and the French and Wimbledon seem way off. So the tennis addict in me is crying out for some top quality action. And the draw for this year’s event doesn’t disappoint.

With the exception of the top 5 or 6 it’s always hard to predict who will go deep in a tournament, but if the results follow the seeding we are in for some great matches.

Unlike in Dubai, Federer has an easier route to the later stages of the tournament, with a bye in the first round, Roitman or Garcia-Lopez in second round, and probably Robredo or Tipsarevic in the third. And then it gets interesting with a possible clash with either Murray or Roddick in the quarter final and then one from Nalbandian, Youzhny, Davydenko in the semi.

In the bottom half of the draw we have Nadal - the defending Champion - who is scheduled for a re-match with Tsonga in the fourth round, Gasquet in the quarters, and then Djokovic in the semi. Nadal v Tsonga was one of my favourite matches at this year's Australian so fingers crossed for a re-match. In the meantime it gives me the perfect excuse (as if I need it) to post some footage of Tsonga whipping Rafa in Melbourne.

Will also be good to watch the progress of the likes of Isner (who has Davydenko in the second round), Querry (who has Hewitt in the second round), and Nishikori and Cilic who play each other in the first round. Bring it on.

Play of the week

Mercedes ATP Play of the week. Jose Acasuso v Nalbandian. A controversial choice. I'm surprised they didn't go for any one of a number of superb points by Murray against Federer, but hey the judges decision is final...

Just when you think Nalbandian has the point nailed Acasuso unleashes a killer passing shot. You can watch it here.