I actually started writing this post in the middle of the second set of the Federer-Nadal French Open final, and it was evident then that Rafael Nadal would be winning his fourth French Open title.

We all know that Roger Federer is a slow starter. And no matter how bad he plays early in a match, he always recovers to win it convincingly. But what I saw earlier was not the Roger Federer I came to idolize. He was clearly being routed by Rafael Nadal in one of the most lopsided finals matches between the two. I had to turn off the TV because I couldn't bear to watch. I had to be content with following the match with real-time scores online. And even there, I could sense how the master of clay was beating my idol.

6-1, 6-3, 6-0. That doesn't look like the score at a Grand Slam final. It actually looks like a first round score, with Nadal beating one of the unseeded qualifiers. What has happened to Roger? Is it just the surface, or is this the start of his downfall? Many observers, however, will say that this French Open final was not about Federer playing badly but Rafael Nadal playing magnificently. And, from what I saw in the first two sets, I have to agree (reluctantly). The king of clay was hitting the ball consistently and his stamina is amazing, tirelessly running after every ball. It must have been so frustrating for Roger to see the ball coming back across the net even after hitting what he thought were sure winners!

Roger should forget about this and focus on defending his Wimbledon crown next month. It's his favorite surface, the best suited for his game. I hope he makes it six in a row. That would be a fitting prelude for another goal of his this year, an Olympic gold medal in Beijing. But that's still two months ahead. For now, I wish him all the luck in his Wimbledon defense.

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French Open final: Nadal beats Federer again

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