Western & Southern Open, Cincinnati

Thus was the quarterfinal match between Federer and Murray at this year’s Western and Southern Open, at least on paper.

Both members of the famed “top four club” for many years; the other members being Rafa (Rafael Nadal-ESP) and Nole (Novak Djokovic-SRB). The once dominant top four seems to be a thing of the past.  The only thing that is absolute about tennis is that change in the leaderboard is inevitable. The thrill for us fans is anticipating how long before that change will occur.  It is possible that the change is occurring as we speak because there seems to be more cracks appearing in that veneer of dominance.

Neither player performed at their best; although there were spots of brilliant play, there was an inexplicably high percentage of forehand volley errors by Federer and Murray’s groundstrokes kept finding the net.  The winner would be the one who overcame the obstacle of his shaky confidence.

And that was [CR3] Roger Federer (SUI), winning 6-3, 7-5.  Although [CR9] Andy Murray (GBR) had a double break lead in the second set, uncertainty got the better of him and he crumbled.  Murray subsequently lost his serve in two consecutive games and watched helplessly as Federer evened the set at 4-all and the rest is history.