if HE wasn't chasing history

Shorn of the pressure that weighs quite heavily on his shoulder these days, Federer stepped it up against Roddick today. The forehand was fit and firing and the backhand was its versatile self. With 83% of his first serves falling in, they were hardly needed during his service games. But with his opponent not serving "from a tree" during this match, they took over most of the return games he played. As always, they served as very effective point ending weapons from the baseline, but surprisingly, also as genuine approach shots to abet his frequent forays to the net. Once there, he pulled off most of the volleys he had to make with a few of them quite spectacular. On a couple of instances, with Roddick coming in by chipping low, he positioned himself mid-court and delightfully slanted it past the outstretched racket of Andy. That was court craft at its very best.

Attacking the net has not been a part of Federer's gameplan for a long time now. Whether it was the case today because it was an inconsequential match, or whether it forebodes what is to come against Nadal, we will soon find out. He certainly cannot have the same success rate against Nadal. Today, even on those occasions that Roddick had a decent look at a passing shot, he mostly failed. It was apparent that his powerful topspins did not present much of a problem to Federer's volleys. Roddick needed to pass Federer with guile and precision rather than with power, but based on what I saw today, and also recollecting from memory, he does not seem to have that ability.

Nadal though, will be a totally different proposition. First, he will have that extra bit of time to hit his passes, and then, he can hit a loaded, killer angle pass from anywhere on court. Federer knows that very well and will adjust accordingly. But it was good to see him exhibit some rock solid volleying in match conditions. In spite of the aforementioned hazards, it should stand him in good stead for the semifinals.

Speaking of which, it is too bad that it is going to be a 3 set affair, for a Nadal - Federer matchup deserves more, but then, whoever wins will most likely be playing a best of 5 sets match with a right handed version of Nadal the very next day. So, this seems fair.