Federer wins in Shanghai

With an awesome display of racquet control and accurate serving, Roger Federer dominated Rafa Nadal to win the title in Shanghai.   As noted before in this blog, Federer occasionally produces tennis that simply goes beyond great play into a realm that most players don’t even think about entering, thereby to produce matches for the ages.  Such was the case in this match, where Nadal, who has been virtually unbeatable since Cincinnati in the middle of the summer, was totally outplayed (to get a feel for the level of Roger’s hand-eye skills, take a look at the backhand he hit to break Nadal in the first game of the match).  Federer’s new racquet has led to a better second serve and a backhand that anyone, even Stan Wawrinka, would envy.   The racquet has allowed Federer’s mind boggling talents to manifest themselves more consistently, and as a result, even Nadal, himself an other-worldly player, cannot cope with them. 

Perhaps lost in this amazing final was the overall high level of play in this tournament.   Commentators often note that at this time of year players can be tired and prone to playing less than their best tennis.  That was not the case here, where Nadal, Federer, Dimitrov, del Potro and Cilic all played marvelous tennis.  Matches to look back at include the Dimitrov encounter with Nadal (one of the year’s best), del Potro’s matches with Sasha Zverev and Federer, and Cilic’ straight set loss to Nadal.  In my opinion the play overall in this tournament was the best of all the Masters 1000 events this year.

Another take home message was, once again, the weather conditions.  Early in the week the weather was dangerously hot and humid.   Please, ATP, add a weather break after the second set for the men, as is done for the women when the weather is this brutal!

Shanghai happenings

The Shanghai Rolex Masters is the only 1000 event in Asia, and all of the active “big guns” are there.  Here are some highlight events.

1)  The weather.  The weather at the start of the tournament was brutal, with temperatures in the 90’s and humidity in the mid 80’s.  These conditions forced Jack Sock to retire from his match, and led to a 6-0 final set loss by Denis Shapovalov in his match with Victor Troicki.  As pointed out on this blog before, the planet is getting warmer, and the risk of heat stroke, a potentially fatal decompensation that results from excessive heat exposure, is increasing.  I’ve suggested before that the men, like the women, should be given a 10 minute break after the second set if conditions are so difficult.  Let’s hope the ATP is considering it.

2)  Kyrgios flops.  Nick Kyrgios got the worst of an errant line call in his match with Steve Johnson, and responded with unsportsmanlike conduct and verbal abuse of a spectator, after which he walked off the court at the end of the first set.  If Kyrgios can’t handle the pressure of high level competition better that that, he will always be a journeyman player.  Only grownups reach the top of the tour.

3)  Nadal looks awesome.  Rafa Nadal has dominated his opponents throughout the Asian tour, and his performance this far in Shanghai has been truly awesome.  He is doing everything well, and has been in total command of his matches.  Looks unbeatable.

4)  Federer is well, Federer.  Roger Federer decided to play in this tournament, and has elected to travel to the venue on the subway system.  He waits in line to buy his subway tickets like everyone else.  Other passengers have enjoyed chatting with him while he’s on his way to work, and he seems as affable as ever while socializing with them.  There will never be another one like Roger!