With the rain delay going on now at the Sony Ericsson Open, I thought I would just post some brief thoughts on the recent action (or lack thereof). For some reason, it feels like this event is just now getting started even though it’s been in full swing for a week.
Where is Federer?
Is it me or does it feel like Federer is MIA in Miami? He finally did play on Friday and is scheduled for today against Florent Serra but it doesn’t feel like the event is hyping him or even mentioning him that much. Whatever the case, Federer seems to be keeping a low profile on and off the courts. Maybe this is all part of his new condensed schedule which has him showing up only when he absolutely has to. But I guess when you are the “GOAT”, you’ve earned that right.
Nadal Wants It Bad.
What struck me most about Rafael Nadal’s 6-7(8), 6-2, 6-2 win over David Nalbandian was the intensity and effort Nadal put into his facial expressions after each point. I mean we’re used to that from Rafa, but it just felt really amped up. Granted it was a tough match and Nadal played great and not so great at times but I was struck by how much he would pump his fist or tell himself to come on after a winning point.
Perhaps with his surprising loss to Ivan Ljubicic at Indian Wells last week and with Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic out of the picture, Nadal knows he needs a title win at Miami more than ever.
The Re-Changing of the Guard.
Despite their recent early round losses, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin appear to be back on track to resume their ascendancy up the ranks of the WTA. Today’s matches will say a lot about which way the WTA is going as Clijsters will take on last year’s winner Victoria Azarenka while Henin will square off against Vera Zvonareva. These should be tough matches for both Belgians, but if both get through, then it would suggest the young guard of “Vika and Bepa” may have seen their chances to become “one-name” stars slip just a bit. However if the Belgians lose, it could say they still have a long road ahead against the “young guns” of the game.
And finally, on the fashion front, kudos to Nadal for dropping the “old man” shorts that he tried out in Indian Wells in favor of his new lemon-drop attire and much props to Venus Williams who many think still “can-can” win Miami.
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