So the finals day of the ATP/WTA Rogers Cup saw the finalists go at it to secure the Rogers Cup title in Toronto and Montreal.
Starting with the ladies, Serena Williams and Sam Stosur both played it out for the title there, but as predicted Serena proved to be too strong for Stosur, who came out strong in the first set but after being broken at 4-4 she never really got back into the match. So in the 2nd set Serena dominated the play with some very impressive shot making and Stosur had no answer for the 13 time grand slam champion, winning in 6-4 6-2. Overall it was not too bad a final but the end result was to be entirely expected, so much so I was even right with my own prediction of the scoreboard! But I must admit I'm not a big fan of Serena, over the years she has proved not to be such a popular champion with certain people, because of her attitude, and I do find her a bit smarmy, and if she wins she's all smiley and if she loses she its always moan moan moan. This I especially noticed in her pre match interview as she was very abrupt in her answers, while Sam Stour was very pleasant and polite in hers. Regardless though Serena has done incredibly well after coming back from a serious illness, and no doubt she is the best player in the world in the ladies game. Caroline Wozniacki maybe No.1 on the scoreboard but she has alot more to prove yet before she truly earns that mantel in achievement.
So that's the women, onto the men and what I expected to be a simple and easy final between Djokovic vs Mardy Fish turned out to be quite a tough encounter, as the World No.1 had to battle his way to grab his 27th title. The first set despite a few break point chances for Fish, Djokovic managed to hold on at 2-2 and broke Fish at 3-2 and eventually sealed it in 6-2, but in the second set Fish finally got the break and fought back to take the 2nd setin 6-3. But inevitably Djokovic managed to come back into the match and secured a break in the 3rd at 2-2, and closed it out after a tense final game, winning in 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. This win also marks a record as Djokovic has come the first player to win 5 ATP Masters 1000 titles in the same season, so no mean feat, its also his 9th title of the year, and I'm sure plenty more is to follow. But Djokovic really has worked hard to get to this stage in his career and he is a good ambassador for the sport, far more so I think than Serena Williams, as he comes across a nice guy and a good sportsman who respects his opponents and gives them credit, so he does deserve the titles without a doubt. And although I'm not his biggest fan, Mardy Fish also deserves alot of credit for giving such a good match in the final, and he also is playing some of his best tennis just now, so it will be interesting to see how he does in the future. I also laughed at a comment one interviewer made to Novak saying, why don't you do the other players on the tour a favour and take next week off in Cincinnati, and Djokovic laughed saying "well I'm not too sure about that, cos I want to play". Achhh well you can't blame the man for trying. ;-) Having said that, it is disheartening for the rest of the players on tour who try so hard to win a Masters title like Mardy Fish or even the select few top players who so badly want to win a grand slam, but are denied by that one player right at the top. Its certainly not Djokovic's fault, it boils down to hard work, a bit of luck, and above all confidence and self belief, which Djoko has in spades.
Anyway so next up for the ATP/WTA is the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati where the men and ladies will go at it again. No doubt the top seeds will bring their game to the proceedings, and I hope this time Andy, Roger and Rafa can put in better performances this time round, especially Andy, who needs to try and redeem himself after his early exit in the Rogers cup. In fact one fact I hadn't realised until last week was that Andy is yet to win not only a single match but also a single set in the ATP singles hard court season this year since after the Australian Open. This is definitely something he has to remedy in Cincinnati and hopefully he will, and his next opponent will be David Nalbandian the former World No.1 so he better be on his game for the Argentine. But if he does go out again in his first match most likely on Tuesday this week, then it does not bode well at all for the US Open round the corner. Perhaps though last year he did peak too soon in Toronto and then when it came to the US Open, he lost his way, but I just hope he doesn't make the same mistake this year, and Cincinnati has to be the starting point to make his way back into the winning circle. But we all know already who is going to win this title! ;-)
Right that's it for now.
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