Roger Federer came to Melbourne for the year’s first grand slam – with “insufficient” match practice. At the beginning of the year he choose not to play at the Qatar Open, despite being the defending champion. His only real-match preparation for the Aussie Open was the Kooyong Classic, an exhibition tournament. And after wins over Radek Stepanek ( a tough three-setter) and Marat Safin, he lost in the final to Andy Roddick. Any other player would not classify such a lead-up before a slam as a good warm-up. But Roger Federer is not exactly any other player, is he?

He reached Melbourne with limited match practice, and yet won the title in élan beating Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in straight sets - 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, 6-4. What was remarkable was the way Federer dismantled Roddick in the semi-finals, here was a guy who is arguably the second best male tennis player on the planet and Federer dismissed him from his presence in three straight sets. ( with so much ease)

Gonzalez was in fine form himself, reaching the finals with some splendid victories over Hewitt, Blake and Nadal. He has a great forehand, which is considered by many as the best in the game and it did justify its reputation until it was asked to stand-up to Federer. Federer clinched the title after winning all his matches in straight sets and only Gonzalez managed to have set points (2 of them in the first set) against him.

The signs are not getting any better for Federer’s opponents. The world no.1 is showing no signs of slowing down or letting go (he plans to play till the London Olympics in 2012) and is actually improving his game as vouched by Roddick after FedEx beats him in four sets to win the 2006 U.S. Open. He has added a sting to his volleys and hits the backhand – he slices, hits flat and hits with topspin – with equal venom. Federer has now set his eyes on the French Open, the slam that has eluded him till now and if all goes as expected he could face “King of Clay” Rafael Nadal in the finals.

Related Post: Grace, is thy name Federer?

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