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Monday, September 11, 2006
Federer stakes major claim to greatness
Roddick no hurdle en route to 3rd straight title
By Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle
New York
--
Seldom has a two-week period brought such rich perspective to the sport
of tennis. The U.S. Open began with Billie Jean King's name attached to
the National Tennis Center and moved quickly to the Andre Agassi saga.
For a pleasant spell on Sunday, Martina Navratilova was given a
heartfelt farewell in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
So much for the past and the last
vestiges of glory. Roger Federer's performance in the men's final was
an earth-shaking testament to contemporary brilliance. His 6-2, 4-6,
7-5, 6-1 dismissal of Andy Roddick, crafted in swirling winds under a
gloomy overcast, carried that frightening element only the greatest
performances convey.
For the better part of an hour, Roddick
was competing on even terms. Suddenly, Federer was vulnerable. And then
Roddick was gone, merely a little poof of dust in Federer's wake. It's
one thing to have the great Jimmy Connors on your side, looming in a
courtside box for inspiration. It's another to take on history. There
is a growing suspicion that Roddick's conqueror is the greatest player
of all time.
It will take Federer's retirement to
yield a proper judgment, but consider this: When measuring Federer
against the legends, forget that "Open era" distinction (1968 on) so
common to the debates. No man ever pulled off the Wimbledon-U.S. Open
double three times in a row -- not Bill Tilden, not Don Budge, not Rod
Laver. To do it once is the accomplishment of a lifetime. Three times
is just plain ridiculous, and that's where Federer stands alone. (Helen
Wills was the only woman to do so, from 1927 through '29.)
Maybe that's why Tiger Woods became such
an animated spectator as Federer, ever in character, sensed the kill
and steamrolled to his ninth major championship. Sitting in the first
row of Federer's box, Woods had been supremely cool all day, just a guy
in jeans and a simple white shirt, cap on backward, not particularly
noticeable. But now he was applauding, earnestly, with the occasional
"Come on, Rog." These two guys barely know each other, but they share
things even brothers wouldn't understand.
Linked in the corporate world by Nike and
the International Management Group, Federer and Woods were going to be
featured together, eventually, whether they liked it or not. But as
Federer said, "It was great. This was the first time we've really had a
chance to chat. It's funny how he knows exactly how I feel on the
court. A guy who feels invincible at times, sensing that nothing can go
wrong anymore. Like Tiger in the final round, I guess."
There certainly was much to admire in
Roddick's display, in its way, among the best of his career. Reeling
from a first set that left even the most ardent Federer watchers in
awe, Roddick responded with his newfound confidence and was dead even
at 5-5 in the third set. But after a routine hold by Federer,
everything changed. Roddick opened his service game with a shanked
forehand into the net, and soon it was 0-40, the entire afternoon
hanging in the balance.
Roddick managed an ace for 15-40, then
uncorked a titanic serve that forced Federer into a desperate, lunging
backhand. Somehow he floated it back. Roddick smoked a forehand down
the line. Federer answered with a delicately sliced backhand, and when
Roddick netted his backhand volley, the set was gone -- along with the
drama. Federer's punishing blitz to the title was stunning to behold.
"For a while, there wasn't much between
us," Roddick said. "I was right there with him, you know? I'm
disappointed, but I'm also proud of the two weeks I had here. I can't
wait to spend the off-season working with Jimmy (Connors) for an
extended period of time."
Connors couldn't be more ready. He was
almost defiant in the players' lounge afterward, especially when he
overheard Roddick say in the interview room, "I just want to keep doing
it. If I lose to Roger in eight Grand Slam finals, that's fine."
"No!" Connors said. "That's B.S., and you
can quote me. Andy's a gentleman to say that, but there are three men
in the mix now, make no mistake. I want to give Andy the attitude where
he doesn't care who he plays. He's going to be winning Grand Slam
titles in a year or two, and hang on for the ride! I hope you enjoy it
as much as I'm going to."
Hey, if you say so, Jimmy. For heaven's
sake, Roddick was a lost soul just six weeks ago. Now he looks like No.
2 in the world, or at least someone ready to face any player on even
terms.
Reporters were eager to get Woods' take
on things, and he spoke very briefly as he hastily left the building.
"Roger is awesome at what he does," said Tiger, smiling. "He gets it
done."
"With his mind, too?" someone asked.
"Of course."
Federer, meanwhile, has a secret plan.
"I'm going to show up at every Grand Slam Tiger plays and get him
back," he said, trying to keep a straight face. "Just when he's about
to win, 18th green, I'll be standing there."
As opposed to lying flat on his back,
which was Federer's posture after this comprehensive victory. Only
Bjorn Borg earned his ninth major quicker than Federer (22 Grand Slams
to 30), who broke out of his tie with Connors, Andre Agassi, Ivan
Lendl, Fred Perry and Ken Rosewall on the all-time list. Federer became
the first man to win three straight U.S. Opens since Lendl in 1987, and
he also produced 69 winners against only 19 unforced errors, an amazing
ratio.
So what was it like, lying there in the
middle of the court? "A great moment, once again," Federer said. "I
deserved to lie down (laughter). It felt great, you know, just lying on
the floor alone. It was good. Very comfortable. Thank God I didn't
injure myself."
It seems that on top of everything else,
the once-stoic Federer is becoming a pleasure in the interview room, as
well. He seems more comfortable with himself than ever before, a man in
search of levity. The evolution of this champion is something very
close to perfection.
Rollin' along
Most major men's singles titles:
Pete Sampras 14
Roy Emerson 12
Bjorn Borg 11
Rod Laver 11
Bill Tilden 10
Roger Federer9
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