Roger Federer meets the press following his loss to Andy Murray in the final
Sunday’s Must Win
After losing in the 2010 Australian Open final, the second Grand Slam final Murray played and lost to Roger Federer (The other being the 2008 US Open final), Murray famously broke down in tears. He then went into a months-long funk, producing disappointing results and showing a negative attitude on court. Clearly, losing big finals to Roger Federer (Murray’s other final loss to Federer was in his first ATP final at Bangkok in 2005) has been getting to Murray.
This week, however, Murray has been a better player than everyone else, only losing one set, with a bizarre 0-6 scoreline to Gael Monfils in the Third Round. Federer has struggled in his last two matches, and if he came in as a favorite, it was on rank and accolades alone. This is why having won the final, 7-5, 7-5, puts Murray into the frontrunner position among US Open favorites, and losing it could have signaled another bout of mediocrity for the Brit.
Sunday’s Speed Gun
Federer fought hard to save the match up until the last game, but Murray provided some clutch to deny the Swiss. Down break point, the Scot hit the biggest serve of his career, at around 140 miles per hour.
Andy Murray serves to Roger Federer
Sunday’s Hardship
Times are tough, and no more so than for top tennis players who want to win a Grand Slam title. After beating both Nadal and Federer this week, Murray said, “Roger and Rafa are two of the best … I think they will be the two best rivals ever. I don't think that will be in question by the end of both of their careers. So it's a tough era, but it's also something that is exciting and challenging, and that's why I think, if you can do it, it makes it a much, much greater achievement. So hopefully I can give myself a good shot at the US Open.”
Sunday’s Fair Trade
If you noticed that Paul Annacone was missing from Roger Federer’s box during the final, don’t fret. Federer has not fired Annacone, yet. The coach, who is still under contract with Great Britain’s LTA, had to watch the match at a neutral location, with his Swiss pupil facing a Brit.
Sunday’s Who Says There Are No Americans in the Top 10?
Bob and Mike Bryan beat Frenchmen Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra, 7-5, 6-3, to win the doubles title. The victory puts them back on top of the individual doubles rankings; however, they continue to trail perennial competitors Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic in the team chart. This is the twins’ third ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Canada title.
Sunday’s Lesson
Something the US Open can learn from Rogers Cup Toronto – when the rain is light, bring out towels and blowers on court while it is drizzling. That way, the moisture does no settle on the courts and they will be dry for play much quicker.
Sunday’s May I Have Another?
Overhead at the transportation desk, volunteer driver to Bob Bryan: “You’re Bob, right? I had one of you last night.”
Sunday’s Quote of the Day
Ballboy to ballboy, while waiting to go on court and watching Roger Federer’s service game: “Why would you miss your first serve?” We don’t think the Mighty Fed had a strategy there.
More photos from Sunday's action at the 2010 Rogers Cup in Toronto, Canada.
All photos from the 2010 Rogers Cup in Toronto, Canada.
Photos by Mariya Konovalova
