Rafael Nadal did what his rival Roger Federer has had so much trouble doing in recent tournaments: Rafa played unevenly but still managed to win a match he easily might have lost (ending the run of Ernests Gulbis in the semifinals of the Internazionale D'Italia). Forgive me if that reads more like the lead of an Associated Press News story; some things are best put simply.The way Rafa put it to Gulbis. No matter what, I'm going to find a way to win. . .And that's a powerful idea to plant in the head of any rival, or even the mere onlooker.
So it's on to the Roma Masters final for Nadal, while his rivals are left sitting at the cafe, ignoring the passers-by, as they stare into their expressos and wonder: What do you have to do to beat this guy?
Perhaps David Ferrer will have the answer when the Spanish compatriots meet in today's final, but I tend to doubt it. Playing Ferrer is, more than anything, like playing yourself; the question he poses usually is, Are you good enough, consistently enough, to close this deal? On clay, he ought to know better than to ask Rafa that question, although the resurgent former no. 1 might be a little leg weary by now. He's churned those pistons plenty these past few weeks.
You'll note that the other clay icon in action today will be Justine Henin, who overshadows her opponent in the Stuttgart final, Slammin' Sammy Stosur. I think Stosur can give Henin plenty to fret about. Henin has been prone to mental agitations in her comeback this year. She's in the third final of the five events she's played since coming out of retirement, but she hasn't won one yet.
If you scan the headlines, you won't find much on Stosur, but she's playing probably the best tennis of her life. And because she specializes in the art of shotmaking, and has no fear of attacking the net on clay or any other surface, she ought to be getting a little more credit for the way she's been handling the slow surfaces these days. I know one way she can demand - and get - that notice, but Henin also specializes in the placement, and until the wires in her head get crossed she's smoother and more consistent. Stosur, unfortunately, is the perfect opponent for Henin, because she's generally been unwilling or unable to keep the ball in play long enough to put adequate pressure on his opponents; the longer the point goes on, the less likely she is to win it.
Enjoy the finals, feel free to call the matches here.
-- Pete