Mornin', everyone. This will be brief, as we have a busy family weekend here. We're winding down this clay-court season in the customary fashion, moving from clay that was once damp and rust-colored to the relatively dry, golden clay we get in Rome - at least when the sun is shining. Although I didn't see the Novak Djokovic vs.Robin Soderling match, the scores just blew me away.
I mean, I had Soderling tabbed (and still do, I suppose) as one of the handful of guys who could stand in, flat-footed, and slug it out with Djokovic. Soderling just hits big and deep enough, and has no fear of pulling the trigger on a putaway. That's what I feel it would take to beat Djokovic these days (sorry if that leaves you out, Rog, Rafa. . . but remember nothing lasts forever, including Djokovic's present form). Granted, Soderling has struggled these past few weeks but - sheesh! - that sure looks like it was a blowout.
Anyway, it's hard to imagine Andy Murray derailing the Djokovic express at this point, but Murray has been to the well before and knows the sweet taste of that water. And who would discount Richard Gasquet's chances against Rafael Nadal, given the big win the propelled the flaky Frenchman along to this stage of the tournament as well? And Nadal, well, he's been a little sideways lately, for reasons I'm sure have something to do with the Serbian dude who's hot on his tail.
On the women's side - and granted, we've given the WTA short shrift lately - Sam Stosur is reviving here clay game just in time, and has a good shot at making the final against Li Na, and you have to like Caroline Wozniacki over Maria Sharapova.
-- Pete