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I wonder if the era of Federer is maybe not closing, but at least entering the period of decline. A 90% Federer will still win grand slams, and will still beat any player in the world on his day, but this is twice he has lost at Wimbledon, he is getting close to 30...
I really was cheering Murray on against Nadal in the semi, but Nadal never really looking like he would lose. At the second set tie break they were playing quite close (and Murry's counter punching style is hard for Nadal to play against) but in the key game Rafa just came out and played too good... and at 2-0 you just knew there was no way back.
Rafa was 2-1 down twice in these championships, but what marks him out is when he is under real pressure when even great players, even Federer get tight, Rafa attacks. I watched both the games he was 2-1 down in, and it was just awesome the way he came out in the 4th set of both games and just went beserk, really went for the jugular.
I still think, on any surface but clay, Federer can beat any man in the world when he is in the mood (and he can beat any man but Rafa on clay), even if he has lost a step... but maybe the days Federer is in the mood wont be every grand slam from now on
(the only player I think could get close to Roger and Rafa was Safin... if Safin was really fired up he could at least stay there against the great two, although he was rarely in the mood... of the current crop of great players, I cant see anyone winning a slam unless Roger and/or Rafa blow it)
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"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."
The Gospel of Thomas
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