Key takeaways from Rome Masters

It’s confirmed. 2011 was an aberration – Nadal is still the indisputable King of clay! With a sixth title at Roma this week, he has made a resounding statement just ahead of the second grand slam of the year which gets underway next week in Paris.

So, what were the key highlights of the ATP Masters event at Roma? Let us ponder.

David Ferrer – Always getting hit by Rafa on his draw!

1. At RG, Beware Of these clay-grinders

A quick look at the w/l record of players on clay this season, one name is sure to find his place at the top of the list – David Ferrer. The Spanish journeyman has had great American as well as European clay season and the fact that he came within inches of closing sets out against Nadal at different occasions this year means something.

The fact that he is yet to meet the likes of Djokovic and Federer on clay is bothersome news for these top seeds ahead of Roland Garros. Apart from Ferrer, the likes of Berdych, Gasquet, Monaco are to be looked at seriously as they might present more problems in the French draw than what they may be expected to present!

2. The crowd can help you make wonders

If there was one awe-inspiring match this week, it has got to be the third round clash between home-boy Andreas Seppi and Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka. Seppi, after coming up with an incredible & inspiring performance against John Isner, managed to replicate it the very next day by winning after saving 6 match points that Stan held over two separate sets. In a match involving three tight tie-breakers, Seppi came from 2-5 down in the third set, pipping Stan finally in the third tie-breaker of the match by winning the last 4 points sending the crowd to a state of delirious frenzy.

The crowd’s support during the match’s course and elation after it is something Non-Davis cup Tennis might not see frequently!

3. World order restored

A win at Roma would have guaranteed Federer/Nadal the world no.2 ranking ahead of Roland Garros, irrespective of the round in which the other player bows out. Having looked at their performances over the year, the order appears to have been restored as any look at Nadal this week would have prompted one to feel that he appears to be coming close to his threatening best. Yes, those monstrous forehands are working big time, again – ominous signs ahead of the French Open! This puts Federer in a bigger spot of bother as he can no longer enjoy the 50% probability of facing Murray in the semi-final. Now, if he has to win, he must potentially be good enough to beat both Rafa and Nole at RG – Daunting task, it seems!

4. Murray/Delpo need some serious retrospection

Once again, Andy Murray disappointed, by bowing out early in the tournament, suffering a come-from-behind defeat at the hands of Richard Gasquet. He was no way close to his own 2011 version when he came tantalizingly close to defeating a red-hot Nole in the semi-finals here. Had Murray not dug deep in his second round clash against David Nalbandian on his birthday, he might have added one more tournament to his ‘first-round-disasters’ list! Similar was the case with Juan Martin del Potro. After his impressive showing in the 2009 Roland Garros, he is never off the list of threats for the top seeds – surface type notwithstanding – but with impressive wins over non-top-10 and defeats at the hands of top-10 players (against Berdych and Tsonga in successive weeks), he is increasing the gap and his lack of confidence when it comes to big matches is showing. These lads are capable of creating dents in the tri-poly but need some serious retrospection ahead of Paris.

5. The King of Clay strikes!

The final was shifted from Sunday to Monday owing to heavy showers but the result was all familiar. Rafael Nadal handed Djokovic his second serving of the retribution for his 6 final losses against the Serb last year. He was in subliminal form the whole week, and unsurprisingly won a record 21^st Masters title without dropping a set! With the kind of confidence and the kind of footwork and ball-hitting he has been showing this past week, it is highly difficult to see anyone else other than the World No.1 giving him causes for concern at Roland Garros, which means, one half of the draw is already ready with one finalist! The other half has some serious work to do!

Next up, Roland Garros – Will Rafa win a record 7^th RG Title? or will Djokovic become the first man since Rod Laver to hold all grand slam titles? or Does Roger have it in him to spring a surprise?

Answers will be provided at Philipp Chatrier in three weeks’ time!