Fourth round match up @ Miami.

Federer vs Dent.

Nadal vs Wawrinka.

Djokovic vs Berdych.

Murray vs Troicki.

Verdasco vs Stepanek.

Simon vs Tsonga.

Roddick vs Monfils.

Del Potro vs Ferrer.

Is Stepanek a lighter rendition of Agassi?

Here’s why:

-Guy is just as athletic at 30 if not more, than most of his younger competitors.

-Has completely shattered the myth that serve and volley is ineffective in today’s world.

-Has boned some of the best broads on the circuit.

-Before the start of this season he had won just two titles in his 12 years on the tour. This season he already has two.

-Some of the players he has defeated this year:

Gonzalez.
Verdasco.
Gasquet.
Fish.
Roddick.
Del Potro.

All that cannot happen without that ‘nail’ BS I keep bringing up here. It requires that Rocky III? type of regimen to run with these younger kids of today. They are bigger, athletic and more powerful than EVER.

Did he suddenly become better this year after being on the tour for so long – at age 30? Not likely.

Imagine if that storm sweeps clowns like Federer, Safin and other underachievers at whatever stage. That would be colossal.

If this theory really works, then is Tiger Woods already on it or there’s still another gear? Or it only engages when you hit bottom? Or it doesn’t matter where you are, it’s the quality of the switch that matters?

Either way that renaissance leaves a trail of brilliance irrespective of how great the achievements are given the circumstances. I mean Stepanek’s run now is great to watch irrespective of whether that includes a Grand Slam or not.

I think we all carry that switch which once flipped takes us on the glorious journey to whatever we consider success. There can be no other logical or scientific explanation to millions of people who have defied seemingly insurmountable odds to post gains in practically every field of human endeavor since the beginning of time.

The secret of success then (whatever you consider success), despite the technological and other advances humans have made through the centuries, remains an intangible one. And it’s immutable.

One thing’s for sure: The switch I have been flipping forever is not the right one, or is it? Maybe I am already there.

Photos.

Jobs That Will Never Go Away.

Click here.

Nadal tames a determined Gil to move on.

But Nadal exceeded his unforced error average in the first set itself (13), ending with what 23? Although it had a lot to do with the inspired play from Gil, Nadal cannot let that become a pattern to ensure his top spin-laden forehand delivers with confidence.

With so many mechanics working into making that forehand effective, any sustained increase in the unforced error count will only hurt the conviction to turn it into a liability from a weapon overnight.

Sharapova’s first serve percentage is a prime example of that affliction.

That’s one of the curse of being No. 1. Everyone plays their best against you, often with low percentage shots and way above their natural ability. You can gain with one win what you have failed to achieve your entire career sometimes.

But still this was far better than facing Karlovic and his tie breaks. Once you get into that crap shoot with Dr. Ivo, anything can happen. Federer can testify to that.

Nadal’s assault on Miami title will largely depend on how much time he spends on the court, considering the back to back schedule and Nadal’s track record of folding miserably when fatigued, unless it’s Federer. Add the fact that just five clowns have ever done it back to back and you know how vital it is for Nadal to keep himself fresh for a lot fresher Federer expected on that Sunday.

With AO semifinal and final as evidence Nadal may have some confidence specially if it’s Federer in the final, but back to back five setters may not be as taxing as back to back Masters Series titles.

So far Federer’s numbers expectantly look the best, but will that be a good thing or bad is still up in the air.

Watching the depth in mens tennis makes Federer’s four and half year reign on the top that much more precious, now that the certainty of winning a title, despite Nadal’s run, has comparatively evaporated.

However, everytime Nadal is able to adapt and adjust his game to tame a beast, his memory banks get loaded with another potent weapon to assist him whenever he finds himself in trouble. Not to mention the increased confidence it gives him on hard courts, place where he was billed by some to never win significant titles.

The most intriguing part for me is to see how Uncle Tony and company proceed to take Murray apart, now that age is not a big factor and the result may be a lot purer and richer than what they accomplished against Federer.