Federer blames his loss to prosthetic arm and an unusually long thumb.

Photos.

Soderling extends Federer’s losing streak to three freaking matches.

For rock people, Federer lost to Delpo and Davydenko back to back at WTF. Is this the longest losing streak for Federer since his first Slam or what?

Right before he started this run, Federer was on a two match losing streak just a while ago when he lost to Djokovic at Basel final and then went out in the opening round at the very next match at Paris.

Just two wins over Murray and Verdasco @ WTF (in three sets) separate the two streaks.

Can Ferrer stretch it four? Even a close three set win over Ferrer will not create enough separation considering that Nadal (of all the freaking people) beat Ferrer in straight sets. Will a two set win achieve something? Maybe.

Additionally, Soderling is not the only one to reverse the hugely lopsided H2H against Federer lately. Soderling had lost 12 straight times. Want more? Soderling had won just ONE set (in a tie break 7-5) in those 12 encounters. And now he beats Federer in straight sets (OK three. Can’t I stretch it to support my argument, once in a while? Geeeeeeeezzzzzzz!!!!!! You freaks watch too much tennis).

So who is the other clown? Heard of Davydenko? He had lost to Federer 12 straight times too. So all this has to do with No. 13? Davydenko reversed that flow with his first win over Federer at WTF.

Is that the reason Roddick is ignoring his knees in hopes being the next in line?

Either way, there’s a pattern growing bound to embolden even Nadal, forget about Delpo, Djokovic and Murray – or even Karlovic. Or have we crossed the gender gap here to reach Bartoli?

The only redeeming feature(s) for Federer? Two tie breaks. Three sets.

To me, it seems Federer is good to reach the final at virtually every event irrespective of the surface with as much certainty as he was about winning the title few years ago. That drop from winning everything to finals is only going to accelerate as father time bears down.

It’s quite similar to semifinal berth Nadal seemed to be a lock for at every event during the last six months. Beyond that the chasm has been just too wide to bridge.

I have to admit astonishment at Nadal mowing down Ferrer in two sets given everything. Can he astonish even more people with a win over Soderling? If not, he will be forced to add Soderling to his Rolodex screaming Delpo and Federer.

However, it appears a Delpo-like thrashing maybe what’s Nadal is running into. Soderling has to be on such a high that any points Nadal’s psyche may have gained from that win over Ferrer will be brushed aside ruthlessly.

Conversely, if Nadal can pull it off, images of Blake and Tsonga will flash not just for Nadal but for Soderling too, throwing a disturbing wrench into most everyone’s to-do list this season.