Novak Djokovic’s parody of Shakira and Nadal.

Federer QF Press Conference vs Soderling 2010.

And why is the order of play for semis not already freaking out? Geeeeeezzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!

Stop breathing the polluted freaking air and get back to freaking work.

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Accusations against Federer not helping matters.

While it appears Federer is telling the truth when denying all charges, the impact of the rehearsal given recent high-profile athlete break outs can be devastating specially when Federer looks more vulnerable than anytime in his career with no injury or illness to back it up. He has to be rattled as the stakes are too high compared to what he has on the plate today.

It’s hard not to be running high on emotions like anger, betrayal, fear etc. while dealing with office work piling up by the minute. It could very well play a significant part in his match against Djokovic. Even mental giants are moved by such a strong hit on their integrity built painfully over decades. Federer is not known for his mental toughness.

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R. Federer vs R. Söderling Shanghai 2010 – nearly the whole match.

Federer humiliates Soderling for the second straight time to set up the US Open deja vu semifinal against Djokovic.

This is turning into another US Open run. Murray should feel quite excited about the similarity as Nadal is already out just like he was for Nadal at the US Open to allow the career Slam. Djokovic might not feel too bad either. Besides two straight wins over Federer right after a match he literally butchered Soderling would count for something – without a title. If things go by script Murray will land on center court with a tired finalist begging to be taken out of his misery.

For Federer, despite the pasting of Soderling, Djokovic’s current form AND the precedent may make it a tad disconcerting to feel as good about the whole drama as Djokovic and Murray. But Federer must be riding that ‘top of the world’ feeling once again after the relentless battering of Soderling. Two freaking break sticks in 53 freaking minutes and this: The pair split the opening two games of the match before Federer won the next 10? WOW!!!!!!!!!! Soderling has to feeling happy he didn’t come up for air in the rankings during Federer’s hey days. How do you freaking face your family and relatives after this? Without the thumbs?

While it was a major performance, considering Federer’s current plight, he has done nothing yet. He needs titles to inject life into his sputtering career hounded by wolves demanding his head – in retirement and more. Even Anaconda is not off the hook until that happens. Federer has been able to reach at least the quarters and more at most events he has lost since about this time last year. It’s the home stretch that’s proving elusive over and over again making it even more painful than losing in the early rounds as you are right there.

Additionally, Murray is not doing too bad either having not lost a set just like Federer and Djokovic with the ‘time on court’ stat pretty much even for all three. So it’s a true test of how much Federer has progressed with Anaconda, his own motivation, Mirka’s infidelity with Anaconda etc. etc. Winning a title going through Soderling, Djokovic and Murray back to back to back will register big time on the northbound scale while moving the title number for the season to three from one just a few weeks ago.

But this is also Djokovic’s opportunity to validate his US Open win over Federer and the mini run he has been on lately not to mention the Beijing schedule disaster and that he played Davis Cup right after US Open. While it’s tempting to predict a Federer win, Federer’s past inconsistencies, Djokovic’s resiliency, US Open precedent, history between the two etc. make it harder to sway.

As a fan thirsting for exciting closely fought matches, you cannot ask for more despite Nadal’s absence. Nadal is clearly more concerned about ensuring Federer is not able to catch up on his Masters title lead and the No. 1 rank cushion than anything else. Nadal’s had his fill for the season and may already be dreaming of a calendar Slam translating everything else including WTF into trivial annoyance that has to be endured for appearance sake.

For Federer and his team, expectations shoot through the roof after such dismantling of an opponent much less Soderling, leaving anything but a title the only option to call success. Everything else is relegated to the realm of failure. Add the recent drought and the US Open result…………….

Photos.

Federer — ‘I Have Nothing to Hide’. From Wuiches. Thanks.

WUICHES

Roger is the true King of clay

Now everything makes sense, Roger has been betting all this time, that’s why he has that clay performance.

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Federer vs soderling Atp Shanghai Rolex Masters 2010. From M. Thanks.

M