nytimes.com — Roger Federer fell for the third time in four matches in a defeat to No. 22 Ivo Karlovic. Rafael Nadal has won 30 straight matches, including five consecutive titles.Rafael Nadal has an opportunity to displace Federer as the world’s No. 1 player.If Nadal wins this tournament, Federer’s 235-week reign will end.
Aug 1, 2008 View in Crawl 4
mayanks098Aug 1, 2008
I cant see him dethroned....sad
plapperAug 1, 2008
Well it was an amazing 4 years from Fed. Absolute domination that hasn't happened ever before. It's sad that in tennis these days you only have a very small window. He is only 27 yet he is pretty much already past the peak of his career. Right now though, I would say he still having a gigantic letdown from Wimbledon. He would never lose to Karlovic otherwise.Nadal has finally adjusted to the all around game that's needed to be at the top. You need to have an amazing serve, groundstrokes, volleys, and have ridiculous guts. I will say though that Nadal has an even smaller window for greatness than Fed. His game is just too rough on the body I think to survive much past 25.
plapperAug 1, 2008
While I agree Nadal does not come into the net very much, his volleys are still extremely good when he does come in. He has great touch and can dig out low volleys. If his volleys were weak the players of today would have certainly exposed that by now.He may not have a booming serve, but his serve is what put him over the top at Wimbledon this year. He had more aces and set up his huge groundstrokes so much better this year than 2007. The rest of his game was ready last year.
pitchblack16Aug 1, 2008
federer is gonna bounce back, great players only go on a slump for so long.
nomadofthewavesAug 1, 2008
Seems that loss at Wimbledon has put that athletic mental block up in Federers head.
survivordeanAug 23, 2008
Federer is a tennis giant, no doubt, but Nadal is still young and has this boiling passion in his eyes to conquer the tennis world.