In an upset that's some parts shocking, some parts almost disturbing,
Rafael Nadal was just ousted from the French Open for the first time. Yes, ever.
The culprit wasn't Roger Federer or, well, anyone else you've ever heard of; no, Nadal was taken down by the 23rd-seeded player, Robin Soderling. Stranger yet, the defeat took only four sets; Soderling just walloped the Galloping Spaniard or whatever Nadal's nickname is.
This means almost guaranteed success for Roger Federer, who also lucked out yesterday when Novak Djokovic was eliminated. Should Federer take the French Open, again, as he should, the chorus will likely be something along the lines of "He's Back!" or "Better Than Ever!" What they ought to say should be "Roger Federer: still good at beating guys ranked outside the top 10!"
I mean, titles are titles, of course, but there's a difference between being the best player on clay and being the best player on clay left.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
3 comments
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If Roger career has sunk to the level of needing everyone to be upset so he can win a tournament, then most surely he isnt the greatest of all time. He might win 14 or 15 majors but everyone will remember how Rafa has beat him 65% of time.
by GreatBlueHeron on May 31, 2009 5:03 PM EDT reply actions
So is it Rogers fault that Nadal did not win? At the end of the day, a title is a title, regardless of who you played to win it… you cannot just skip the early rounds.Should we discount the Steelers winning the super bowl because they perhaps did not play the best team in the Cardinals? Probably not the best example, but you get the point.
by censored on May 31, 2009 6:28 PM EDT reply actions
federer isn’t a lock to win the french just because nadal has been bounced. but furthermore, if he does win it, how is it at all discounted? not that it matters in this tournament, but roger just beat rafa on clay two weeks ago in madrid.
by plungermaestro on Jun 1, 2009 12:15 AM EDT reply actions
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