Solid and Serious ...

Rafa was in stunning form last night against Feds. Lets face it, its one of his easiest match ups now, but the good thing from Rafa is that he never takes anything for granted. He took an early break but was totally relentless. Sure, we have to say that that was one of the poorest displays from Feds I've seen in a while, none more so than the pitiful service game he played to hand Rafa the first set, 6-3.

But even though Rafa was pushed in the opening game of the second, and Feds had a couple of 30-0 chances within it, he was being absolutely trounced. Rafa broke Feds' second service game, and I can't say that Rafa was playing the best tennis I've seen, but it was as he said - solid and serious - and its now reached that point that Feds has no answer to it.

Federer played another pretty woeful game to be broken, and for Rafa to take the set 6-2, and therefore the match. His lame shot in the net when facing match points said it all. 4-4 is the H2H on harcourts now, and 4-1 to Rafa when they're outdoors.

So what of this famous duopoly now? For me ... I'm excited about the next era. Every champion has their day in the sun, and Federer has had his. He should count himself lucky in some respect that Rafa pushed him to be an even greater player, but I feel that the slide has begun, as it does with everyone ... as will do at a point in time in the future for Rafa.

But for now ... lets enjoy what is to come. Another scintillating prospect of a final against Novak. Will this be the match that ends his winning streak? Rafa is playing much better now than he did in Indian Wells.

Come on Rafa ... you can DO it!!