Ta-ta and all the best Tommy ...

I was able to watch fairly extended highlights of Rafa's match tonight, so its great at last to be able to see some tennis. What was bad about it was the commentators. I swear ... how many more years can we put up with this tripe? These are people who are supposed to report on the match as it happens, but most of all just deal with the facts as so-called professionals. Their thinly disguised barbs about Rafa from his knees, to having February off to recover from the "shoulder injury", to not correctly reporting Rafa's actual ATP concerns, to laying claim that he wants a "shorter season" because of his style of play and the time he takes out there on the court, by stating the number of matches he played last year as a stick to beat him with (notwithstanding the fact that he made 10 finals, 3 of them Slams and with the absence of one tie, all the way to the Davis Cup final whilst honouring his commitment to play at his pre-Wimbledon tournament AND bothering to turn up for the Asian swing) ... whilst at the same time, using every single opportunity to indulge in Federer worship. I don't know about you guys, but I sick to death of it.

So onto the match ...

Rafa had a roaring start, and with two breaks of serve, initially led 5-1. Then Tommy Haas gave himself a right, royal talking to and started to claw his way back into it with some lovely tennis. His good play continued and he got one of the breaks back, but undeterred, Rafa still served for the set at 5-4. However, Tommy had break points in Rafa's service game, but when Rafa saved it with an ace, he then won the set with another. Vamos!!

Rafa broke early in the second set and there was some comfortable play, and whilst twonk features Frew McMillan stated that that it would be hard for Rafa to break again to win the set ... he did just that. Idiot.

It was slightly different at the start of the third, as Rafa went an early break down, but as the set progressed, Tommy seemed to tire somewhat and lost the advantage. Rafa then made a break again, and served out the match to win.

I think he played some pretty good stuff today. He got burned a few times with some flat forehands which is something Rafa is always vulnerable to on a hardcourt, and from holding such a substantial lead in the first set, he just lost his tennis somewhat, but he should be OK about his progress.

Tommy was warm to Rafa at the net and said that it may be his last Australian Open and if was, it was great to go out to Champion like him. Nice gesture ... and he left the court with his top off for the ladies. Hehe ...