A Spandau Ballet Moment

Let's face it. This has not been Roger Federer's bestest year ever. 2008 is not going to be the one he looks back on (tennis-wise, anyway) and go 'man... that was sweet.'

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Except for this one moment. (And hopefully the final of the US Open!)

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Roger Federer is now an Olympic gold medallist. If nothing else happens this year, if he suffers disappointment at the US Open, if he doesn't get the year-end #1, it doesn't matter - because he has this. He is an Olympic gold medallist, and that is something else. Like Spandau Ballet says, he is GOLD!

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I don't expect that Roger and Stan will go on and play a huge doubles schedule or anything, but it'd be nice to see them play a few more tournaments here and there. They've obviously got a little something-something going on - did I mention they were Olympic gold medallists? I bet the Bryans have a real sour taste in their mouth right now. They were favourites, and rightfully so. They are a brilliant doubles team. And then these two singles players come in and steal their glory. I mean, a bronze medal is still very special - and believe me, I feel SO sorry for Clement and Llodra, because they deserve to be somewhere on that podium too - but it's not gold. For those who don't expect a medal, bronze is, like, awesome, but when you're the favourite, bronze must seem like such a bitchslap.

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Because gold, this time, is all Roger, all Stan. Team Fedrinka are the MEN! Actually, one thing I thought was really funny was that Roger was all clean-shaven and pretty-looking, whereas Stan looked like he'd overslept and barely made it to the courts on time, hair all rumpled and with a morning-after shadow. I wonder if that's a testament to the kind of men they are? I like Stan. He's a fun guy - and he and Roger are clearly such good mates. I visited Stan's website the other day -stanwawrinka.com - and while I didn't understand any of it as it was all in French, I thought the little intro was cute. 'Stan Wawrinka - the power and the passion.' Cliche, perhaps, but cute. Maybe that's what made Team Fedrinka such a force. They've got the power and the passion. And the mad tennis skills - sorry, skillz.

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I suppose we should talk about the singles, even if it is devoid in Swiss boys. My prediction for the gold medal match has not changed - Rafa over Gonzo. The bronze medal match was played just before the Doubles Match of Awesomeness, and Djokovic beat Blake. We all know I don't like Djokovic, but it really would have been a bit sad for him if he hadn't won it. I feel terrible for saying this, but with Federer out, Nadal/Djokovic was really the real final. All credit to Fernando Gonzalez, because he's fab, but the big three really are in a league of their own. They are at the top, and even if I may take issue with the personality of one of them, you don't get there without deserving it. You can say a lot of things about the tennis ranking system, but when it comes down to it, if you put in the hard yards and grind out the matches, you are rewarded.

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Oh! Girl tennis! Go Dinara! She is in the final, and even though Dementieva is seeded above her, I think you have to say she's the favourite. She is playing like the #1 at the moment, and this one belongs to her. I think it will be another silver in the cabinet for Elegant Elena and her fairy floss serve. I'd like to see Zvonareva win the bronze, because it's such an achievement for her to get here at all - she was Sharapova's last minute replacement, yesno? - but I think Li will edge her out. And maybe that's the way it should be... but honestly, do China really need any more medals?

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I read that Safina's victory over Jankovic means that Jankovic will no longer be #1 next week. I have no problems with this - Jankovic is a good player, but she doesn't really deserve to be #1 - but does that mean Ivanovic gets it back? Who is #1 now? I know Sveta could have taken it, but she lost in the first round, so it's obviously not her, and I doubt very much it's Sharapova. It must be Ana - but I have no idea how that works. Women's tennis is CONFUSING. Or did that article lie? Did I imagine it? Will it still be Jelena next week? Any answers welcome!

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Oh, and a shout out to Juan Martin del Potro, who is playing insanely well in Washington! If Federer doesn't win the US Open, I'm going for Safin - but if Safin doesn't win, then man, I'm going for del Potro! And also kudos to Viktor Troicki, who I saw play Nadal in the first round of the Australian Open this year in Rod Laver Arena, for knocking out Andy Roddick! No kudos to Andy Roddick. He should be at the Olympics.

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Today's Results

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Games of the XXIX Olympiad (Beijing)

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Men's Draw - Singles

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Novak Djokovic def. James Blake, 6-3 7-6 (7-4)

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Women's Draw - Singles

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Elena Dementieva def. Vera Zvonareva, 6-3 7-6 (7-3)

Dinara Safina def. Li Na, 7-6 (7-3) 7-5

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Men's Draw - Doubles

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Federer/Wawrinka def. Aspelin/Johansson, 6-3 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-3

Bryan/Bryan def. Clement/Llodra, 3-6 6-3 6-4

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Women's Draw - Doubles

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Williams/Williams def. Bondarenko/Bondarenko, 4-6 6-4 6-1

Medina Garrigues/Ruano Pascual def. Yan/Zheng, 6-4 7-6 (7-5)

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Legg Mason Tennis Classic (Washington)

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Juan Martin del Potro def. Tommy Haas, 6-2 6-1

Viktor Troicki def. Igor Kunitsyn, 6-4 6-2

Viktor Troicki def. Andy Roddick, 0-6 6-2 6-4

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Western and Southern Financial Group Women's Open (Cincinatti)

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Nathalie Dechy def. Amélie Mauresmo, 6-4 3-6 6-2