Microcosm?

I am not pleased. No, I am not pleased at all.

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This loss to Gilles Simon from Federer followed exactly the same pattern as the last one - he stamped his authority on the match early on, then faded really, really badly. So badly, in fact, that Simon got handed the match. I am not pleased AT ALL.

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Of course, the Fed can still make it out of the round robin stage - he lost his first match last year as well, going down to Fernando Gonzalez. However, last year he didn't have Andy Murray in his group, against whom his three-set record is less than superlative, to say the least. So I am experiencing a great deal of concern. Rafa's already out - what a massive disappointment it would be to see Roger out too!

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I was talking yesterday about how the season ending championships should be a microcosm of the season, and I suppose that in that sense, Roger shouldn't win. However, the man that should win this year - Rafa, who stamped his dominance all over the tour - isn't even here. I think we can safely say that Roger is the second most deserving, what with his record in Slams - but perhaps Murray deserves it. Or even del Potro or Tsonga.

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One man that doesn't deserve it is Gilles Simon - not that he sucks or anything, but seriously, how did he even qualify? Which is why this loss is so galling. Come on, Roger. Step up to the plate. You're the master - prove it!

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Oh, and MAJOR TRAGEDY - Nadal is out of the Davis Cup final! I think you practically have to hand it to Argentina on a silver platter now. I can't see David Ferrer and Tommy Robredo overcoming David Nalbandian and Juan Martin del Potro. No way in hell.

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Today's Results

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Tennis Masters Cup (Shanghai)

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Red Group

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Gilles Simon def. Roger Federer, 4-6 6-4 6-3

Andy Murray def. Andy Roddick, 6-4 1-6 6-1