At Least...

All I want is for Roger Federer to win one Masters Series trophy this year. Just one. Is that so much to ask? He's won four of the bloody things in previous years. Why is it proving so difficult this year?

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At least he lost to Andy Murray, and not to some total schlep, and at least it was close. But still. Can't he just have one? Just one?

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And at least Rafa is out as well - just so it's a Big Three free party. Even if Rafa has clinched the year end #1. I don't want him increasing that lead, if it can be avoided. And Murray vs. Simon should be an interesting match in and of itself. Wouldn't it be great to see Simon get up and grab the trophy? That'd be a real victory for the little guy.

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Let's look at Masters Series events this year. Even though the Fed hasn't won one, it's been a parade of big names. Djokovic. Davydenko. Nadal. Djokovic. Nadal. Nadal. Murray. It'd be nice to see wee Gilles get his name on there. Though I doubt you'd bet against Murray. But I'm gunning for Gilles. That was a nailbiter he rode out against Rafa, and all credit to him.

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And I guess more rest can't hurt Roger. Sigh. And if he's going to win one, Paris might be nice, because he's never won it before, so it'd be a new trophy in his cabinet. (Whatever you need to tell yourself, Jodi.)

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Meanwhile, in Zurich, Ivanovic finally went down - but at least it was to Venus Williams. And it was tight, too. If Ivanovic loses to Williams, that's - well, not okay, because the top players beat everyone - but it's better than losing to Julie Coin. So well done on your semi, Ana. Let it be the sign of big things to come.

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I would not, however, be putting my money on Venus Williams in the final. She's playing Flavia Pennetta, who is not leading their head-to-head 3-1, but is newly single and has a lot of rage to work out. (As anyone would, stumbling on their longtime boyfriend with another woman. You love rat, Carlos, you.) I'm behind Flavia all the way. She deserves this one.

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Today's Results

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Mutua Madrilena Masters Madrid (Madrid)

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Andy Murray def. Roger Federer, 3-6 6-3 7-5

Gilles Simon def. Rafael Nadal, 3-6 7-5 7-6 (8-6)

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Tennis.com Zurich Open (Zurich)

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Venus Williams def. Ana Ivanovic, 4-6 6-3 6-4

Flavia Pennetta def. Anabel Medina Garrigues, 6-3 7-6 (8-6)