Dutch Courage

One of the things I love about Roger Federer is that he never gives up in a tennis match, even in times of injury. "Roger Federer doesn't retire - otherwise he doesn't walk out on court," he said once (possibly slightly paraphrased). Who can forget the final of the Masters Cup '05, when he gamely fought out a five-set, five-hour battle with David Nalbandian - effectively on one leg? All to make sure the match finished in a true fashion - that he either pulled off a spectacular victory, or his opponent won, fair and square.

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Well, now we can add Rafael Nadal to the fold, because he just did exactly the same thing in Rotterdam. After injuring his knee in the second set, he continued to play - and continued to try to win. And he damn near almost succeeded, too, though he obviously did fade in the third set. But you have to admire the man's guts. I'd say that if this had been a semi or a quarter or something, he'd have retired - but it was a final, and he wanted it to be decided properly (ie. not the Justine Henin AO '06 way).

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The injury happened in the first game of the second set, and it was followed by one of the most bizarre things you will ever see in a game of men's tennis - eight consecutive breaks of serve. And it was Rafa who came out on top, winning the set 6-4. It's incredible that he could do that - he couldn't serve properly because of his knee, so he adjusted and went for broke on Murray's serve, almost breaking him at will. He is a real champion, that man.

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In the end, I think it's almost better that he lost, because he showed his true colours even more clearly. He wanted to give Andy the win properly, and not just hand it to him on a plate. He wanted it to be earned, to be deserved. And he was not at all averse to being the deserver. Hats off, Rafa.

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Today's Results

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ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament (Rotterdam)

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Andy Murray def. Rafael Nadal, 6-3 4-6 6-0

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Brasil Open (Costa do Sauipe)

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Tommy Robredo def. Thomaz Bellucci, 6-3 3-6 6-4

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SAP Open (San Jose)

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Radek Stepanek def. Andy Roddick, 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4

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Open GDF SUEZ (Paris)

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Amelie Mauresmo def. Elena Dementieva, 7-6 (9-7) 2-6 6-4

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PTT Pattaya Open (Pattaya City)

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Vera Zvonareva def. Sania Mirza, 7-5 6-1

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Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

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Zheng Jie def. Anastasia Rodionova, 6-1 6-1

Kaia Kanepi def. Tamira Paszek, 2-6 6-2 6-0

Sybille Bammer def. Mariya Koryttseva, 6-1 6-4

Alisa Kleybanova def. Anna Lapushchenkova, 3-6 6-3 6-2

Sara Errani def. Chan Yung-Jan, 6-4 6-4

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova def. Maria Kirilenko, 6-2 6-4

Tsvetana Pironkova def. Viktoriya Kutuzova, 6-2 6-3

Elena Vesnina def. Li Na, 1-6 6-4 6-4

Julia Schruff def. Petra Kvitova, 6-3 2-6 6-4

Vera Dushevina def. Yan Zi, 2-6 6-4 6-3