U S Open final preview

Nadal vs Djokovic was what not most people would have expected, seeing the form of Nadal and Federer. While Nadal has romped into the finals without dropping a set, Federer fell one step short. He lost a match that was almost his. This is not something that is normally associated with Federer. But rather than focussing on Federer's form and other analysis, which is normally the trend nowadays after his every defeat, we should focus on this final.

It will be a keenly contested match. Expecting Nadal to win in straight sets will be an injustice to Djokovic's abilities. Djokovic has reached final by beating Federer , when Federer was very near to his top game. Even Nadal has to slug it out when Federer is at the top of his game. Djokovic has beaten Nadal in their previous three encounters. On hard courts, Djokovic leads 7-3 head to head. Nadal hasn't beaten Djokovic on hard courts since the seminal of 2008 Beijing Olympics. These stats are enough to wake someone from slumber who thinks it will be a one sided affair. Nothing less from Nadal's best would do against Djokovic.

The odds have been further evened by the rain which provided an extra days rest to Djokovic. It will be really interesting now. Its going to be Nadal's exact serve and forehand vs Djokovic's returns and backhands. In the stands too battle is even. Djokovic will be cheered on by his father whereas Nadal will be supported by his uncle.

Whether we will see the mallorcan win and complete his career Grand Slam or will the talented serb wins his second Grand Slam, we will witness a fantstic match.

An opponent I would pay to watch

Ask any one to name the greats of the modern game and you will hear names of Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Charles Lara, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Glenn Mcgrath, Shane Warne, Mutthiah Muralidharan, but somewhere we forget a name who has changed the very perception of how we see wicketkeepers. They are no more just

wicketkeepers but keeper-batsman. So gifted is he that he qualifies as an allrounder.

Yes,this article is about Adam Gilchrist, one of the few people who have made a lasting impact on the game.

Gilchrist has a very positive approach to the game. He believes in taking the attack to the opposition. Neither the fall of wickets nor the pitch conditions seem to affect him. Strike rate of 81 in tests and 94 in ODIs are a testimony to this. His biggest stregnth are his cut and pull shots. These stregnths make bowlers pitch the ball upto him only to see the bowl being disdainfully driven through the covers or midwicket. The shots dispalying the power of his forearms. His high on the handle grip always coming handy.

In ODIs he had to wait for some time before he got his chance to open the innings. But once he got the chance he garbbed it with both hands, forming succesful partnerships first with Mark Waugh and then with Mathew Hayden. His score of 172 is second highest by an Australian in an ODI. In tests too he proved to be a matchwinner. He scored runs in the most difficult circumstances. In his second test only, he proved his worth by playing a counterattacking match winning innings of 149 not out. This he scored against an attack of Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib on Perth. His innings of 204 against South Africa was a scorcher.

His abilities as a keeper are often forgotten. Even when they are remembered they are compared with those of Ian Healy. Much is said about his lack of elegance while keeping but I have't seen him drop sitters. He was an atheletic wicketkeeper who took much more catches than he dropped.

He has a panache for the big stage. He scored 50 plus runs in three consecutive finals of the worldcup from 1999 to 2007. In 2007 when question marks were raised over his form, he silenced the critics with a breathtaking century against Sri Lanka in the finals. In the end that century proved to be the difference between the two teams. He also showed his skills as a Captain by conquering the final frontier, India.

But what really differentiates him from others is his stand on walking. No hypocracies from this man. If he thinks he is out, he walks. He walked in the semi final of the world cup, even when umpire gave him not out. He didn't get support ftom his own dressing room for this but still he stood his ground by walking again in coming matches.

Just waiting to see him in action in IPL-4.

Nadal enters third round

Nadal enetered the third round at U.S open with a hard fought win over the Uzbek, Denis Istomin. Nadal won 6-2 7-6 (7/5) 7-5.

After cantering through the first round in a hurry, Nadal found stiff resistance from the Uzbek. The set went to the tie break where Istomin at one time was leading 5-1. But after that Nadal dug deep in his resources to win the tie break 7-5.

In the third set one break of serve was enough for Nadal to take the set 7-5.

After the match, Nadal said that it was a difficult match but his serve worked well. Next up for Nadal is Frenchman Giles Simon, who earlier defeated th 29th seed Phillip Kohlschreiber.