Finally Roger is back! Funny enough even if he is now considered an ‘old’ player (?), it seems he is the only one in the top four to have some energies at the end of this tough season.Djokovic did not recover from his back injury at all (he had a pretty lousy tournament in Basel comparing to his stellar 2011 levels). Rafa looks really tired and Murray had to pull out because of an injury (the triumphant Asian campaign must have been quite tough on his body).
Roger won his Indoor Swiss 5th title in style by crashing Nishikori (the new kid on the block) without mercy.
There is not much to say about this match since the 2 players looked to play on 2 different dimensions: Federer played at a level where the Japanese can’t reach (yet).
‘It’s been a long time since I felt so good physically,’ Federer said ‘I’m feeling ready and fit and fired up, that’s how it’s supposed to be. This is the last push of the season and I’m ready for it.’
‘It’s been a great start to the autumn, I think my pause paid off. I’ve got different priorities than some of the younger guys who are ranked around me.
‘I needed to take that time off, it was best for my mind, my body, my family and my fitness. There is a lot of tennis to be played until the end of the season and it will be packed in early 2012.
‘I want to be a danger everywhere that I play.’
‘I started nervous, I was excited to be playing the final against Roger,’ said Nishikori. ‘But I only remember playing well in the last few points of the match.
‘I’m a little disappointed at home I played today. My serve didn’t go well. But Roger gives you no time to think out there, I really couldn’t do anything.’
Guess what? Considering the mental and phisical fitness of his top contenders, Federer looks to be the favorite for the final showdown in London. We will see!