Roger Federer wins Australian Open

[Adam Thirnis]

Federer defeats Safin 7-6 6-4 6-2 in the final.

Magnificent display from the Swiss player. He was hardly tested throughout the championship - just like at Wimbledon.

He really is superb - a gracful artist in a game dominated by unattractive two-handed sluggers.

If he plays near his best he should win Wimbledon again this year.

[ryonhilluk]

Well done to Safin for getting to the final. He wasn't seeded was he?

[whodoyoudo]

Originally posted by ryonhilluk
Well done to Safin for getting to the final. He wasn't seeded was he?

He wasn't seeded, played very well in getting to the final. I expected him to bottle it again Agassi in the Semi, was 2-0 up, Agassi got it back to 2-2 and I thought Safin had gone again. He proved me wrong and produced some superb tennis to get through.

I've not watched the final yet, no doubts that Federer is a fantastic talent, he is still prone to the odd lapse though and can crash out to an unknown player early doors.

[rgfinch]

Adam, I hope that Federer and Henin' s number one status will lead to a resurgence of the single handed backhand too. I think lots of coaches have been pushing juniors towards a double handed backhand for years now nad hopefully this will stop. Somehow seeing a big lug like Safin using 2 hands looks a bit undignified.

[Adam Thirnis]

Originally posted by rgfinch
Adam, I hope that Federer and Henin' s number one status will lead to a resurgence of the single handed backhand too. I think lots of coaches have been pushing juniors towards a double handed backhand for years now nad hopefully this will stop. Somehow seeing a big lug like Safin using 2 hands looks a bit undignified.

I agree. Too many youngsters learn the backhand double-handed because initially it is a lot easier to control the racket head. However once the single-handed is mastered it allows for much more variety of shot and it looks a whole lot better. Safin, Roddick et al look like big girl's blouses whacking that ball with two hands. :oh-hum: