Musings of an insane mind ..

A dream final. A final which one may never have imagined could happen so soon, after the terror attacks on Sri Lankan cricketers in Pakistan. A final which now seems like the God sent gift of divine justice to the cricketers who bore the brunt of that cowardly act. Pakistan, having ridden an indifferent form throughout the T20 World Cup in England, found the mettle and the resilience to wear down and choke the Proteas in the 1st semi final. Pakistan had been virtually isolated from playing cricket at home, after that terrible attack. Though they did play a 5 match ODI series against Australia, which they lost 3-2, there really wasn't any other serious cricket they played at the international level.

Coupled with the often blow hot - cold symptoms of a supremely talented side, Pakistan's run to the finals may not seem that surprising after all. There has never been a question raised about the passion of Pakistani cricketers. Often ridden by controversies on and off the field, Pakistan found maturity in Shahid Afridi, and confidence in Umar Gul to take them till the Finals at Lord's on Sunday. Moreover, after an early exit of the defending champions India, it was important that the crowds in England still poured in to witness the matches. Pakistanis being a significant population of Asian immigrants, poured in to encourage their team. And respond they did, and how !

For no fault of theirs, the Pakistani cricketers were deprived of playing international games in their own den. For no reason of theirs, their IPL participation was declined in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks in 26/11. For no reason of theirs, their plans to host matches of the 2011 Cricket World Cup in the Indian sub continent was withdrawn. Another opportunity lost for the unfortunate cricketers. That's why justice is delivered by someone invisible, whose magical powers let Pakistan come through struggles at home and on the field to qualify for the World T20 final.

The Sri Lankan team on the other hand has been unbeaten in the tournament. What an unbelievable turnaround for a team, which was the recipient of the terrible attacks, when they were in Pakistan. If Pakistani cricketers are not at fault for the terror attacks, the Sri Lankan cricketers were never deserving of the attack on them on Pakistani soil. Ducking under gun shots inside a team bus in Lahore, and being inflicted with the trauma of the incident, Sri Lanka's road to the finals is the story of sportsperson's resilience. The true resilience of a side which, by sheer will and determination to tide over happenings which inflicted wounds, physically and mentally have come out even stronger. For this reason alone, my money is on Sri Lanka to win, because they deserve to.

Though Jayawardene had himself decided to step down as captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team following the Pakistan tour, he would never have wanted his tenure to end in such a tragic note. Jayawardene himself was wounded, and so was Sangakkara and Mendis. Each of them, have been influential in Sri Lanka's road to the finals. To overcome mental trauma, and shock and to then rebound by performing on the field, is truly the mark of a champion sportsman. Wasn't it in 1996 Cricket World Cup that the Australian and West Indies teams refused to tour Sri Lanka for their league matches ? In the end, Sri Lanka defeated Australia comprehensively in the World Cup final, demonstrating how Sport always has it's own unique way of serving the right judgement.

What a strange coincidence. Two countries, battling wars in their own land. Pakistan, trying to end Taliban's influence and its own battles with terrorism. Sri Lanka, which was fighting its own war against the LTTE. Both of them, undeserving of the experiences in the aftermath of tragic events, will turn up to face each other at Lord's. One can't imagine the level of joy it would bring to its countrymen who have suffered so much in the recent past. An opportunity for the wonderful cricketers of Pakistan and Sri Lanka to once and for all, exorcise the demons of Lahore. When there are claims to T20 being a game of luck, the final tomorrow will go down in the annals of Sport as an outcome of pure divine intervention !

When Del Potro faced upto Federer in the semis of the French Open on Friday, there was only 1 man the entire Rolland Garros crowd was supporting. A man, chasing history, of 2 kinds. An elusive French Open title, and in doing so, equalling a record 14 Grand Slam which Sampras held. Del Potro was upto the task, though he had a 0-5 losing streak against the Swiss superstar coming into the match. Del Potro started strongly, using his tall 6'6'' frame, and rushing Fedex all over the park. One wondered if Federer would lose out on a big opportunity. But as the game wore on, Federer was the stronger, as he held his nerve and won a tight five setter.

The stage was set today for Fedex to chase history, and Soderling was at the receiving end. It is destiny, that Soderling had defeated Nadal en route to his dream run to the final. Though not a Nadal, this was as good as Federer v/s Nadal at a Grand Slam final yet again. But Federer had nothing to do with any such thoughts and came out guns blazing against Soderling. Soderling had no clue what hit him, as Federer wrapped up the first set 6-1 in under 30 minutes.

The second set was more tight, with neither player giving a break of serve. The tie breaker saw Federer keep his cool, and win it comfortably, 7-6(1). The crowd was more expectant and badly wanted Federer to win the 1 title, he deserved to win, for the sheer consistency of his appearances at the FInals in the last 4 years. But which had been denied to him by a relentless Rafael Nadal.

As the match drew to a close and Federer served out for the title, the next debate started sprouting in all tennis fans' minds. Is Federer truly the greatest ever ? In terms of talent, arguably the most gifted, for his sheer mastery of all surfaces. At Grand Slams, 20 consecutive semi final appearances at Grand Slams, including the French Open this year, which is incredible in any era. Federer, undeterred by history and expectations and determined to etch his name in history books, closed out the set 6-4, retaining his unbeaten record against Soderling, thus increasing his win-loss record to 10-0 against the Swede. Federer won in straight sets, 6-1, 7-6(1), 6-4.

In true historic gesture, Andre Agassi handed over the trophy to Federer, being the last man to have completed the 4 Slams, thus becoming only the 6th man in history to complete a career Grand Slam. More of his incredible stats till date in this link. With 2 monkeys off his back (French Open and 14 Grand Slams), Federer, just 27 will probably be more clinical and dangerous for all his opponents in the tournaments that follow.

Cynics might insist, losing consistently to a contemporary (Nadal) certainly takes the sheen off his claim to all time greatness. Nadal though has to be wary of a new Federer, who has more freedom, more at ease and mentally feeling better than he was a year back. But to keep the cynics happy, it is sufficient to add that something should be there in the record books to show that Federer was human after all !

Watching the match between Rafael Nadal and Robin Soderling yesterday was indeed a privilege for me. For here was a man, who was undefeated since his first ever attempt at Rolland Garros in 2005, pitted against a rival who has struggled to find his footprint on a ferociously competitive men's tennis circuit. Rafa, as Rafael Nadal is fondly called, was defeated by a more resolute and clinical Soderling 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 in the Fourth Round at the French Open yesterday.

There is no doubt in anyone's mind, that if ever Rafa plays a five setter against any player, there can only be one winner. Rafa. Nerves of steel and hours of concentration which are as yet arguably unknown to men's tennis. That's what Rafa owns. Or atleast till yesterday's big upset. Soderling had to make sure he wraps up the match in straight sets or four to have any chance of overcoming the relentless Rafa. Soderling did just that.

Roger Federer would be as pleased as he would be surprised at this early exit from the Spanish Armada. Rafa has been the biggest nemesis to Federer's aura of invincibility, having a stupendous 13-7 win loss record against the Swiss maestro till date. Credit to Federer to have an astounding 19 consecutive grand slam semi final appearances or better. Rafa though has been always there to spoil Federer's quest for ultimate greatness when he won the Australian Open earlier this year, denying the Swiss from equalling Sampras' all time record of 14 Grand Slam titles.

Federer has been the closest to rival Rafa on clay and has been in the Finals at Rolland Garros for the last 3 years. Federer had a torrid final last year when he won only 4 games against Rafa. This year, there won't be a Nadal in the final. Going by the recent match ups, this is probably Federer's best chance at the French Open. The funny part though is, even if Federer wins the French Open now, it will be a hollow victory for him. Being the champion that he is, Federer would definitely want to beat Rafa in a French Open final to lift the elusive trophy. On the flip side, Rafa has tended to be all over Federer in all their recent Slam Final meetings.

In last year's US Open final, Federer was at his clinical best. He dismissed Murray's chances and won a lopsided final , after Murray had upstaged Nadal in the semi finals. I am sure if Nadal had faced up to Federer in that final, things would have been totally different. That is the effect Rafa has had on Federer, more mentally than the skills. All said and done, Federer has been the second best player at the French Open and does deserve his fair chance at Rolland Garros. Even if that be without his nemesis around.