CAMELOT FANTASIES

Projected QF:

Top Half:
[1] Djokovic - [5] Wawrinka
[4] Nishikori - [6] Berdych

Bottom Half:
[3] Murray - [7] Cilic
[2] Federer - [8] Nadal

Before that, Nadal has [9] Raonic in his section, and Federer has [15] Anderson.
Djokovic has #13 Goffin, and Wawrinka has #10 Simon.

Murray has #16 Dimitrov, while Cilic has #12 Gasquet.
Nishikori has #14 Monfils while Berdych has #11 Isner.

Respectfully,
masterclass

The Final match is between [1] Novak Djokovic and [2] Roger Federer today at 1 pm EDT.
The preliminary matches and paths to the final for these two players couldn't have been more different. 

After a bit of rust in the first match vs. Bautista-Agut, Roger Federer sailed through his matches like an America's Cup schooner breezing toward victory.

His victims included solid top 20 player Kevin Anderson, who had recently battled World #1 Djokovic at Wimbledon losing a tough 5 set match. Federer clinically destroyed the amiable big serving Anderson, his worst ATP Tour loss ever, with a pair of bread-sticks.
 
Even yesterday, though the score looked closer, many canny tennis pros were saying over and under their unbiased breath that Roger was toying with Andy. 
If Andy's first serve had not been excellent, I don't doubt the score would have been more representative of the play.

On the other hand, Novak Djokovic got through his matches the tough way, but in a most satisfying manner for him.

He permitted his opponents to have immense hope, by playing a level lower than theirs, appearing as a dull weakened warrior, and then, suddenly, when his eager opponents saw the finish line in sight, he flicked his eyes wide open and ripped their hearts out like he was performing a  demonic ritual from the ancient Aztec civilization.

Yesterday he was on the verge of serious injury, after the Dog had taken chunks of him for a better part of two sets. 
Bent over, with his abdominal region in obvious agony, he was attended to furiously by an expert medical team. 
Somehow, someway, perhaps endowed with miraculous skills from the Lord of Light, the physicians worked their magic, and restored Nole to health before one could say Goran Ivanisevic.

Rejuvenated and awakened, the Serbian Slayer lashed out and leashed the formerly uncontrollable Dog by not giving him any space and time to perform his unpredictable tricks. Novak's defensive wall was in place and no matter how quickly the Dog ran and jumped, he could not find a way past the fleet footed master of Masters.

In short, and in conclusion, we have the wizened wizard Federer, a player who barely mussed his hair, broke a sweat, and was never broken, peRFectly attempting to win his seventh final from seven attempts in Cincinnati.

He will face the doggedly determined Djokovic, a player who has tested himself to the edge of defeat, suffered agonizing pain, but overcame adversity with his never say die tenacity and fortitude.

Whomever can continue their tournament strategy the best will win today.  PeRFection vs. iNDomitability.

If they both can execute their tournament blueprints it could be a great match.  But if Roger fails to be peRFect or nearly so, or if Novak fails to be iNDomitable or nearly impenetrable, then it might not live up to those expectations. 

Best of fortune and health to both players. 

Respectfully,
masterclass

The Final match is between [1] Novak Djokovic and [2] Roger Federer today at 1 pm EDT.
The preliminary matches and paths to the final for these two players couldn't have been more different. 

After a bit of rust in the first match vs. Bautista-Agut, Roger Federer sailed through his matches like an America's Cup schooner breezing toward victory.

His victims included solid top 20 player Kevin Anderson, who had recently battled World #1 Djokovic at Wimbledon losing a tough 5 set match. Federer clinically destroyed the amiable big serving Anderson, his worst ATP Tour loss ever, with a pair of bread-sticks.
 
Even yesterday, though the score looked closer, many canny tennis pros were saying over and under their unbiased breath that Roger was toying with Andy. 
If Andy's first serve had not been excellent, I don't doubt the score would have been more representative of the play.

On the other hand, Novak Djokovic got through his matches the tough way, but in a most satisfying manner for him.

He permitted his opponents to have immense hope, by playing a level lower than theirs, appearing as a dull weakened warrior, and then, suddenly, when his eager opponents saw the finish line in sight, he flicked his eyes wide open and ripped their hearts out like he was performing a  demonic ritual from the ancient Aztec civilization.

Yesterday he was on the verge of serious injury, after the Dog had taken chunks of him for a better part of two sets. 
Bent over, with his abdominal region in obvious agony, he was attended to furiously by an expert medical team. 
Somehow, someway, perhaps endowed with miraculous skills from the Lord of Light, the physicians worked their magic, and restored Nole to health before one could say Goran Ivanisevic.

Rejuvenated and awakened, the Serbian Slayer lashed out and leashed the formerly uncontrollable Dog by not giving him any space and time to perform his unpredictable tricks. Novak's defensive wall was in place and no matter how quickly the Dog ran and jumped, he could not find a way past the fleet footed master of Masters.

In short, and in conclusion, we have the wizened wizard Federer, a player who barely mussed his hair, broke a sweat, and was never broken, peRFectly attempting to win his seventh final from seven attempts in Cincinnati.

He will face the doggedly determined Djokovic, a player who has tested himself to the edge of defeat, suffered agonizing pain, but overcame adversity with his never say die tenacity and fortitude.

Whomever can continue their tournament strategy the best will win today.  PeRFection vs. iNDomitability.

If they both can execute their tournament blueprints it could be a great match.  But if Roger fails to be peRFect or nearly so, or if Novak fails to be iNDomitable or nearly impenetrable, then it might not live up to those expectations. 

Best of fortune and health to both players. 

Respectfully,
masterclass

Wow, I didn't know Novak was hurt in his match against Dogopolov. That's news to me.