FEDERER-DJOKOVIC LIVE

Roger has played an absolutely beautiful first set--which he has won 6-3. A sudden return to vintage form. 12 winners. 3 unforced errors. A level of grace, power, confidence and precision we haven't seen from him in quite a while. This dominance is, to some extent, a function of Djokovic having a flat, sleepy, uninspired start so I certainly don't expect it to stay this easy throughout. The Serb seems traumatized by having been booed so lustily during and after the Roddick match. I'm sure he'll find a way to kick it into gear and make it a match. Love how comfortable Roger seems now coming to the net.

Novak has awakened in the second set. Hitting the ball with much more power and authority.. Seventh point of second game of the second set: one for the ages. Ending with a Federer winner of the line reminiscent of the match point saving shot in the 4th set against Nadal. The match goes to three deuces before Federer wins it with a second serve ace up the middle. On serve in the second. 1-1. Novak looking quite strong in holding. Although for a guy who is famous for doing great impressions, that was a very poor impression of a drop shot he showed us up 40-15.

Serving 1-2, Federer loses the first two points of the game--both points he should have won--and is now in big trouble at 15-40. Djokovic breaks. Federer looks frustrated. I just hope he doesn't try to do too much in response to this turn of the tide--and lose the rhythm and precision he's had to this point. Djokovic is looking rock solid--like he did against Roddick. This is the opponent I expected for Roger. And unfortunately he's now shown up.

Gorgeous backhand up the line winner to earn Federer a break point. Even the unflappable father Federer is clapping. Federer gets the break back on a Djokovic error.

Mary Man Voice Carillo made a good point earlier: The windless conditions have certainly helped Roger regain his precision. It also somehow seems to have helped him regain his usual stellar footwork. Federer plays an amazing second point of the game--hitting the line twice in the process. He holds to bring it to 4-4.

ND's focus seems to be slipping. He's made two sloppy errors. Federer can smell young blood. Oops. not so fast. Novak just handcuffed him with a vicious serve, then hit another big service winner up the T and then hit a winner off another big serve. The folly of trend spotting. The Serb rediscovered his mojo quickly and decisively and recovered from the sloppy first two points to go up 5-4.

Federer and ND exchange impressive holds--reminding me of the essential emptiness of live tennis commentary. Really not much to say but. Wow. They are good. They hit hard. The ball looks so clean and crisp on my flat screen HD TV.

After fighting back from triple set point at 0-40 to get to 30-40, Federer makes an unforced error on an easy shot to give the second set to ND. For a few moments there, I thought I saw glimpses of Federer being dispirited by the combination of Djokovic's speed, power and defense. And giving that "What do I have to do to win a point?" look that he had at times against Nadal at Wimbledon. Now the emerging rain storm is making it more reminiscent of Wimbledon.

Djokovic fights off a break point to hold serve. Federer holds with one of his strongest service games yet. Wind starting to kick up.

Roger squanders another break point opportunity and Novak holds in an uncharacteristically error-filled game despite 2 double faults.

The confidence, the focus, the precision are slipping a bit. But Roger's pulling out some great shots at big moments to try to keep the younger, stronger warrior at bay. 2-2 in the third. Man: Federer hasn't lost a match here since the first months of the Iraq misadventure. Amazing. But sadly the signs are that the streak might end today. You have to favor the younger, stronger guy at this point. And a hesitancy (and attendant imprecision has entered Roger's game.

Random Dick Enberg utterance that resonates in its profundity in unintended ways: "In every man's life there is an Ivan Lendl."

Reflecting on how at times it seems like the real Federer and at other times, like an imposter in a Roger Federer costume. But it's compelling (if frustrating) to see him battle at the verges of his emergent mortality. It's more and more about guile and will for him.

And this new CBS Flo-Motion replay. On great passing shots, it's pure tennis porn.

ND holds to go up 5-4.

Federer holds at love--closing with another backhand winner up the line. Nice to see him respond to the challenge and ND come up a bit flat one game from winning the set.

Wow. Speaking of Flat. ND suddenly can't hit a forehand approach shot over the net and essentially hands a huge break to Federer who now serves for the third set.

Unbelievable defensive desperation overhead from 8 feet behind the baseline. off a mishit overhead by ND. ND getting peevish at the opponent and the suddenly voluble fans.

Saves a set point--with help from the instant replay challenge-- by a proto pubic hair's width. But Roger refuses to be disheartened by the fickle hand of happenstance and converts his second set point to go up 2 sets to one. I'd be interested in which has the higher statistical correspondence: The winner of the third game of a 5 set match that's tied at 1-1 with the eventual winner or the winner of the fifth game of a 7 game NBA playoff series that's tied 2-2 with the eventual winner.

ND showing a lot of mettle (not to mention game) to fend off a couple of break points and hold. Some great tennis--with Federer threatening to take control of the match.

They are really playing some great points out there. And hitting the cover off the ball.

Both (particularly Djkovic) should be reported to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Felt!

ND coming into net a lot more. Has battled back from 40-15 to duece on Federer's serve. Both playing with great confidence and precision. A very high level. For a stretch it sort of felt like Roger was playing along out there. But ND has made his presence felt with some incredible winners and some surprising forays to the net and he is making Roger think twice about certain tactics (like running around his backhand. That said, Roger finally holds. 2-2.

Federer with two break points. Djokovic fights them off--the second with a huge serve. Federer breaks! But no fist pump or demonstration of emotion. Is this an indication that he's too tired to display in such histrionics or that he has returned to frm and is neither delighted nor surprised by the outcome.

Despite some fierce, brilliant, resilient play by Djokovic, Federer holds for 4-2. He is serving as well as I've ever seen him. And hitting a ridiculous ration of winners to unforced errors. I believe he has 10 winners this set to one unforced error (and that was only because a let chord threw off his perfectly calibrated timing) and he has 18 aces to one double fault for the match. And, while I am busy extolling his exquisitely elevated level of play, HE HAS JUST BROKEN ND AGAIN!!

Djokovic looks petulant and defeated. THis is a maturity issue that separates him from Federer and Nadal.

Those Navratil and Sharap gals have nothing on this match. This puppy is OVA!!!

Federer doesn't evince as much joy as one would expect. COuld it be that the vulnerable , mortal Roger has gone away again and the invulnerable, dominant one has returned??

I will do the heretical thing and say that, reports of his demise notwithstanding, I really think if you look at his performance today it ranks up there with his pre-2007/2008 standard.

I see that Nadal has lost the first set and is on serve in the second, but I'm actually rooting for Rafa. I'd love to see a rematch between the two and a chance at big stage redemption for Roger. I actually think that the way he played today, he could beat Nadal on these hard courts and I'd like to see him have the opportunity to do it.

UNNATURAL SHOCK OF THE DAY: (only 867 yo go!)

Both of the players competing for the chance to play Federer in the finals have a winning record against him.