CAN FEDERER STAY ON HIS FEET IN MIAMI

Roger Federer’s movement is the most talked about aspect of his game. How light he is on his snugly, Nike-clad feet, like a dancer sashaying on court, with speed, dexterity, power and coordination, effortlessly zinging shots from both left and right wings.
The debate for Federer being the greatest player ever to grace this sport starts from the ground up but the marvel doesn’t stop with his movement but goes beyond, and tennis purists and neutrals alike, worship eagerly at his temple.
Florent Serra however seemed to miss that presser about Federer or somehow tuned out all the fawning journalists, pundits and experts have subjected all asunder to over the years, because the way he came out against Le Maestro in the third round showed none of the requisite reverence one might expect of an underling coming face-to-face with THE tennis god.
Indeed not. He actually played the match as if he could win. Granted it was the first-ever clash between Serra and Federer but the precociousness of it all! Unsettled Federer, it did. A tad grumpy and irritable he was throughout the match and somewhat impatient with his shot making. Cost him several leads in both sets and nigh cost him a set even.
Federer was very glad he survived that slugfest 7-6, 7-6 to move into the last 16. He couldn’t have been thrilled about the manner in which he won and what impression he might have given Berdych and Co., who were keenly watching the proceedings.
Wouldn’t want to be giving Birdie any similar ideas for their upcoming clash in the last 16 now would he. What if the Czech were as audacious as Serra was the other day? Birdie is so much more talented than Serra is so, that if Federer were to allow Berdie to sink his teeth into the match, you have to believe it could spell disaster of Fedominal proportions. Très unthinkable?
Head-to-head there is no indication of any such tendency. Berdych trails Fed 1-8 lifetime; his lone victory coming at the 2004 Athens Olympics, which incidentally was their first-ever meeting. Since then, Federer has reeled off eight consecutive wins over the Czech with measured ease.
So on paper, Federer looks in fine fettle. William Hill’s odds on Federer, listed at 1/5 to win outright the sensible option. But so much has happened at the Sony Ericsson Open that has gone against the grain that it would unconscionable not to consider, even if ever-so small a play, on Berdych.
At 7/2 odds to win outright the odds on Birdie are a tad large but rather tempting don’t you think. Bearing in mind, Federer has not been in top form in Miami – not yet at least – he is not certain to be the player left standing once all is said and done.