Not his year

Roger Federer, he with 12 Grand Slam titles, came crashing down to earth when Majorcan Rafael Nadal give a blistering and consistent performance on grass to raise the 2008 Wimbledon Championship trophy. And it was a long, long battle...

It was Roger's inability to convert on his breakpoints that eventually led to his defeat, a heartbreaking one, by his own admission. After ruling the Queen's grass for five years, almost eclipsing Bjorn Borg's record of consecutive wins, the Fed Express finally ran out of steam.

He's not likely to admit that he knew in his heart Nadal was playing catch-up fast, but that's what the 22-year-old Muscleman from Spain has been doing in the last couple of years. With four French Open titles to his credit, consecutive at that, it was only a matter of time when he would finally be able to spell out Federer. And work on it, he did.

Well, this time truly a picture speaks a thousand words. Looking at Federer clutching his runner-up plate is truly devastating. There is next year to look forward to.

Photos by Fotosport International/R. Parker; Getty Images/C. Brunskill (www.wimbledon.org)

Waiting in suspense...

It's been an exciting Men's Finals at Wimbledon, and even just listening over Radio Wimbledon, the thrill and nerves is as jangling. At this time, the champion has yet to be declared, but Rafa Nadal, the No. 2 seed, leads two sets to love, and getting ready to close out the match at 5-4, Federer up. But as luck would have it, mother nature has dictated a time out with rain delay being called.

It's now midnight where I am, and I can hardly keep my eyes open. So, while I really, really want to be around to listen and rejoice with whoever will take home the crown, I'm gonna have to sign out in a couple of minutes because there is work tomorrow, and I'm not feeling as hale and hearty as I would like to be.

So, to Rafa or Roger -- go, guys. And congratulations to the eventual winner! If Roger does not make it, there must be some truth to history repeating itself as in the case of Bjorn Borg who was chasing his sixth consecutive Wimbledon crown but ended up losing to lefty John McEnroe. If he pulls a really magical rabbit from his hat, then Federer, you deserve it.

It's her Dish

In two sets, defending champion Venus Williams beat younger sister Serena to raise her fifth Venus Rosewater Dish at the All England Club. Consistency was the key to her victory, and while she does feel a little sad having to win at the expense of her sibling, Venus was nevertheless thrilled that her preparation paid off.

Great game, guys... even if it was just listening over Wimbledon Radio. So, wonder if Roger and his cardigan will be making history tomorrow.

Photo by Reuters/A. Pierdomenico (www.wimbledon.org)

Another Williams finals

For the 8th time, the Williams sisters -- Venus and Serena -- will meet for the finals of a Grand Slam event. The All England Club or Wimbledon has much prestige in it that Serena, who has two of the Venus Rosewater Dish, is hungry enough to keep Venus from getting her fifth.

Surprise semi-finalist Zheng Jie put up a huge fight, becoming the first Chinese to reach that round for Wimbledon. She may have been bested by one hungry Williams, but she proved that Asians are becoming a force to reckon with in the tennis circuit.

So, who am I rooting for this Saturday? Don't really care. While I concede the Williams sisters are talented tennis players who have proven time and again they are champions, I've never really been big fans of theirs. Dunno... must have been turned off by their father, Richard, early on in their tennis careers.

So, the Venus Rosewater Dish for 2008 goes to...

Photo by: Reuters/K. Doherty (www.wimbledon.org)

Seeds come crashing down

So much for Maria Sharapova's scene-stealing outfit... After two rounds at Wimbledon, she's joining Serb Novak Djokovic in packing bags and heading for home. Hey, aren't they the reigning Australian Open champs? Hmmm.

I guess tennis has really become unpredictable these last years. Of course, not to discount the dominance of Roger Federer, who's been at the top for nearly three years. These days, it can be anybody's game. Well, just looking over Federer's shoulder is Rafael Nadal, who just may pull a great stunt and finally prove he's not just a clay-court guy.

The truth is I miss Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, even Michael Chang and Steffi Graf and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. I miss their showmanship on court. Power tennis? I'm not really so gung-ho about. Because play that way and in a couple of years, they have to contend with injuries. Now a good game by Agassi and Sampras or Graf and Monica Seles, wow! Really keeps you glued to the screen, your heart thumping with excitement. Even Goran Ivanisevic was a showman.

Well, there's next year again for Sharapova and Novak... And here's to looking out who will reign supreme on the queen's green.

Photo by IPS/M. Pozzetti (http://www.wimbledon.org.)