Murray's 'Blushing Widow', D'joker's 'Flashing Willow' and Roger's 'Flushing Meadow': who will have the last laugh?
It’s the final epic show down of the year. We move to the Flushing meadows; the most glittering of the lot, where I’d always admire the dished out presentation for its sophistication coupled with the dramatic touché. A hard court that’s endured many hard wars and brought forth many sublime soft delicacies.
There are many memories cramped upon this hallowed blue turf, the foremost among them being the moistening and agonizing memories of Pete’s farewell juxtaposed upon his 5 titles here, the blistering return of a determined Iron-willed mom Clijsters who romped her way to the title, the reinvention of a suppressed powerhouse long brushed aside as the ’Joker, the birth of a towering protégé Del Potro ….
One last time, the masters, protégés, legends, professionals, aspiring hopefuls and even flukes shall battle it out in the arena of glory to emerge as the winner. For most, including Murray, it shall be about pursuing that elusive first title. For Djokovic, reiterating his purple patch isn’t history already and for Roger, that his passionate hunger isn’t a greedy adventure.
What makes this one so important is that this is the first time in a long time that we have 3 different winners for the Three Grand slams held this year so far. An Australian Open title helped Djokovic to the summit of a calendar grand slam only to be denied by Nadal at his backyard, who mustered his record at the Roland Garros. A resurgent champion Roger then stole the show in Wimbledon, crowning himself as the undisputed champion at the expense of a teary Murray, haunted by a ghost of Fred Perry and the burden of expectations. Besides all the aforementioned facts is the paining reality that we do not have Nadal, the warrior, this time around.
So who will emerge the winner of US Open ’12?
It’s a bitter reality that in the men’s side there are 3 prime contenders. Strange isn’t it that the count has remained the same even after Nadal’s absence?
So here’s my prediction of the future we could see unfold in reality in 20 days’ time.
Discounting the one day transient mavericks of Rosol’s & Bennetau’s, short lived hopeful shooting stars like Bhagdatis & Tipservic, the tireless warriors like Ferrer, Verdasco, Cilic & Tsonga who are to be ever denied, and the ignorable slam wonders of Del Potro, Roddick etc, we are left with 3 main contenders, ironically, with one among them who doesn’t even have a slam to boast of. Let me present to you the reality.
#1 Andy Murray
Well that’s the wonder of time’s play. For someone who was long touted as the next big thing in this sport, Murray was long overshadowed in the shade of the three mighty monsters. But from the semi-final loss of this Australian Open, he’s been a more focused and confident man. He’s come farthest to the final on this favorable fast surface, but alas it’s been his ‘blushing widow’, where he’d walk home in mixed feelings of being so near yet so far.
Though Murray has lost 3 finals to the legend, his recent victories against Djokovic & Federer in the Olympics, puts him in good stead. However, with the latest knee problem that has seen him wilt in the warm up events, it’s a question of patience and time before we know if Murray will pick his first slam.
#2 Novak Djokovic
With an impeccable season last year, he’d forced many to take his side with success against the top two. He took the sport by storm and reduced the era’s two legends to leaves, forcing us to sit up and take note of the curse of age’s autumn that seemed to have waned these warrior’s impulses. Slam after slam, tournament after tournament, he muscled his way to the No. 1 dishing out memorable performances of tireless mettle; both mental and physical. But soon, time caught up with him too, leaving us all already wondering if he’s lost his guile.
This is the place where in the moments of death against the master, when all seemed lost, that he scripted his ‘flashing willow’ to emerge victor, as the Swiss’ nemesis, twice. He’s one sure star who is going to shine brightly whom none could miss!
#3 Roger Federer
Ah! The ageless grandeur that delights like the ancient intriguing Mona Lisa. Nothing seems to deny him that which he’s come to grab in deservedness. The sight of this face we’ve grown tired seeing pick the crown 17 times now and yet desire most passionately to see again. His passion doesn’t seem to be human that has to age with time. Indeed, he’s a thorn in the flesh to his competitors, while an enchanting rose to the onlookers.
Last three years, this has been his ‘Flushing meadow’ where he’d fall prey to some blatant shot making and young limbs that started the rumor of aging. A curse of his age as a critic’s claim that he’d put to rest with a mesmerizing call of his divinity. None could be more deserving to pick up the title this Open ’12.
All in all, the draw is going to be the lucky decider of who gets a walk to the final until they have to face one of the other two.
I think Murray might win. I have a hope for Djokovic’s win. But I know, in total faith, that Roger is the winner!