A little out of the box thinking for the ones who like to go deeper than the eye can see!

Roger Federer is indeed a great tennis player, but I as a teacher and believer that in tennis matches often 'you are as good as what your opponent lets you be', I have to bring to your attention what I observed in the final phase of the match between Roger Federer and Robin Soderling at the US Open.

How beautiful and how dominant Federer was in the first two sets lose relevance when one takes into account this was a five set match and if we analyse the match, it all boiled down to the the fourth set tie-breaker, and that is where I will start my commentary.

The fourth set Tie breaker! What if...?

1st point - Second serve Federer slice wide to Soderlings forehand. Robin spanks the ball pretty hard down the line attempting an outright winner. Out! 1-0 Federer

2nd point - Ace Soderling!  1-1

3rd point - Second serve Robin, long rally ensues, Federer misses forehand wide! 2-1 Soderling.

4th point - Second serve Federer, Robin does not step inside the court to threaten it, attempts another winner, this time inside out wide! Out! 2-2

5th point - Federer 1st serve in Soderling attemps another winner forehand long. Out! 3-2 Federer.

What if, Soderling had returned the percentage forehand shot cross court, tested Federe's nerves and made him play the point? 

6th point - Soderling first serve, Federer barely misses percentage forehand cross-court long. Out! 3-3

7th point - Soderling 2nd serve, rally ensues, Federer misses downline forehand (questions the call obvious sign of nervousness!). Out 4-3 Soderling.

8th point - Federer Ace! 4-4.

9th point - Federer Ace! 5-4 Federer.

10th point - Soderling Ace! 5-5.

11th point - Soderling almost Ace (winner)! 6-5 Soderling.

12th point - Federer, obviously nervous misses first serve! SET POINT (to go into a 5th set!), Soderling blockades, barely moves his feet and attempts another cross court winning forehand that sails out! 6-6 Federer.

13th point - A nervous Federer second serve, Soderling takes total control of the rally, has a set up high backhand to spank cross court for a winner, instead plays it down the line wide! Obviously because Robin saw Federer just sitting there and there was no place to go but out! 7-6 Federer.

14th point - First serve Soderling, rally issues, Robin controls the point gets the forehand he wants (for is bread and butter shot, the inside out winner!) instead, once again Soderling chooses to play the corner were Federer is and sprays the ball out wide! 8-6.

Game set and match Federer!

Of course Roger has plenty of merit to be in the position he was, but what do you think would have happened, if Robin Soderling had played those four  returns cross court medium pace inside, instead of attempting outright winners outside?

What would have happened if Soderling had played 13 and 14 as he should have?

In my count these were 6 gifts from Soderling to Federer without any particular action on his part but to be there.

Four of these gifts/opportunities were in points 1,4,5,7, what if, Soderling had returned with the percentage forehand shot cross court, tested Federe's nerves and made him play those points? 

Now that you read this do you still think Roger Federer is the master of the tennis Universe?

In my opinion he is not and he has very exploitable weaknesses! In this case Soderling could have completely dominated the tie-breaker by a large margin of points and won the set. And we would have seen a very tight fifth set!

What is in this for you?

Sure enough you will not win BIG unless you go for your shots!

That means though, construct the point well and when you have opportunities, like in points 13 and 14 Soderling had, go to the open court for winners! That is the time to go for it!

In situations like in point 12 (set point Soderling) where Soderling let Federer control the play by serving the second ball at his own leasure, instead, use the roaring crowd as an excuse, lift your left hand and ask the umpire for silence, turn around fiddle with your racket strings briefly, take a deep breath, bounce on your toes, turn around again, get inside the baseline and signal that you are ready to play. And then, only then, second serve Federer!

In second serves, Soderling had 4 of these opportunities (points 1,4,5,7), step inside the court threaten your opponent.

Activate your fast twitching fibers by bouncing on your toes, this will relax you and at the same time will better your reaction time.

Hit the ball early. If the service ball is short and you have a winner opportunity, go for it!

In tie breakers and big points every return matters. Get them all in, play the percentages on the initial return that is usually cross court!

Always remember do not rush, the other player is also nervous, be consistent, so if need be, bring the ball back deep, one more time! Who knows he may give you that short ball you are looking for or even make a mistake!

This analysis in no way pretends to take away the great merit Roger Federer has as a champion.  It merely illuminates the fact that your opponent is only as good as you allow him to be.  Having said that, Roger Federer is no exception.

Enjoy the US open!

Sergio Cruz

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