Is Roger saving energy or has he lost a little confidence? (Page 1 of 3)

Fed would love to win quick matches but is it now common for him to let down mentally and get into tough situations. He is still amazing, but I do think his confidence is shaken and he sometimes forgets that he's the best player of all time.

I saw his match against the X-Man yesterday, and it was comfortable. He was playing at about 70%, just in cruise control basically. The match against Simon is what should have been expected if Simon was healthy, which he was. Simon was the #6 player in the world until his injury last year. He won a tuneup event before coming to Melbourne, so that should have indicated the injury was behind him. Roger was 0-2 against Simon before the match, so you know Simon is a dangerous player. Simon is like Murray in a way but slightly more aggressive when the time comes, and we've seen that style of play bother a lot of players, not just Fed. It was a good test against a guy who should be in the top 10 at the end of the season.

As for Robredo, I've seen his last two matches, and he's looked very beatable. He got off to a really slow start in both matches, and Fed won't let him off the hook if he starts off slow again. He would really need to come out with vintage Robredo from years past and hope Roger isn't playing well to take a set IMO. I expect Fed to play at about 80% and then turn it on if necessary.

Did you see Stan play last night night, Don? I don't think I've ever seen him play that well. He had Monfils on a string all night, absolutely crushing backhands at will. I highly doubt he can come out and play like that again from start to finish, but if he gets hot like that even for set it could get dicey for Roddick.

Stan certainly was in great form against Monfils.  (Of course, Monfils does give you a lot of off-pace balls that make you look either great or awful.)  It would be no surprise if Stan knocks Andy off -- but to do so he will have to maintain that level of play (or close to it) and serve well.  Andy's serve has been excellent as usual.  The rest of his game has been too passive so far.  As far as demons, he certainly has a bunch when it comes to Fed, for sure.  Whether that extends to the likes of Stan or not, I doubt.  I think you're being overly hard on Andy.  I don't think it's at all clear which of the two will win.  I expect a 4 or 5-setter.  Whoever serves better in the last set wins -- or that's my guess, anyway.

I actually do like Andy.  But if you want to continue to like Andy, it's best not to watch too many of his press conferences.  I don't know how he came to detest the press so much that he actually shows it regularly, but he did.  The questions do get repetitive and downright stupid.  Still, sometimes he acts like he thinks he's queen for a day.  I'm sure celebrity grates sometimes.  Never really had the problem all that much myself, so I'm just speculating about that, really.

He does seem to let things get to him now that would not have in the past.

Wimbledon is probably his best chance now, he needs a few things to go his way but with his big serve and the right desire he could still win Wimbledon I reckon. He can be a bit of a brat occassionally but he is mellowing a little as he gets older, I'll never forget how shattered he was after losing that epic final against Federer at Wimbledon, knowing that may have been his best chance to add another slam to his trophy cabinet, he would get everyones sympathy vote if he made another final in the slams, well everyones except maybe you Adrian.....:) I know what you mean though I have never liked him that much either but in my opinion he is more likeable now than he used to be.

ha Ivanisevic! what a card.........I remember how he once insulted McEnroe in an interview, which made me instantly dislike him. I love McEnroe! Once went to see him play an exhibition against Becker, and somehow managed to get his autograph after the match xD

I hope for the sake of my team that Fed wins, but for the sake of my boy Nadal, I hope Robredo destroys him after this!!!

Yeah I was pretty disappointed; the Australian is usually Verdasco's best Slam
Oh well, Djoker'll take care of him, the guy's playing really really well.

Yep you are bang on there Don, Berdych and the Joker will be a great match, I feel like Novak will win though.
Murray and Soderling will be a great match too if it eventuates, gee did I have a bad day today with my 4th round picks, Li Na, Schiavone and Petkovic all winning didn't help my cause good for you Don with Petkovic winning though.

Roger better come out all cylinders firing against Stan. Stan has played the best tennis I've ever seen him play, and that beautiful one handed backhand is lethal. If Fed plays like he did against Robredo, he won't win.