I’m really not here to regurgitate the score (although – 6-4, 6-0 over Nadal…blanking Nadal…seriously?). It’s all over the web, as is plenty of commentary.

No, what I really want to just briefly mention is what this will do. For so long, people, i.e. tennis fans, have grown used to a one-man show. Rogah. Then Nadal came along and shook things up a touch but Federer kept his cool and has managed to keep Nadal at bay on every surface except clay. And then, seemingly out of nowhere, arrives Nalbandian on his white steed.

Obviously I am over-exaggerating. That’s the point of talking about things that everyone else is talking about. But think about it – both the No. 1 and 2 seeds that have dominated the game for quite some time have been ousted two times consecutively.

Nalbandian has a lot to prove. Federer and Nadal have a lot to hang on to. That’s the thing about being at the top. Everybody is gunnin’ for ya. No more surprises. No more come-from-nowhere tricks.

I like the underdog role. It suits me. Personally, I think there is room for a third man at the top. Makes it crowded. And exciting…

One last thing – I’m having a contest! Post your most embarrassing story related to tennis and when the accolades of being able to laugh at yourself over something embarrassing and win a tennis teddy bear from Vermont Teddy Bear.

Post from: EveryJoe

Now Nalbandian

Nalbandian won in Madrid by coming from a set down (1-6, 6-3, 6-3) to beat Roger Federer. Nalbandian took out Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic en route to his final showdown with Federer.

This is only the second time a player has beat the top three in the same tournament since Boris Becker in 1994. Pretty sweet deal, aeh?

So. Roger Federer lost. It’s kind of a big deal since the loss was Federer’s seventh of the year. Seven. Sometimes that number can be big – like if you’re talking about the number of chocolate chip cookies I ate. Or the number of people in a phone booth. But seven is tiny when we’re talking about a year of professional tennis.

Yes, I suppose it is news that Nalbandian beat Federer. But that geeky sports information nerd that lives inside of me wishes it would have been phrased differently. Maybe if the headlines read Nalbandian Wins at Madrid instead of Federer Loses to Unseeded Opponent, my inner geek would rest a little easier tonight.

In lieu of that happening, I’ll just have seven of something – like NyQuil – and call it good.

Post from: EveryJoe

Nalbandian Wins, Federer Loses