Nadal is Gone?

It has been an exciting week on the grass and yesterday was no exception. Most people thought, myself included, Nadal would be around for the final weekend of the event, possibly winning his third Wimbledon in the process. We were all wrong.

Lucas Rosol played the match of his career... of his life actually. Nobody outside the top 3 in the world has beaten Nadal in five sets. Since Nadal really exploded onto the scene, he has never lost this early in a slam. But these things didn't matter as Rosol had too much game.

In the fifth set, Rosol hit 20 winners to only 2 unforced errors. He hit 19 of 23 massive first serves in, and only lost 3 points the whole set on his serve. In the final game, he hit 3 aces to help close it out. He was "in the zone."

So who does this help the most? EVERYONE! In the short term, that could open doors for American, feel good story, Brian Baker. The quarterfinals is easily within reach now. Tsonga and Fish could also make that quarter to take on someone like Baker. For them, the semifinals is easily within reach.

In the semifinals, whoever comes out of that draw no longer has Nadal to beat in order to make the finals. Murray is the biggest name there, but it could also be Ferrer, Roddick, or Del Potro. That's a huge opportunity as somebody here now has a much easier road to the finals. Murray has his best chance at winning his first slam, and in the homeland he represents.

Then, for guys like Djokovic and Federer, they only have to beat one player in the big 3 now. Before, they would have played each other in the semis, but then Nadal in the final. Now, it's likely that the winner of the semifinal between Djokovic and Federer can more easily win it all.

My pick, Roger Federer, doesn't have to go through his career long rival anymore. I love his position now, despite having to go through Novak. If he wins the title, he returns to number 1 in the world. That's been one of his biggest goal throughout the year. That sets him in a good mindset with the Olympics around the corner (his other biggest goal).

Like I said, this really opens the door for all the contenders. It's one less stud player to go through in order to advance. But there may still be crazy things to come!

Andrew