Underdog

Everyone loves an underdog. Everyone loves to see the favourite get beaten by a lesser ranked opponent, it shakes things up a bit. This happened yesterday when women's number 1 Jelena Jankovic was beaten by Italian Flavia Pennetta in three sets. It was said that Jankovic was suffering from a wrist injury incurred during the match, but even so, a great victory for the Italian underdog.

It was the same when Nadal played Federer in the Wimbledon final this July. Although Nadal wasn't exactly a low ranked player, many wanted to see Federer knocked off the world Number One spot to be replaced by the Spaniard. I think this is almost instinct, it's nice to see someone beat the best! As it happens we were given an exquisite display of tennis, the best Wimbledon final of all time...as far as I'm concerned.

Now Nadal is world number one....Federer has taken leave from the sport....the feeling begins to emerge that we want to see the Swiss superstar back to his emphatic best. Hopefully Roger can do this for his fans...and his own career.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7674444.stm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heGaAh1dzQo (VideoCave, July 2008)