I was out the whole day *wwhooops* shopping and eating my heart out.

Came to find that Novak Djokovic, the first major winner of the year has become the last major (sorta..) winner of the year.. he has won the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai beating Nikolay Davydenko.

[Photo by Eugene Hoshiko/AP Images]

Don’t know why, I must be always supporting the underdog.. I was hoping Davydenko could win.. haih ya. Nevermind, let’s await next year with much anticipation.

‘Til then.. SHOWDOWN, people.. SHOWDOWN!

While most of my friends are unofficially ‘done’ with the year 2008, I am still stuck here with my finals looming only in the first week of January 2009. Well, most terms have ended - I can say the same for our champ Roger as well.

He was eliminated from the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai when he lost to Murray in the round robin, giving way to Gilles Simon (who beaten him as well) to advance to the semi finals. I was, of course, feeling disappointed. It seemed like he had many chances. They kept breaking each other’s serves. It was so far, yet so near sort of thing.

Then again, I only had the livescores to judge from. I didn’t really know what happened.

He must have been in real pain. According to the news I read, he received treatment THREE times.

Federer had the trainer come out and massage his lower left back as he lay face down on the court during the break, then during the next two changeovers and frequently rubbed the area during the match. At one point, he sat in a linesman’s chair while waiting for Murray to start a service game.

Sitting at the linesman’s chair.. (Photo by Andrew Wong/Getty Images)

He really looks in pain..

“I don’t quit once I step on court.”

“Normally, best-of-three match, it’s peanuts. So it was a pity I couldn’t handle it today. Pretty happy I don’t have a match tomorrow, to be honest.”

“I almost made a miracle happen, you know.”

“I can’t believe how close I got, to be honest. So I’m actually very happy.”

(Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

The weather was dampened by the drizzling, costing me yet another jogging session. I came online and started chatting with my sis who later told me that she was watching Tsonga on tv. It was only then it dawned in me that they are playing in Shanghai where there is no apparent time difference from where I am in.

Shanghai!!

[Photo credit to Quentin Shih] Go download the high quality version here. 25MB!!!

As a full time university undergrad (*cough), I didn’t really have the time and capacity to follow every inch of tennis world out there. But suffice to say, the internet has saved me a lot of time and trouble. I get livescores and read articles and news quite up to date. Best part

Chup! Davydenko has beaten Tsonga in the round robin! 6(6)-7, 6-4, 7-6(0)! Earlier on, Djokovic seemed to ease pass del Potro rather easily 7-5, 6-3.

As for thyself, it is Roger Federer whom I am vying for. Ever so smart, gentleman looking..

[Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images]

[AP] So cute.. eating a banana.. and Mirka with her phone. Lovely couple.

[Image from AP]

I can’t help but to really admire this man. Despite the losses this year. The lob-sided French Open finals result. The first round beaten by Simon in Toronto. He is still so amazing.

Who cannot help but to admire Roger Federer?

Anyway, my point really is to talk about Shanghai. I remember visiting Shanghai the very first time in my life in the year 2002. I remembering seeing promotional posters everywhere in Shanghai on the Tennis Masters Cup.. something about the best top 8 players ecetra. Didn’t really pay great attention to that, but now I know the significance. I remember vaguely recognising Agassi in the posters. Only Agassi.. but trust me, I knew and read about Roger Federer since his earlier days. The days when he had long hair. The Martina Hingis days. In fact, a news article attracted my attention just because it was about Switzerland and that female top player that era was Hingis.

Who knows.. Roger Federer has become who he is today.

A brief search lands me on the ever useful Wikipedia.. so Roger played in the 2002 Tennis Masters Cup! However, Lleyton Hewitt won it.

Poor me. This is my worst ATP Bracket Challenge so far. All wrong results from the QFs onwards.

So we see that Tsonga, the Muhammad Ali lookalike Frenchman is going to meet Argentinian David Nalbandian, the defending champion tonight.

So what is your take?

Tsonga who is on an impressive run?

Or Nalbandian who is always up to surprises and well-known for his strength in the indoors?

I may not have anticipated this, but I do think it will be a worthwhile match. The last masters series of the year, peeps!!