Djokovic Denied

Upon serving one last ace up the tee to complete what will go down in history among the greatest victories of his momentous professional tennis career, Roger Federer gently wagged a forefinger at his conquered foe. "Not yet," he seemed to say.

For the first time in over seven years, it appeared likely that the next week's world ATP singles rankings would show neither Roger Federer nor Rafael Nadal in the number one position. Novak Djokovic, reigning Australian Open champion and winner of 43 consecutive matches, took to the court Friday afternoon but one more victory from seizing the mantle currently held by Nadal, and a clear favorite to accomplish the task; it seemed to many, as pundits had often- though always incorrectly- speculated over the years, that the Federer-Nadal era was at long last coming to an end. In characteristic fashion, however, the Swiss legend came up with a touch of magic at the moment he most needed it, while Djokovic showed what have of late been rare signs of humanity in his sometimes-uneven performance. In one fell stroke, Federer both thwarted Djokovic's immediate number-one hopes and set up the first Grand Slam final meeting between himself and Nadal since the 2009 Australian Open, as if to broadcast the message that their ship still sails.

Powerful heartache surely awaited Djokovic, who fell a single match short of securing the number one ranking and one short of equaling John McEnroe's record start-of-the-year unbeaten run of 1984, but hope still remains. Just as many Nadal fans undoubtedly found themselves in the unusual position of rooting emphatically for Federer Friday, so I expect that Djokovic's supporters will now rally behind their man's conqueror. A Federer win Sunday would enable Djokovic yet still to take the number one position from Nadal, who is defending a championship run from last year.