Canadian Bacon

Nadal continues to close the gap on number one in the world. Nadal won the French, Queens, Wimbledon, and now Toronto. Can you remember the last time Rafa has lost a match? He has won 29 consecutive matches this year. Nadal is within 300 points of owning the number one spot over Roger Federer who bombed in the first round in Toronto. He continues to bridge the gap and I predict he will end the year as number one. Nadal continues to break record after record and Federer appears to only remain an obstacle in his way rather than a genuine threat.

Federer has held the top spot for more than four years and could be dethroned should he lose his opening match in Cincy and Nadal wins another one (he has won his last 5 tournaments). The big question is whether or not Roger will win another Grand Slam. I am going to go out on a limb and make this ridiculisly bold prediction and say no. I don't see it. I hope he does because he I think he is a good guy and have attended a press conference with him and met him and he is a really intelligent and nice guy but I am going to question how much he wants it. I dont think he wants it anymore. I think that he has made a lot of money already at 40 plus million not including endorsement deals and is within range to knockout Pete Sampras as the record holder at 12 to Pete's 14 but I think he is going to struggle from now on. His bullseye on his back has gotten bigger because it is a career highlight to play Roger much less beat him. He is in a vulnerable part of his career where he has become a just a regular player and is being beaten on a regular basis. I believe Nadal is going to take over his roll and win the big ones along with Novak and some other new guys (hopefully americans) will start to make names for themselves. I am getting tired of Blake and Roddick not getting the job done and not closing and question if they even want to be number one or are they just "comfortable" being in the top 10 making good money and not dealing with that number one stress. It disappoints me that an American has not won a Slam since '03 and it puts that fire in my belly to start playing again because I would want it, so yes, I am questioning and challenging all Americans to step up because I am sick and tired of all these championships going to the foriegners.