The Dynamically Unlikely Duo

I had the privilege today to witness a sight that I never thought I would see. A player from India paired with another from Pakistan; two countries who have been bitter enemies for years. But none of that enmity means anything to Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi who won their semi-final match and will now meet the Bryan brothers in the final of the U.S. Open.

It warms the heart when individuals decide to put decades of cultural and religious prejudice behind them and atke a stand. A stand that tells the world that hatred is a learned behaviour and completely unnecessary in intelligent and thoughtful people. While they are playing one to the great doubles teams ever in Bob and Mike Bryan, I am going for the underdogs in Bopanna and Qureshi; maybe because their teaming is an idea whose time has truly come.

Transformers: Spain becomes a Tennis Powerhouse

The emergence and dominance of the Spanish men in world tennis recently has been nothing short of breathtaking and exhilarating. Sure they have had No. 1's before; Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moya come to mind, but up until now the best from Spain came singly. However, not only do the Spanish boast the World No. 1 in Rafael Nadal, no fewer than six Spaniards are in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open. Previously they had only two champions in the United States, Manuel Orantes in 1975 and Manuel Santana in 1965. How things have changed!

My memory watching Spanish tennis players over the years confined to clay-court supremos happily sliding (and winning) at Roland Garros, white shoes covered in red mud. Besides the number of good Spanish players, the greatest change is that Spaniards now win on all surfaces. No better example of this is Nadal who, if he wins at the U.S. Open, will have all four majors under his belt. However the Open pans out, Spain has not only established itself as the great world power in tennis, but the quality and style of their play is just fantastic to watch.