Tennis: Guillermo Canas, Challenger for the Crown

Rarely in the world of tennis do fans witness a scene such as the one they witnessed on March 11, 2007. A rookie was consoling the mighty Federer on his straight set defeat, halting his career-best winning streak of 41 matches.

When Indian fans woke up the next morning, they couldn't believe what their eyes were seeing. The man had finally fallen, the frontier had been conquered and tennis suddenly seemed competitive all over again. Another man to challenge the king's crown has arrived. It's Guillermo Canas.

When Roger Federer entered the Indian Wells Masters, aka Pacific Life Open, he was riding high on confidence. He was the three-time defending champion, riding high on his wins at the year-opening Australian Open and the Dubai Open, where he regained his crown. He was undefeated in 2007, in fact he was undefeated since August 2006 and was on verge of breaking the all-time best streak of 46 wins. All he needed was to win the title, which owing to aforementioned reasons didn't look unexpected. What was unexpected was what actually happened on the court.

When Roger Federer launched his campaign he came face-to-face with Guillermo Canas and like the case generally is, he was a bit rusty when he started, But before he could get the hold back, all was lost . Canas had handed him a first round, straight set defeat of 7-5 6-2. Owing to non-transmission of initial rounds in India, I couldn't watch the match, but probably Mirka didn't either. It was supposed to be a cake-walk, but my viewer friends say it definitely wasn't quite a Federer-esque performance, but no excuses there.

Fast-forward two weeks: March 28, 2007. Federer is on course to defend his title at Miami Masters, aka Sony Ericsson Open. The 4th round. Roger Federer v/s Guillermo Canas. Life hasn't been hard for Federer till now, cruising into fourth round.

Guillermo Canas, after a commanding performance in qualifying rounds has defeated the likes of Tim Henman, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Richard Gasquet to setup the clash with the king. Federer is visibly nervous, commits abundant unforced errors, although managing to break back the lost serve, loses the tie-breaker handing over the first set to Canas 7-6.

Second set. Federer is all-charged up and summons up all his talent and athletics to win the set 6-2. Game moves on to third set. Federer manages early break 2-0 and has chance of another break and achieving almost invincible double break of the set, but that's when Canas holds his nerve and serve too.

Come next game and Canas earns his break back. Finally, in the nerve-wrenching tie-breaker it was Canas who prevailed and won the clash 7-6(2) 6-2 7-6(5).

When I say this man is a danger to the crown, it may be the case of fools-rush-in, but you will agree with me when you see the game of this man. He has the nerve, power and gamut of shots to beat Federer. He is as athletic in court as Federer and Nadal. Today's match is live proof of that.

He beat Federer when Federer came charging down to the net. In the win of Canas, contribution of Federer's unforced errors (51 as opposed to 21 of Canas) can't be ignored, but if I am allowed to put in my $0.02, I advise all the opponents of Federer to watch the video-tape of this match. That's the attitude, power and nerve you need to beat Federer.

I wait for the clay season. It's going to be a three-way battle between the ever-reigning king of clay, Rafael Nadal, mighty king Roger Federer and a new force to be reckoned with, Guillermo Canas. Clay season begins with the Monte Carlo Masters on April 16, where Nadal is defending champion and Federer was finalist.

PS:- For Trivia fans, Argentinian Guillermo Vilas holds the record for the longest streak in the tennis open era with 46 consecutive wins; it's his namesake and compatriot who made that record is still standing.