Federer and next tournament

For those lovers of exhibition tennis - it's Federer vs. Sampras tonight on the tennis channel at 7:30pm :-). Should be interesting. Of course, more interested to see if Federer can get back on the winning track this week at the Pacific Life tournament - especially since if he doesn't do well, then Nadal can perhaps get even closer to the #1 spot (he's only 350 points away right now) - would assume he has to probably go through Nadal, Roddick, Djoko, Nalbandian, and/or Ferrer to win it. Of course, I don't even pretend to understand this nonsensical point system - how can Federer be so close to losing #1 when he's been in the finals or won so many of the Grand Slams the last few years - think it was up to like 12 in a row before the Australian and has such a great record. And then there's Bartoli who did one thing (get to the finals of Wimbledon) and seems to be firmly locked into the #9 spot even she's done nothing since then. Basically, the problem is the system is based on defending points - so if you win or get to the final, then you don't get that many more points if you win or get to the finals again the next year - so even though (like Federer), you have a great record and kick everyone's butt for 3-4 years - your lead isn't that great since you're simply doing what you're supposed to do. Crazily, you'd get more points, if you start losing in the 1st round, and then win the tournament the next year - seems like a bad system to me - or needs to be combined with something else. Of course, since Federer lost early in both the Pacific Life and the Sony Ericsson last year, then he can rack up huge points this year by winning - hmm, perhaps he planned it like that :-).

And, of course, will be interesting to see if Venus or Serena can beat 4 or 5 good women in a row in 2 weeks. Think Serena only won yesterday because it was Schnyder who we all know is mental. Just don't think she has enough left in the tank to beat 4 or 5 good women in a row - just wants the point to be over in a few shots - and Ivanovic, Janko, Sharapova, and Henin are all better than that now. And some of the other players as well. Hmm, just noticed Alexandra Stevenson's name in the qualifying - nice to perhaps see her back in the mix.

Clint