How times are changing

This season has seen the tennis scene change somewhat with Roger Federer's dominance in the sport being halted by Novak Djokovic and the ever improving Rafael Nadal. Djokovic took the opening title of the season, beating Jo Wilfred-Tsonga in the final. The Serbian is beginning to have the dominance on the hard courts that Nadal and Federer enjoy on clay and grass. An although Djokovic finds himself in the semi final at the French open expect him to come hard at the US Open where again the hard courts will be there to be exploited.

Federer although he has by his standards been very off colour has come good at the French with his general play improving with every match, wouldn't it b ironic if the year he wasn't expected to be able to compete with Nadal he actually overturns the Spaniard. However big his improvement i can't see past Nadal to cruise to another win and I'm sure his dominance will mirror Federer's on grass.

It will be at Wimbledon where Federer is really pushed. A place he has of course won before and a place unlike here at Rolan Garos he is expected to win. All the pressure will be on, and as Nadal showed last year, he is getting closer. The added distractions of Gonzalez, Murrey and Ferrer won't help his cause and even the forgotten man Andy Roddick lurks looking for an upset.

If things are only changing a little in the men's game, it's all to play for in the women's and with the retirement of Justin Henin opening up the draw very invitingly. Number 1 seed Maria Sharapova couldn't take advantage as she crashed out at the 3rd round stage. it looks as though, with the addition of Amilie Mauresmo's exit that the young pretenders are the hire to Henin's crown.

Ana Ivanovic and jelena Janovic look the most imposing and both meet in the semi-final on thursday. I think both will compete with Sharapova for the Wimbledon title as well, however I believe Ivanovic will be too strong both this week and in July.

A usually predictable women's game has been blown open by this shock announcement by Henin and this can only have good things for the game. This might open the door for more young pretenders to come through and show the world what they are made of. it's been same old for some years now, we need some new blood to come through and the sooner the better for what could b described the most vibrant women's sport in the world today.