It’s been more than a day since Roger Federer proved once again that he still has it besting Scot Andy Murray in straight sets to make tennis history becoming the first men’s singles player to win five straight at two different grand slams.

That the remarkable 27 year-old Swiss Maestro was able to reel off five in a row at Wimbledon (2003-07) and here in New York at the U.S. Open (2004-08) is even more unbelievable and speaks to just how special a player he really is. With so many questioning if he could win a slam in what’s been a challenging year by his extremely high standards dropping a semi down under to eventual champ Novak Djokovic and then losing twice to Nadal (routed at French) including the epic five setter at Wimbledon, a determined Federer elevated his level besting the world’s No.3 player in four sets and then turning back the clock to take apart the new No.4 first-time slam finalist Murray 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 becoming the first to win five in a row since Bill Tilden.

This was a great story seeing Roger rise up to claim No.13 of what he promises won’t be his last drawing plenty of cheers and laughter from a very supportive Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd Monday. It puts him only one behind Pete Sampras’ slam record 14. As difficult as the road ahead should prove with archrival Nadal, Djokovic and now Murray adding his name to the list of serious contenders, I believe Federer will win the required two majors passing Sampras who ironically enough he edged in a three set exhibition at Madison Square Garden earlier this year.

Feds is still extremely hungry and has something left. The serve is still there as he demonstrated against Djokovic blasting 20 aces. The forehand is still one of the best in the game and when many including myself questioned why it was misfiring more than usual particularly in that five set fourth round struggle versus a game Igor Andreev, he rediscovered the winning formula fixing his movement taking the right steps and ripping that inside out forehand we’ve grown so accustomed to seeing for many huge winners.

There also was the rebirth of that Sampras-esque backhand which was always the more underappreciated shot of Pistol Pete as well as Roger which sometimes could go off. But there he was cracking it crosscourt and going down the line with verve when he needed it most.

Federer has been able to put together this amazing run over the past five years by playing mostly from the baseline even though he’s more than capable of attacking at the net finishing points there like he did effectively to get past Andreev in a smart tactical adjustment. After that win allowed him to begin to see the finish line where he usually performs so well which might explain the unheard of 18 consecutive slam semi appearances, the Swiss spoke of how his Beijing Olympic doubles experience winning gold alongside countryman Stanislas Wawrinka helped add more confidence at the net. This can only be seen as positive moving forward because in the future, he might need to volley more if he wants to add to his legacy.

Is he the greatest? Tough to say. We never got to see a Sampras in his prime challenge Federer with those images still clear of Roger striking that perfect backhand return winner up the line before dropping to his knees ending Pistol Pete’s dominance on Centre Court at the All England Club. In catching a special on Sampras over at The Tennis Channel, I watched still mesmerized by some of the unreal rallies he was able to win beating the greatest returner in the game fellow American Andre Agassi during their 1995 U.S. Open Final.

People forget how great a ball striker Sampras really was moving just as fluidly as Roger does. But he also had an even better serve able to dominate opponents dialing it up a notch or two for those big aces to climb out of triple break point. Then there was the textbook volleying with that deft touch which was what made him such a special once in a lifetime player. That he was one of our own along with Andre who himself after not putting in the work went on to win eight majors made it that more meaningful. The greatest tennis rivalry featured a couple of Americans who carried every bit of respect that Federer and Nadal have for each other today.

The biggest difference is it was so much easier to promote our stars as Nike portrayed with those classic tennis commercials with Pete and Andre taking to the streets of Manhattan bringing the net with them.

Who didn’t love it? This was as good as it got for tennis fans here. Our sport needs that again. It would help if Andy Roddick could just find that extra gear and beat a Djokovic instead of what he says firing up the Serb in a quarter defeat. It would also be nice if James Blake didn’t always fizzle out though he had an excuse this year worn down from all the travel which included a fourth place finish in Beijing before best friend Mardy Fish dismissed him in Round Three.

So, where’s the next American star? Donald Young showed flashes in a highly entertaining first round night match versus Blake which went the distance. Big server Sam Querrey gave Nadal all he could handle in a fourth round encounter which went four before the new world No.1 prevailed. He certainly shows promise. With a little more seasoning, you have to believe the promising 20 year-old Californian will be on the upswing the next couple of years.

For now, there’s Federer and Nadal with Djokovic and Murray right behind as they’ve separated themselves from the pack. That’s why it should be interesting to see what happens at this year’s Masters Cup and takes home the hardware.

No matter what happens the rest of the way, Federer again proved why he’s arguably one of the greatest players to ever pick up a racket. We’ll never really know how he’d have fared against a Rod Laver or Sampras. But what he has accomplished against some pretty stiff competition speaks volumes for how driven he really is.

Nobody can ever question him again.

It comes from the one and only Roger Federer following some more tennis history becoming the first male singles player to win five straight at two different grand slams after defeating Scot Andy Murray in yesterday’s U.S. Open Final 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.

The elegant 27 year-old Swiss Maestro silenced many doubters with a terrific run at the final grand slam event of the season atoning for dropping the last two finals to world No.1 Rafael Nadal including that all-time Wimbledon classic. It resulted in his fifth Open in a row becoming the first man to accomplish this remarkable feat since Bill Tilden back in the 1920’s.

The exciting victory in front of many pro-Federer supporters who adopted the graceful champion even moving him to say he “felt like a New Yorker” was his 13th career grand slam title- moving him within one of Pistol Pete Sampras’ record 14.

A man who just the other day after a well earned four set semifinal triumph over world No.3 Novak Djokovic indicated that he didn’t care who the opponent was between Murray or Nadal and “just wanted the trophy” knew again what to say after making some more tennis history. When asked by CBS veteran broadcaster Dick Enberg about whether No.13 was lucky or unlucky, a grinning Roger pointedly remarked:

“One thing’s for sure. I’m not going to stop at 13. That would be terrible.”

He sure knows how to play to a crowd who saluted him with laughter and thunderous cheers paying tribute to arguably the greatest male tennis player in the history of the sport. Something a classy runner-up Murray alluded to getting lots of applause from the crowd. For the 21 year-old Scot who officially moved up to a career high No.4 in the world making his first slam final, he was the first British man in the U.S. Open Final since Fred Perry won it back in 1936 also winning Wimbledon which marks the last time a man from their country won a major.

Though Andy had a tough call go against him which would’ve given him a break for 3-2 in the second set, he didn’t complain as Federer gave a vintage performance swinging freely from both sides rocketing that inside out forehand wherever he wanted playing the kind of match we’ve grown accustomed to seeing.

Congrats to Roger on winning No.13 and proving many including yours truly who picked Djokovic to beat him and Nadal! It was great to see.

We’ll have more later on what was another memorable Open here in NYC including American Serena Williams rising up to a strong challenge from Serb Jelena Jankovic to claim her third Open title in an ultra competitive two sets 6-4, 7-5. She also became No.1 in the world again for the first time in five years.

All in all, a great couple of weeks for tennis fans.

John McEnroe often talks about how sometimes, a player sees a couple of top favorites struggling to win their matches and can draw extra motivation from it. Perhaps that’s how Andy Roddick felt waiting around a little longer than expected after four-time defending U.S. Open champ Roger Federer was taken the distance by hard slugging Russian Igor Andreev before coming up with the goods in a very exciting 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 Round of 16 victory to advance into the quarterfinals.

On a day which began later than expected due to another top contender Novak Djokovic needing to overcome physical elements in the heat as well as his gritty Spanish opponent Tommy Robredo 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, the 12-time Swiss slam champion was forced to dig deep as well into his bag of tricks reaching for something unfamiliar in recent times- the net. With his forehand going off for an untimely number of miscues with almost half of his 60 errors, Federer decided to switch tactics and come into the net more than usual.

The strategy paid dividends as he won a good share of key points finishing 58-for-84 (69 percent) including fighting off four break chances in one service game where Andreev mustered all he could in a last desperate attempt to get the final set back on serve. One save in particular might just have been the difference between winning and losing as Federer neatly picked up a tough half volley intentionally leaving it short forcing his opponent to hustle for a backhand which he blocked with a forehand reply that cut it almost too fine landing smack on the right line. The No.2 ranked player pumped his fist twice before eventually holding to plenty of support from a pro-Federer Ashe Stadium crowd.

Before that pivotal point, he had had opportunities to go up double break but just couldn’t find the right touch on his bread and butter shot either netting it when he had it lined up or going for too much missing it a foot wide leaving both former Open winners McEnroe and special guest Boris Becker noting a disturbing difference in Federer’s game. Becker would later say after one miss:

“In 2007, he makes that shot.“

But as McEnroe pointed out at the end of the day, as long as he came out winning that final point, Federer could be happy knowing he moved on needing to go five for only the third time in his U.S. Open career and first since that epic five setter played over two days in which he defeated Andre Agassi in very tough windy conditions four years ago. Something a very happy and smiling Federer pointed out later in an on court interview with USA Network’s Michael Barkan.

“I don’t give myself the opportunity that much, you know, because I always win easily,” he explained following a huge double pump of the fists along with an emotional big scream which the New York crowd loved. He’ll next play surprising qualifier Gilles Muller who continued his run to the quarters upsetting No.5 seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10) fighting off seven set points which would’ve forced a fifth set leaving a defeated player tossing his racket.

As for Federer, he properly added of his victory which took more than three and a half hours to complete:

“I was just really pleased with my fighting spirit.”

That same fighting spirit was enough to pull a younger Djokovic through despite a very stiff challenge from Robredo. In all sorts of discomfort due to a turned ankle and breathing issues which stirred up images of his past, the No.3 seeded Serb tried very hard to get it done in four even getting a couple of break points. But Robredo hung tough serving his way out of trouble before finding that one break he needed on a wild Djokovic forehand miss to force the final set.

However, Djokovic steadied himself really stinging the ball and applying the pressure to his opponent whose fall which looked harmless might’ve done more damage tightening his right shoulder early in the deciding set. Afterwards, he misfired on more shots allowing the 21 year-old Australian Open champ to take control. From there, after a hold he got that second break concluding matters which meant he didn’t have to serve it out.

“Just trying to show them, you know, how much effort I put into this match,” Djokovic analyzed of pointing to his heart emphatically, legs and head while looking to his box where family and coach celebrated the hard fought win.

He then properly added:

“Somehow, I managed.”

With his fourth round match delayed due to the previous couple of five setters, a focused Andy Roddick took to Ashe and put on a show for his pro-crowd playing arguably the most efficient tennis of his career by easily dismissing 11th seeded Chilean gunslinger Fernando Gonzalez 6-2, 6-4, 6-1.

Just how utterly dominant was the recently turned 26 year-old with the most beautiful audience fiancee Brooklyn Decker looking on along with “new coach” Patrick McEnroe? The very confident former 2003 Open champion served incredibly well winning 93 percent (37 of 40) on his first serve and a very impressive 73 percent (16 of 22) on his second serve meaning that he only dropped nine total points on serve which explained why he required only an hour and 27 minutes to finish off a beaten Gonzalez who just never looked in it.

Roddick not only served well but played the kind of clean tennis which frustrated his opponent. In sharp contrast, he committed only seven unforced errors to his opponent’s 33. Playing unbelievable defense, several times he hustled down balls keeping rallies alive waiting for an errant Gonzalez miss or working his way back in the rally before finishing it off with one of his 30 winners.

One such big point saw him up 5-4 with a set point on Gonzalez’ serve. On it, the feisty 28 year-old Olympic silver medalist tried to seize control of it by dictating play with his top heavy shots. However, the No.8 seeded American stayed right with him eventually drawing the Chilean into net and then outwaited him before ripping a perfect backhand crosscourt for a winner to finish off the second set in style with a couple of pumps of the fist.

It wouldn’t take long to dispatch Gonzalez in the third set as his more consistent aggressive style which also saw him win 69 percent at the net (20 of 29) proved to be too much to overcome. Though a couple of big backhands produced the only break chance which Roddick quickly erased with some more solid play before holding for 4-1.

Following his fifth break of the match, a very happy Roddick served it out with ease nailing a couple of his eight aces including one out wide before celebrating with a large smile while enjoying the New York spotlight.

“I’ve got to feel good,” he told Barkan of meeting a weary Djokovic this Thursday night in what promises to be a quality quarterfinal. “He’s got about 16 injuries right now.”

Roddick should feel good because while two of the heavy favorites struggled to move on, he made a dangerous foe look routine. We’ll see if it carries over.

Dementieva and Jankovic setup Eastern Europe semi clash: On the women’s side which has seen its share of upsets, there were no surprises Tuesday as both Elena Dementieva and Jelena Jankovic easily advanced to an all Eastern European semifinal showdown on Friday.

The No.5 seeded Russian Dementieva who took Olympic gold in Beijing continued her steady play easily getting past No.15 Patty Schnyder 6-2, 6-3. She’s a former finalist here and is aiming for her first grand slam title. The 26 year-old veteran will have to get past No.2 seeded Serbian Jankovic, who for once didn’t need three sets to eliminate experienced 28 year-old Austrian Sabille Bammer 6-1, 6-4.

The winner could likely face either Williams sister. In their 17th ever career meeting later tonight, big sis Venus Williams will battle little sis Serena Williams for a spot in the semis while Russian Dinara Safina takes on Italian Flavia Pennetta earlier today.

With Venus taking three of the last four meetings including an exciting Wimbledon final 7-5, 6-4, the series is all knotted at eight apiece.

Not for long.

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It’s a day later and we’re still in shock over what we saw in the longest Wimbledon men’s final at the All England Club. How could it have been any better between the new King of grass Rafael Nadal, who became the first Spaniard to win the men’s title since Manolo Santana (in attendance) against the five-time rating champion Roger Federer, who was bidding to make it six straight surpassing legend Bjorn Borg (also present) and first to do so since 1886?

The memorable five-setter which Nadal won over Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7 concluding at 9:15 British time arguably is the greatest match ever played in the rich tournament’s history invoking memories of Borg’s five-set win over John McEnroe which featured a crazy fourth set tiebreaker won by Mac 18-16 before the Swede cameback to prevail in five hitting that backhand crosscourt pass and kneeling on his knees for his fifth and final title in 1980.

So, was yesterday’s match really better? Tough to say. I never saw the one played 28 years prior but have seen such a great final as unlikely winner Goran Ivanisevic finally winning that elusive Wimbledon over Patrick Rafter in another dramatic five-setter which needed sudden death to decide and featured momentous rain delays. That was pretty great itself. However, this one pitted the two best players against each other slugging the ball like never before seen with the kind of defense to offense transition which is what separates them from everyone else in their sport.

How many times did Federer hit a winner only to see a hustling Nadal lunge over to get the ball back and keep the rally going making the crowd murmur at what they were seeing? Federer also had some great gets as well but it’s rare that the brilliant 26 year-old Swiss 12-time slam winner is outdone on the baseline. Especially on grass where he’d taken 41 in a row at Wimbledon and an unheard of 65 straight on his best surface. It’s a tribute to how great his opponent was yesterday making the necessary adjustments to finally conquer Roger in their third consecutive final.

As Federer sarcastically noted during the trophy ceremony presentation, he “tried everything but went up against the worst possible opponent.”

Anyone else and it would’ve been a record six for a player many consider to be the greatest to ever play the sport. As runner-up also noted, Nadal was “a very worthy champion.”

Sometimes, that’s how it is in a sport which sees changes such as this take place. Was it really the changing of the guard? Yes because no matter what the rankings say which still have Federer some 500+ points ahead of his closest predecessor in the standings, Nadal has won both the French and Wimbledon. He’s surged ahead for now. So while he doesn’t have the No.1 ranking, many will now call him the best player in the world.

Does Rafa still have an awful lot to prove with the hardcourt season around the corner where he’s never fared very well? Absolutely. A quarterfinal or Round of 16 showing at the final grand slam of the year in Flushing at the U.S. Open won’t be enough if he wants to truly be considered the best. It’s time for the kid from Manacor, Mallorca to take that next giant step. He proved he could go deep on a hard court in Melbourne reaching the semis before getting blitzed off the court by Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

We’ll find out this summer if Nadal’s finally up to the challenge now that he’s conquered Federer on grass. The best storyline is that the still top ranked player for more than four years is the best player on hard courts with Novak Djokovic a close second and even Andy Roddick still in the mix with James Blake’s name and game resurfacing. Where does Rafa rate? That’ll be determined over the next couple of months during the U.S. Open Series.

We’ll have a better idea in September.

As for Federer, he’s still without a slam this season and hasn’t gone a whole year without at least one since 2002 before all the Wimbledons when he bowed out to then qualifier Mario Ancic. Amazing that you have to go back that far. In fact, he’s always won at least half the majors since 2004. That is impossible now as the best he can do is five-peating in New York which would be quite a feat in itself.

How does he respond to losing in back-to-back finals including on the Centre Court which he had ruled to his biggest rival? There should be plenty of motivation for a proud champion who still wants to accomplish so much. He still trails Pete Sampras by two for the most slams and has hinted to the press, that he plans to stick around another six to 10 years meaning he wouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

However, the pursuit of history has become much more difficult with Nadal continuing to improve and a cocky Djokovic fearless despite winning his first major last January in Australia. The challenges promise to get tougher for Federer as his No.1 ranking is now in jeopardy.

Does he bounceback and finish the season strong by winning a couple of Open Series events plus a fifth consecutive Open or does he let such a heartbreaking defeat- one which he called “my toughest ever” affect him negatively? Federer’s always been so strong mentally. That will get severely tested.

It all makes for an intriguing rest of the summer where even non-tennis fans are still talking about how great Sunday was.

It only promises to get even more interesting.

There aren’t enough words to describe how unbelievable Sunday’s Wimbledon men’s final was between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. That it featured three rain delays and more twists and turns which explained a tournament record four hours and 48 minute marathon featuring some of the most spectacular tennis ever played at the All England Club was a credit to just how special both the No.1 ranked 26 year-old Swiss and the No.2 ranked 22 year-old Spaniard played.

In over two decades of watching tennis, this just might’ve been the best match ever seen. Particularly with so much history on the line. Nadal dethroned the five-time defending champion ending one of the greatest runs ever. Federer’s 65-match win streak on grass finally ended as did his run of 41 in a row at tennis’ most prestigious grand slam.

It looked like Rafa would make it easy on himself by stunning Federer by coming back from 1-4 down in the second set breaking him twice in taking the final five games to go up a commanding two sets. But the proud champion who’s won 12 slam titles didn’t go down easily using the first rain delay to rally back fighting off triple break point to hold before taking a third set tiebreaker on a perfect ace out wide to make it interesting.

It would only get better from there as both players who had been slugging the ball as hard as possible making each other come up with ridiculous shots on the run while playing great defense elevated their elite games even more. Neither faced a break point in set four which was destined for another breaker.

This one was unpredictable as each server had problems winning points. When Nadal jumped out to a two mini-break 5-2 lead, the end seemed in sight with a changing of the guard about to happen. But not so fast as Federer got a rare double fault and then took the next point with a huge forehand to get back on serve. He would save one championship point and then be forced to save yet another in heroic fashion. Trailing 8-7 with Rafa serving, he came up with a very tough backhand pass down the line to ward off defeat. After going up 9-8, a service winner gave a pumped up Roger the set leveling the match before an even more excited crowd which loved every minute.

The quality was that special. Even when Federer dropped the first two sets by identical 6-4 scores, it wasn’t because he was playing poorly but rather spoke to how well Nadal was playing. The kid from Mayorga who’s won four French Opens in a row including three straight versus the world No.1 was much better on the bigger points. If there was a difference in the match, Federer only converted on one of 13 break chances while his younger opponent broke three more times in the same amount of chances (4/13).

Still, Federer had drawn even showing the heart of a proud champion who wouldn’t hand over his crown that easily and looked determined enough to complete a remarkable two set comeback against his equal. There was even more drama as the rain came again delaying play another half hour at two apiece in the final set at Deuce on Roger’s serve making one ponder if they’d be able to finish the match before darkness.

They would get back out there and Nadal again seemed on the verge of cementing that break which would mean what could’ve happened last year had he converted one of those couple of break points early in that fifth set. But Federer again valiantly fought them off to keep it on serve. Would he pull this off and give tennis history by becoming the first player to win six straight in over a century since 1886?

Nadal never blinked serving harder and at a higher percentage. When a Federer forehand went just long in the 15th game finally giving the hungry two-time runner-up the break. The question was could he serve out the championship? He setup a third championship point but yet again was thwarted by a great backhand slice return just out of his reach making it Deuce.

A big serve gave him a fourth opportunity to cash in and this time, Federer couldn’t pull another rabit out of his magic bag of tricks netting a forehand to give Nadal the thrilling victory for his first ever Wimbledon becoming the first Spanish male player to win there since 1966. He immediately slid to the ground by the baseline before getting back up to receive congrats from a gracious champ who really took the defeat tough. Who could blame him? He worked so hard to get back in it and was so close.

The match which started half an hour late due to the first batch of rain ended at 9:15 London time with little light left making for a fantastic scene. Watching a jubilant Nadal climb up and go across to greet his family in the player’s box was a special treat. His Dad had been so emotional throughout. It really was great stuff and theater at its best.

Former three-time Wimbledon champion and current NBC tennis analyst John McEnroe who once went five in another epic some 28 years prior before losing to Bjorn Borg termed it:

 ”the best match I’ve ever seen.”

Pretty strong stuff coming from one of the best American players and someone I always admired. I have so much more to say and will do so later today because it truly was special.

Both players deserve congratulations for putting on a show worthy of an encore which is sure to run on ESPN Classic. This was tennis at its finest.

Congrats also goes out to the Williams sisters, who won the women’s doubles crown after older sis Venus got the better of Serena to repeat and win her fifth Wimbledon. Just remarkable. And it was a very good match too unlike past all-Williams finals with each sister slugging it out and hitting tons of winners and not many errors.

Great to see.

We’ll have much more on Nadal becoming the first player to win the French and Wimbledon in the same year since Borg (1980) later on. Plus analysis on Federer.

They’ll do it again. No.1 vs No.2 for all the marbles at a third consecutive Wimbledon at the All England Club on Centre Court tomorrow.

Some more history will be on the line when five-time defending champion Roger Federer tries to become the first tennis player to win six in a row for the first time in over a century (1886) with his biggest nemesis standing in the path in four-time French Open conquerer Rafael Nadal, who blitzed the Swiss world No.1 holding him to four games leading many to make the younger Spaniard the favorite to win a fifth major on grass following up an impressive run at Queen’s Club.

The 22 year-old Nadal will once again be attempting to become the first male tennis player to win both the French and Wimbledon in the same year since tennis legend Bjorn Borg accomplished the feat some 28 years ago. In last year’s rematch, he came awfully close to dethroning Federer losing in an ultra competitive five sets with Borg returning to the place he once owned for the first time since he played to present the trophy to the Swiss Maestro.

Having battled mono early in the season when eventual Australian Open champ Novak Djokovic straight setted him in the semis, Federer suffered some tough defeats including to Andy Roddick in a close three sets down in Miami. But he even lost to Mardy Fish making people wonder if his brilliant level was dropping off leaving the door open for either Nadal or Djokovic to overtake him for the ATP’s top spot.
Though he made the final at Roland Garros, once again he was thwarted in an effort to become the sixth male tennis player to complete a career grand slam by a dominant Nadal, who made it look so easy that many pondered if a changing of the guard was on the horizon. Given how well Federer’s responded in not dropping a set while losing serve only twice and not since the third round, we won’t know until Sunday if the speedy and powerful Spaniard is ready to overtake him for the world’s top spot.

While Federer was taking care of business making Mario Ancic look normal and even frustrating Marat Safin to the point where the unpredictable 28 year-old Russian broke his racket and made some of the funniest challenges (they weren’t even close), Nadal was working his way through the field dropping just a set back in Round 2 to big server Ernest Gulbis while making quick work of tough foes such as Russian Mikhail Youzhny and Scot Andy Murray en route to a third straight final.

He sounds ready for the challenge but so does Federer. Whoever prevails, they’ll earn it. Get ready for some history.

Here’s how Russian Marat Safin explained his chances against rating five-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer in today’s upcoming semifinal:

“I’m playing semifinals, but that doesn’t mean that I have a chance there, because the guy has won how many times already here? “To beat Federer you need to be Nadal and run around like a rabbit and hit winners from all over the place. … It’s just a little bit too difficult.”

Think he’s trying his best to put the whammy on the greatest grasscourt player who puts a 64-match winning streak on the line?!?!?!?!?!

We’ll find out later on if the much anticipated No.1 vs No.2 battle between Federer and Rafael Nadal comes down again. Nadal will take on German veteran Rainer Schuettler. Both players will be heavy favorites.

That’s right! Hard Hits has now become an icon thanks to brand new producer John “JPG” Giagnorio who booked a record eight identical themed shows for the rest of July including three back-to-backs for the unpredictable cast of the Chatroom Brigade.

Get more of our total randomness as we go from topic to topic with no boundaries. Listen as myself along with co-hosts Rob “Kraze” Davis, Jeff Bashlor, Nate Sousa, Brian “Sambone” Sanborn, personality Justin “NYYN” Felix and newcomers Greg “GQ” Quarello and Chris Wassell take being off the wall to a totally new outrageous level.

Last night covered a range of topics from the much anticipated debut of GQ to a visit from expert Devil blogger Wassell. There were tributes as well as your host eulogized the end of Sean Avery’s Ranger career which touched our Devil contingent including one Martin Brodeur. It also included a discussion and analysis of Dan da Man.

Plus special appearances from the crazy tandem of the “Mayo Man” and sidekick “Icecream Man” putting the true definition of insane to a whole new meaning.

Derek, Chris and Greg also breakdown Wimbledon. Can Roger Federer six-peat or will Rafael Nadal or someone unexpected spoil history at the All England Club? And will the Williams sisters meet again for the trophy?

Catch the complete chaos from a historic July 3rd two and a half hour show down below:

Chatroom Brigade and The Great GQ talk radio show

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Roger Federer should get his first challenge today when he faces an opponent from the past. The Swiss world No.1 who’s captured five Wimbledons in succession will take on the last player to defeat him at the All England Club on grass. That’s hard slugging Croatian Mario Ancic, who’s had a successful return back from sickness making the quarters.

The 24 year-old former top 10 player’s latest big win came at the expense of No.22 seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco rallying from two sets back to pull out a lengthy five setter prevailing 13-11 in the final set on Court 11 Monday.

Now he’ll step up in competition and try to duplicate his 2002 second round shocker when he beat Federer as an unknown 18 year-old qualifier. Since then, all the popular 26 year-old Swede has done is reel off a record 63 straight on grass. He’s continued to look like the player to beat having swept through former ‘02 Wimbledon champ Lleyton Hewitt 7-6 (7), 6-4, 6-2. He still hasn’t dropped a set and looks very focused on making history by becoming the first player in more than a century to win six in a row.

Still, given how Ancic is playing, it promises to be an intriguing match. His all court game and big serve could make things interesting. A couple of tiebreakers aren’t out of the realm of possibility. It will be his biggest match since losing to American Andy Roddick in a very competitive five set semi a few years ago on this very same surface in London.

We’ll see if he can threaten the greatest grasscourt male player later today.

Also in action will be British (Scottish) hope Andy Murray, who will look to continue a great run when he takes on No.2 ranked Spaniard Rafael Nadal. Nadal has looked very sharp and set on making a third consecutive finals appearance having dropped just one set. Murray valiantly fought back from two sets down and a break to comeback and beat last year’s French semifinalist No.8 seeded Richard Gasquet. The lanky Scot served extremely well and returned superbly also tracking down some balls which defied logic like his around the net backhand winner to capture the third set electrifying a pro-Murray crowd.

It’s no secret who a vast majority of the supporters will be pulling for.

Also in action will be 28 year-old veteran Russian Marat Safin as he looks to make his first ever Wimbledon semi against Spanish big lefty serve and volleyer Feliciano Lopez who fought off three match points against Marcos Baghdatis in the fifth set before coming back to advance. It promises to be a very good match with five sets not out of the question.

The other quarter features the biggest surprises in vets Rainer Schuettler and Arnaud Clement. The winner will make the semis and draw either Nadal or Murray while the Safin-Lopez winner gets either Federer or Ancic.

Meanwhile, the Williams sisters moved one step closer to facing each other by both prevailing in their quarterfinals in straight sets. Defending champion Venus will take on the highest seeded player remaining in No.5 Russian Elena Dementieva while Serena faces surprise wildcard Jie Zheng from China.

The women get a day off. 

It should be a fun day of tennis.

We return once again to the airwaves where a range of topics shall be covered between all our organized chaos.

Hard Hits will cover the Subway Series as well as more baseball. Plus an NBA Draft review complete with grades. Who will grade best and who will flunk out? Plus I set up the second exciting week of Wimbledon. Can Roger Federer make history by winning No.6 in a row? Or can Rafael Nadal or someone else get in the way? Will either Williams sister rule the women’s draw? Plus a look at the upcoming NHL free agency with the Lightning signing their newest acquistion Ryan Malone to a long-term deal. What do we think?

Find out!