Novak Loses, Captures Dark Hearts Everywhere

after Roger Federer broke serve in the vital third set today, and Federer goes on to face the winner of Nadal-Murray Sunday in the finals. Djokovic won a few gutsy points in the fourth set, but Federer pulled out his boom stick and dominated.
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↵Still, Djokovic was able to bolster his role as the heel of men’s tennis with a fun exchange with the crowd during a vital Federer break point. A fan shouted during Djokovic’s serve, Roger won the point. Djokovic looked capable of murder. On another point, the fans cheered the tick of the two-hour mark in the match. Djokovic lost, and facetiously thanked the fans for their tact.
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↵Following his rap battle with Andy Roddick this week, Djokovic has really placed himself as the new villain, a new school Lleyton Hewitt. But he’s more compelling. He has a sarcastic, sardonic edge, showing no effort to cow to the established pecking order or etiquette. And he has a Federer-style game -- not as potent, of course, but similar.
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↵Nadal hasn’t been able to grab mainstream consciousness as a rival to Federer. Rafa comes off more like a challenger (even as the world #1) than a usurper. If Djokovic improves enough to keep challenging the top pair, he can grab the valuable mantle of Most Hated Player. He has the tools (a whiner’s streak, black hair, a sharp wit). He just needs to execute.↵