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[Alis]

I see Pete Bodo has picked Andy for the title, too. That's along with Wilander and Brad Gilbert. Illustrious backing.

......  and Johnny Mac too!  Nice as it is, I wish they wouldn't - I'd much rather he came in under the radar much as Berdych is doing.

[IonaRed]

Yep, we should all just sit quietly and only offer warm applause.

Come on, it's not like it's just before serves. I welcome a bit of enthusiasm and a carnival atmosphere. Earlier you were accusing them of attention seeking, but then you realised that no-one is more attention seeking than a Frauderer fan with an RF cap. None of the chants are rude or offensive. I guarantee if they were singing for Federer you would have no problem.

I remember watching a Barca v Basel match a few years ago.  It was in Switzerland and Federer was in the crowd.  He was shown on TV a few times.  At one point the commentator said how difficult it must be for Roger to do the normal things that we take for granted - namely attending a football match without being recognised.  I remember thinking ...

1. He's in bloody Switzerland.  Hardly surprising that he should be recognised in his home country.
2. If he's not keen on attracting attention then he should take the bloody RF hat off - yes, he was wearing it. If anything, I think he was ensuring that he was recognised.

I remember being behind 2 Federer fans at the Paris masters.  I don't think they had anything on that was not covered in RF or the Swiss flag. They also had the nauseating signs that Fed fans are famous for.  I swear he provides them.

I think the A N D Y guys are fantastic.  The aussies who were in the crowd during the Murray v Gasquet match a few years ago were amazing.  They put some of the British fans to shame.  The more support Andy has in Australia the better.

[lashurst]

Have at look at this - Fed's official website http://www.rogerfederer.com/en.html   Says it all really.  And a Guestbook too.  Oh my!

I know what you're getting at Aileen, his smugness is off putting. However, his website is good for his fans.  In comparision Andy's is awful, to be complementary.

The famous FED with his thousands of followers will its self increases the need for a good website. Its making money too!
Not so stupid either.

To give him some praise for his off court activities, he has started a foundation for kids in the 3rd world. That is good, but I dont like his arrogance, never will.

[blueberryhill]

My problem is that I can see him edging Djokovic... in a five-set, six-hour classic in 42-degree heat. Meanwhile, Rafa's shoulder gives out in the other semi against Fed... need I continue?

No, not in a 5 set grinder I can't either. However, playing aggressively and coming forward to the net all the time, why certainly I can. Andy is a natural at the net. Novak isn't. Andy must be bold and you know what they say about "fortune" and "the bold."
In fact, if I may be so bold, I'd say Andy has a better chance of beating Novak than Rafa has.
But hey! One march at a time.

[Ruthie]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jan/20/australian-open-2012-federer-nadal

Skim through this as quickly as possible till you get to the bit about Andy. Journo has quoted Cahill and Lendl tweeting each other about Andy. Nice

good old Kev.

[blueberryhill]

Didn't mean constant, meant as surprise tactic but also breaking up the grind eg today Andy was doing S and v and also coming forward all the time. Nice

[dex]

Del Potro has been slipping under the radar so far with (thanks to Fish going out early) an easy run to the quarters. However, how will he do against the Fed. Should be a good match. Fed should at least get pushed into a fourth set. Or there could be an upset!! fingers crossed.