Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., October 02, 2008 Tishrei 3, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:34 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

The Last Word / Special one By Eitan Bekerman This weekend has exposed Dudi Sela's secret to the entire world: The boy's a genius. It was plain for all to see on Friday, in an extraordinary quarter-final against Tommy Robredo. The quality and quantity of the problems that Sela found an answer for, coupled with his lightning-sharp reactions and superb finish, were totally inexplicable. Advertisement It was a performance that encapsulated the perfect implementation of the holy trinity of tennis: a mind that thinks in purely spatial terms and is capable of processing information like a super-computer; legs that obey the instructions handed out by the brain with speed and perfect coordination, and strong, supple arms that can perform a dazzling array of shots. For a while, Sela looked like a combination of the world's best computer gamer, the world's best paddleball player and the world champions at table tennis. There is no reason why Beijing should not be Sela's springboard to greatness. The arsenal of shots that he has at his disposal is almost unparalleled on the ATP tour, his backhand is perfect, he moves with ease from a baseline game to more offensive tactics, he tries to get to every ball and when he does, there's no telling where his return is going. Playing against such an opponent can drive any player crazy - we all heard how his German opponent yesterday screamed with frustration. His talents make it almost impossible to predict what sort of game Sela will play or to second-guess him. He loves playing in front of a vocal crowd, and the crowds love watching unpredictable players in action. Wherever he goes, whoever he plays, Sela is the sort of player that the ATP tour loves. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Iranian support Khamenei: Iran will never abandon Hamas, its holy warrior Ismail Haniyeh. Weight connection Israeli, Palestinian women come together to lose weight and stay healthy.

Read & React Prof. Sternhell: Supporters of occupation are not Zionist Responses: 217 Discontented Fatah politicos consider launching third intifada Responses: 108 Olmert: Israel must quit East Jerusalem and Golan Responses: 395 Gershom Gorenberg: The settlement movement began in self-deception Responses: 63 McCain camp: Claim that Palin endorsed Hamas is 'libel' Responses: 94 More Headlines 00:38 Ex-U.S. weapons hunter: Iran 2-5 years from bomb 01:29 Iran supreme leader: Israel is on a path to destruction 00:39 Olmert to face eighth round of police questioning Thursday 22:57 Syrian FM: We aren't supplying weapons to Hezbollah 22:23 Congress leaders optimistic on revived U.S. bailout package 21:34 VIDEO / Israeli, Palestinian women come together to lose weight 20:26 Holocaust denier detained at London's Heathrow airport 12:36 'How can the People of the Book be against books?' 14:00 Bahraini FM calls for Mideast forum that includes Israel, Iran 22:52 U.S. approves sale to Israel of 25 F-35 fighter jets 16:07 Austria vote / When an efficient far-right meets a deficient center 21:58 Rescue team finds missing Israeli tourist in Ecuador 16:10 McCain camp: Claim that Palin endorsed Hamas is 'libel' 16:10 Israel cuts U.S. cluster bombs for homemade self-detonating brand Previous Editions Select Day 01 oct 30 sep 29 sep 28 sep 26 sep 25 sep 24 sep 23 sep 22 sep 21 sep 19 sep 18 sep

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