Comparisons are always made between Federer and Nadal.  Federer is fluid, graceful.  Nadal is bullish, strong.  Federer’s lithe movements lead to a long career.  Nadal’s grinding style will lead to an early retirement.

Few make the key observation between the two.

That observation can be found in a hilarious skit as Janko Tipsarevic plays Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo.  The year was 2011.  Djokovic had not lost all year, winning the Australian Open, Dubai, Indian Wells, and Miami, topping Nadal twice along the way.  Tipsarevic, as Djokovic, was discussing his plans for the following year.  2011 was the year where he was ashamed to drop sets.  In 2012, he would play only 5 shots.  After 5 shots, if he hadn’t won, he’d stop the point.

This hilarious bit is the key to Federer’s longevity.  He has built his game so it can be played quickly.  How often have you seen Federer, against lesser players, hold in less than a minute.  If his opponent returns a serve, Federer typically hits one more shot.  These days, he’s serve and volleying.  The key for Federer is to win his serve, and break his opponent once.  Once the break happens, there’s no need to break again, and he may forgo a game just to quicken the pace.

Nadal once played, against Juan Monaco, a match that went something like 61 61 62.  It lasted 3 hours.  Federer plays a match like that, and maybe it lasts an hour and a half.

So while many speculate whether Federer will ever win another Slam, he’ll always keep himself relevant if he can beat players ranked below him comfortably, by holding his serve.

Federer’s opponent yesterday was Thiemo de Bakker.  The Dutch player hasn’t played well in some years.  Remember that historic Isner-Mahut Wimbledon match?  Do you know who Isner played in the second round?  de Bakker.  That was 2010.  And Federer had a nice comfortable win.  Up next is Benneteau.  Some may recall he pushed Federer to 5 sets at Wimbledon last year.  Federer also recalls he handled him easily in the Olympics, a few weeks later.

The tournament has backloaded the schedule so Federer plays as late as possible.  Some second round matches were complete before Federer played his first round match.

Grigor Dimitrov, aka “Baby Federer”, is making some improvements.  He had a nice start to the year, reaching the finals of Brisbane, before flaming out in Melbourne.  But, he seems back to his winning ways with a tough win over Baghdatis, in a match he should have finished in straight sets.  Dimitrov had chances for a double-break lead and ended up getting broken back before winning in a tiebreak.

del Potro is still winning, having beaten a tough Ernests Gulbis in the previous round, and facing Finland’s best player, Jarkko Nieminen, currently.  Gilles Simon will play Martin Klizan, the Slovak who won his first tournament last year.

Most are expecting a Federer-del Potro clash in the finals, but Simon could make things interesting.

Rafael Nadal recently dropped out of doubles in Brazil, but won his opening round.  He claims his knees still bother him, but has never decided on surgery.