Travel Blog

First the women: I hope that we'll see Agnieszka Radwanska in more Grand Slam finals - next time holding the winner's trophy and not chewing gum. I kept hoping it was a cough lozenge; perhaps - perhaps - it was a therapeutic stick of something or other. Still, standing on the grass, greeting dignitaries and officials, she conjured images of a cow chewing its cud.

Though I did like the man in the red-and-white Polska scarf sitting behind Richard Williams. He looked intense and then aggrieved when Serena won, but when she arrived in the box for a paternal hug, he gleefully took pictures of the proud father and daughter.

Yesterday it was Federer under glass, as the closed roof, from the third set on, provided the perfect conditions for his precise artistry. Commentators at majors tend to talk about the winners as if they're the greatest ever (and yesterday they were probably right). You can be sure that Nadal and Djokovic - and even Murray - will arrive at the U.S. Open looking for blood. Though Federer will have the one thing that, lately, has been missing from his game: confidence.

Speaking of Murray, his post-match, on-court interview was a classic - moving from funny to heartfelt through near bouts of bawling. It was a beautiful demonstration that the man who so often appears aloof is anything but. In this, if not in talent, he is the equal of Federer.