Rene Johnston - Staff Photographer
Sitting in the heat of center court for a week in the humidity of August in Toronto, I have new respect for the athletic ability of top level men's tennis. Multi hour matches that come to last sets and tie breaks have happened often and when you throw the best players in the world into the mix it has been a very successful Rogers Cup.
Shooting the men is a far cry from ladies tennis which I have covered before. The speed and power of these guys is amazing, and also a little tricky to capture with a still camera. The direction changes from these guys can leave the smell of rubber from tennis shoe soles in the air that you can smell from the photo pit. Now that is fast!
August 13 2010. Tomas Berdych of CZE did everything including playing with his back to Roger Federer of Switzerland at the Rexall Center at York University in Toronto on Friday. Federer went on to win in a tie break (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star)
August 12 2010. Chenyi watches the action while Federer on the court on Thursday at York University in the Tennis Center on main court. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star)
August 12 2010. David Nalbandian of Argentina spreads wide to make the return after the approaching shot from Robin Soderling of Sweden on Thursday at York University in the Tennis Center on main court. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star)
August 14 2010. Rafael Nadal of ESP runs for the low ball from Andy Murray of GBR . Murray beat Nadal in straight sets to advance to the final Sunday at the Rogers Cup at the Rexall Center in Toronto on Saturday. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star)
August 13 2010. Andy Murray of GBR serves it up as he cruised to a straight set victory over David Nalbandian of Argentina on Friday at the Rogers Cup at Rexall Center. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star)
August 13 2010. David Nalbandian of Argentina makes the backhand but got beat up by Andy Murray of GBR in a straight set victory over Nalbandian on Friday at the Rogers Cup at Rexall Center. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star)
August 14 2010. Rafael Nadal of ESP serves with a holler to Andy Murray of GBR . Murray beat Nadal in straight sets to advance to the final Sunday at the Rogers Cup at the Rexall Center in Toronto on Saturday. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star)
August 12 2010. Gael Monfils of France gets low with the splits after the forehand while in play with Andy Murray of Scotland Thursday at York University in the Tennis Center on main court. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star)
August 12 2010. Roger Federer of Switzerland signs autographs for fans after an easy two set win over Michael Llordra of France on Thursday at York University in the Tennis Center on main court. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star)
August 13 2010. Andy Murray of GBR cruised to a straight set victory over David Nalbandian of Argentina and had some fans in Shannon Pearson and Kate McAllister (r) in the stands with a proposal in name. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star)
August 13 2010. Andy Murray of GBR serves it up as he cruised to a straight set victory over David Nalbandian of Argentina on Friday at the Rogers Cup at Rexall Center. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star)
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