Tennis Kaleidoscope:Roger Federer, Robin Soderling, Monfils, Llodra Runs

Often the site of tedious matches, the BNP Paribas Masters is played in arguably the worst part of the tennis season.  This year, however, had just about the best matches the whole year!

Michael Llodra's run certainly tells us he's on the rise.  It's no fluke.  He had three match points to reach the final, but for the veteran, the semifinal was a feat.  Watch out for him next year; he's in for some more giant-killing runs.

Roger Federer's waste of five match points is no biggy.  He should be able to shake off the loss mentally, because he has had even tougher losses in the past.

I suspect five match points is the most Federer has ever squandered to lose the match, but oh well.  He should be able to energized by the times he plays his first match in London.

A run to the finals of a Masters 1000 tournament is great, but surely Gael Monfils was still disappointed with his loss.  After slaying the Mighty Rog by saving five match points, he had nothing left in the tank for his next match.

Robin Soderling is finally a Masters 1000 Series Winner!  By claiming the title, he will move above Andy Murray, swapping places with him to go up to No. 4 in the world.

Is Rafael Nadal faking an injury?  He may be, but let's just hope he plays well at the World Tour Finals.

Andy Roddick certainly will have a psychological disadvantage if he faces Robin Soderling at the WTF. He lost to the Swede in straight sets.

Look out for the next installment of Tennis Kaleidoscope, by Michael Casenti, when the WTF starts!