Two days ago, after Djokovic routed Federer at the Australian Open 2008 semi-finals, I wrote in my blog that "...we'd go for a Djokovic win on Sunday."  When my compatriot Greg commented his agreement to that blog, I replied, "My fearless forecast is Djokovic in four sets."

So, less than an hour ago, World No. 3 Novak Djokovic, 20 (right, photo below), won over the unseeded French Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 22 (left, photo below), at the Australian Open 2008 Men's Tennis Finals, in four sets. My prophesy was correct. That was Djokovic's first Grand Slam and the youngest winner since Stefan Edberg. (A day earlier, I predicted that Maria Sharapova will win. She did.)

I am a prophet.

Or maybe I just read the games and the players too well that I correctly identified both winners, and more accurately the number of sets when Djokovic would topple Tsonga. Whew. I am scared at the accuracy. (I already knew my knack for predictions. Happened quite a few times in the past.)

The Championships fought earlier was the best game I have ever seen since Wimbledon 2002. It had the ferocity of a Sampras and the consistency on an Agassi. Both guys were tireless and ran after each ball like Nadal does.

Anyway, back to the tennis winners. Everybody is already saying that new names for champions have already emerged. Djokovic already had his first Grand Slam. Tsonga would surely hold his Grand Slam trophy very soon. Both guys, Tsonga and Djokovic would be the face of tennis in the many years to come. I give it to the guys; fierce on court, but very polite to each other on the winners' stand during the awarding ceremonies. Both young but yet already possessing the virtue and decorum befitting true champions. It would also be interesting to watch out for Roland Garros (the next Grand Slam, in France) where Tsonga would try to ride on the home court advantage and slug the trophy from three time consecutive champion Rafael Nadal to win his first Grand Slam. And of course, Djokovic will be there to give Roland Garros a very good show.

(Btw, Tsonga was born in France to a French mother and a black father from Congo. Both parents are now teachers at the Le Mans region of France.)

But I think the biggest winner in today's Finals was Adidas. Both Djokovic and Tsonga were outfitted and sponsored by Adidas. I am sure Nike was gnawing its cuticles to bleed with the marketing smarts of Adidas. Just look at the two guys' shirts on their photo above, the Adidas logo is smiling its way happily to the bank.

The officials at the Australian Open said and I agree that the hands of tennis are now in good hands. I am happy now.

And as my another tennis textmate Daisy from Iloilo said, she almost got constipated watching the game earlier, her first tight feeling for a game after Sampras retired. She said that she would have reasons to watch and cheer the ATP and Grand Slam matches to come.