Often we watch a great point between two good players that is loaded with fantastic shotmaking. A beautful first serve somehow is blocked back with an incredible off-balance return. This followed by repeated, powerful forehand and backhand groundstrokes directed with uncanny accuracy all over the court. Wow! And just when we expect an inspired conclusion to this building crescendo...one player dumps an easy one directly into the net.

Inexplicable? Bewildering? No.

Somebody lost their concentration; it’s as simple as that. Long points under pressure demand lengthy periods of intense concentration. That’s why the point was so entertaining; good players can play like that. But for how long?

Even Nadal has his limits; high limits, but limits. He’s human too.

The rest of us can marvel at the pros and also learn that simply extending our concentration a few more shots, a little onger, might just be enough to win the point against our opponents.

Gary Sherby is tennis director at Racquets and Togs Tennis Center, 115 Bradford St., just off the downtown square. His tennis tips appear Sundays.