The best way to start the New Year is with a thick fuggy head. Or I assume that’s why most people try to get as smashed as possible the night before. But for me, the worst way to start this year was one more Roger Federer loss to that Andy Murray.

Ah well, guess you have to hope that the only way from down is up or some such psychobabble twaddle.

So here’s to a better 2009. Where Federer wins and all those other horrible things that happen stop happening. But I suspect (all right I know) that human history is chockfull of horrific events and it never actually gets any better. We just keep hoping it does. And reassuring ourselves that nothing could be worse than what we just went through.

So, it’s a mug’s game, no winners no losers, ends with a whimper not a bang and all the rest of it?

Sure, but I’m still rooting for a Federer victory. Sooner rather than later. That’s my talisman to save this year from the contagion of the last.