Here's the BBC's John Simpson, reporting from Harare, under the headline, Mugabe's remarkable comeback:
It has been done with great brutality, but Robert Mugabe has achieved an extraordinary turnaround here.
Back in March, when the first round of voting took place, he was humiliated by being beaten into second place in the presidential race, and by losing the parliamentary election outright.
Now he's the sole effective candidate in Friday's presidential run-off, and he cannot fail to win with an overwhelming majority.
His opponent, Morgan Tsvangirai, has been completely outmanoeuvred.
Well, congratulations to Robert Mugabe. He's "completely outmanoeuvred" that pathetic Tsvangirai.
It all adds up to a remarkable sweeping victory for a man who only three months ago seemed to be on the ropes.
The moral is clear: never underestimate Robert Mugabe's ferocious determination to stay in power, nor the ability of his political opponents to destroy their own case.
To destroy their own case? You might think that Tsvangirai had his case destroyed for him, what with his supporters being systematically tortured and murdered. But legendary BBC reporter Simpson hasn't got where he is today by not being able to recognise a winner when he sees one.
See also Daniel Finkelstein.
Mick Hartley 
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