Different fates for Federer and Baby Federer (Grigor Dimitrov).
Federer
The Swiss Maestro was upset but we knew it could come. In fact, for some reasons Roger struggles with Benneteau to lose in Bercy a couple of years ago (indoor hard court like Rotterdam). Benneteau was also leading 2 sets up in Wimbledon 2012 to then lose at the 5th set with Roger… so the Frenchamn knew he has the game to trouble the Swiss.
The match lasted only 80 minutes and Benneteau broke Federer 5 times on 11 service games (!!!!) something really strange for Roger on indoor hard courts. Federer had terrible statistics to put only 57% 1st services in, to win only 67% of first serves and 33% second serves. Roger blasted 7 aces to commit 4 double faults!
“Today, I knew I could do it because I had already done it in Bercy. I had to do a lot of good things,” said Benneteau. “I prepared myself to play my game, not to try to play better than I can, but to be aggressive when I could. I needed to show physically and mentally I was here and that I wanted it.”
Benneteau will play in the semifinal against fellow countryman Gilles Simon. Head to head is 4-2 for Simon, but Benneteau won the last match in the second round at the recent Australian Open.
Dimitrov
Baby Federer had a fantastic match against his great friend Marcos Baghdatis to win 6-7 (4) 7-6 (0) 6-3 in 2 hours and 31 minutes.
“I definitely had to fight with myself in the second set, I lost focus a little bit,” said Dimitrov. “The match went through a lot of phases and I was happy I got out of it. I knew if I kept my composure on court and was able to play decent shots, I knew I could get the second set and eventually the match. It’s never easy to play against a good friend.”
Dimitrov will play Del Potro (6-3 6-4 on Nieminem) in the semifinals. This will be their first match.
