What a nice match to watch!
This was an encounter between two of the classiest players on tour and it was a lot of fun. Roger was definitely up to the task. The Maestro started the match by immediately breaking Richard in the opening game. Then the Frenchman managed to break the Swiss in the 8th game (that was the only game that Roger played rather lousy), but then the Maestro broke immediately back in the following game to win the opener 6-4.
The second set was just great and it was once again a reminder why we love this sport so much. Roger and Richard really stepped up to produce incredible rallies and mind-blowing shots. The tennis was sublime, but the outcome was clear from the very beginning as Roger broke Richard in both the first and the last game of the set to be always in control of the result.
The final point was a little bit of a “drama” as Roger managed to win only after gaining his 6th match point. The match ended after 79 minutes. Match Stats
Roger’s tennis
The Maestro has definitely the tennis to compete and beat the very best. When he knows he owns his opponent he is unstoppable (like with Gasquet). Federer’s only problems are when he has some doubts and that happens with Nole and Rafa and that is the “only” difference.
Federer
“Richard does a good job of making you feel uncomfortable at the same time as well, because he uses heights and spins really well. He likes extended rallies. I’m trying to force the issue. But I guess those are the kind of matches I need right now – straight sets against a good player.” Said Roger
Next Matches
Roger will play Juan Martin Del Potro in the next match. Head to head is 14-5 for the Maestro, but Delpo leads 4-3 on indoor hard courts. The winner get to the semis to probably play Rafael Nadal.
