What a strange match for Roger Federer in Rome.
The Maestro started in absolutely ominous fashion against Chardy to win the opening set 6-1 in just 30 minutes. Everybody was expecting a trashy result, but a curious break in the 4th game of the second set changed everything. Roger lost the second set 6-3 to then being broken again in the 5th game of the decider. At that point the Maestro regrouped to break back and bring the match at the breaker.
At the tiebreak Chardy handed a match point to Federer with a double fault. Federer was leading 6-5 and serving. The Frenchman managed to save that match point with an incredible passing shot to then win the next 2 points and the match. The final result was 1-6 6-3 7-6 (6). Match Stats
Federer: We both struggled to win today
The Swiss commented “I think we both struggled to win today and in the end a shot here or there decided the match. He gave me a double fault to give me match point. I missed my first serve, which was crucial, but credit to him to give it a go. A passing shot is a tough one for me to take. Credit to him for fighting his way back into the match.”
Time for Roger to go back and enjoy his new twins.
Video: Upset! The #Chardy cross-court hot shot that swung the tie break his way to beat #Federer #tennis http://t.co/XvVTvRcEKa
— TennisTV (@TennisTV) May 14, 2014
