Roger Federer, the last man to beat Novak Djokovic, six months ago in London, did it again in Paris to stop the Serb's remarkable unbeaten run at 43 but, more significantly, he confounded pre-tournament predictions to reach Sunday's final of the French Open against Rafael Nadal.
Not many at Roland Garros, except dreamers and charlatans, would have predicted such a scenario two weeks ago – the Swiss was 18-1 then, Djokovic close to even money in most markets – nor the dramatic climax to the second semi-final.
Federer, the world No 3, will start a slight underdog against Nadal, who needs one more championship to match the six garnered by Bjorn Borg, and has lost only once here in 44 matches – but after such a stirring performance all things seem possible again. Nadal was back in his hotel, celebrating his 25th birthday and recovering from the exertions of an edgy, wind-marred three-sets victory over Andy Murray when Federer completed a 7-5, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 upset against his 24-year-old opponent in near darkness on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Djokovic was gracious in defeat but, visibly spent, announced he was withdrawing from Queen's next week to prepare for Wimbledon. His has been a whirlwind adventure and could well resume in London in three weeks' time.
The ancien régime, meanwhile, is restored. The two players who have held the summit of men's tennis since February 2004 have, for the time being at least, held off the Serbian charge. They will give Paris a match to cherish, no doubt, as they have in most of their 24 encounters.
"I would think it is the best match I played this year," Federer said. "I did really well, a top start when I was able to break. But I know he has always got something in his racket to break me as well. There was a lot of pressure on Novak but he handled it great. It was a pleasure playing against him. He can still achieve so much more this year."
Djokovic, who had the benefit of four days' rest after a walkover against the injured Italian Fabio Fognini, was the favourite to go through but struggled to contain Federer's serve and all-round court intelligence.
"After the first set I was going down a little bit," Djokovic said. "He was taking control of the match but I managed to come back, definitely not easy against Roger. I tried to moderate myself. I think I played well. He played really well in important moments. I congratulate him. We were part of a very good match but it feels bad losing.
"I was serving for the fourth set but he played a couple of good points and he deserved it. During the tournament you feel the energy. You need the daily routine. These were the best months of my life, an incredible period. It had to end some time. Unfortunately it came in a bad moment. What happened happened. I can't affect it any more. A couple of points decided it. This is sport. There is nothing to be sorry about. I have pulled out of Queens and will take a rest before Wimbledon."
As the light died over Roland Garros, the Swiss moved with the precision of his country's clocks. Djokovic, hitherto irresistible, was fighting off the nerves that often arrested his development in the past. The tumult that consumed the court was exhilarating as Federer saved two break points to go 6-5 up in the fourth, forcing Djokovic to serve to stay in the championship. The crowd were with Federer, who won here two years ago, the nerves were with Djokovic, old turmoil replacing recent certainties, as he stayed deep.
With a tie-break in prospect, Djokovic dinked the most delicious drop shot, confounding Federer, who was rooted to the baseline. The Serb hit a forehand wide for deuce and anxieties rose on both sides of the net. The strut returned and Djokovic killed the point with his deadly two-fisted backhand from centre court. Federer, subdued behind base line, hit deep and it was 6-6.
The assemblage could not ask for better theatre, what they could see of it in the gloaming. The narrative was thus reduced to a final handful of strokes: a drop shot put Federer 1-0 up; a belting forehand from deep made it 2-0 but he was helpless to reach Djokovic's forehand for 2-1.
The Serb made a miracle save and Federer hit just long for 2-2. Federer held his second serve for 3-2 but netted a backhand for 3-3. Djokovic, nerves rattling, netted – 4-3 Federer. The Swiss hit his 17th ace for 5-3, with another big serve giving him three match points at 6-3. Djokovic clipped the net, 6-4 (and they booed the net). Djokovic served his sixth ace for 6-5 – and Federer hit his 18th to win the match.
Now that is a finish. It was the match of the championship, perhaps the best of the year, and one that ended a great run while reigniting the career of a true great of the game.
guardian.co.uk
Now this is what I call a semi-final!. Full of superb shots, tension and one-upmanship. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire 3 and a half hours.
By far one of the best matches this year, not just for Federer but in general. Speaking of Federer could he have played better?.
The serve was on, the backhand was on, everything was clicking for him. It was like watching the Federer of old the one that fought with all his might in the 2008 Wimbledon final against Nadal, and the 2009 final against Roddick.
In this match I was once again reminded why I became a fan of his in the first place. It was artistry pure and simple.
Sunday will undoubtedly be his toughest test yet, but regardless of the result, today he once again proved he still has the heart of a champion (and he can still hang with the best of them).
That should shut the press up for a while, now they'll just continue to sing his praises. Which will be a nice change from the constant criticizing.
I'm ready, bring on Fedal!.
Not many at Roland Garros, except dreamers and charlatans, would have predicted such a scenario two weeks ago – the Swiss was 18-1 then, Djokovic close to even money in most markets – nor the dramatic climax to the second semi-final.
Federer, the world No 3, will start a slight underdog against Nadal, who needs one more championship to match the six garnered by Bjorn Borg, and has lost only once here in 44 matches – but after such a stirring performance all things seem possible again. Nadal was back in his hotel, celebrating his 25th birthday and recovering from the exertions of an edgy, wind-marred three-sets victory over Andy Murray when Federer completed a 7-5, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 upset against his 24-year-old opponent in near darkness on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Djokovic was gracious in defeat but, visibly spent, announced he was withdrawing from Queen's next week to prepare for Wimbledon. His has been a whirlwind adventure and could well resume in London in three weeks' time.
The ancien régime, meanwhile, is restored. The two players who have held the summit of men's tennis since February 2004 have, for the time being at least, held off the Serbian charge. They will give Paris a match to cherish, no doubt, as they have in most of their 24 encounters.
"I would think it is the best match I played this year," Federer said. "I did really well, a top start when I was able to break. But I know he has always got something in his racket to break me as well. There was a lot of pressure on Novak but he handled it great. It was a pleasure playing against him. He can still achieve so much more this year."
Djokovic, who had the benefit of four days' rest after a walkover against the injured Italian Fabio Fognini, was the favourite to go through but struggled to contain Federer's serve and all-round court intelligence.
"After the first set I was going down a little bit," Djokovic said. "He was taking control of the match but I managed to come back, definitely not easy against Roger. I tried to moderate myself. I think I played well. He played really well in important moments. I congratulate him. We were part of a very good match but it feels bad losing.
"I was serving for the fourth set but he played a couple of good points and he deserved it. During the tournament you feel the energy. You need the daily routine. These were the best months of my life, an incredible period. It had to end some time. Unfortunately it came in a bad moment. What happened happened. I can't affect it any more. A couple of points decided it. This is sport. There is nothing to be sorry about. I have pulled out of Queens and will take a rest before Wimbledon."
As the light died over Roland Garros, the Swiss moved with the precision of his country's clocks. Djokovic, hitherto irresistible, was fighting off the nerves that often arrested his development in the past. The tumult that consumed the court was exhilarating as Federer saved two break points to go 6-5 up in the fourth, forcing Djokovic to serve to stay in the championship. The crowd were with Federer, who won here two years ago, the nerves were with Djokovic, old turmoil replacing recent certainties, as he stayed deep.
With a tie-break in prospect, Djokovic dinked the most delicious drop shot, confounding Federer, who was rooted to the baseline. The Serb hit a forehand wide for deuce and anxieties rose on both sides of the net. The strut returned and Djokovic killed the point with his deadly two-fisted backhand from centre court. Federer, subdued behind base line, hit deep and it was 6-6.
The assemblage could not ask for better theatre, what they could see of it in the gloaming. The narrative was thus reduced to a final handful of strokes: a drop shot put Federer 1-0 up; a belting forehand from deep made it 2-0 but he was helpless to reach Djokovic's forehand for 2-1.
The Serb made a miracle save and Federer hit just long for 2-2. Federer held his second serve for 3-2 but netted a backhand for 3-3. Djokovic, nerves rattling, netted – 4-3 Federer. The Swiss hit his 17th ace for 5-3, with another big serve giving him three match points at 6-3. Djokovic clipped the net, 6-4 (and they booed the net). Djokovic served his sixth ace for 6-5 – and Federer hit his 18th to win the match.
Now that is a finish. It was the match of the championship, perhaps the best of the year, and one that ended a great run while reigniting the career of a true great of the game.
guardian.co.uk
Now this is what I call a semi-final!. Full of superb shots, tension and one-upmanship. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire 3 and a half hours.
By far one of the best matches this year, not just for Federer but in general. Speaking of Federer could he have played better?.
The serve was on, the backhand was on, everything was clicking for him. It was like watching the Federer of old the one that fought with all his might in the 2008 Wimbledon final against Nadal, and the 2009 final against Roddick.
In this match I was once again reminded why I became a fan of his in the first place. It was artistry pure and simple.
Sunday will undoubtedly be his toughest test yet, but regardless of the result, today he once again proved he still has the heart of a champion (and he can still hang with the best of them).
That should shut the press up for a while, now they'll just continue to sing his praises. Which will be a nice change from the constant criticizing.
I'm ready, bring on Fedal!.
No comments:
Post a Comment