Roger Federer gets sweet revenge on Tsonga moves into semis @ U.S. Open

NEW YORK -- Roger Federer pulled a fast one in the fourth round before the rain came, sneaking in his win over Juan Monaco in the early morning hours Tuesday. And then he watched as rivals Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray ran afoul of the wet weather here at the U.S. Open.


Thursday night, Federer seemed to be in the catbird seat again with a quarterfinal night match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga -- with Nadal and Murray contemplating their quarters scheduled for Friday. At the age of 30, Federer will take all the rest he can get and this looked suspiciously like a serious competitive advantage.

But then, after a glorious day of sunshine -- after all the other major matches had been played -- the karma turned. It rained on the Federer parade with the Swiss champion serving at 3-2. 

He sat in the locker room for more than an hour, while Djokovic -- who had left hours earlier -- was probably enjoying a nice meal.

Federer came out after the rain delay focused and yet relaxed. 

After winning the first set, he intently watched super fan Cameron Hughes -- the dancing guy in the I Love New York t-shirt -- stir up the crowd. He was still laughing when he walked back onto the court.

With surprising ease -- for Tsonga had beaten him twice in the last two months -- Federer hammered the powerful Frenchman 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. "Doesn't matter straight sets or five sets," Federer said afterward, "as long as you keep progressing in the tournament."

At Wimbledon, Tsonga came back from a two-set deficit -- the first time Federer had ever lost from that commanding position. Did that memory haunt him in Thursday night's third set?

"It's true, the Wimbledon match does come back into your mind, especially when he has a break point in the third," Federer said. "Very happy the way I'm playing and moving right now."

Federer will meet Djokovic in what promises to be a scintillating Saturday semifinal.


"This year he's really been able to step up," Federer said. "The biggest challenge in tennis. I'm up to it."

Djokovic beat Federer three times early this season, most notably in the Australian Open semifinals. 

But Federer stunned him in the semifinals at Roland Garros, ending his 43-match winning streak. 

This, one will decide their 2011 three-match series at the majors. You have to believe the winner has a pretty good chance of winning the tournament.

ESPN.com

And that's how it's done folks!.  With a straight sets win Roger made a point, and it's that he's ready to go the distance (to the finals that is)  No more 5 set drama, no sir. 

The serve and return game was what really clicked for him this match. 

Where as Tsonga seemed to have none.  Full credit to Federer. 

I love that he didn't let the rain delay rattle him one bit, instead he came out more composed and even more focused (which is something he'll need in abundance for his next match) 

Will Djokovic avenge his loss to Federer at the French, or will Roger get the best of him again?.  I can't wait to find out. 

Is it Saturday yet?!.