The Fed-X-Press

Aussie Album: Part 4

2012-01-25T18:53:00.004-03:00

1000th match

2012-01-25T18:34:00.000-03:00

Roger defeated Juan Martin Del Potro with ease today, winning his 1000th match on the ATP Tour 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. The impressive performance secured him a spot in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

"I thought it was a great match," Roger said. "I'm happy. It was tough, with the sun and shade creeping across the court. Del Potro is a quality player and I was able to manoeuvre the ball around the court. I hope I can keep it up."

Roger had a fabulous start, racing to a 4-1 lead within just 22 minutes. Argentina's Del Porto needed an enourmous effort to battle back and level it at 4-4. But Roger came back just then, winning the next six out of seven games. After 1 hour 59 minutes our champ then made everthing clear upon his first match-ball.

In the semis on Thursday, Roger will play the winner of the match between Rafael Nadal (ATP 2) and Tomas Berdych (ATP 7). It is the ninth time in series (since 2004) that Roger plays the semis at the season's first grand slam.

Source: rogerfederer.com

Aussie Album: Part 3

2012-01-25T18:30:00.001-03:00

Roger masters Tomic

2012-01-25T18:18:00.004-03:00

Roger showed a terrific match today, taming Australia's Bernard Tomic 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and 44 minutes. He will now play his 31st consecutive grand slam quarter-final against Juan Martin Del Potro.

"I played a really good match. I thought I had to. Anything else wouldn't have got the job done," Roger said. "The score would suggest otherwise. If you hadn't seen the match you would think straight sets, no problem, but I had to work extremely hard and Bernard showed why he is going to be a great player in the future."

Roger stepped up his game when he needed to, showing some dazzling winners which even left Tomic visibly impressed. He eventually scored a total of 45 winners, mostly dominating the rallies from the baseline.

Roger will now face Juan Martin Del Potro, against who he won two sets to love in Melbourne three years ago. The last time the two met was in Cincinnati last year where Roger defeated Del Potro 6-3, 7-5.

Source: rogerfederer.com

Aussie Album: Part 2

2012-01-21T22:34:00.000-03:00

Round of 16 down under

2012-01-21T22:20:00.000-03:00

Roger has made it through to the fourth round of the Australian Open after a 7-6(6), 7-5, 6-3 win over Ivo Karlovic in 2 hours 17 minutes.

"I definitely got a bit fortunate and started to play better as the match went on," Roger commented the crucial break point against him in the opening tie-breaker. "I knew going in it was going to be tough. I played him 10 times, and we've played some breakers. I knew it could come down to a few here and there," Roger said after breaking Karlovic once in the second and third set.

Roger counted a total of 24 forehands among his 55 winners and only made 13 unforced errors in 33 games. On his quest for title number five Down Under, Roger will now take on the winner of the match between Alexandr Dolgopolov and Bernard Tomic in the round of 16.

Source: rogerfederer.com

Round three after walkover

2012-01-21T22:16:00.000-03:00

Roger got a free pass into the third round of the Australian Open as Germany's Andreas Beck withdrew from the scheduled second-round encounter with a lower back injury.

"I would have loved to play," Roger said. "I feel sorry for the fans who were excited to see me on Hisense today. I was ready to go. I was just coming for my warm-up hit, so I was completely focusing on the match."

It is only the third time in Roger's career that he has advanced a round without having to play.

Source: rogerfederer.com

Aussie Album: Part 1

2012-01-21T22:12:00.000-03:00

Roger cruises into second

2012-01-21T21:56:00.004-03:00

Roger moved into the second round of the Australian Open with a 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Alexander Kudrjawtsew (ATP 172) today.

Roger raced through his service games today. He came under pressure from Kudrjawtsew but held firm, fending off two break points to keep himself in the contest. After losing a tight first set, Kudrjawtsew called for medical time-out early in the second set. After the short break, Roger was unstoppable - he raced through four of the next five games to clinch the second set and then cruised through the third and last set needing just one match ball.

"I've been feeling fine for three, four days now," Roger said after the match. "I've been able to practice full out. I really tried to put in an effort to play every point as hard as I could first to see how the back felt, try to get into it, hopefully win, and then see how I feel tomorrow."

Next up is a clash with either France's Eric Prodon (ATP 96) oder Germany's Andreas Beck (ATP 93) on Wednesday.

Source: rogerfederer.com

Australian Open Draw

2012-01-14T23:43:00.002-03:00

Next week, Roger will start his quest for a fifth title at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Seeking to extend his record of 16 grand slam titles, he will start against a qualifier. He could then meet Eric Prodon (ATP 96) or Andreas Beck (ATP 98). Possible opponents in round three are Jürgen Melzer or Ivo Karlovic, before he could challenge Alexander Dolgopolow or Fernando Verdasco in the round of the last eight. Mardy Fish or Juan Martin Del Potro could follow in the quarters.

Roger and Rafael Nadal have been placed on the same half of the draw for the first time in any Grand Slam since 2005.

Source: rogerfederer.com

Roger pulls out of semis

2012-01-07T04:07:00.003-03:00

"Unfortunately, I had to take the decision to pull out of the semi-finals today in Doha. I had back spasms which I don’t want to aggravate. I am confident that with some treatment and exercise my back will recover fully."

Source: rogerfederer.com

2012 Start Off: Doha 2/2

2012-01-07T03:56:00.001-03:00

Semis against Tsonga

2012-01-07T03:40:00.002-03:00

Roger celebrated a 20th successive win today, reaching the semi-final in Doha for the sixth time. His 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Andreas Seppi earned him a next meeting with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

"I am looking forward to playing him again," Roger said. "I hope it will be a good season for both of us. He's always a nice guy to see play, and a nice guy off the court as well, so I hope we can live up to expectations."

Roger did not show a too constant performance today, especially in the second set. He was trailing 1-5 when he still managed to come back to 5-5 - and still lose the set. But he recovered in the deciding set, breaking Seppi early and holding the advantage until the end.
Roger profited from excellent first serves and passages today - making a total of 41 unforced errors on the other hand.

Source: rogerfederer.com

2012 Start Off: Doha 1/2

2012-01-07T03:32:00.000-03:00

Roger rushes into quarters

2012-01-07T03:06:00.001-03:00

Roger extended his unbeaten record to 19 matches by overcoming Grega Zemlja 6-2, 6-3 in Doha today.

"It is important not to get frustrated in the wind, like I maybe did when I was younger," Roger said. "You become used to it."

Roger displayed excellent tennis from the baseline today and as in the first match, relied on a solid serve. Once again, the job did not take long as Roger wrapped up the match in precisely an hour.

Our champ will meet Andreas Seppi (ATP 38) in tomorrow's quarter finals. Roger has won all seven matches against the Italian so far - without dropping a set.

Source: rogerfederer.com

Roger Open season in style

2012-01-07T03:00:00.000-03:00

Roger needed just 54 minutes to defeat Nikolay Davydenko 6-2, 6-2 in the first round of the Qatar Open today.

"I played agressively, served well and had good movement," Roger said after the match.

Our champ broke the Russian to love right in the opening game and carried on in perfect manner to take the first set after just 22 minutes. Davydenko managed to save a match point on his own serve at 1-5 in the second set, but Roger terminated the victory upon his own serve only shortly afterwards. He now has a winning record of 16-2 against Davydenko.

Roger will now face Slovenian qualifier Grega Zemlja (ATP 116) in the second round on Wednesday.

Source: rogerfederer.com

Photo Album: Masters Cup

2012-01-03T01:00:00.000-03:00

Photo Album: Paris

2012-01-03T00:45:00.000-03:00

Photo Album: Basel

2012-01-03T00:35:00.000-03:00

Year end: a good calendar decision means three titles

2012-01-03T00:31:00.002-03:00

Definitely the Us Open semifinal match was a big mental hit, and Roger made a wise decision, in order to stay fresh mentally and physically he avoided travelling to shanghai and returned in Basel. At first it was a shame because I really love Shanghai masters , but then I realize that a small sacrifice can be much more pleasant.

First stop was Base, a blue Basel this time, and Roger was cruising ever single match, in some cases struggling with himself, for example against Nieminem, but on the other hand showing some amazing displays, like the finals against Nishikori and Roddick, I have to say that I personally loved Roddick’ match, because despite his killer serve, his ground strokes always bounce close to the hip, so there is nothing of hitting at shoulder level, and as we all know roger’s ground strokes are way more powerful an effective when the balls bounce low.

After a home title it was time for Paris, one of those Roger was denied to win, in this case every single match was pretty straightforward, if I am not wrong, I think Roger didin’t lose any single set. Showing a solid game from the start, easily beating Gasquet and his Us Open victim Monaco.

Then it was time to face two hard hitters again, semis against Berdych showed us an old school Roger, it was his 2006 version with all the variety of shots you can imagine, there was barely a moment of lack of focus, and I could only remember a few UES. Berdych didn’t stand a chance this time. Finally Tsonga was the last man standing, and Roger started fired up as always, again like the younger versions, he pawned his opponent taking a fast one set advantage, second set was a close one, but again it was all in Roger hands, Tsonga was a little bit tired from his marathon against Isner and was hoping a mental disconnection from our champ. Despite losing a break point after an incredible backhand passing shot, Roger took an early advantage in the tie break and sealed an incredible victory, one that was avoiding him for a long time.

The Masters cup was the final stop, and Roger was the favourite to win the title again. Round robin groups were really tough, specially Roger’s one. The first one on the list was Tsonga again, and as it was Paris Roger began all out and the first set was a monologue, With the advantage Tsonga started to play way more aggressive and Roger slowed down a little, with a deserved second set win Tsonga was not able to keep the level of aggressiveness and Roger with a solid game, and putting pressure in the right moment broke the Frenchman serve to won the match.

Rafa is known as Roger’s nemesis, he really improved his tennis in every surface to be competitive, but unlike Miami, Roger was a magician, the match was PERFECT, there was no shot out of rhythm, Roger showed incredible confidence, relaxation and a destroying mentality, that’s why Rafa had no chance losing 6-3 6-0, it was one of those matches that make us wish Roger was not human in order to play all matches that way.

As Roger was classified for semis, his match against fish was way more relaxed, maybe that’s why there was a couple of smiles here and there and after taking the first set, Roger was totally absent, his feet were stuck and he tried to win the second one without moving, unfortunately it didn’t work but again in the third Roger got serious again and won the match.

Semis presented an unexpected visitor, as Murray withdrawn and Djokovic was out due to fatigue, Ferrer was showing a solid game, that was the key to beat Djokovic in round robin. The match against him was uncomfortable, Ferrer’s strategy was clear, there is no chance if the ball is played to Roger’s forehand, so like 85%of the shots went to the backhand side, which was a dangerous situation, because there was always an open space for Roger. Repeating this strategy over and over Ferrer reached a breaking point in the match where Roger was facing break points on his serve, luckily Roger responded with great serves and solid shots from the baseline and after saving his service game, he immediately broke Ferrer who was regretting what happened a few points ago.

After Roger sealed the first set, the match was pretty straightforward again, he played way more relaxed and got an early break showing some quality shots, as we saw in Nadal’s round robin match. So it was time to face Tsonga again, and let me say that the finals bring some bad memories during the second set.

The final match took off, and Tsonga was playing like “I don’t give a crap” he was doing anything that came to his mind without bothering, Roger sticked to the plan and as he is an experienced player he knew Tsonga was not going to keep playing as he was and getting good results, that’s why he found an opening and with a couple of amazing backhand passings he got the break and took the first set.

Second set was again in Roger’s hands getting an early break and then serving for the match, but guess what? Tennis is based on luck AGAIN, and Tsonga stepped up and return every single serve with nothing to lose “ if it catches the line great of not I don’t care” that was the idea I think. And well we all know the end, Roger lost his serve, but when we reach the tie break match points appeared again, unlike a few games before Tsonga was playing more focused and less improvised and using his hard hitter style took the second set away from Roger’s hands.

Third set was a suffered one, I was scared that Roger could be a little decentralized, but as the champion he is, he faced the challenge as it was the first set, a new story began. Both players service games where really close, but Tsonga was abusing of his inverted forehand leaving too much space free, that’s why Roger with great temper manage to locked the Frenchman using a deep backhand slice and then finishing the point with a heavy forehand to break his serve.

It was over, the only thing Roger needed was first serves, and understanding the importance an ace came soon such as great first serves, Tsonga had no chance and Roger claimed another title to finish 2011 in great shape.

Photo Album: US Open

2012-01-03T00:15:00.000-03:00

Us open: time for destroying hopes, get some revenge and learning that this sport is unfair

2012-01-03T00:13:00.003-03:00

I have to admit that I love this tournament, the atmosphere is so amazing that even from TV you can feel it, and especially because Roger always plays so motivated that is a pleasure to see him play, remember matches such as the master class he gave to Soderling I think in quarters a few years ago, and memorable matches against Aggasi.

And this time it was no different, Roger played the first match kind of strange, it was like he played really turned on for a couple of minutes, then after taking the lead he totally disconnected from the match, even so he took it in straight sets. I couldn’t see the second round match, but from there I was able to presence all, against Cilic I have to say that the match got a little more complicated because of the wind but honestly I felt that roger was in control of the match all the time, from the other side Cilic didn’t offer to much, just regularity.

From that moment Roger was in God Mode, Monaco who was getting good results on hard court was destroyed, punished, embarrassed, close to be bageled by the Swiss maestro, every single rally was going to Roger’s side. And that level was presented again to our enemy Tsonga, the only moment I was feeling uncomfortable was the rain stop because Roger returned a little rusty and lost his advantage but a couple of minutes after there was no chance for the Frenchman in the whole match (despite his one handed backhand passing shots in some cases that really annoys me).

Up to this point if you are neutral in Tennis don’t read this, Roger should have won that match, I hate when players hit shots with nothing to lose and it catches the line, I mean come on! Then they laugh, what the hell leave the show for some other time and realize that you were as lucky as hell. That shot really bothered me because it was like not realizing he was facing a match point, I do that when I play, but I am an amateur and the lucky factor plays more for us that them.

Sorry for that I was really angry, but something I realized in this match is the effect of age, in five set matches and with such a level of intensity Roger took a two set lead but he really went all out, and as years don’t come free Novak was with more energy than Roger who needed time to recharge some while playing, that’s one of the time flow effects that I hate but well that was not the problem Roger was two match points ahead and tennis is a sport, and every single sport is based on technique, talent and LUCK, unfortunately luck appeared this time in a terrible moment.

Photo Album: Hardcourt Season 2/2

2012-01-03T00:06:00.000-03:00

Photo Album: Wimbledon

2012-01-03T00:04:00.001-03:00

Wimby and preparation for the US Open: hard hitters take the note

2012-01-03T00:04:00.000-03:00

Unfortunately for me while Wimbledon was being played I was with a lot of exams, so I only was able to see Roger’s match against Nalbandian. So I will skip making comments about it, sorry.

When it comes to US Open preparation Roger in some cases doesn’t take this two AMS as serious as a grand slam, which doesn’t mean he gives a crap if he wins or loses, but he kind of tries things or tune his game really slowly, like saving all the fuel for the big event. Unfortunately there was not much to see, despite a nice first round in Cincy against delpo, quarters in both cases were against hard hitters (Tsonga who was pumped from wimby’s comeback and Berdych who was a real problem for Roger recently), in some cases they were both wicked Tsonga specially and as it happened during the year (right now I am considering Novak a pure hard hitter, he became a punisher from the baseline) hard hitters gave Roger a hard time.