Doha - Win (vs Nikolay Davydenko)
After a superb end to the 2010 season, Roger started off his 2011 season in fine form, not dropping a set en route to his 3rd Doha crown, also winning the title in 2005 and 2006. Roger played some stellar tennis throughout the tournament, defeating Thomas Schoorel (where he hit a front-tweener), countryman Marco Chiudnelli, Viktor Troicki, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Nikolay Davydenko. It was the perfect start to the season for Roger and gave him some great confidence heading into the Australian Open.
Australian Open - Semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic
In the first Slam of 2011, Roger lost some of his confidence in the 2nd round against Gilles Simon. Up two sets to love and playing some sublime tennis, he let down his guard and let Simon back into the match, and Roger was forced to win in a tough 5-set encounter that never should have gotten that far. This was the turning point in the tournament as far as I'm concerned, as he lost a little belief and started playing a little too defensively which hurt his game. In the 3rd round he defeated Xavier Malisse in straights, but then dropped a set to Tommy Robredo in the 4th round. In the quarters, he dismantled Stan Wawrinka, and then came Novak Djokovic. In hindsight, a Djokovic win could have been foreshadowed. He was playing superb tennis and Roger wasn't as sharp and aggressive as he had been a year before when he picked up his 16th major. In January, I thought losing in straights to Djokovic was a terrible thing, but now looking back on it, after the season Djokovic had, you can see how great he was at that time, and with Roger not at his best, the loss was completely understandable. Disappointing result nevertheless after his triumph the year before.
Spring Hardcourt Season
Dubai - Final loss to Novak Djokovic
Indian Wells - Semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic
Miami - Semifinal loss to Rafael Nadal
After the Australian Open, Federer played some decent tennis but ultimately fell short of great achievement. In Dubai in February, he played great all week until he ran into the red-hot Djokovic, who again defeated him in straight sets. In Indian Wells, Roger had a good week until he again ran into Novak, who outlasted him in three tough sets. In Miami a week after that, Roger again had a good week, but then fell completely flat against Rafael Nadal and lost 63 62. Overall, in these three tournaments, Roger was far from his best when it really mattered, but he played decent tennis, making a final and two semifinals. In Indian Wells and Miami, the courts are so slow that they are almost like clay and they definitely don't give Fed an advantage at all.
Spring Claycourt Season
Monte Carlo - Quarterfinal loss to Jurgen Melzer
Madrid - Semifinal loss to Rafael Nadal
Rome - 3rd round loss to Richard Gasquet
In Monte Carlo, Roger started off great, beating Kohlscreiber and Cilic easily before running into Jurgen Melzer. Fed played very average, and coupled with Melzer playing great tennis, he was upset. A week later in Madrid, Roger survived an early scare with Feliciano Lopez to make the semifinals, where he played some great tennis vs Rafael Nadal but ultimately came up short. The final two sets where Nadal won comfortably were deceiving, because Roger was in every service game and could have won the match had a few more things gone his way. Nevertheless, Roger took his game to Rome, where after defeating Tsonga, he was again upset, this time by Richard Gasquet. It was a match where he lost two tiebreaks and even had a break lead in the 3rd set and he should have never lost it. So after three unsuccessful clay court weeks, Roger looked to be in bad shape for the French Open. If only we knew what was coming....
French Open - Final loss to Rafael Nadal
Heading into the French Open, the talk of the tennis world was Novak Djokovic, who was on a massive winning streak and had just defeated Rafael Nadal twice in a row on clay in Madrid and Rome, not to mention BOTH in straights, to head into the event as a favourite alongside Nadal. Federer was not even in the equation to many critics. But that all changed on one fateful day when the Swiss Maestro defeated Djokovic in the semifinals, and ending his 41-match unbeaten streak. It was for all intents and purposes the match of the year, and Roger defied all the odds by beating the seemingly unbeatable Serb. With the win, Fed faced Nadal in the final, and gave him a big run for his money. In the end, he lost in four sets, but it was the closest Fed has ever come to beating Nadal in the French Open. He held a set point in the 1st, and had it not been for a drop shot going an inch wide, he would have taken the set. Then, after being down two sets and a break down, he fought back to take the 3rd. He even held break points early in the fourth to take the match to a 5th (seemingly), but was unable and Rafa finished it out. Overall, it was a great tournament for the Fedster and he showed to everyone that he was still a force to be reckoned with. Also to mention, Rafa was two sets to one down against John Isner, and if the big man closes it out, everything completely changes.
Wimbledon - Quarterfinal loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Up until the 3rd set of the Wimbledon quarterfinals, Federer was looking great. He had only dropped one set before then, and was looking to make the semifinals with ease. Then Tsonga came along. In each of the final three sets, he gathered an early break lead and never let Fed back into the sets. Roger ended up losing after not breaking in the final four sets and not even facing a break point in the final three. It marked the first time Roger had ever lost in a Grand Slam while being two sets to love up, and many were flabbergasted at the events that had unfolded before them. Tsonga played amazing tennis in the final three sets (even four really), and Roger could not do much to alter his momentum. So now after three Slams and six months into the season, Roger Federer had not won a Grand Slam and only won one title in the first event of the year. To prevent a Slamless season, Roger would need to win the US Open.
Summer Hardcourt Season
Montreal - 3rd round loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Cincinnati - Quarterfinal loss to Tomas Berdych
After the long post-Wimbledon layoff, these two tournaments were very forgettable for Roger. Tsonga got the better of him once again, winning in a lopsided third set, and a week later, Fed turned in a very uninspired match against Berdych that left many fans puzzled. The Cincy match was most puzzling. After a great match vs Juan Martin del Potro where Roger used all his variety, he threw all that out the window vs Berdych and tried to win with power - a very bad gameplan vs the big Czech. Roger paid the price and headed into the US Open with very little momentum.
US Open - Semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic
Roger breezed through his first four matches, and then faced a tough test in Tsonga, who had beaten him twice in a row. However, Federer dismantled his rival and won convincingly in straight sets. Up next was Djokovic in the semis - the most anticipated match of the year. Fed started in the most perfect way possible, winning the first two sets. Then Djokovic came back and won the third. In the fourth, Roger checked out while conserving energy for the 5th. In that 5th set, both played incredible tennis and Roger got out to a 5-3 lead, holding two match points. Then it all fell apart. Novak hit a blistering forehand return winner, and from there, Rogers spirit appeared to be broken. He lost the final four games and Novak had done the same things twice in a row - defeating Federer in the US Open in 5 sets whilst facing down two match points. The loss left many fans completely shocked, and for good reason.
Davis Cup Tie - Switzerland vs Australia
In the month off from ATP events, Fed participated in the Davis Cup tie between Switzerland and Australia, and was a huge factor in them defeating the Aussies to make it back to the group stage. He defeated Bernard Tomic and Lleyton Hewitt in tight 4 set contests, and was there every step of the way to cheer Wawrinka on against Hewitt in the match to decide it all.
Indoor Season
Basel - Win (vs Kei Nishikori)
Paris-Bercy - Win (vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga)
World Tour Finals - Win (vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga)
After triumph in Basel the year before, Roger resumed right as things were and captured his 5th Basel title in a relatively easy tournament, only losing one set along the way. This was a huge win for Roger after the US Open shock, and he always gets emotional when winning in his hometown, and you could see how much it meant to him. Novak Djokovic losing to Kei Nishikori in the semifinals definitely gave him an easier match in the final, but it's not out the question that Federer would have beaten Djokovic, who was suffering from some injuries.
The next week, Roger played in the Paris Indoors, where he had never even made the final. He rolled through the early rounds until dismantling Tomas Berdych in the semis, revenge for the Cincinnati loss earlier in the year. In the final, Roger defeated Tsonga to win his first title in Paris, and the crowd was definitely appreciative of his efforts as always. Even Thierry Henry, the famous soccer player (or footballer as some say), sat in Roger's box and not Tsonga's, his fellow countryman. The win for Roger was a big sign of perseverance in finally winning a title had had never claimed before, and gave him endless confidence heading into the World Tour Finals.
In the meeting of the best 8 players in the world, Fed went undefeated to win his 6th Masters Cup, but it was not all easy. He endured tough three set matches with Tsonga in the round robin and final, and Fish. The highlight of the tournament was the demolishing of Nadal 63 60. Federer showed why he is still an elite player and the greatest Masters Cup player ever with his strong performance the entire week, and ensured that he will be a contender come the Australian Open in 2012.
Federer finished the year with a 64-12 record, and finishing with a 17-0 record, not losing after the US Open defeat to Djokovic. It wasn't a great year for Roger, but it was one where he did some amazing things and broke even more records.
Top 5 Federer matches of 2011:
5. Federer vs Tsonga, US Open QF, 64 63 63
4. Federer vs Monaco, US Open 4R, 61 62 60
3. Federer vs Berdych, Paris-Bercy SF, 64 63
2. Federer vs Nadal, WTF RR, 63 60
1. Federer vs Djokovic, French Open SF 76(5) 63 36 76(5)
I hope everyone enjoyed this season in review, and may Federer have a grand 2012 season filled with many more delights, and hopefully a Grand Slam and Olympic gold! I also want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays!
Until next time,
Kyle
In Monte Carlo, Roger started off great, beating Kohlscreiber and Cilic easily before running into Jurgen Melzer. Fed played very average, and coupled with Melzer playing great tennis, he was upset. A week later in Madrid, Roger survived an early scare with Feliciano Lopez to make the semifinals, where he played some great tennis vs Rafael Nadal but ultimately came up short. The final two sets where Nadal won comfortably were deceiving, because Roger was in every service game and could have won the match had a few more things gone his way. Nevertheless, Roger took his game to Rome, where after defeating Tsonga, he was again upset, this time by Richard Gasquet. It was a match where he lost two tiebreaks and even had a break lead in the 3rd set and he should have never lost it. So after three unsuccessful clay court weeks, Roger looked to be in bad shape for the French Open. If only we knew what was coming....
French Open - Final loss to Rafael Nadal
Heading into the French Open, the talk of the tennis world was Novak Djokovic, who was on a massive winning streak and had just defeated Rafael Nadal twice in a row on clay in Madrid and Rome, not to mention BOTH in straights, to head into the event as a favourite alongside Nadal. Federer was not even in the equation to many critics. But that all changed on one fateful day when the Swiss Maestro defeated Djokovic in the semifinals, and ending his 41-match unbeaten streak. It was for all intents and purposes the match of the year, and Roger defied all the odds by beating the seemingly unbeatable Serb. With the win, Fed faced Nadal in the final, and gave him a big run for his money. In the end, he lost in four sets, but it was the closest Fed has ever come to beating Nadal in the French Open. He held a set point in the 1st, and had it not been for a drop shot going an inch wide, he would have taken the set. Then, after being down two sets and a break down, he fought back to take the 3rd. He even held break points early in the fourth to take the match to a 5th (seemingly), but was unable and Rafa finished it out. Overall, it was a great tournament for the Fedster and he showed to everyone that he was still a force to be reckoned with. Also to mention, Rafa was two sets to one down against John Isner, and if the big man closes it out, everything completely changes.
Wimbledon - Quarterfinal loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Up until the 3rd set of the Wimbledon quarterfinals, Federer was looking great. He had only dropped one set before then, and was looking to make the semifinals with ease. Then Tsonga came along. In each of the final three sets, he gathered an early break lead and never let Fed back into the sets. Roger ended up losing after not breaking in the final four sets and not even facing a break point in the final three. It marked the first time Roger had ever lost in a Grand Slam while being two sets to love up, and many were flabbergasted at the events that had unfolded before them. Tsonga played amazing tennis in the final three sets (even four really), and Roger could not do much to alter his momentum. So now after three Slams and six months into the season, Roger Federer had not won a Grand Slam and only won one title in the first event of the year. To prevent a Slamless season, Roger would need to win the US Open.
Summer Hardcourt Season
Montreal - 3rd round loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Cincinnati - Quarterfinal loss to Tomas Berdych
After the long post-Wimbledon layoff, these two tournaments were very forgettable for Roger. Tsonga got the better of him once again, winning in a lopsided third set, and a week later, Fed turned in a very uninspired match against Berdych that left many fans puzzled. The Cincy match was most puzzling. After a great match vs Juan Martin del Potro where Roger used all his variety, he threw all that out the window vs Berdych and tried to win with power - a very bad gameplan vs the big Czech. Roger paid the price and headed into the US Open with very little momentum.
US Open - Semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic
Roger breezed through his first four matches, and then faced a tough test in Tsonga, who had beaten him twice in a row. However, Federer dismantled his rival and won convincingly in straight sets. Up next was Djokovic in the semis - the most anticipated match of the year. Fed started in the most perfect way possible, winning the first two sets. Then Djokovic came back and won the third. In the fourth, Roger checked out while conserving energy for the 5th. In that 5th set, both played incredible tennis and Roger got out to a 5-3 lead, holding two match points. Then it all fell apart. Novak hit a blistering forehand return winner, and from there, Rogers spirit appeared to be broken. He lost the final four games and Novak had done the same things twice in a row - defeating Federer in the US Open in 5 sets whilst facing down two match points. The loss left many fans completely shocked, and for good reason.
Davis Cup Tie - Switzerland vs Australia
In the month off from ATP events, Fed participated in the Davis Cup tie between Switzerland and Australia, and was a huge factor in them defeating the Aussies to make it back to the group stage. He defeated Bernard Tomic and Lleyton Hewitt in tight 4 set contests, and was there every step of the way to cheer Wawrinka on against Hewitt in the match to decide it all.
Indoor Season
Basel - Win (vs Kei Nishikori)
Paris-Bercy - Win (vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga)
World Tour Finals - Win (vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga)
After triumph in Basel the year before, Roger resumed right as things were and captured his 5th Basel title in a relatively easy tournament, only losing one set along the way. This was a huge win for Roger after the US Open shock, and he always gets emotional when winning in his hometown, and you could see how much it meant to him. Novak Djokovic losing to Kei Nishikori in the semifinals definitely gave him an easier match in the final, but it's not out the question that Federer would have beaten Djokovic, who was suffering from some injuries.
The next week, Roger played in the Paris Indoors, where he had never even made the final. He rolled through the early rounds until dismantling Tomas Berdych in the semis, revenge for the Cincinnati loss earlier in the year. In the final, Roger defeated Tsonga to win his first title in Paris, and the crowd was definitely appreciative of his efforts as always. Even Thierry Henry, the famous soccer player (or footballer as some say), sat in Roger's box and not Tsonga's, his fellow countryman. The win for Roger was a big sign of perseverance in finally winning a title had had never claimed before, and gave him endless confidence heading into the World Tour Finals.
In the meeting of the best 8 players in the world, Fed went undefeated to win his 6th Masters Cup, but it was not all easy. He endured tough three set matches with Tsonga in the round robin and final, and Fish. The highlight of the tournament was the demolishing of Nadal 63 60. Federer showed why he is still an elite player and the greatest Masters Cup player ever with his strong performance the entire week, and ensured that he will be a contender come the Australian Open in 2012.
Federer finished the year with a 64-12 record, and finishing with a 17-0 record, not losing after the US Open defeat to Djokovic. It wasn't a great year for Roger, but it was one where he did some amazing things and broke even more records.
Top 5 Federer matches of 2011:
5. Federer vs Tsonga, US Open QF, 64 63 63
4. Federer vs Monaco, US Open 4R, 61 62 60
3. Federer vs Berdych, Paris-Bercy SF, 64 63
2. Federer vs Nadal, WTF RR, 63 60
1. Federer vs Djokovic, French Open SF 76(5) 63 36 76(5)
I hope everyone enjoyed this season in review, and may Federer have a grand 2012 season filled with many more delights, and hopefully a Grand Slam and Olympic gold! I also want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays!
Until next time,
Kyle
Great season review is this, I think you've picked out some great points on what won him, and lost him these matches throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteOverall it was a case of him playing with low levels of self belief when it mattered and only ever boiled down to a few points here and there.
If he plays aggressive and believes he can win then 2012 should be a good year.