The Round of 16 bottom half of the draw was set on Friday, and there were some very good matches with a lot of high drama the entire day. Rafa Nadal easily dismissed Lukas Lacko, Roger Federer passed by Ivo Karlovic in a tight match, Nicolas Almagro soundly beat Stan Wawrinka in straights, Tomas Berdych dispatched Kevin Anderson, Philipp Kohlschreiber beat the man who upset Mardy Fish, Alejandro Falla and there were two close 5-set encounters with Bernard Tomic getting the better of Alexandr Dolgopolov and Feliciano Lopez topping John Isner.
Federer required his very sharpest tennis to beat Ivo Karlovic in three sets 76(6) 75 63. The first set was a deadlock with both men holding serve until the tiebreak. Federer did have small chances in games at 15-30 and deuce, but could never get to the crucial break point. In the tiebreak, Karlovic got a set point at 6-5 on his own serve, which was countered by a brilliant at-the-net lob OVER Karlovic, who couldn't get enough of the ball on his racquet to win the point. It was quite a stellar play by Roger to not only get to the ball that was dropped just over the net, but to actually have the mind to lob it over someone who stands as tall as Ivo. The next point at 6-6 was equally as brilliant. Off Karlovic's fastest serve of the match, Federer hit a screaming inside-out backhand return winner. He served out at 7-6 and won the tiebreak 8-6. The next set was much the same as the first, but Roger redlined his game at 6-5 to break and take the crucial two sets to none lead. In set number three he got a break early to go up 4-1 and then held out from there for the straight sets win.
Numerous times throughout the match Fed let out some of his signature "Come On" guttural yells, and to me I think this was a great sign. When Roger is into a match and knows how big the points he wins are, it sets him into a good frame of mind. As we have seen many times throughout his career, Roger is at his best when he is really motivated and aware in the match. The latest example of this was the French Open 2011 semifinal in which he was as pumped up as you will ever see him. The fierce intensity he showed against Karlovic will benefit him against Tomic, whom he meets in the Round of 16. Tomic came through another tight match with a 46 76(0) 76(6) 26 63 over the Dog, Alexandr Dolgopolov. I did not see the match but from the scoreline it was a very physical affair, and with both men playing such distinct styles, it must have featured many entertaining rallies. Even with all these heroics from the young Australian, his fitness must be questioned now, especially heading into a match against one of the fittest ever, Federer. Tomic has already been in two 5 set matches (against Verdasco and Dolgopolov) and a tough 4-setter against Sam Querrey. Logic dictates that he will be tired against Roger, but he will have the Australian crowd support. Although against Roger, that may not mean much as he is the most popular player anywhere he goes, no matter if he goes up against the nation's boys. Case in point when Federer met Hewitt in the 4th round two years ago and the crowd was just as much pulling for Federer as for Hewitt. Fed plays another Aussie in the 4th round this year, so maybe that is a sign of things to come (grasping at all hope as a Federer fan).
To recap the rest of the day:
-- Nadal was as good as he's been all tournament with a strong serving performance against Lukas Lacko. He won 62 64 62.
-- Tomas Berdych got through two tough sets to wipe away big Kevin Anderson in three, 76(5) 76(1) 61. He is now a real threat to take out Rafa in the quarters I believe.
-- Nicolas Almagro played a striking match against Stan Wawrinka, dismantling him 76(2) 62 64. This sets up Berdych and Almagro in the 4th round which could be a very interesting match.
-- Feliciano Lopez painfully set up a 4th round clash with Nadal by getting a 5-set win over American John Isner. I am sorry to say this, but Lopez stands no chance against Nadal. Isner may have not either since he had a few hard matches, but he would have had a better chance. It's all but guaranteed that Rafa makes the quarters now.
-- Del Potro and Kohlschreiber came through easily in straights and meet in the 4th round. Should be a great match.
There are a few unpredictable matches today. Raonic vs Hewitt, Benneteau vs Nishikori, and Tipsarevic vs Gasquet should all be close, competitive contests. Djokovic (vs Mahut - famously remembered for the longest match ever), Murray (vs Llodra), Ferrer (vs Chela), Tsonga (vs Gil), and Monfils (vs Kukushkin) should all advance easily.
The Round of 16 is just around the bend, and I can't wait!
Kyle.
No comments:
Post a Comment