Fed broke in the opening game and held from there to take the first set comfortably in 34 minutes. The second set has to go down as one of the best sets of tennis played in 2013 thus far. Both men held relatively comfortably on serve and after 12 holds, the set deservedly went to a tiebreak. Bernie went up 4-1, or one mini-break, and he was riding a wave of momentum. Then Federer, just as he so often does, shifted that momentum back to his side of the court in a flash.
He won his two service points to make it 4-3, then Tomic made it 5-3. The next point was one of the best of the match, a 29-shot rally that had Roger pushed from side to side, forcing him to use all of his athletic ability. He won the point after a Tomic error, then won the next three points to take the set, which was the big turning point in the match. In the third Tomic was out of gas (after trying so hard to win the 2nd set) and Fed broke twice to take the set rather easily. Tomic fought to the end but his efforts were not enough.
Overall it was a superb match from Roger: 46 winners to 20 unforced errors, 11 aces, 26/30 at net, 69% of first serves made and 88% points won when he got it in. The only downside was his break point conversion, 3/16, which could have cost him, especially in the second set when he went 0/6. Putting that aside, however, and it may have been an even more impressive win than the one he had last year against him in the round of 16 (considering Tomic is much better now).
A few things to take away from the match: one was Roger's defense. His movement was top notch the whole night and especially in the crucial second set tiebreak. Time after time he slid from side to side and dug out balls many players would not have gotten. The second notable was his serve, which was excellent as usual. I mention it because he only faced one break point against a very aggressive Tomic and he next plays Raonic, who has only broken Roger once in 6 sets of tennis.
The other thing that few take into account is how amazing Roger is at wearing down his opponents mentally and physically. He does this by constantly attacking and keeping the pressure on, but he also wears down a player's mind by using all his variety so that the guy is always trying to figure out what is coming next. This was evident in the match because Tomic was visibly feeling it in his body midway through the 3rd set, the result of many long and strenuous rallies (for both the body and mind).
A final thought: with the way Roger is playing right now, I think the only person that can beat him is Novak Djokovic. Murray is almost assured to be there in the semifinal, but Fed is playing so well right now I think he will win that one in four sets should it happen, just like the Wimbledon final.
Sunday's action features Djokovic and Sharapova, who should win their matches. It has the potential to be an exciting day with Ferrer/Nishikori, Ivanovic/Radwanska, and Almagro/Tipsarevic, which has a great chance of being a 5-setter.
Until tomorrow,
Kyle.
Raonic predictions?
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