Once again, Roger Federer had an up and down performance and was plagued by many of the issues that have hurt him all year, and he was defeated by Gael Monfils in the 3rd round in Shanghai 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3.
The match started as bad as it could for Fed as he was broken after hitting a few loose errors. That is all the Frenchman would need to win the first set as he served big and held out to gain the one set advantage. Apart from the first game it wasn't a terrible set from Roger but he couldn't find a way to break back.
In the second set he went down a break at 3-3 with a woeful game but broke back immediately, showing some fighting spirit. The set went to a tiebreak and Monfils went up 5-3, but on the 9th point Roger somehow blocked back a 214 km/h serve and Monfils missed a forehand long and then the next point was won when Gael sent a forehand pass long. Two points later and the set was Roger's and that looked to be a big turning point.
But it wasn't.
In the first game of the 3rd set he was up 0-30 on return but could not manage to get the break. A few games later and he played yet another poor game which really cost him. The rest of the set he fought valiantly and saved a few break points at 1-4 and had break points of his own at 4-2 but failed to capitalize. Monfils served out the match strongly.
The match pretty much summed up how the season has gone for Federer. It's not that he can't still play great tennis - he still displays his amazing talent and exquisite shotmaking on a regular basis (though less than he used to) but in the important moments of the match he makes mistakes that cost him sets, and ultimately, matches.
In this particular match, he wasn't terrible. I have caught a lot of flack for saying that, but he really wasn't. He was hitting cleanly, producing great winners, and overall it was a decent quality match. Monfils was serving big and going for it on 2nd serves and these days, he's the kind of opponent that can gives Roger headaches, pushing him around the court and using his serve as a major weapon to hold easily and put more pressure on Fed's service games.
It's really hard to understand what is going wrong with Roger from a mental standpoint, but it's clear that his confidence is shot and he doesn't believe in himself like he once did - his poor play in the big points reflects that. Though he did show some clutch play to win the 2nd set, he wasn't clutch otherwise, making bad decisions on approach shots and getting frustrated with his errors.
I've heard people say he doesn't care anymore but I don't see how that is the case. That he was evidently frustrated with his errors shows that he does care a lot about winning and losing still. In a season where nothing has gone right, he came into this week optimistic and looking to help secure a spot at the World Tour Finals. He looked determined and wanted to win badly, but the pieces aren't falling into place right now. He looked absolutely furious when he missed vital shots in the match, and that to me only shows that his passion is there and how badly he wants to make the Year-end Championships, where of course he has won 6 times and made the final two other times.
As someone who has played tennis for a long time, I know what he is going through to an extent. There are times when you can try hard and put all the work in but your mind and body fail you in the critical moments. If I was Roger, I'd look at this loss as one where he played good tennis for stretches but just failed in the important moments and that was the difference. That's the way it was against Robredo at the US Open, and in many other losses this season. Again, it's not that can't play good tennis any longer, but that he is mentally and perhaps physically burned out and can't automatically raise his game like he once could in his prime.
It's been a season to forget and this loss followed the pattern of many others this season, but as long as Roger is playing and as long as he loves playing the sport at a professional level, I will always believe in him. There is nobody I'd rather watch, even now, because of the brilliance he displays, even if the occasions in which he does so are fewer and fewer than ever before.
Keep fighting Rog.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
Federer wins in Shanghai Return
Playing in his first match since losing to Tommy Robredo in the 4th round of the US Open over a month ago, Roger Federer was victorious with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Andreas Seppi of Italy in the 2nd round of the Shanghai Masters.
Seppi, ranked 23rd in the world, was going to be a solid opponent for Roger returning after a long absence, and he was. Trying to shake the rust off and find his timing, the Swiss was broken in the 5th game but responded well, breaking right back. Seppi threatened to break the next few Federer service games but Roger held tough in classic Roger fashion. He played a good return game to get the break to win the 1st set, a crucial set for him to win knowing that he was having to work hard.
In the second set Roger began to raise his level and produced some very good tennis. He broke early to get out to a 3-0 lead and started to find his timing and confidence as the match progressed. At 5-3 when he was serving it out, he went down 0-30 but hit a wicked 2nd serve ace that barely clipped the line and then fired an ace out wide. Two big serves and two big points, as he went on to hold and win the match.
After such a long time off, nobody was expecting a vintage Federer performance, and it wasn't. He struggled at times on the serve and off the ground, but he fought well and worked on the kinks throughout the match. The good news is that he hit some good serves on important points and his net game was working brilliantly. His fitness looked very good as well and in the 2nd set he played one magnificent point where he was running side to side but defended with the grace of a younger, faster man.
Next up is Gael Monfils, who took out Vasek Pospisil (who took out Richard Gasquet). Fed hasn't played the Frenchman since the quarterfinals of Roland Garros in 2011. Roger should win but Gael is a good player and has beaten Fed in this part of the year before, in Paris in 2010.
On a final note, I see that Roger is becoming more comfortable on Twitter as of late, answering many questions with the hashtag #askRF. We know that Roger has a good sense of humour, but it really shines through in writing.
Seppi, ranked 23rd in the world, was going to be a solid opponent for Roger returning after a long absence, and he was. Trying to shake the rust off and find his timing, the Swiss was broken in the 5th game but responded well, breaking right back. Seppi threatened to break the next few Federer service games but Roger held tough in classic Roger fashion. He played a good return game to get the break to win the 1st set, a crucial set for him to win knowing that he was having to work hard.
In the second set Roger began to raise his level and produced some very good tennis. He broke early to get out to a 3-0 lead and started to find his timing and confidence as the match progressed. At 5-3 when he was serving it out, he went down 0-30 but hit a wicked 2nd serve ace that barely clipped the line and then fired an ace out wide. Two big serves and two big points, as he went on to hold and win the match.
After such a long time off, nobody was expecting a vintage Federer performance, and it wasn't. He struggled at times on the serve and off the ground, but he fought well and worked on the kinks throughout the match. The good news is that he hit some good serves on important points and his net game was working brilliantly. His fitness looked very good as well and in the 2nd set he played one magnificent point where he was running side to side but defended with the grace of a younger, faster man.
Next up is Gael Monfils, who took out Vasek Pospisil (who took out Richard Gasquet). Fed hasn't played the Frenchman since the quarterfinals of Roland Garros in 2011. Roger should win but Gael is a good player and has beaten Fed in this part of the year before, in Paris in 2010.
On a final note, I see that Roger is becoming more comfortable on Twitter as of late, answering many questions with the hashtag #askRF. We know that Roger has a good sense of humour, but it really shines through in writing.
Sunday, September 08, 2013
Djokovic vs Nadal in US Open final
For the 6th time in their careers, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will be facing each other in a major final. The top two players in the world will do battle in a Monday finish, new for this year, and whoever wins the match could gain an advantage in finishing the year at #1.
As usual with matches between Djokovic and Nadal, it will be a war of attrition and both guys will push each other to the limit. Both have been in very solid form throughout the tournament, though Djokovic has been tested far more, being taken to 4 against Mikhail Youzhny in the quarterfinal and of course to 5 sets by Stan Wawrinka in the semis. Nadal has only lost his serve once in the tournament (to Gasquet in the semi) and has only dropped one set, to Kohlschreiber in the 4th round.
Nadal is undefeated on hardcourt this season and is looking to win his 13th Grand Slam title, while Djokovic hasn't won a title since Monte Carlo in the spring and will be looking to win his 7th Grand Slam title. He is playing in his 7th consecutive hardcourt major final dating back to the US Open in 2010.
In some ways, I see this match similar to Agassi vs Sampras in the US Open final of 1995. Agassi was on a roll that summer, beating Pete in the Montreal final and had all the momentum. This summer, Nadal has had all the momentum and beat Djokovic in Montreal. Sampras ended up beating Agassi in the US Open final, and we will see if Djokovic can win and get his second victory over Nadal this year.
We all know Djokovic has the best return in the world and he will need to use it to full effect. Nadal hasn't faced a great returner yet and has had no trouble on his serve all tournament, and that should change dramatically against the Serb. It could also shock him initially to not be able to take control of the point off the first shot. The man they call Nole will need to also use his backhand down the line effectively to keep the ball away from Rafa's monstrous forehand.
Nadal pretty much needs to play the way he did in Montreal - flatten out his forehand more and take the ball up the line. He has been the hottest guy on tour the whole year and his confidence could be the most dangerous facet of his game.
I'm taking Djokovic in 4 because I think he will bring his best game and he will hurt Nadal's serve, but in reality I could easily see the match going to a 5th, which would be great for all the viewers.
May the final be good,
Kyle.
As usual with matches between Djokovic and Nadal, it will be a war of attrition and both guys will push each other to the limit. Both have been in very solid form throughout the tournament, though Djokovic has been tested far more, being taken to 4 against Mikhail Youzhny in the quarterfinal and of course to 5 sets by Stan Wawrinka in the semis. Nadal has only lost his serve once in the tournament (to Gasquet in the semi) and has only dropped one set, to Kohlschreiber in the 4th round.
Nadal is undefeated on hardcourt this season and is looking to win his 13th Grand Slam title, while Djokovic hasn't won a title since Monte Carlo in the spring and will be looking to win his 7th Grand Slam title. He is playing in his 7th consecutive hardcourt major final dating back to the US Open in 2010.
In some ways, I see this match similar to Agassi vs Sampras in the US Open final of 1995. Agassi was on a roll that summer, beating Pete in the Montreal final and had all the momentum. This summer, Nadal has had all the momentum and beat Djokovic in Montreal. Sampras ended up beating Agassi in the US Open final, and we will see if Djokovic can win and get his second victory over Nadal this year.
We all know Djokovic has the best return in the world and he will need to use it to full effect. Nadal hasn't faced a great returner yet and has had no trouble on his serve all tournament, and that should change dramatically against the Serb. It could also shock him initially to not be able to take control of the point off the first shot. The man they call Nole will need to also use his backhand down the line effectively to keep the ball away from Rafa's monstrous forehand.
Nadal pretty much needs to play the way he did in Montreal - flatten out his forehand more and take the ball up the line. He has been the hottest guy on tour the whole year and his confidence could be the most dangerous facet of his game.
I'm taking Djokovic in 4 because I think he will bring his best game and he will hurt Nadal's serve, but in reality I could easily see the match going to a 5th, which would be great for all the viewers.
May the final be good,
Kyle.
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
Federer Stunned out of US Open
In a result that nobody could have predicted, Roger Federer bowed out of the US Open with a shocking 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-3 loss to Tommy Robredo, a man he was 10-0 against before this fateful night.
It isn't a tough loss to explain - Robredo was the better player. However, even though Federer lost in straight sets, one could argue he should have won the second and third sets, where he had 12 break points combined and failed to take even one. In a career where he has played the big points so well, he played them at a very poor level on this night. His body didn't let him down, but his mind did. Usually so great with shot selection, time and time again he made the wrong decisions that led to throwing away break point chance after break point chance.
Credit to Robredo, he played well and showed the confidence that is needed to beat a top player. He believed he would win right from the start, and that, coupled with Roger's poor play on the big points, enabled him to win as easily as he did.
It was a bitter end to a disappointing Grand Slam season, though he would have likely gone out to Rafael Nadal on Wednesday even if he had gotten through to the quarterfinals. As usual after any Federer loss these days, the "R" word comes up by fans and the media and we all wonder what magic the 32 year-old has left.
It isn't past realism that Federer could win another major title in 2014. After all, it would only require two great weeks of play and perhaps a bit of fortune. But if this year has showed us anything, it is that there is no more of that famous consistency left in the Swiss' game. He looked very good in his first three matches here and then he made decisions like a futures level player against Robredo. At this stage, we just do not know which Roger Federer will show up. The one that brings back memories of his best days, or this version, the frustrated, confused shell of a once-elite player.
Now, about all we can ask is that Fed takes a break, trains hard, and comes full-force for the indoor season to give a good ending to a bad year.
It isn't a tough loss to explain - Robredo was the better player. However, even though Federer lost in straight sets, one could argue he should have won the second and third sets, where he had 12 break points combined and failed to take even one. In a career where he has played the big points so well, he played them at a very poor level on this night. His body didn't let him down, but his mind did. Usually so great with shot selection, time and time again he made the wrong decisions that led to throwing away break point chance after break point chance.
Credit to Robredo, he played well and showed the confidence that is needed to beat a top player. He believed he would win right from the start, and that, coupled with Roger's poor play on the big points, enabled him to win as easily as he did.
It was a bitter end to a disappointing Grand Slam season, though he would have likely gone out to Rafael Nadal on Wednesday even if he had gotten through to the quarterfinals. As usual after any Federer loss these days, the "R" word comes up by fans and the media and we all wonder what magic the 32 year-old has left.
It isn't past realism that Federer could win another major title in 2014. After all, it would only require two great weeks of play and perhaps a bit of fortune. But if this year has showed us anything, it is that there is no more of that famous consistency left in the Swiss' game. He looked very good in his first three matches here and then he made decisions like a futures level player against Robredo. At this stage, we just do not know which Roger Federer will show up. The one that brings back memories of his best days, or this version, the frustrated, confused shell of a once-elite player.
Now, about all we can ask is that Fed takes a break, trains hard, and comes full-force for the indoor season to give a good ending to a bad year.
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