World’s number one Roger Federer, who was Rogers Cup winner in 2004 and 2006 (he was undefeated there) suffered from some very shoddy play as he was upset by Gilles Simon, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, the winner in last week’s ATP tournament in Indianapolis.
Simon played unbelievably well, but Federer committed over 50 unforced errors and his usually devastating forehand consistently let him down. Blame it on rustiness—he had played no matches since Wimbledon—but poor serving and poor footwork seemed to be Federer’s main problems.
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At one point in the second set Federer missed on his first serve every point for three service straight games.
In the third and final set Federer broke Simon’s serve twice but failed to hold his serve after each break of service and ultimately was broken at love by committing four unforced errors in the match’s final game.
World’s number two Rafael Nadal got through to the third round defeating American Jesse Levine, 6-4, 6-2. Levione led the first set 4-1 and had a break point to go up 5-1 but missed a routine service return. Again at 4-3 Levine had another chance to break Nadal but again failed to return Nadal’s serve.
From that point on the match was fairly routine for the French Open and Wimbledon champion.
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about 1 month ago
His press conference was tough to watch... See link below for details...
http://tennisworld.typepad.com/travelblogue/2008/07/toronto-roger-a.html
about 1 month ago
any thoughts on the us open ?
good post
from about 1 month ago
I have a huge fear for Federer, hopefully the Olympics stirs something in his blood. What do you think?
I feel like he must not settle that his game. For me, this was a more shocking and revealing loss than the Wimbly one, because Wimbly was contested so closely and so brilliantly that it did not feel like a real loss. This one does.
What also rather shocks me is that I thought in this tournament that Roger would take every effort to be totally on top of his game. In other words, he’s been out hitting balls since the end of Wimbledon up until last night, yes? I know I would be, wouldn’t you? I expected “The Reply” from Federer that we were all waiting for would be a big one. Instead, we got a rather lukewarm, some might say even lackluster performance, filled with spotty play. Instead Federer in his post match presser spoke of hitting balls only a little after Wimbledon.
God only knows now what the rest of the year holds in store for Roger Federer. This weak reply in Toronto will certainly help to strip him of the Number One ranking, and probably very soon.
I live in hope he turns it around for that story would be one for the ages.
Alby
from about 1 month ago
alby
haa - i can recognize a true Rodge fan when I see him - you are ONE for sure
have you ever thought that - it was bad day at the office
i mean you and i have it too right - we are sitting there in front of the comp, but wanna get the hell out of there -
that day ....
just a case of a bad day where he did not feel like playing ? tired ,....
from about 1 month ago
A bad day... where have you been???
Let us re-visit this after the US Open and the Olympics and we can work on your bad theory lol... I hope your right...
Murray - Nadal tonight cannot wait...
Alby
about 1 month ago
Dunno what it is about this guy, but whenever Roger fails, it seems like it is the end of the world for some. But I figure that 2008 is gonna be bad for him, and that we will see a resurgent Federer only in 2009. I don't see him winning the US Open, or any crown this season. He seems to be going through a process of change - internally as well as externally (in his game, in his personality, in his psyche).
Losing is only the other side of winning, and one has to lose sometimes to know that they are not invincible.
from about 1 month ago
All that you say is a given...
"He seems to be going through a process of change", "internally as well as externally" "Losing is only the other side of winning, and one has to lose sometimes to know that they are not invincible"
I understand what your saying but you gotta loose the preaching vibe I mean that with great kindness... you gotta at least give me back a 5 paragraph comment before you get away with the line at the end lol...
Your party line means you must first be comfortable with the idea of Federer not winning any grand slam this is something I am not comfortable with. Please allow for reaction that conjures up your idea of "it seems like it is the end of the world for some"...
It is my friend it is...
from about 1 month ago
Hey Alby, I ain't preching buddy, I just hate the fact that he is losing and am trying to find excuses for that :-) - seems like the glory days of Federer are behind him and that is hard to take... that the man who was put on par with a Laver and called as the best in tennis has burntout before he reached his best yet
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