Tennis Prose




Jan/17

21

Renaissance Roger Rocks Rod Laver Arena

RogerFederer20X20
by Louise Belcourt

On day 5 of the Australian Open, the packed house in Rod Laver arena was treated to something special, with the great Roger Federer playing flawless tennis in his round 3 clash against world number 7 Tomas Berdych.
Turning back the years and unleashing his trademark groundstrokes, the 17 time grand slam champion effortlessly defeated the Czech 6-2 6-4 6-4 in a swift 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Like the crowd on Thursday night watching Djokovic, the crowd was left stunned, but not in the same way as Djokovic’s demise, quite the contrary. Federer was extraordinary, seemingly back to the heights not seen for at least 5 years. His backhand was sublime, pulling off cross-court and down the line shots with ease. Even managing a backhand down the line winner off a 207km/h (128mph) Berdych serve. The forehand was on song, picking up many baseline and net shots from his bootlaces and hitting back to the sidelines for a winner. The aces flowed effortlessly, and his net court play was precise.
Ranked a lowly world number 17, Federer had previously beaten the world number 10 in their last 5 encounters. In fact their last meeting was on the same court in last year’s Australian Open quarter final, where Federer prevailed in 3 sets. The pair had never met so early in a grand slam, but with Roger slipping down the rankings following 6 months off with a knee injury last year, Berdych must have rued his bad luck at drawing the 17 time grand slam champion so early.
Berdych was made to look lacklustre and sluggish, nothing like a man ranked in the world top 10. Only his serving saved an even quicker exit off Rod Laver arena (and in front of the great man himself Rod Laver watching from the stands).
The stats for Federer, like the way he played, were impressive. 40 winners to only 17 unforced errors. Winning 20 out of 23 times he ventured to the net. Winning 4 out of 5 break points. Serving 8 aces, and not facing a single break point.
Berdych in his post-match press conference summed up his thoughts on the match, saying he would have liked to be a spectator in the crowd enjoying the spectacular show Federer was putting on. That’s how great Federer played, and how enjoyable it was for everyone watching, besides Berdych and his box.
Following the match Roger said, “I think it was a great mental test for me to see if I could stay, you know, in the match point for point, keep rolling. I was able to do that. That’s where I’m just really happy that I was able to deliver that.”
He added “It’s a good feeling that I was able to come through in such a solid match, just feel good on serve, on the baseline. My movement was there. Everything clicked. So that was nice.”
Of the quality of play he produced Federer said “What’s nice about tonight is it was unexpected for me, unexpected for a lot of people apparently as well, and it was against a fellow top player.”
Next up in round 4 is world number 5 Kei Nishikori who won his 3rd round match against qualifier Lukas Lacko in straight sets. Federer holds a 4-2 head to head lead, so Nishikori will have to pick up his game to match the form Federer showed in dismantling Berdych.
Of Nishikori’s game, Federer said “I’m a big fan of his game. He’s got one of the best backhands out there. I love how he can crush it down the line or crosscourt. He’s got wonderful second serve returns. He’s fast on his legs. Strong in his mind. I know how tough he is as the match goes along. He finds his range and his rhythm, he’s tough to stop.”
Nishikori commented on playing the 4 time Australian Open champion, “Yeah, I’m just happy to play him because I think we needed him on the tour. Happy to see him back a hundred percent. Yeah, excited to play next round.”
If he does knock out the Japanese, nothing gets any easier with a quarter final clash against the world number 1 Andy Murray looming. Now that will test where Federer’s game is at, with Murray now being the favourite for the title. Then if he can climb that mountain, it could potentially set up a semi-final clash against his countryman and world number 4 Stan Wawrinka.
Can he continue to wave his magic wand like the vintage Federer of ‘young’? I know the legion of Roger Federer fans around the world hope so. Does he believe? I do. And now I think maybe he does too.
It is so great to have him back at his elegant best. I cannot wait for his next masterful performance.

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19 comments

  • Scoop Malinowski · January 21, 2017 at 9:23 am

    RF can win the title as he can beat Kei and Andy – I’d imagine the TV ratings for this Aussie Open will hit an all time high 🙂

  • Andrew Miller · January 21, 2017 at 1:15 pm

    Louise: Maybe.
    Personally I’d like to see Miss Gavrilova keep up the good work. That was a thrilling win on Bacsinsky and she was evoking some serious chops as a player – deadly volleys, smoking forehands. I felt as if she were Camilla Giorgi with a true strategy.

  • Andrew Miller · January 21, 2017 at 1:16 pm

    I wanted to say to me Vickie Duval represents the lost promise. Such a fine player leveled by a brutal disease. I will keep rooting for her.

  • Andrew Miller · January 21, 2017 at 5:59 pm

    Cirstea and Gavrilova still going strong! WTA is actually looking great. The Williams are playing huge and Pliskova as well, Kerber still around. Great tournament for the women.

  • Andrew Miller · January 21, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    I’m cool with Serena winning another title.just the best player of all time. It will be tough!

  • Scoop Malinowski · January 21, 2017 at 6:41 pm

    Cirstea was down and out a couple of years ago but she is back strong and could Pennettize the draw – Don’t count out Coco either – Serena will have to earn this one – Pliskova and Kerber have the belief too –

  • Andrew Miller · January 21, 2017 at 7:17 pm

    Agreed Serena will need to win it outright as a lot of players are looking for slam one. I’m glad to see Cirstea do well as it must be some consolation or source of jealousy for Halep 😉 I like Cirstea a lot.

  • Andrew Miller · January 21, 2017 at 7:19 pm

    VERY excited for GAVRILOVA – encourage anyone to see her highlights against Bacsinsky, who is a fine player herself. Gavrilova basically played some serious John McEnroe tennis. I believe EVEN DAN WOULD APPRECIATE GAVRILOVA!!!

  • catherine bell · January 22, 2017 at 5:04 am

    Serena will win.

    Kerber will join Andy as players who failed in their first Grand Slam as No 1.

  • catherine bell · January 22, 2017 at 5:10 am

    Andrew

    Cirstea has already gone.

    If Simona is feeling anything like jealousy about a fellow Roumanian maybe it will inspire her a bit 🙂

    Has Muguruza refound her bounce ?

    Agree it is quite interesting tourbnament for WTA.

  • Scoop Malinowski · January 22, 2017 at 8:26 am

    Cirstea doing so well could be the perfect kick in the ass and extra incentive that Halep needs – I doubt Halep is happy to be a second banana in Romania –

  • Scoop Malinowski · January 22, 2017 at 8:29 am

    Coco could be the favorite now as she can hit the ball hard and is moving so well and she has that arrogant cocky swagger too which is needed to slay Serena – Coco’s just blasted Kerber off the court like she was nothing – the win over Bouchard was huge for Coco and it took her to the next level mentally and physically – Coco is in the zone right now – and her reaction of winning today was so matter of fact cool – she converted on her first match point – the reaction of beating Bouchard was far more emotional – Coco’s confidence is sky high right now –

  • Andrew Miller · January 22, 2017 at 8:45 am

    I’m happy for Coco but a qf does not make a player slam champ! Let’s not get ahead of ourself here.

  • Andrew Miller · January 22, 2017 at 8:46 am

    Muguruza ousting The Non Halep Romanian Cirstea is actually a fine win and Mugu is relevant again ina tournament she likes.

  • catherine bell · January 22, 2017 at 9:20 am

    Scoop

    Yep – can’t see Simona taking a back seat in Romania so maybe a bit of competitiveness will encourage her.

    I heard last year that Simona was miffed at being passed over for flag carrying at the Olympics and that was one reason she didn’t go. So plenty of pride there which needs restoring soonest.

  • Hartt · January 22, 2017 at 1:32 pm

    CoCo still has to get past Garbine and that won’t be easy.

  • Scoop Malinowski · January 22, 2017 at 3:41 pm

    Coco leads the h2h vs Garbi 2-1 so that’s very winnable one for Coco –

  • Louise Belcourt · January 26, 2017 at 7:44 am

    Cant believe the match tonight (Aussie time). 5 set thriller. Roger into his 6th Australian Open final and first since 2010.
    All at the ripe old age of 35.
    Great first 2 sets from Roger, alot of net approaches paid dividends. Then he seemed to lose his confidence, or Stan picked up his confidence and attacked off both wings to take the next 2. I thought Roger would get him in the fourth when he was up 0-30 4-4 on Stans serve.
    The last set Roger started to attack the net more, and more errors flowed from Stan. Was a pretty poor service game for Stan to lose.
    Well does Roger now believe he can win his 18th Grand Slam. All I think will depend on who he plays on Sunday. Cannot wait.

  • Scoop Malinowski · January 26, 2017 at 8:46 am

    Louise: Stan would have beaten any other player except Fed – playing Fed is always such a deep psychological head battle for Stan while playing Rafa and Djokovic there is no extra baggage – Ruthless Rafa will not defer or subconsciously tank to Fed though – Super G probably will though –

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