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Federer’s Great Escape In Madrid
22 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Did you see Roger Federer narrowly escape from a shocking upset to Feliciano Lopez yesterday in Madrid?
I missed the first two sets but the scores indicate it was a classic. Fed edged out a marathon first set tiebreak (15-13) but then Lopez dominated the second set tiebreak. One set apiece. Then they battled all the way to another 6-6 deadlock with some wonderfully aesthetic tennis. A highly motivated Lopez was playing superbly, almost perfectly, as was Federer. They were going for their shots and both succeeding for the most part. You could sense the importance of the match by looking at the faces of the Federer box, Luthi, Annacone and wife Mirka looked ashen on the verge of dread. They had to be worrying – just what could a defeat like this to Lopez do to the now fragile confidence of Federer? Lopez was previously 0-7 career vs. Federer and not having a great season to this point, but he was playing as well as he possibly can, with no fear or inhibition whatsoever.
Lopez’s serve was devastatingly effective and it looked like his match, right there for the taking.
But then came the blink. In command of the third set tiebreak at 5-2, Lopez took control of yet another point and had Federer hanging on frantic and frenzied. The scrambling Fed managed to throw up a desperation lob and it was an effective, high one. Lopez may have taken it for granted. Backpedaling rather nonchalantly at his left sideline, Lopez attempted the put-away overhead – but horrifyingly missed it by a country mile. Instead of 6-2 it was 5-3.
Lopez’s pal Fernando Verdasco and Manuel “Manolo” Santana both had looks of anguish on their faces after that misfire. They both seemed to know this was the fatal error. It was. You just can’t let a great champion, who is playing now with a tremendous sense of urgency, off the hook like that. Like a wounded animal, Federer is playing to maintain his career at the upper echelon, which many tennis observers privately feel could be over.
Federer, of course, would capitalize on that Lopez blunder and eventually win the match, saving a match point (9-7 in the breaker).
It was such a strange match in how muted the crowd was at the thrilling finale, it was almost as if much of the Madrid audience, who so deeply admire Federer, like everyone, almost did not want to see him fall to Lopez, as it would have been a devastating defeat for him to suffer. Nobody wants to see the great Federer fade away from the ATP circuit just yet.
Federer is now 8-0 vs. Lopez but you have to wonder how many more Houdini-like escapes Federer has left in him.
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Mitch · May 5, 2011 at 4:46 pm
“which many tennis observers privately feel could be over.” Don’t know if all the talk about the decline of Federer is best characterized as private.
Michael · May 5, 2011 at 9:47 pm
I had the same reaction as Mitch. Every tennis observer these days is publicly speculating on the state of Fed. What’s the private part.
“You could sense the importance of the match by looking at the faces of the Federer box, Luthi, Annacone and wife Mirka looked ashen on the verge of dread. ”
I don’t find this a reliable indicator because anytime Fed’s losing and the TV camera is pointed at his box they look like someone died — Mirka, in particular, always has the gloom and doom face. It’s a striking contrast to the Nadal box who not only never seem to express gloom you can sometimes see them applauding a good shot from the opponent.
“Nobody wants to see the great Federer fade away from the ATP circuit just yet. ”
What you described doesn’t sound like fading away. What Blake is doing might be described as fading away.
Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2011 at 12:25 am
Federer looked very sharp today taking out X, boy that was a big win vs. Lopez, the kind that could really spark him. Djokovic and Nadal are looking impregnable though and on a collision course. Getting the strong feeling the French Open final is a lock – to be Rafa vs. Djokovic.
Dan markowitz · May 6, 2011 at 11:12 am
Haven’t been able to see much of Madrid, I was surprised Murray went down to Bellucci and Del Po has another joint injury. Malisse looked darn good when I was watching the early second set with Federer. The TC announcers were saying Federer looks testy this week like he doesn’t have full confidence in his game. XMan looks like he’s not in great shape, but i believe he’s in his 30’s now and he still plays very competitively. The great intrigues in tennis now are can Fed rebound? Can Djoko beat Nadal at the French and who if any player on the woman’s side is dominant?
For the Americans, Will any male player make it to 3rd round of French and is Roddick over the hill?
Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Another big intrigue is this German girl Julia Goerges, how far can she go? She just took out Wozniacki again in three sets. First time I remember ever hearing about Goerges is from you Dan at the US Open a couple of years ago, as you were smitten by her ah, game. Even in Miami this year she wasn’t a factor but now all the sudden she is putting herself in the mix to be a future top 5 player. Another question is what is up with Querrey, he can’t seem to win a singles match any more. Harrison too lost early in a recent Challenger.
Sakhi · May 6, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Federer/Nadal tomorrow. I expect a good match, despite the fact that Federer is desperate, etc. etc…. I think he’s going to have a good time and it will be entertaining either way. I don’t want a Djokovic/Nadal final. it will be grunt grunt baseline baseline panting panting ho hum for three sets with Nadal kissing the clay in joy. Sigh.
Scoop Malinowski · May 7, 2011 at 12:12 am
Federer really can make a huge statement if he can take out Nadal on clay but it’s hard to see that happening. Going to be a very important weekend as these guys jockey for the pole position heading into Paris. Sakhi, I can’t believe you are not into the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry which is THE rivalry of tennis right now. Djokovic IMO holds the mental edge on Nadal based on Miami, he now knows he can defeat Nadal at the end of a super tight close important match, this was something he never was able to do before. Miami was huge for Djokovic, remember how emotionally involved Uncle Toni was? He knew how important that match was. We’ll see.
Sakhi · May 7, 2011 at 1:36 am
Hi Scoop–it’s not that I’m not into the rivalry–I don’t find it as aesthetically compelling as the contrast in styles between Federer and Nadal (when their matches were competitive!) As a mental showdown between two athletic and gifted sportsmen, this is absolutely rivetting! But the whole endless baseline retrieval version of tennis is not as fun for me to watch. But I know I’m in the minority here–and again, am not just saying this as a Federer fan ( I know Dan is rolling her eyes at this disclaiming remark!). I like that Belluci kid–he seems more inventive on court and perhaps he will give Djokovic a run for his money. And then Federer will beat Nadal tomorrow. We both know neither scenario is happening!!
So, bring on the Djoker/Nadal boxing match!
Sakhi · May 7, 2011 at 1:37 am
I meant to say Dan is rolling his eyes.
Michael · May 7, 2011 at 4:23 am
“I don’t want a Djokovic/Nadal final. it will be grunt grunt baseline baseline panting panting ho hum for three sets with Nadal kissing the clay in joy”
I happen to enjoy their meetings but I enjoyed that description as well.
I don’t think Miami means Djoker has a mental edge once they get to the clay. I expect Rafa to beat Djoker in the finals ending that particular storyline. And ending the streak.
Scoop Malinowski · May 7, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Look at it this way Sakhi, #1 vs. #2 is always compelling. Graf vs. Seles, Sampras vs. Agassi, Roger-Rafa. Nadal and Djokovic are in a titanic struggle right now to see who is better. The quality of tennis they play is just a marvel. I just can’t see how anyone who loves tennis could not be fascinated by what they are doing. They are playing the best tennis on earth and their matches are thrillers, each and every one. Did you see the 4 hr clay marathon from a couple of years ago? That was another classic.
Scoop Malinowski · May 7, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Yes that was pretty nicely written wasn’t it. The general consensus is that Nadal is still the king of clay but I really think Djokovic matches up with him on clay too. He has played him extremely close in the past and now that he has reached a new level of mental and physical strength, and having proved to himself that he can conquer Nadal is a tight third set finale like he did in Miami (for the first time) I truly believe he is ready to overcome Nadal on clay. It was VERY important what happened in Miami. Uncle Toni knew it and that’s why he was up on his feet imploring Rafa late in the third set (we have never see Uncle Toni so emotionally involved in a match like that). Now Rafa and Uncle Toni are not sure if they can handle Djokovic who’s confidence and self belief they can’t measure, where in previous years they knew they could take him out. Now it’s a different ballgame. I know most all the experts favor Nadal but do not be surprised if Djokovic wins Madrid AND Roland Garros – to become the new king of clay.
Sakhi · May 7, 2011 at 7:09 pm
It’s not that I don’t think a match between Djokovic and Nadal is superlative –it’s just that I PREFER a style of tennis that makes watching a “religious experience” (to overuse the David Foster Wallace reference here) of aesthetic and athletic beauty. If folks watched the Nadal/Federer match, the points when both were playing at their best, were absolutely superb. Clash of styles and mentalities.
that said, yes, it’s a great time in tennis and it’s time for the young Pretenders to make their ascent. I’m still pulling for nadal tomorrow. Djokovic is still too much of a physical question mark for me on the clay.
Michael · May 8, 2011 at 10:53 am
“Now Rafa and Uncle Toni are not sure if they can handle Djokovic who’s confidence and self belief they can’t measure, where in previous years they knew they could take him out. ”
Uncle Toni isn’t playing. And I don’t think Rafa lacks confidence on the clay or worries about his opponents confidence level.
At the risk of disturbing Mr. Drucker, Rafa in two.
Scoop Malinowski · May 8, 2011 at 1:36 pm
But Toni realizes Djokovic has what it takes now (after Miami) to defeat Rafa in a very close tight match at the end, something he was unable to do in the past. It’s a different psychological ball game now. Rafa knows he can beat everyone else on clay however he does not know if he can beat this new version of Djokovic on clay. This uncertainty could show itself today. We’ll see. Going to be very interesting.
Dan markowitz · May 8, 2011 at 6:20 pm
I think Rafa does lack confidence against Djoko. Never before has he played against an opponent who moves better than he does. Miraculously, Nadal cannot punish Djoko with his forehand. Djoko has taken away his killer shot. He makes Nadal serve down the middle on the ad side b/c otherwise he’s serving into the vaunted Djoko two-fister. Djoko owns the better backhand, better movement, better return and on top of all that, he’s fitter and more confident. It’s going to be a marathon in Paris.
Michael · May 8, 2011 at 11:39 pm
Now I know why Drucker doesn’t make predictions.
Djoker. Very impressive.
Now do it 3 out of 5….
Sakhi · May 8, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Hail Djokovic. I think if he can handle the two week grand slam stretch, he really can beat the King. And while the match was thrilling in many ways, both men sliced and came to the net but a few times. Bang bang cross court cross court grunt grunt – the end. Great match and we’ll see the same happens in Rome.
Nadal did look disgruntled and seemingly confused about strategy I think. That might be a testament to Djokovic’s solidity. Perhaps, this will FINALLY force Nadal to come to net or try something different (am not talking about the ridiculous tweener he hit today either!)
Scoop Malinowski · May 9, 2011 at 12:34 am
I told you so Michael!
Wonderful match, we have new king of clay and king of tennis. Djokovic is simply the BEST as Tina Turner would sing.
Michael · May 9, 2011 at 12:42 am
“we have new king of clay ”
Not to diminish Djoker’s win but we do not have a new King of Clay or anything close to it unless and until Djoker wins Roland Garros.
Scoop Malinowski · May 9, 2011 at 1:54 am
Michael. Djokovic is going to win Roland Garros this year. Like I said, he took over the mental edge from Nadal in Miami and further reinforced it this afternoon, in stunningly impressive style too. It’s a lock.
Michael · May 9, 2011 at 2:24 am
Well you certainly aren’t hedging your bet. And, yes, except for the blip in the first set it was a solid win.
I don’t see Novak winning RG though.