Federer Restores Order in Shanghai
© Getty Images Don't tell Roger Federer there was nothing to play for. Despite knowing when he took the court that both he and Andy Roddick had qualified for the Tennis Masters Cup semifinals, Federer sent a message to the man he may meet again in the final. The ATP World No. 1 produced his best performance of the tournament to blitz Roddick 6-4, 6-2, to record his 11th consecutive victory over the American.
The outcome also determined the ordering of the Red group. The win elevated Federer to top spot in the group, ensuring that he would, for the second consecutive year, meet arch rival Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. Indeed, that may be a less desirable match-up for Federer than he would have faced had he lost to Roddick and finished No. 2 in his group.
With the second-placed finishers playing the first-placed finishers in the opposite group, the No. 2 player from the Red group plays Spaniard David Ferrer, who finished top of the Gold group with a perfect 3-0 record. Federer owns a 7-0 career record against Ferrer. He trails Nadal 5-8 in their intense rivalry.
Friday: Davydenko Ends Gonzalez's SF Hopes
Federer was at his imperious best against Roddick, hitting 33 winners to 14, and making just 13 unforced errors. The five-time Wimbledon champion put 83 percent of first serves into playing, having only to hit eight second serves the entire match (and he won seven of those!). He did not face a break point and matched Roddick's seven aces.
The Swiss was the aggressor in the first set, breaking Roddick in the third game and taking charge at the net. In contrast Roddick, who has markedly improved his volleys under coach Jimmy Connors, floundered at the net. When Federer broke Roddick in the first game of the second set he hit an angled forehand volley past an incoming Roddick for 0/40 and then drove a fierce topspin backhand under Roddick's racquet as the American charged the net.
Federer claimed back-to-back breaks as he raced to a 4-0 lead in the second set. In Roddick's second service game, at 0/30, the American painted the line with an impressive down-the-line backhand. But Federer ran it down and at full stretched flicked a winning forehand cross court. One point later, he broke to love.
Federer began the Tennis Masters Cup round-robin group with a surprise three-set loss to Fernando Gonzalez. Following his quarterfinal loss to David Nalbandian in Paris, it marked back-to-back defeats for Federer for the first time since 2003.
But by the end of the round-robin stage order has been restored. Federer Friday claimed his 11th consecutive win over Andy Roddick (just as he did in his second match against Nikolay Davydenko).
Despite the impressive win, Federer said that he wasn't reading too much into the victory: "Let's not overrate today's match, because we both qualified, both could play freely. I know that my game matches up well with his, but that doesn't mean I'm going to beat him all the time. Look what happened with González. You think you have a guy under control. It turns around."
About his semifinal with Nadal, Federer said: "I'm very excited to actually play against him. It's always nice for the best two to be playing against each other in the last tournament of the season. It's a nice thing for everybody here. Of course, there's the final after, so you definitely have me or Rafa in the finals, which I think is a good thing, too."
Roddick said: "It seems like most times we play he's on top of his game, which is a little annoying. I guess I just have to figure out what about my game brings out the best in him and try to adjust. You see some of the guys who beat him are quick, Nalbandian types who can run a little bit more. Unfortunately, that's not my strength. You kind of have to go with what you're good at, try to make adjustments. When he serves 84%, it makes things a little bit more difficult. I don't know if he's ever served 84% before in his life. That doesn't make it easy."
Thursday: Ferrer, Nadal Reach Semifinals
Wednesday: Roddick First into Semifinals
Wednesday: Federer Claims First Win
Tuesday: Ferrer Outguns Nadal to Go 2-0
Tuesday: Gasquet Ends Djokovic's Tennis Masters Cup Hopes
Monday: Roddick Rolls Russian; Impressive Start
Monday: Gonzalez Snaps Losing Streak to Federer
Sunday: Nadal Battles Past Gasquet in Shanghai Opener
Sunday: Ferrer Makes in a Spanish Clean Sweep on Day 1
|
