The tough opener against inspired young Canadian Milos Raonic provided Federer with the perfect training ahead of a busy week at the controversial Mutua Madrid Open. While his opponents failed to adjust to the unusual surface losing earlier than expected, Roger remained clear-headed and focus ensuring a smooth passage into Sunday's big finale.
Nadal's rare loss on his beloved clay followed by Djokovic's defeat to Janko Tipsarevic left Federer as the clear favorite to win the title and the Swiss made sure not to waste the opportunity. He easily dismissed Frenchman Richard Gasquet, Spaniard David Ferrer and Serbian Tipsarevic to set up a clash with Czech Tomas Berdych.
After a series of losses in their first encounters, Berdych managed to turn the tables on the Swiss maestro winning three of their last five matches, most notably the 2010 Wimbledon quarterfinal. Although there were few who doubted Federer, it was the Czech who started off stronger sealing a superb first set in which he played unbelievable tennis. Roger did what he does best though. He stuck in there and found a way to break his opponent's game. He broke early in the second act, but got pegged back when serving out the set. He eventually pushed the match into a decider by breaking Tomas' at 6-5 with some inspired shots. The third set followed the same scenario. After some tense moments, Federer rose to a 5-3 advantage. He failed to serve out the match though, allowing Tomas to start hoping again. Berdych's renaissance was short-lived though, Federer sealing the victory at his fourth attempt.
The triumph marks the Swiss' 20th Masters 1000 crown, equalling thus Rafael Nadal's record. Also, courtesy of this win, Roger is set to regain the number 2 spot passing arch-rival Nadal in Monday's rankings. He is now very well poised to challenge Djokovic's reign. His first shot at closing the gap will be the Rome Masters where both Nadal and Djokovic have some big points to defend having disputed last year's final.
We have thus come to the end of what has been a heated week of tennis. Although Djokovic and Nadal threaten not to return next year and the tournament consultant, Ion Tiriac, was booed during the awards ceremony, organizers are not giving in on the blue clay. They recently announced that the surface is gonna be kept for a least another year, although improvements will be made. As things stand at the moment, it looks like the story will not reach its conclusion anytime soon.
After a series of losses in their first encounters, Berdych managed to turn the tables on the Swiss maestro winning three of their last five matches, most notably the 2010 Wimbledon quarterfinal. Although there were few who doubted Federer, it was the Czech who started off stronger sealing a superb first set in which he played unbelievable tennis. Roger did what he does best though. He stuck in there and found a way to break his opponent's game. He broke early in the second act, but got pegged back when serving out the set. He eventually pushed the match into a decider by breaking Tomas' at 6-5 with some inspired shots. The third set followed the same scenario. After some tense moments, Federer rose to a 5-3 advantage. He failed to serve out the match though, allowing Tomas to start hoping again. Berdych's renaissance was short-lived though, Federer sealing the victory at his fourth attempt.
The triumph marks the Swiss' 20th Masters 1000 crown, equalling thus Rafael Nadal's record. Also, courtesy of this win, Roger is set to regain the number 2 spot passing arch-rival Nadal in Monday's rankings. He is now very well poised to challenge Djokovic's reign. His first shot at closing the gap will be the Rome Masters where both Nadal and Djokovic have some big points to defend having disputed last year's final.
We have thus come to the end of what has been a heated week of tennis. Although Djokovic and Nadal threaten not to return next year and the tournament consultant, Ion Tiriac, was booed during the awards ceremony, organizers are not giving in on the blue clay. They recently announced that the surface is gonna be kept for a least another year, although improvements will be made. As things stand at the moment, it looks like the story will not reach its conclusion anytime soon.
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| Steered by his recent success over Federer, Berdych managed to trouble the Swiss throughout the encounter, but he eventually came out short losing a nail-biter 6-3,5-7,5-7. |
photos: GETTY IMAGES
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