Roger Federer earned the opportunity to avenge two defeats to
Tomas Berdych this year when he moved into the Rogers Cup
quarter-finals with a 7-6(2), 6-3 win over chip-and-charging
Frenchman Michael Llodra on Thursday in Toronto.
The five-time ATP World Tour Champion fell behind 1-4, 30/30 in
the first set as he struggled to adjust to the net-rushing
tactics of Llodra. But Federer won 12 of the last 17 games to
advance.
“It is fun playing that kind of a style once in a while,” said
the World No. 3. “I kind of miss it, obviously. Having come
through the rankings back in '98, '99, 2000, I was facing many
of those kind of players, especially on the faster courts
indoors.”
Federer, the 2004 and 2006 Toronto champion, fell in the Rogers
Cup quarter-finals last year to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga after leading
5-1 in the third set. The Swiss is attempting to snap a
six-month title drought dating back to his 16th Grand Slam
triumph at the Australian Open in January. Also a winner of 16
career ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles, Federer's last title
at this level came almost one year ago in Cincinnati.
Seventh seed Berdych worked harder than expected to beat
Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4. The Czech served 11 aces
and saved all five break points he faced.
“I definitely have to go back, and think what didn't go so well
against him and what did work well,” said Federer, who lost to
Berdych at Miami and Wimbledon. “He's definitely on the run
right now, so hope to stop him a bit. He played great in Paris,
at Wimbledon, and also, he beat me in Miami in a tough three
setter where I had match point, so that was a bit of a pity,
obviously. So I hope to learn from those mistakes and come up
with a good game plan tomorrow.”
The 24-year-old Berdych has a 40-13 season match record, already
eclipsing last year’s match wins total (36-26). He reached the
finals this year at Wimbledon (l. to Nadal) and the ATP World
Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Miami (l. to Roddick).
Roger Federer became the all-time match wins
leader in ATP World Tour Masters 1000 action after defeating
Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6(7), 6-3 on Tuesday night at the
Rogers Cup in Toronto.
The World No. 3, who notched his first ATP World Tour Masters
1000 win in 2000 at Miami, improved to a 210-65 lifetime record
at the ATP’s premier level of tournaments. American Andre Agassi,
the previous record holder, compiled a 209-73 mark from
1990-2006.
Federer returned to competition for the first time in more than
a month, and was made to work hard in his second-round opener.
Chela double faulted to give Federer a break in the sixth game,
but prevented the Swiss from serving out the set as he converted
on a triple break point opportunity to get back on serve at 5-4.
Federer finally sealed the set after putting away his fifth set
point of the tie-break.
The second set proved more straightfoward for the third-seeeded
Swiss. Federer broke Chela to go up 3-2 and closed out the match
in one hour and 21 minutes with another break of serve.
"I thought it was a good match overall," he said. "It's always
nice to come back after six weeks and get the win. I think
that's really what counts the most tonight. It's normal that
you're a bit rusty after six weeks. You have to work your way
into playing matches again, even though you play a lot of
practice sets and matches."
Federer is looking to win his 17 ATP World Tour Masters 1000
title, and his first since last August at the Western & Southern
Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati. He won his two Rogers Cup
titles in 2004 and ’06 in Toronto.
This is Federer’s first tournament appearance as the world’s No.
3 player since the 2003 Tennis Masters Cup in Houston, where he
ended up winning the title with victory over Andre Agassi in the
final.
"Rankings are what they are," said Federer. "You can't control
them that much unless you win tournaments. That's not what I
have been doing lately, so I know I have to try to do better
there. Other guys played well, as well. So they deserve the
ranking that everybody has. Rankings usually don't lie, so it's
up to me to make a move now."
The Swiss, who celebrated his 29th birthday Sunday, will next
face the winner of the Nicolas Almagro-Michael Llodra match.
I've been looking to add someone to my team and I've decided to spend some
days with Paul Annacone. As Paul winds down his responsibilities working for
the Lawn Tennis Association, we will explore our relationship through this
test period. Paul will work alongside my existing team and I am excited to
learn from his experiences.
See you soon
Roger"
Paul Annacone:
Paul Annacone is a former coach of Pete Sampras and Tim
Henman.
24-07-2010
19.00
Hi everyone!
It has been some time. I know you
are all probably like: What is going on?! But
don't worry, the site is not dead, although it looked like that for the past
month :P.
I am just very busy right now. And it will be like that
at least until the beginning of September. I won't say I won't update
the site until then, but there will be less updates then normal. This is
just too important right now.
I know the pictures are down again.. It irritates me too.
It is a poor host, but the reason I use it is because it is supposed to earn
me some money for views. Even though I have never recieved anything.. But
because I don't get any donations, I have used that site. And the earnings
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But don't worry, this site won't go away just yet! Just
come back and check regularly to see if there are updates.