Australian Open - Men's First Round
2 Roger Federer d Benoit Pare - 62 64 61
Did someone actually tell Benny that he was playing in a Slam?
That wasn't even practice match quality.
Ok Rog, you may take credit if you want after all you are the GOAT:
I'm obviously very happy with this first-round match, so total control.
Here's the one thing that has puzzled me about the Mighty Fed...
Why does he not have any biceps?
He is like the only athlete I have ever seen with no arms.
It's weird.
Another elegant sponsor for the GOAT.
Roger posted this photo on Facebook captioned:
Dear fans, now you know why I worked with P. Demarchelier.
I’m very happy to become Moet & Chandon’s new ambassador.
More than ever, I look forward to toasting new victories with you!
World Tour Finals - Final
1 Novak Djokovic d 2 Roger Federer - 76(6) 75
Nole wins his 2nd WTF title - his 1st coming at Shanghai in 2008.
He will finish the year with the #1 ranking for a 2nd straight year.
He won 6 titles this year including 1 Slam (Aussie) & 3 Masters 1000's.
The win over the GOAT inches their H2H closer - 16-13 in Roger's favor.
Nole: This was my time, my moment,
and I needed to step in and really believe in my ability.
So throughout the whole season I've had lots of success and
had some disappointing losses at big events, in a couple major finals.
Adje Nole.
Olympic Men's Gold Medal Match
3 Andy Murray d 1 Roger Federer - 62 61 64
Finally. And pretty damn convincingly.
Andy wins his 23rd ATP title and just his 2nd of the year.
Only 4 weeks ago that these two contested the Wimby final on this court.
Today they traded places in the winners circle.
As big of a win as this is Andy still needs to claim his maiden Slam.
In New York perhaps?
Andy won't have long to celebrate tho..
He'll have a Wednesday start at Toronto against a qualifier.
***
Post match: [This is] the biggest win of my life.
This week's been absolutely incredible, I've had a lot of fun.
I felt so fresh on the court today. I didn't feel nervous really at all...
Apart from at the beginning of the match. The support's been unbelievable.
For me it's the biggest win of my life. I'll never forget it.
Photo: Getty Images
Olympic Final Preview
1 Roger Federer vs 3 Andy Murray - H2H: 8-8
This is a rematch of the Wimbledon final just a few weeks ago.
In that match Roger lost the 1st set but rebounded to take the next 3.
Roger has also beaten Andy the last 3 matches they've contested.
Roger is looking for the only big title not on his resume.
Andy is looking for the single biggest title of his career.
No pressure guys. None at all.
***
Andy after his semifinal win over Novak Djokovic, 75 75:
Before the tournament started that was the goal [to] try and win a medal.
It's been an amazing month and one of the best of my career.
The support that I have had over the last month...
After Wimbledon, I really needed it.
***
Roger after his marathon against Del Potro, 36, 76(5), 19-17:
I hope I can get to gold again...
And that it's going to set free some great playing on Sunday.
Then we'll see if I win or not. I'm sure the emotion is going to be extreme.
Olympics - Men's First Round
1 Roger Federer d Alejandro Falla - 63 57 63
"Phew," went the GOAT.
Remember, Rog is looking for one of the few titles to elude him.
And he has a great draw.
In fact, he doesn't have a singles medal of any color in 3 previous attempts.
I'm sure all of Switzerland was holding its breath today.
Post match: When I play for Switzerland I try to be a good ambassador...
As I travel around for eight months of the year.
But it's different having the Swiss cross on your jersey and...
You do feel the pressure. It's not something that we're used to...
Everybody's talking about it on the street in Switzerland.
It only comes every four years so it's unusual and I feel that too.
Today Roger Federer break his tie with Pete Sampras for most weeks at #1.
Make it 287 at the top of the pile. That's about 5 1/2 years.
He enjoyed his 1st week at #1 way back in February 2, 2004.
At 31, Rog becomes the 2nd oldest man to hold the top spot: Andre Agassi.
Roger, after he tied the record:
I never stopped believing...it all worked out. I got great momentum...
Great confidence and it all came together. It's a magical moment for me.
I was so close to the record two years ago and...
It is really amazing to be No. 1 again.
I played and won a lot of tournaments since the US Openlast year...
I’m happy that all the hard work I have been putting in has paid off.
***
Roger is only 75 points ahead of Novak Djokovic.
They both have the Olympics as their next tournament.
With no points to defend the race for #1 is on again in London.
Can Roger make it a SW19 double?
Men's Champion - Roger Federer
Women's Champion - Serena Williams
Men's Doubles - Robert Lindstedt & Jonathan Marray
Women's Tennis - Serena & Venus Williams
Mixed Doubles - Lisa Raymond & Mike Bryan
Wimbledon - Men's Final
3 Roger Federer d 4 Andy Murray - 46 75 63 64
#7 at Wimbledon. And... #17 in the Slams.
GOAT: Anybody who still doubts it - just stop it.
The win also sends him back to #1.
Meaning, he tied Sampras twice today - 7 titles & most weeks at #1.
And he'll own that latter record all by himself a week on. Post match:
It equals me with Pete Sampras, who's my hero, so it feels amazing.
I repeat: Anybody who still doubts it - just stop it.
Post match: I feel better here than anywhere else.
I don't know why. It's a unique and special place.
It will take me a long time to understand what I've achieved here today.
My twin girls have helped my game.
I'm playing some of the best tennis of my life.
Today is a dream come true for me and my family.
***
Roger & Serena just made the Olympics much more interesting.
Like Serena, he just won Wimbledon at over 30 years old.
Like Serena, a singles gold medal is one of the few title they're missing.
Like Serena, he has a gold in doubles.
Like Serena, he his suddenely a heavy favorite to win.
Photo: Getty Images
Wimbledon - Men's Semifinal Preview
1 Novak Djokovic vs 3 Roger Federer - H2H: 14-12/Federer
They've played 7 times during '11 & '12 - Nole has taken 6 of those 7.
Each man has lost 6 matches this year. Nole: 41-6. Fed: 44-6.
This is Nole's 16th tip to a Slam Sf: 8-7 and 4th at Wimby: 1-2.
Except for the set he dropped in the 3rd round he's reached the Sf's easily.
Remember: He is the defending champion.
Roger returns to the Wimby Sf's after losing in the Qf's the last 2 years.
This is his 32nd Slam Sf: 23-8 and 8th at Wimbledon: 7-0.
He is looking for his 7th title which would tie him with Sampras.
But wait, there's more: A title would also put him back to #1.
That would also tie him with Sampras with most weeks ever at #1.
And the week after that he'd have the record to himself.
***
4 Andy Murray vs 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - H2H: 5-1/Murray
The one time Tsonga beat Andy was way back in '08.
This is Jo-W's 5th trip to a Slam Sf: 1-3 and 2nd straight at W: 0-1.
As for Andy... this is his 10th Slam Sf: 3-6.
This is his 4th straight Sf at Wimby: 0-3. The last 2 losing to Rafa.
But with him out of the way...
Andy could become the first Brit in a Wimbledon final since 1938.
No pressure. None at all.
***
I'm picking Djokovic vs Murray for Sunday's final.
Hey, I'm in good company as those are Boris Becker's picks as well.
Photos: Getty Images
Wimbledon - Men's Third Round
3 Roger Federer d 29 Julien Benneteau - 46 67(3) 62 76(6) 61
One had a feeling that Julien needed to win in straights or not at all.
Once the 6-time champ won the 4th set TB is was all but a formality.
Rog should have a much smoother passage into the semifinals.
A pair of GOATS: After the match Roger met Jack Nicklaus.
Post match: I did start to play better and better as the match went on...
And that's kind of what I expected of myself...
Once a set down or two sets to love down.
That I guess comes with experience, but also experience alone...
Is not going to win you the match. I had to push deep and extremely hard...
And I'm very happy with the way things sort of happened at the end.
Photo: Getty Images
Wimbledon - Men's Second Round
3 Roger Federer d Fabio Fognini - 61 63 62
This was Prince Charles' first time to Wimbledon since 1970.
And tennis' royalty made sure he didn't have to stay long as Fed smoked Fog.
Calling the match over BBC airwaves John McEnroe joked:
Perhaps Prince Charles told him he an appointment & that he was in a hurry.
If you're a Fed fan you must be trilled with his draw...
Seriously, who will stop him from getting to the semifinals?
Benneteau? Tipsarevic? Simon? Verdasco? Falla? Malisse?
See what I mean? Cupcake anyone?
Hey Pince-y-poo, come back next weekend and see a good match.
Photos: Getty Images
Novak, Rafa & Rog combined have won the last 9 Wimbledon titles.
(With a little luck) any one of them could leave W with the #1 ranking.
Novak Djokovic is the defending champion.
After a steelar 2011 he has not defended very many of his title.
He has 2 titles on the year - at this point last year he had a whopping 7.
Novak posted the above pic with the caption:
Hello! Did you miss me? I missed you & I am back to my good old habits...
Eating grass with my team :)
Back to the good old All England Lawn Tennis Club, and feeling good.
After his Qf loss at Halle Rafa went home & enjoyed some R&R with friends.
Rafa has made the final at Wimbledon the last 5 times he's played.
Remember he didn't play in '09 but he was the champion in '08 & '10.
He gave his Facebook fans a little snippet today:
I'm back to Wimbledon. I want to do a great tournament!
Rog is a 6-times champion at SW19: '03-'07 & '09.
He heads to Wimbledon with a runner-up showing at Halle (loss to Haas).
Since his Sf loss to Novak at the USO he has won 7 titles.
That's the most on tour in that date range.
Roger has not won a Slam since the Aussie Open in 2010.
Rog in an interview: I don't go through days thinking, my God...
I haven't won a Grand Slam in so long. I don't get pulled down by it.
Actually, I think I get motivated by it. It doesn't come in phases.
I'm always been hungry for success and that's a good thing.
ATP 250 Queen's Club - Final
6 Marin Cilic d 10 David Nalbandian - 67(3) 43 Def.
David was defaulted for assaulting and leaving bloodied a lines judge.
Thus handing Marin his 7th career ATP title.
Marin has been struggling with injuries of late and said post-match:
I played good today and came here to play four, five matches.
I won them and pretty comfortably in those first two or three.
I’m feeling really good & I think my form is on the spot where it should be.
***
ATP 250 Halle - Final
WC Tommy Haas d 2 Roger Federer - 76(5) 64
This is Tommy's 13th career ATP title & 1st since winning Halle in '09.
The win also gave him a near 40 spot ranking boost to #49.
This was Tommy's 3rd win over Fed - the last win was way back in '02.
Post match: I don’t have many words to say really...
Except that it is an amazing feeling to win another title in Germany.
To have somebody across the net like Roger is a real honour for me.
To have that picture with the winning trophy and Roger next to me...
Is something really special, something I’ll obviously never forget.
I’m just really happy and proud.
ATP 250 Halle - Second Round
1 Rafael Nadal d Lukas Lacko - 75 61
2 Roger Federer d Florian Mayer - 64 75
Rafa - no rest for the weary as he makes the transition from clay to grass.
Remember: Only 3 days ago he won his 7th Roland Garros title.
Only once has he gone from the RG title to winning the Wimbledon tune-up.
That was at Queen's Club in '08. He also went on to win Wimby that year.
***
Roger is a 5-time champ at Halle: '03-'06 & '08.
If we're being honest tho most of the big guns always play at Queens Club.
He'll next face a tough one in Raonic - H2H: 2-0/RF.
Remember: Milos came within a point of beating him last time they played.
***
If Rafa & Roger were to meet in the final it would be match #29.
Their H2H is 18-10 in Rafa's favor but Roger won the last match at IW.
After Rafa's RG title he also moved ahead of Rog in Facebook fans.
But he's tops in Halle - look, they even named a street for him:
Roland Garros - Men's Semifinals
1 Novak Djokovic d 3 Roger Federer -64 75 63
2 Rafael Nadal d 6 David Ferrer - 62 62 61
EPISODE 33.
One of these boys will leave Paris with a piece of tennis history.
Novak can become the 3rd man to hold all for Slams at once.
Rafa can break his tie with Borg with most RG titles with 7.
It's on.
***
This is by far Rafa's best run into the final.
In 18 sets played he has only dropped 35 games. Less than 2 games a set.
He is gunning for his 7th RG title & 11th Slam.
Post match: There is no secret.
I worked hard all my life to enjoy the moments like today.
***
This is Novak's maiden Roland Garros final.
His road to Sunday has been rocky - he's played 2 5-setters.
And stared down and saved 4 match points against Tsonga.
Post match: It's always an effort & a challenge to be focussed and...
Take the maximum out of your abilities in these matches bt that is the ask.
***
1 Novak Djokovic vs 2 Rafael Nadal - H2H: 18-14/RN
They have played 3 times this year: 2-1/Rafa.
Both of Rafa's wins were on clay - in the finals of Monte Carlo & Rome.
This is the 4th straight Slam final between the two: 3-0/Novak.
Novak: There's a lot on the line. Always is when you play finals of a Slam.
Considering matches we've played v each other in last 15 months...
Expect another emotional match.
I am.
Photos: FFT
Roland Garros - Men's Quarterfinals
1 Novak Djokovic d 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 61 57 57 76(6) 61
3 Roger Federer d 9 Juan Martin Del Potro - 36 67(4) 62 60 63
Both champs were down 2-sets-to-1. Both dug deep. Both won in thrillers.
And it was all happening at the same time. INSANE.
They've set up a rematch of last years Sf which Rog won.
***
Novak actually saved 4 match points in that 4th set.
This is his 4th RG Sf: 0-3 and 15th at a Slam: 7-7.
Post match: As a tennis player, this is what you live for.
This is what you practise for all these years, to be part of...
An incredible performance, incredible match encounter here...
In Roland Garros with the home players.
I'm really glad that I could win today.
***
This is only the 3rd time Roger's come back from 2-sets-to-love at RG.
This marks Rog's 7th RG Sf: 5-1 and 31st at a Slam: 23-7.
In fact, 31 ties Roger with Jimmy Connors' record of most Slam Sf's.
Post match: I have been struggling to find my rhythm.
I did feel it in the first set, even though he was up two sets.
I was finding a way back and starting to feel better.
***
1 Novak Djokovic vs 3 Roger Federer - H2H: 14-11/RF
Novak has won the last 2 and 5 of the last 6.
They last played a couple weeks ago in Rome & it was Nole in straights.
This is their 9th meeting at a Slam: 5-4/RF - 1 final, 7 Sf's and 1 4th R.
Blockbuster: It really doesn't get much better than this.
Photos: Getty Images
Roland Garros - Men's Fourth Round
9 Juan Martin Del Potro d 7 Tomas Berdych - 76(6) 16 63 75
This is Juan's 6th trip to a Slam Qf: 2-3 and 2nd time at RG: 1-0.
Remember: He was a semifinalist here in 2009.
That was a memorable 5 set classic loss to Roger Federer.
Post match: I'm really glad to go through, to play [the] quarter-finals again.
I want to play the best I can. I'm looking forward to the next match.
And he will face 3 Roger Federer again next: 11-2/RF.
This'll be their 5th meeting this year - Roger has won them all in straights.
Juan has beaten Rog twice, both times in 2009 including the USO final.
Can he turn the tables and grab a 3rd win over the GOAT tomorrow?
Photo: Reuters
Roland Garros - Men's Fourth Round
3 Roger Federer d LL David Goffin - 57 75 62 64
This marks Roger's 32nd straight Qf showing at a Slam.
That dates back to his 3rd round loss here at RG in 2003.
Props: That is an amazing stat.
After the match he hinted that Madrid was poor prep for Roland Garros.
Confirming my point. How does blue clay prepare anyone for RG?
I cautioned Fed fans when he won Madrid not to read anything into it.
Anyway, I'll stop beating up on Madrid.
Rog will next face the winner of Del Potro/Berdych.
He's owned them both of late but we'll see...
***
In a cute post match quip Goffin offered:
I won't hide from you that I had posters of Roger everywhere in my room.
Photo: Getty Images
Roger Federer Moves into 4th Round at Australian Open
Australian Open - Men's Third Round
2 Roger Federer d Bernard Tomic - 64 76(5) 61
Trash-talk and the attempt to make this a blockbuster match...
Who really thought that that was honestly the case.
Snore.
Bet money would be placed on Fed's next match with 13 Milos Raonic.
They've played 3 3-set matches all last year and they've all been close.
Super close.
Milos said post win over 17 Philipp Kohlschreiber:
I think I got pretty damn close the one time in Madrid.
I got pretty close in Halle. I just know how to deal with it.
I think I have a higher tolerance within myself and
a higher belief within myself stepping up against Roger.
4th time a charm?
Or does the GOAT make his 10th straight Aussie Qf?
Posted at 01:41 PM in Australian Open, Commentary, Grand Slam Tennis, Mens Tennis, Milos Raonic, Preview, Roger Federer, Scores | Permalink | Comments (0)
| Reblog (0)