That’s Roger, over and out in New York
NEW YORK — Roger Federer served poorly.
He volleyed poorly. Closed out sets poorly, too.
And now he’s gone, beaten at the US Open by an opponent ranked outside the top 50 for the first time in his illustrious career.
Looking slow and tired on a sweltering night in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the No 2-seeded Federer double-faulted 10 times, failed to convert a trio of set points and lost 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (3) in the fourth round to John Millman in a match that began on Monday evening and concluded at nearly 1 am on Tuesday.
To Federer, it was all about the heat and the humidity. With the temperature in the 80s, even with the sun down, and the humidity at about 75 percent, he was unable to summon his usual verve.
“It was just one of those nights where, I guess, I felt I couldn’t get air. There was no circulation at all. For some reason I just struggled in the conditions tonight. It’s one of the first times it’s happened to me,” the 37-year-old Federer said.
“It’s uncomfortable. I just kept on sweating more and more and more and more as the match went on. You lose energy as it goes by. But John was able to deal with it better.”
It’s only the second time in Federer’s past 14 appearances at the US Open that he’s lost before the quarterfinals. He’s a five-time champion at the tournament, part of his record haul of 20 men’s Grand Slam titles.
“I have so much respect for Roger and everything he’s done for the game. He’s been a hero of mine, and today he was definitely not at his best,” said Millman, a 29-year-old Australian.
So much for a highly anticipated matchup between Federer and 13-time major champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals.
Instead, it’ll be the 55thranked Millman, who had never made it past the third round at a Slam until last week, taking on No 6 seed Djokovic.
Hours before, Djokovic left the court for a medical timeout — the second time during the tournament he’s sought help from a doctor because of harsh weather — during what was an otherwise straightforward 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory over 68th-ranked Joao Sousa of Portugal.
“I’m not 21 anymore. That was 10 years ago. I still don’t feel old, but at the same time, there is a little biological clock that is not really working in your favor,” Djokovic said.
He reached the quarterfinals for an 11th consecutive appearance in New York as he bids for a third US Open championship and 14th Grand Slam trophy.
Millman was adamant he would not be intimidated by Federer, and perhaps was helped by having spent time practicing together a few months ago ahead of the grasscourt portion of this season.
“I love his intensity,” Federer said.