Didn’t deserve to win, Del Potro can beat Nadal, says Federer
US OPEN A FedererNadal tie in New York will have to wait one more year after the Swiss was ousted by Juan del Potro in quarterfinals
NEWYORK: Roger Federer, foiled once again one match from a firstever US Open match against Rafael Nadal, said he just didn’t deserve to beat Juan Martin del Potro in the rematch of their epic 2009 final.
The Swiss third seed and 19-time Grand Slam champion was sent packing by Argentine 28th seed Del Potro 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (10/8), 6-4 on Wednesday in Arthur As he Stadium. The South American meets Spain’s topranked Nadal Friday for a berth in Sunday’s final. “I feel I have no place in the semis and he will have a better chance to beat Raf a, to be honest,” Federer said.
“The way I played or am playing right now, it’s not good enough in my opinion to win this tournament. It’s better I’m out and somebody else gets a chance to do better than me.”
On the same court where Del Potro ended Federer’s five-year titlerunand40-matchwinstreak, the reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champion said, “Juan Martin fought like a lion.”
And the ruined possible firstever New York match up between Federer and Nadal, which had been a focus of attention headed into the match, was an afterthought to Fe der erin the wake of a comprehensive loss.
“I didn’t even think about it, as I lost that match, that it’s not going to happen,” Federer said. “I’m dealing with just trying to understand what happened and just to overcome this in the next few hours, days, weeks, whatever it is. I’ll be fine.“Of course it is a pity, but Juan Martin deserves it more .” Fe der er said in some ways he wasn’t disappointed because he knew his game was weaker than it looked, having been aided by playing three rivals in a row who are a combined 0-40 against him.
“If I ran into a good guy, I was going to lose, I felt,” Federer said. “I don’twanttosay Iwasinnegative mindset, but I knew going in that I’m not in a safe place.”
I’m dealing with trying to understand what happened and overcome this in the next few hours, days, weeks, whatever › After his defeat to Del Potro It should hurt but I think my perspective at this age and with the season I’ve had is easier to grasp faster
On trying to get over the loss