Federer fights through to quarterfinals
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Roger Federer always counted himself in serious contention if he showed up feeling healthy at the Australian Open. He even gave a serious nod to longtime rival Rafael Nadal with the same consideration toward health.
What he never would have predicted was that Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic — the top two players in the world — wouldn’t even last through to the quarterfinals.
But that’s why they play the matches, because in sports there are no guarantees.
“It all depends on the draw,” said Federer, looking mightily fresh considering he just finished off fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori in a 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 match that went over three hours long Sunday.
“I felt like if Rafa and myself can be healthy, yes, you can expect that (from us). That Novak and Andy are not (here), that is a big surprise. I never thought that Mischa Zverev and Denis Istomin would beat those two big guys.”
These days, the differential between players isn’t always that huge a gap.
Sure, the best in the business tend to have that little something extra that consistently puts them out front against the rest of the pack.
But on any given day, most players have the capability to beat even the greatest if factors align in their favor.
“I guess it’s good for tennis that a lot of guys believe (even more) that the top guys are beatable, are vulnerable, especially on a faster court,” Federer said.
While Federer, a record 17time Grand Slam tournament champion, is willing to give consideration to what’s good for the tour in terms of competitive matches, he’s certainly not looking to do his part in adding to the excitement if that means losing. He isn’t ready to follow Murray and Djokovic to the exit.
The way Federer is improving with each match played is quite admirable, especially taking into account this is his first official tournament since Wimbledon. He missed the second half of last year with a knee injury.
Federer had a shaky start to his Australian Open campaign, struggling in his first two matches at Melbourne Park against qualifiers Jurgen Melzer and Noah Rubin. Melzer extended Federer to four sets, and Rubin pushed him through a grueling three sets.
By the third round, however, Federer was looking his usual self in schooling 10th-seeded Tomas Berydch in a straight-set extravaganza before turning his attention to Nishikori.
Despite going five sets with Nishikori and admitting to a lingering cold that he’s had for two weeks, Federer was in good stead heading into the quarterfinals.
“I think I’m playing better and better,” Federer said. “Today, over a long period of time, I had to be refocused and playing good tennis.
“I felt great in the fifth (set). Great energy. Even deep into the fourth (set), I thought, ‘Yeah, fifth, here we go, no problem for me.’ ”
Having played his matches in Rod Laver Arena to a crowd that has always adored him, Federer thinks he has good insight into what to expect going forward in the second week.
“I’m in the tournament now and know how the balls and the court surface reacts to my shots,” Federer said. “I’m not getting surprised so much anymore, which is only helpful for the next round.”
Federer has withstood the test against Zverev the two times they’ve played, but it’s hard to ignore that the German played the best match of his life against Murray to win their four-set match Sunday.
“Obviously, he’s on a high right now,” Federer said of the lefthander. “He’s feeling great. Probably feels the best he’s ever felt on a tennis court.
“That’s how I would feel after the win today against Murray.”
The other quarterfinal in the top half of the men’s draw match- es fourth-seeded Stan Wawrinka, a Swiss compatriot of Federer’s and reigning U.S. Open champion, against 12th-seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France.
“That Novak (Djokovic) and Andy (Murray) are not (here), that is a big surprise.”
Roger Federer, on the upset losses of the Australian Open defending champion and world No. 1, respectively