Berdych again sends Federer packing
Source: Agencies |
September 7, 2012, Friday
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TOMAS Berdych sent mighty Roger Federer spinning to his worst US Open defeat since 2003 and then said he had succeeded by dragging the world No. 1 out of his comfort zone.
Five-time champion Federer, buoyed by a seventh Wimbledon title this summer which gave him a 17th grand slam crown, had cruised through the early rounds at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday, but was outplayed by the Czech sixth seed.
Berdych's stunning 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory gave him a first spot in the US Open semifinals and a Saturday showdown with British third seed and Olympic Andy Murray.
"I'm able to make him some trouble, you know. That even if he's playing well there's something in my game that he doesn't like and it makes him struggle," said the 26-year-old Berdych. "I would say I maybe bring him out of his comfort zone that he always like to be in on court. He always likes to have time and he always likes to be the one who is dictating the game."
Free-swinging game
Berdych famously shocked Federer in the 2010 Wimbledon quarterfinals on his way to his only grand slam final appearance. His free-swinging game was also similar to the tactics employed by unheralded compatriot Lukas Rosol in his second round win over Rafael Nadal at the All England Club this summer. However, Berdych was not happy to be compared to Rosol, who was ranked 100 in the world then.
"I just hope you're not comparing me with Lukas Rosol," he smiled. "I don't think that we are in the same position. I don't know what else to say. I mean, is it something wrong that we are from Czech Republic and beating big guys? No? Good. OK."
Federer reckons Berdych could go all the way to the title on Sunday.
"If he plays well and serves well and makes the right decisions before and during the match against Murray, obviously he's got a chance. He's beaten him before," said the Swiss of Berdych who leads Murray 4-2 in meetings.
"Then again, it's going to depend on the conditions, day or night. Obviously it's going to be a day session, but you never know with the rain now.
So it's an interesting matchup, for sure."
Five-time champion Federer, buoyed by a seventh Wimbledon title this summer which gave him a 17th grand slam crown, had cruised through the early rounds at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday, but was outplayed by the Czech sixth seed.
Berdych's stunning 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory gave him a first spot in the US Open semifinals and a Saturday showdown with British third seed and Olympic Andy Murray.
"I'm able to make him some trouble, you know. That even if he's playing well there's something in my game that he doesn't like and it makes him struggle," said the 26-year-old Berdych. "I would say I maybe bring him out of his comfort zone that he always like to be in on court. He always likes to have time and he always likes to be the one who is dictating the game."
Free-swinging game
Berdych famously shocked Federer in the 2010 Wimbledon quarterfinals on his way to his only grand slam final appearance. His free-swinging game was also similar to the tactics employed by unheralded compatriot Lukas Rosol in his second round win over Rafael Nadal at the All England Club this summer. However, Berdych was not happy to be compared to Rosol, who was ranked 100 in the world then.
"I just hope you're not comparing me with Lukas Rosol," he smiled. "I don't think that we are in the same position. I don't know what else to say. I mean, is it something wrong that we are from Czech Republic and beating big guys? No? Good. OK."
Federer reckons Berdych could go all the way to the title on Sunday.
"If he plays well and serves well and makes the right decisions before and during the match against Murray, obviously he's got a chance. He's beaten him before," said the Swiss of Berdych who leads Murray 4-2 in meetings.
"Then again, it's going to depend on the conditions, day or night. Obviously it's going to be a day session, but you never know with the rain now.
So it's an interesting matchup, for sure."
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