Federer laments shadowy doubles loss
Source: AFP |
August 3, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ROGER Federer insisted the lengthy shadows on Court 18 played a key role as his Olympic doubles defense with Stanislas Wawrinka was ended by Israel's Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram on Wednesday.
Despite losing the first set, the Israelis bounced back to win 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 on Wednesday.
Federer has described his gold medal victory with Wawrinka in Beijing four years ago as one of the greatest moments of his illustrious career, and he was determined to mount a strong defense of the title. But the seven-time Wimbledon singles champion and his partner, seeded sixth at the Games, were unable to emulate their Chinese triumph as the Israeli pairing fought back.
Federer felt the Swiss duo were well on top in tricky conditions and claimed the Israelis only began to take control once shadows cast by the sun had left the court.
"Conditions were tough. They were breezy, a lot of shadow on the courts. But that didn't disrupt our play. Honestly, I thought they struggled a lot with that (the shadows)," Federer said.
"I thought they had virtually no chance on our service games and on the returns we were making all the play.
"They definitely played better once the shadows went, all the flags, all the spectator shadows were gone. It was more clean tennis.
"Overall I thought we played a good tournament. It just wasn't meant to be today."
Despite losing the first set, the Israelis bounced back to win 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 on Wednesday.
Federer has described his gold medal victory with Wawrinka in Beijing four years ago as one of the greatest moments of his illustrious career, and he was determined to mount a strong defense of the title. But the seven-time Wimbledon singles champion and his partner, seeded sixth at the Games, were unable to emulate their Chinese triumph as the Israeli pairing fought back.
Federer felt the Swiss duo were well on top in tricky conditions and claimed the Israelis only began to take control once shadows cast by the sun had left the court.
"Conditions were tough. They were breezy, a lot of shadow on the courts. But that didn't disrupt our play. Honestly, I thought they struggled a lot with that (the shadows)," Federer said.
"I thought they had virtually no chance on our service games and on the returns we were making all the play.
"They definitely played better once the shadows went, all the flags, all the spectator shadows were gone. It was more clean tennis.
"Overall I thought we played a good tournament. It just wasn't meant to be today."
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