Federer suffers rare defeat to Roddick
Source: Agencies |
March 28, 2012, Wednesday
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WORLD No. 3 Roger Federer was feeling the pace of his busy start to the year after suffering a surprise 6-7, 6-1, 4-6 defeat to Andy Roddick in the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida, on Monday.
The third round loss to the American ended a 16-match winning streak for the Swiss, which included his titles in Rotterdam, Dubai and Indian Wells.
"I came out a bit flat today, I was a bit tired, I guess, but it was more mental than physical," the 16-time grand slam winner said. "That's maybe 30 matches for the season. I am just feeling like it's taken its toll a bit, which is normal," he said.
"But I've played more tired in the past, so this was not the most tired I have ever been, but you just start to feel it a bit. I didn't just get the lucky break today that I got in Indian Wells."
After sharing the opening two sets, Roddick saved three break points against his serve in the opening game of the decider, went on to break his opponent immediately and maintained the advantage through to the end of the match.
"I have been playing so much. I tried to push myself and gave myself a fighting chance, and then when things were under control, he fought off those break point chances... and had the perfect game after that," Federer added. "I regret missing those opportunities and giving myself maybe a chance," he said.
The win was Roddick's first over a top three player since beating Novak Djokovic in Cincinnati in 2010 and his first against Federer since a 2008 win here at Key Biscayne. No. 1 Novak Djokovic advanced to the men's fourth round by beating No. 27-seeded Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-4. No. 8-seeded Mardy Fish beat No. 28 Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-3.
Williams sisters Serena and Venus also reached the quarterfinals. Serena matched a career high with 20 aces to beat Samantha Stosur 7-5, 6-3. Older sister Venus won her third consecutive three-set match, hitting 13 aces as she outlasted No. 15-seeded Ana Ivanovic 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-2.
Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka lost 10 of the first 11 games, then rallied to remain unbeaten this year by overcoming Dominika Cibulkova 1-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5 in the fourth round. Former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki defeated No. 23 Yanina Wickmayer 7-6 (6), 6-0. Reigning French Open champion Li Na rallied past Sabine Lisicki 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, and No. 5 Agnieszka Radwanska defeated 18-year-old Garbine Muguruza Blanco 6-3, 6-2.
The third round loss to the American ended a 16-match winning streak for the Swiss, which included his titles in Rotterdam, Dubai and Indian Wells.
"I came out a bit flat today, I was a bit tired, I guess, but it was more mental than physical," the 16-time grand slam winner said. "That's maybe 30 matches for the season. I am just feeling like it's taken its toll a bit, which is normal," he said.
"But I've played more tired in the past, so this was not the most tired I have ever been, but you just start to feel it a bit. I didn't just get the lucky break today that I got in Indian Wells."
After sharing the opening two sets, Roddick saved three break points against his serve in the opening game of the decider, went on to break his opponent immediately and maintained the advantage through to the end of the match.
"I have been playing so much. I tried to push myself and gave myself a fighting chance, and then when things were under control, he fought off those break point chances... and had the perfect game after that," Federer added. "I regret missing those opportunities and giving myself maybe a chance," he said.
The win was Roddick's first over a top three player since beating Novak Djokovic in Cincinnati in 2010 and his first against Federer since a 2008 win here at Key Biscayne. No. 1 Novak Djokovic advanced to the men's fourth round by beating No. 27-seeded Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-4. No. 8-seeded Mardy Fish beat No. 28 Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-3.
Williams sisters Serena and Venus also reached the quarterfinals. Serena matched a career high with 20 aces to beat Samantha Stosur 7-5, 6-3. Older sister Venus won her third consecutive three-set match, hitting 13 aces as she outlasted No. 15-seeded Ana Ivanovic 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-2.
Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka lost 10 of the first 11 games, then rallied to remain unbeaten this year by overcoming Dominika Cibulkova 1-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5 in the fourth round. Former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki defeated No. 23 Yanina Wickmayer 7-6 (6), 6-0. Reigning French Open champion Li Na rallied past Sabine Lisicki 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, and No. 5 Agnieszka Radwanska defeated 18-year-old Garbine Muguruza Blanco 6-3, 6-2.
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