After the tough run for the Klang Pacers Half Marathon and slept thru the afternoon, the only thing I was waiting for during the day was the French Open Final between Roger Federer and Robin Soderling. It's been a year since the devastating loss to Nadal in the French Open and more imporatantly the Wimbledon crown. I'd always felt that the 2 loss really made Federer vulnerable. Everything seems to be going wrong for Federer for the past year and half, although he has managed to reach the semis or better in the last 20 Grand Slam tournament he has played. Like he said, he has create the monster in himself.
Watching him going through the earlier rounds towards the final, his erratic performance just makes your heart drops! 2 4-setters in 2nd & 3rd round, coming back from 2 sets down to defeat Tommy Haas 6–7(4), 5–7, 6–4, 6–0, 6–2 and also coming back from 2 sets to 1 down to defeat Juan Martin del Potro 3–6, 7–6(2), 2–6, 6–1, 6–4. Pressure must have gotten to him after finding out Nadal is knocked out by Soderling in the 4th round. His first loss in Roland Garros. Federer has lost to Nadal in the last French Open, 3 consecutive finals (2006, 2007 & 2008).
In the final, Federer quickly step on the accelerator and won the first set, 6-1. In the 2nd set, things were tough for Federer as Soderling finally finds his range in his booming serves and crushing forehands. Both men held serve and the set was decided in the tiebreak. The first were the turning point when Federer manage to get a mini break after Soderling made an error. From the there onwards, Federer serves out aces after aces n the tie break to take the set.
Federer is just a set away and towards becoming the 6th man to complete the Grand Slam. Last man to do so was Agassi In 1999 when he too won the French Open after coming back from 2 sets down to defeat Medvedev. He got the break early in the first game and all he had to do was to hold his serves. However, things do not go easy when Soderling managed to get break points but could not get the break he needs. As Federer serves out the match, at 30-30, an easy forehand volley from Federer lands truly wide gives Soderling a breakpoint. It's so hard to imagine what is going through Federer's mind at this stage as he is so close to win the one title that has eluded him for years, completing a Grand Slam and also tying the 14 Slams record held by Pete Sampras. But a mishit by Soderling, followed by a winning volley takes Federer to championship point. He took his time and got his first serve in and Soderling push it into the net and Federer sank to his knees, 6-1, 7-6(1), 6-4. The crowds gave a standing ovation. The French crowds clearly wants Federer to win. FINALLY! French Open is his! For a person who has gone through so much, it really means a lot and I'm sure all fans of Federer feels the same including me. A lot of my favourite players have never completed the Slams. Lendl could not win Wimbledon, Edberg could not win the French, so too is Sampras. Only Agassi did it.
Hope this win will remove the devil in himself and let him hit more freely and we will see the old Federer playing. Wimbledon....here comes Federer!
Federer on his knees after seeing Soderling return fell into the net
Federer with the Coupe des Mousquetaires
Federer 14 Slams...
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