In a game combining big serves, a one-sided tiebreak, a basket
of winners from smashing forehands and laser-speed backhands, the
winner was not Roger Federer.
It was Fernando Gonzalez, who pumped his fists in wild
celebration as Federer looked on in dazed disappointment. In a
lengthy, close and dramatic Red Group tussle at Qi Zhong Tennis
Center yesterday, the Chilean Gonzalez produced the biggest upset
of the Shanghai Masters Cup by defeating the world No 1 and
defending champion 3-6, 7-6 (1), 7-5.
For Federer, it was just the second loss in the Masters Cup
since he lost to David Nalbandian in the 2005 final. For Gonzalez,
it was the first win after suffering a miserable 10-match losing
streak to the Swiss, including the 2007 Australian Open final.
"He is human, he has to lose," Gonzalez beamed after the
match.
However, things would not have gone his way if he had not come
up with some stunning shots at crucial moments to escape from the
cliff's edge five times on break points in the decider. Instead,
Federer dropped only one after saving three break points in the
third, but that was enough to set the tone as Gonzalez served to
win the match.
"In some ways I have regrets and in some ways I don't because I
just thought it was ridiculous what kind of shots he came up with,"
Federer said after the match.
Gonzalez looked like a whole new player yesterday compared to
his previous encounters with Federer in which he seemed to run out
of power quickly.
Everyone was expecting another quick match after the
seventh-seeded Chilean lost the first set in less than half an
hour, but he launched an amazing comeback with beautiful all-court
play.
His big serves were formidable and his trademark forehand was
more fearsome, breaking the balance of the usually solid Federer
time after time. His backhand was equally impressive, hitting right
into the corner many times as the Swiss delivered inside-out
returns.
Federer, who has played with Gonzalez since junior times and is
very familiar with the Chilean's explosive play, said it was the
consistency that made a difference this time.
"I'm not getting surprised to the point where I don't know the
guy, you know. I've played him 10 times.
"But I am amazed at the consistency because this is really what
makes the difference between a good forehand and a great forehand.
He definitely has one of the best ones out there."
Gonzalez's backhand was just too much to the 12-time Grand Slam
winner to take.
"The backhand, that's what killed me today. He drilled me some
in the corner, which normally he would never make and he was going
cross-court all the time," Federer said. "You've got to give him
credit for that."
Gonzalez said he just had a lot of motivation.
"I was really excited when I went to the court," he said. "I
think the key of the match was my serve and to not be scared to go
for my shots. That's very important."
There was added shame for Federer, who lost a tiebreak in the
second set un-stylishly, first 6-0 then 7-1. It was a rare misstep
for the Swiss who boasted a 30-9 career record in tiebreaks going
into the match.
"I lost the tiebreak in a bad way and never got the edge in the
third set which I should have, really should have," he said.
Federer is enduring one of the most difficult stretches of his
career - his loss to Gonzalez was his ninth of the year, the most
times he has lost in a single year over the past three. This year,
more and more players have been able to get the best of him,
including Novak Djokovic, Nalbandian and Rafael Nadal.
Federer just shrugged off this growing challenge and denied he
was losing his grip on men's tennis.
"Some players or people might think now I am more vulnerable. I
disagree, obviously. I am going to hopefully show them again this
week and then obviously next year again."
However, his loss proved to be good news for Andy Roddick,
another group rival who is in the midst of a 10-match losing streak
against him. In yesterday's earlier match, Roddick had few problems
in defeating fourth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko in three sets, 6-3,
4-6, 6-2.
His coach Jimmy Connors is not with him in Shanghai, but Andy
Roddick said he is not lonely.
"I don't know about 'lonely'," smiled the American." Even though
Jimmy is not here, I am sure he is watching on TV. I will be able
to call home and get his thoughts."
Roddick did not show immediate improvement after working with
Connors for a year, winning only one title out of two final
appearances. Still he plans to partner with Connors for the long
term.
(China Daily November 13, 2007)
