Tomas Berdych has done it again, ending the run of Roger Federer in a Grand Slam, beating him 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Berdych also beat Federer in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2010 where he had his best career result as a runner up in the tournament.
Federer came unstuck due to combination of his own errors and the spectacular power and flat hitting of Tomas. Federer has seemed the favourite after securing extra rest when Mardy Fish withdrew with a health issue from their fourth round match – a walk over never seeming to impact Federer negatively before.
Delighted, Berdych later said, “It couldn’t be better. There’s no better moment so far than this one. I’ll just try to bring something from today and try to add something a little more for my next match.
With my game, I’m able to make him some trouble. Even if he’s playing well, and we play a match together, there is something in my game that he doesn’t like.”
Understandably deflated Federer said he would go back to work to improve his results in his quest to capture an 18th Grand Slam. “I don’t think the schedule was a problem. But who knows? I don’t put that down as a negative, really. I just didn’t come up with the goods tonight.”
Berdych now faces Andy Murray for a crack at the title. Regardless of what happens to Novak Djokovic at least we will see something different at the other end of the net. Maybe we will finally get some variety in mens tennis – someone other than Roger, Rafa, and lately Novak.
