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5/4/11 10:19 PM | Cheryl Murray
It was a Battle Royale under the Madrid nighttime sky as an enthusiastic but well-behaved Spanish crowd cheered on compatriot Feliciano Lopez. The Spaniard went toe-to-toe with world No. 3 Roger Federer in 3 fantastic tie-break sets.
This was far more entertaining than most second round matches, and was a surprising display of the power of the serve. Both men served beautifully, with Federer smacking 25 aces for the match and Lopez kicking in 23.
Lopez played gutsy tennis after going down 5-3 in the first set. The Spaniard staved off a trio of break points, including a double-fault gift from the Swiss. Lopez eventually secured the break to force a marathon tie-break, which Federer finally served his way out of 15-13.
Both men were comfortable on serve in the second set. Federer faced down a pair of break points successfully while Lopez skated through the set without giving Federer a whiff at a break. The Swiss man was not up to the task in the second set tiebreaker. Lopez allowed Federer just 1 point as he leveled the match at a set a piece.
The nearly three hour match seemed destined for a third tiebreaker, and the players obliged with 6 service holds a piece.
Lopez drew first blood in the deciding set breaker and managed to race to a 5-2 lead. With Federer serving, the Spaniard had a chance at an easy overhead to take the 6-2 lead, but shanked it badly. Federer did not give him a second chance at the upset and on a shaky backhand, the Swiss snagged his first mini-break of the breaker, and as it happened, the match winner.
Federer will take on mercurial Belgian Xavier Malisse in the third round on Thursday.
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Wow.
I figured Feli was going to give Roger a hard time, since it seems like he'd finally been playing up to potential -- a tough first set in the Belgrade final with Nole, and then sending "upstart" Milos packing, even though he has a Spanish coach :-) -- and that he especially wouldn't want to lose at home.
I saw some clips of Roger practicing; he didn't look especially focused to me. I hope this sharpens his attention. But for that shank of Feli's, I think this one could've gone either way.
mara002 , 5/4/11 11:39 PM
Entertaining match with lots of variety.More like grass court tennis!
stratocast51 , 5/5/11 12:41 AM
Hello Cheryl,
After a very long time watched Fed serve pretty consistently except in the game # 10 of the first set immediately after breaking Lopez. This is the pattern that emmerged since 2010, a loss of focus or lack of confidence- kind of choking or failing to close out by raising the level a bit. Also Federer's response in the second set tie break in the first two ponts on his serve was very defensive allowing lopez to race to a big lead. Those responses, I mean, shot placement was inadequate if not poor. Overall it was very competitive and entertaining. Looks like a FEDAL semi is possible. But for that to happen Federer must not drop his level.
newfangkc , 5/5/11 5:58 AM
Federer loses this match in straights on any other surface
RickyDimon , 5/5/11 3:18 PM
This wasn't a clay court match it was more like a hard court match between 2 players who served well but return of serve from both players was almost non existent in this match. I dont remember when was the last time we had 48 aces in 3 sets on clay. Federer didnt play well, Lopez served well but his return of serve was below average.
tennis2011 , 5/5/11 6:19 PM
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Nadal has to be wary of Delpo. Delpo has come into form faster than most expected.
As for Federer, luck and experience got him through his match against Lopez. He needs take more chances and play aggressive to get deep into the tournament.
ossieb , 5/4/11 10:50 PM