Toilet Break Gives Federer New Life
Roger Federer was struggling against Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko when nature called. He had lost the first set 6-2 and memories of recent losses to Davydenko would have been on his mind.
Davydenko was playing at the top of his game and Federer was struggling with the sun. Off he went for his “comfort break”. After the match Jim Courier mentioned how the cameras followed him into the bowels of the stadium and he appeared not at all in a hurry.
There was a strategy behind this. Federer knew the sun was soon to dissapear behind the stadium roof and conditions would improve. It seemed to work for the great man. From 3-1 down in the second set he went on a blitz to win 13 games straight and take control of the match. At the end of his run he was 2-0 up in the fourth set.
Davydenko now took it to Federer and was able to break back. The match was again up for grabs with the score at 5-5 in the fourth set. In the end it was the world no. 1 and winner of 15 grand slam singles title who stepped up for the win. Federer beat the Russian 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5.
With the win Federer continued his amazing record or reaching consecutive grand slam semi-finals. The streak now stands at 23. You have to go all the way back to the 2004 French Open when Federer only made the third round to see him not at least reach a semi-final.
The last time Federer did not advance to a final from the semi was at the 2008 Australian Open when Novak Djokovic got the better of him. Before that it was the 2005 French Open and the 2005 Australian Open when he lost to Marat Safin in a memorable match.
Federer will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semi after Tsonga defeated the player he lost to in the 2008 final. The score was 7-6, 6-7, 1-6, 6-3, 6-1. The match was just the second time Tsonga had gone to five sets in his career.
Here is the tennis racquet used by Roger Federer. You can buy it now from Holabird Sports. If you do I receive a commission as an affiliate. For that and many other tennis related items click on the photo of the Wilson SixOne Tour 90 BLX Tennis racquet at left.
I must warn you that simply by buying the tennis racquet you will not hit like Roger Federer. I have actually used this racquet and it takes a perfect hit to feel the power that it offers. My crappy old racquet I normally use is a lot more forgiving.
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