World Tennis Magazine

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straight appearances

FEDERER’S SHOCK LOSS TO SODERLING ENDS RECORD SEMIFINAL STREAK

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Roger Federer’s record streak of 23 straight appearances in the semifinals of a major tournament is over.

Robin Soderling, the Swede who handed Rafael Nadal his first career loss at Roland Garros last year, defeated the world No. 1 and reigning French champion 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in the French Open quarterfinals Tuesday.

“It feels great,” said Soderling to ESPN2’s Brad Gilbert. “I love to play on his court…It feels great to finally win a match against Roger.”

Soderling, who lost in the final of the French Open last year to Federer by a 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4 margin, lost all 12 previous matches against Federer.

“I came close a few times,” he said to Gilbert. “One or two times I was a bit unlucky, but (today) I kept telling myself I could win.”

The last time Federer failed to reach the semifinals at a major came at the 2004 French Open, when he lost in the third round to Gustavo Kuerten.

The loss also may prevent Federer from tying the record for most career weeks ranked No. 1 on the ATP computer with 286 weeks, currently held by Pete Sampras. Federer will lose the top ranking to Nadal in the next ATP World Tour rankings on June 7 if Nadal goes on to win the tournament. Federer’s weeks-at-No. 1 tally currently stands at 285 weeks.

Soderling blasted his groundstrokes through the slow, soggy conditions on the red clay court against the 16-time major title holder. Federer was simply overpowered by the Swede.

“He played the match of his life,” said ESPN2’s Darren Cahill. “I think he played better than he did last year when he beat Rafael Nadal.”

Said Patrick McEnroe on ESPN2, “Federer did not give this up. It was taken from him.”

McEnroe called Federer’s streak of 23 straight major semifinal appearances, “Maybe the greatest streak in the history of men’s tennis.” Ivan Lendl and Rod Laver stand in second place in that category, each reaching 10 straight major semifinals.

Soderling will next face Thomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in Friday’s semifinals. Berdych beat Russia’s Mikhail Youzhy 6-3, 6-1, 6-2.

A SWEET SIXTEEN FOR FEDERER

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It’s a sweet sixteen for Roger Federer.

The Swiss maestro won his record-extending 16th major singles title Sunday, defeating Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13-11) to win the 2010 Australian Open and further extend his legacy as the greatest tennis player of all-time. The win marked Federer’s fourth Australian Open title, tying him with Andre Agassi for the most Aussie Open men’s singles titles in the Open Era (since 1968). The win was Federer’s first Australian title since 2007, after losing in the semifinals in 2008 to Novak Djokovic and in last year’s final to Rafael Nadal.

Federer’s “greatest of all-time” tennis resume now includes;

  • Six Wimbledon titles (2003-2007, 2010)
  • Five U.S. Open titles (2004-2008)
  • Four Australian Open titles (2004, 2006-2007, 2010)
  • The 2009 French Open title
  • 2008 Olympic Gold Medal in men’s doubles
  • 62 career ATP singles titles
  • 268 weeks ranked No. 1 as of Monday, February 1, including a record 237 consecutive weeks
  • 22 major final appearances – an all-time record
  • 23 straight appearances in major semifinals – an all-time record

“I’m over the moon about winning this again,” said Federer. “I played some of the best tennis of my life over the last two weeks.”

Federer was able to dictate play against the Scotsman, surprisingly off his weaker backhand wing, in the two-hour, 41-minute final. Murray served for the third set at 5-3, but was unable to convert, and held five set points in the tie-breaker but was unable to force the fourth-set and extend the match.

Murray’s loss prevented him from ending the 74-year drought by British men in Grand Slam tournaments. The last Brit to win a major singles title was Fred Perry, who last won the 1936 U.S. Championships.

Said Federer to Murray in the post-match ceremony, “You are too good a player not to win a Grand Slam so don’t worry about it.”

Murray was emotional in his post-match speech, choking up and on the verge of tears in disappointment. He quipped of Federer’s tearful speech after losing to Rafael Nadal in last year’s Australian Open final, “I can cry like Roger, it’s a shame I can’t play like him.”

Federer was also competing in his record-extending 22nd major final. Murray was the first British man to reach the Australian Open men’s final since John Lloyd, who lost the 1977 Australian final to Vitas Gerulaitis in five sets. Murray’s first and only other Grand Slam tournament final came at the 2008 U.S. Open, where he lost to Federer 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.

Despite the loss, Murray still leads the head-to-head with Federer 6-5 — Federer’s 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 win in the final of the 2008 US Open being the only previous match the two have played in a major tournament and their only other best-of-five set match meeting.