Federer, Moya Dodge the Rain and Post Masters Cup Wins
Posted on November 18, 2004 |
| After his win over Lleyton Hewitt, Roger Federer remains undefeated against Top 10 players in 2004. |
The win was Club Fed's 20th in a row over a Top 10 opponent, but was viewed by only 500 or so fans who stayed late to brave the rains and area tornadoes.
"I played a good match, obviously not as good as at the US Open," said Federer, referring to the final where he fed the Aussie two bagels. "It's a tough second match after a long time, you know, to be at the same level like at the finals of the US Open."
In the earlier match Wednesday Carlos Moya defeated Gaston Gaudio 6-3, 6-4 in a battle of French Open winners on hardcourt, ending the Argentine's chance of reaching the semis.
Moya saved some early break points in the opening set, slowly finding his footing.
"It was very important because I wasn't playing very well at the beginning," Moya said. "And then I could hold my serve, and right after that I broke his serve. Then I start to play better and better. I think today I served very well and my forehand was very good, so I think that that was an important moment, to save those break points."
Moya also threw tournament organizer Jim "Mattress Mac" McIngvale a bone in regards to the rain in Houston and no indoor facility for the event.
"The weather, there's nothing they can do. It's bad luck," Moya said. "It's not the organizers' fault. They put a lot of money in. They made a great effort."
The win for Moya snapped a four-match losing streak, but things aren't looking up for the Spaniard, who went into worship-mode at the prospect of facing Federer.
"I have to forget who I'm playing with, just play my match and enjoy it," Moya said. "It's not often you get to play one of the best players ever."
The three doubles scheduled for Wednesday were all rained out.
On tap today in Houston is Coria vs. Henman with the loser facing elimination from the semis (Coria leads career head-to-head 3-1, including their only hardcourt meeting), Roddick vs. Safin (tied 2-2) in a battle of two players who will likely both advance to the semis out of the Blue Group, and Federer vs. Moya in a must-win for the Spaniard to stay alive for a semifinal berth.
Look to see if Club Fed has the killer instinct to put away Moya (who he has beaten in all four of their meetings) after already qualifying for the semifinals.
Scheduled for the doubles round robin are Bryan/Bryan vs. Bhupathi/Beast (to finish, Bryans lead 5-4 in the first), Black/Ullyett vs. Malisse/Rochus with the winner into the semifinals, and Knowles/Nestor vs. Damm/Suk.