Federer Almost Blows Gasquet at ATP HallePosted on June 16, 2006 World No. 1 Roger Federer continued to do anything but dominate in his second grasscourt match of the season Thursday at the ATP stop in Halle, turning back a stern challenge from former Nottingham grasscourt winner Richard Gasquet, advancing into the quarterfinals after a 7-6(7), 6-7(7), 6-4 win.
"It was very close," said Federer who made a total of 41 unforced errors. "It was played on a few points. It was a grasscourt match played from the baseline, and that was difficult for me." Other seeds into the quarters were (5) Tomas Berdych (d. Novak in three), (6) Tommy Haas (d. Seppi), and (7) Olivier Rochus (d. Safin from a set down 6-1 in the third). "I was a little bit scared, a little bit tense on the break points in the second set," Safin said. "Then the match slipped away. I should have been a little more aggressive." Two unseeded players also advanced into the quarters Thursday in Frenchman Fabrice "The Magician" Santoro (d. Clement) and Swede Robin Soderling (d. Pavel from a set down 6-0 in the third). Friday's quarterfinal match-ups are (5) Berdych vs. The Magician, (1) Federer vs. (7) Olivier "The Roach" Rochus, Soderling vs. (6) Haas, and (8) Vliegen vs. Mayer. |
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