Federer Denied Australian Open Title by Upstart Djokovic
Posted on January 25, 2008
A world No. 1 Roger Federer vs. world No. 2 Rafael Nadal final at the Australian Open was looking like a lock as of the semifinals, but now tennis fans will be treated with a glimpse into tennis' future when Serb Novak Djokovic faces unseeded French upstart Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Coming on the heels of Tsonga's upset of Nadal, on Friday at the Australian Open Djokovic shocked the flat-looking Swiss No. 1 in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6), keeping Federer at 12 in his attempt to tie Pete Sampras' 14 Grand Slam titles.
Federer looked untouchable early in the tournament, but fell off the table in the third round when he needed five sets to dispatch of unheralded Serb Janko Tipsarevic. The loss snapped Federer's Open Era record of 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals.
"Indescribable feeling to beat No. 1 in the world, probably one of the best players this sport has ever had," Djokovic told the crowd on-court after the match. "I'm very, very proud of myself."
Federer failed to draw on his usual transcendent play, failing to serve out the first set at 5-4, then dropping serve again at 5-6, broken four times in the match overall.
"It was a tough match, I thought," Federer said. "You know, a lot of ups and downs, like the usual matches we have against each other. It always comes and goes. But I think he made the more important points today. It was a bit unfortunate for me, but he did play well and served really well when he had to."
Djokovic jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second set, and the Swiss blew set points in the third before losing the tiebreak.
"I don't think I moved as well as I usually do where I'm in a position to hit passing shots as I like to hit them, even with my eyes closed," Federer said. "That wasn't the case here, except perhaps in the first two rounds."
Djokovic has yet to lose a set in the tournament.
The final marks an end to an era, the first Grand Slam tournament that Federer or Nadal will not win since the 2005 Australian Open. The Swiss and the Spaniard have accounted for the last 11 Grand Slam titles between them.
|
|
|
Quick Links
