Indeed he did, it was at the ABN Amro in Rotterdam
Benneteau also gave Federer massive problems at Wimbledon last year under the roof. He led Fed by 2 sets to eventually go down in 5
Roland Garros 2013
Well done Federer! My man Federer is playing like a winner.Euler wrote:Short lived excitement on this one!
"PARIS (Reuters) - Roger Federer's French Open campaign gathered momentum as the Swiss second seed eased past France's Julien Benneteau 6-3 6-4 7-5 to reach the fourth round in awe-inspiring fashion on Friday.
There was the usual array of running aerial forehands, gravity-defying drop shots and whipped backhands from the former world number one who booked a meeting with American Sam Querrey, the 18th seed, or French 15th seed Gilles Simon.
It was Federer's 57th win at Roland Garros and the Swiss is now one shy of Guillermo Vilas and Nicola Pietrangeli's joint record."
"Benneteau started with an exquisite crosscourt forehand winner and took the first game on Federer's serve but the Frenchman, who beat the Swiss in Rotterdam this year, could not sustain the pace.
At 3-3, Federer upped the tempo, winning 14 points in a row to snatch the opening set and he started the second in convincing style with some jaw-dropping shots.
The second game of the second set lasted just 45 seconds and Federer flicked a sublime backhand into Benneteau's feet to break decisively in the ninth game.
Benneteau continued to fight in the third, but Federer, who won the title in Paris in 2009, was simply too good.
He has now dropped 23 games over three straight-set victories.
"I'm happy because I have not used much of my energy so far," said Federer.
"I feel totally relaxed. Mentally I'm okay. I'm quite confident. I can feel it, which is what you need to be if you want to go deep and have good results here at Roland Garros."
'Are you f****** stupid?' Janko Tipsarevic goes mental at Roland Garros - http://jrnl.ie/934098
Big price drift on Nadal after another less than convincing performance. Big corresponding steam on Djokovic. Federer's price hasn't changed (still around 10-1).
Possible injury worry to Djokovic.
"Walking to his changeover chair at 4-3 in the third set of a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win against No. 26 Grigor Dimitrov, Djokovic stretched his right arm — the one he has used to win six Grand Slam titles — several times. He then was treated by a trainer, who applied ointment and gave Djokovic a massage near the shoulder."
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/ ... n-19306066
I'm really hoping for a couple of upsets to knock out Djok and/or Rafa before the final, clearing the way for Roger.
Possible injury worry to Djokovic.
"Walking to his changeover chair at 4-3 in the third set of a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win against No. 26 Grigor Dimitrov, Djokovic stretched his right arm — the one he has used to win six Grand Slam titles — several times. He then was treated by a trainer, who applied ointment and gave Djokovic a massage near the shoulder."
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/ ... n-19306066
I'm really hoping for a couple of upsets to knock out Djok and/or Rafa before the final, clearing the way for Roger.
I've had a nice little touch on Tsonga
He is playing well, he seems to have become comfortable with being France's great hope, and last year he was desperately close to beating Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
Tsonga is drawn to play Federer in the quarters, but that won't worry him, as he's beaten Roger in a Slam quarter-final before
I'm not suggesting he will win the whole thing, but once he's beaten Federer, he'll probably have Ferrer in the semi & he certainly won't be the 32.00 that he is currently
He is playing well, he seems to have become comfortable with being France's great hope, and last year he was desperately close to beating Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
Tsonga is drawn to play Federer in the quarters, but that won't worry him, as he's beaten Roger in a Slam quarter-final before
I'm not suggesting he will win the whole thing, but once he's beaten Federer, he'll probably have Ferrer in the semi & he certainly won't be the 32.00 that he is currently
Nadal continuing to drift alarmingly
Interesting to hear he wasn't at Roland Garros today. Rafa always practices at RG on his day off, not today. This means his knees are playing up, or he's so unhappy with his form, they are working on his game elsewhere
Whatever it is, Djokovic looks the business. I think 2.76 is looking very tempting
Interesting to hear he wasn't at Roland Garros today. Rafa always practices at RG on his day off, not today. This means his knees are playing up, or he's so unhappy with his form, they are working on his game elsewhere
Whatever it is, Djokovic looks the business. I think 2.76 is looking very tempting
OK, I admit I was crapping myselfLeTiss 4pm wrote:
I notice you waited an hour before posting that!
Something is definitely not right with Rafa or else we wouldn't see such a huge price drift. Slight doubts with Djokovic too over injury. The pressure goes right back on them today with both in action. This tournament is ripe for some uspets.
I am definitely having some doubts about Fed now and wondering whether I should get out of my position on Fed and perhaps put the cash on Tsonga instead as a big outside chance?
I think you're right that Tsonga could give Fed big problems; if Tsonga wins he'd have a clear run to the final, and if Djok and/or Rafa stumble on the other side of the draw, we could see a boil-over at the tournament with the Frenchman Tsonga taking it out?
It would be a rare tournament where the top players weren't nursing some kind of injury; it goes with the territory. My take on the top males is that Nadal is a moody grafter and only plays aggressive tennis well, so if he aint in the mood.... Djokovic had his mental conversion a couple of years ago and the hypnosis effect is wearing a bit thin but he is still a steady player. Federer is a class apart but he is aware that his age is very much against him, so he has to take things slower these days. Doesn't stop him engaging that famous 5th gear that sets him apart from the others. Tsonga's game rarely changes and he is a bugger to trade, often throwing it away when he is on top or delivering miracles when he is down and out.
As with all the top opens, the player that wants it the most will win.
As with all the top opens, the player that wants it the most will win.