Federer beats Soderling to reach Wimbledon quarters

Roger Federer defeats Robin Soderling in straight sets on Monday afternoon at Wimbledon. Next up for Federer is a quarterfinal clash against Ivo Karlovic.

Nobody beats Robin Soderling 11 times in-a-row? Roger Federer does.

Federer dispatched Soderling 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 on Monday afternoon to reach the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. With his 11th win over Soderling in as many tries, Federer booked a showdown with 6'10'' Croat Ivo Karlovic.

Soderling, whose most recent lost to Federer had come in the French Open final, joked during the trophy ceremony that nobody could beat him 11 times in-a-row. Federer clearly had other ideas. The world No. 2 was on fire in the first set, serving seven aces and no double-faults while striking 10 winners against only three unforced errors. Federer never faced a break point, so a single break was easily enough for him to seize a one-set advantage.

There were no breaks of serve the entire rest of the way; in fact there was not even another break point. Soderling matched Federer hold for hold, but the 12th-ranked Swede simply could not get the job done in the tiebreakers. Federer won both of the deciders seven points to five, ending to the proceedings in just one hour and 59 minutes.

Federer once again finished with ridiculous numbers. He hit 23 aces without double-faulting and sent 34 winners past Soderling, committing a mere eight errors in the process.

"When you play a player like Soderling, for instance, you know, who you've beaten already ten times in the pasts or you just play them very often, you know, it just shoots through your mind," explained Federer. "All the information is right there, you know, stored somewhere.

"I was expecting more baseline play, for instance, today. But I think you prepare particularly well for these kind of matches. You know, again, he's got nothing to lose. Grass is more dangerous than clay, let's say, that's why I knew there was danger all over."

Federer through to Wimbledon fourth round.........

Roger Federer defeats Philipp Kohlschreiber in four sets on Friday at Wimbledon. Next up is a rematch of the French Open final against Robin Soderling.

Roger Federer lost a set to Philipp Kohlschreiber for the first time, but extended his head-to-head record over the German to 4-0 with a four-set victory on Friday afternoon at Wimbledon. Federer prevailed 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-1 to set up a fourth-round showdown with Robin Soderling.

Federer rolled over Kohlschreiber in two previous grass-court encounters (in Halle in 2005 and 2008), and was doing the same throughout the early stages of this one. The world No. 2 secured two immediate breaks in the first set and held one without two much trouble despite giving one of the break backs.

Set two was even more straightforward. Federer added two more breaks and never faced a break point, winning 13 of 14 first-serve points. He committed a mere three unforced errors during the second frame of play, taking a two-set advantage with extreme ease.

Down to sets and with nothing to lose, Kohlshcreiber went for his shots and caught fire in the third. He fired 21 winners and just two errors, eventually winning it 7-5 in a tiebreaker after the two competitors exchanged one break of serve each.

But it was nothing more than a wakeup call for Federer. The Swiss took care of all four of his service games in the fourth set and used two breaks to close it out in routine fashion. A final service hold at 5-1 finished off the proceedings after two hours and 31 minutes.

"I thought it was a good match," Federer said. "I thought it was my best match of the tournament so far. I thought the rhythm was very high. We played a lot of tough points. I really thought, you know, from my side it was an excellent match."

Federer tells his Michael Jackson story

Roger Federer has joined in tributes to popstar Michael Jackson, recalling as a child he stood outside the hall at a concert held by the entertainer when he once came to Switzerland two decades ago.

"Back maybe in 1988 or 1989, he came to Basel", said the five-time Wimbledon winner. "I was outside of the stadium, because there was such excitement that he would come".

"I was still very young", said the 27-year-old. "I think I went there with my sister, and we just listened from the outside. I've always listened to his music".

"Obviously, I love his music. It's a very sad moment in the music world. He touched many people, same for me. But I'll obviously still listen to his music for many more years to come".

Federer crushes Garcia-Lopez, into Wimbledon third round

Roger Federer remains on a roll after defeating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in straight sets on Wednesday. Federer is safely through to the Wimbledon third round.

Roger Federer eased into the third round of Wimbledon on Wednesday afternoon, dispatching Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-2, 6-4. Federer needed less than an hour and half to set up a meeting with either Philipp Kohlschreiber or Ivo Minar.

Garcia-Lopez won a clay-court title one week before the French Open and was coming off a semifinal finish in Eastbourne, but Federer cooled him off in a hurry. The world No. 2 broke in the third game of both the first and second sets to seize quick advantages. He never faced a break point in set one and saved two in the second to take a two-set lead.

One break in the third was easily enough for Federer, who admitted afterward that was able to work on some shots late in the match with such a comfortable cushion. It didn't matter what Federer tried in this encounter; everything worked. The Swiss finished with 27 winners and just 10 unforced errors, including only one mistake in the final set.

Federer served at 64 percent, fired 11 aces while double-faulting twice, and won an amazing 45 of 48 first-serve points (94 percent).

"I didn't have to play my very best," Federer said in his post-match interview. "It was solid, which is what I needed."

Federer off to winning start at Wimbledon

Roger Federer eases past Yen-Hsun Lu in his Wimbledon opener on Monday afternoon. Federer will now face Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the second round.

Roger Federer's bid to regain the Wimbledon title got off to a successful start on Monday, as the five-time champion dispatched Yen-Hsun Lu 7-5, 6-3, 6-2. Federer needed only one hour and 45 minutes to set up a second-round encounter with Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

A competitive first set saw the two players exhange breaks of serve en route to 5-5. Federer then held for a 6-5 lead before his second break of the afternoon earned him a one-set advantage. The Swiss fired 15 winners to just four unforced errors throughout the opening frame of play.

Lu went away quietly after that, in part because Federer was in ruthless form. In a 26-minute second set, Wimbledon's No. 2 seed served at 77 percent and blasted 14 winners against a mere two unforced errors. One break was enough for Federer to take a commanding two-set lead, although he did have to save two break points during the second set.

Federer, who was once again close to flawless in the third set with 13 winners and four errors, lost only five points in his last four service games and never faced a break point. Two more service breaks allowed Federer to close out the proceedings on his racket at 5-2.

"I'm very happy with my first round," Federer said. "I thought it was a very solid performance, because that's what it took today against Lu."

FedeX in Wimbeldon.......

ROGER FEDERER:
" I snuck on to center court this afternoon to get a first hand look at the court with the new roof...I made sure I got a picture to share with all of you. Wimbledon is awesome! There is no place like it in the world! "

Some Great moments.....

Federer captures French Open, ties Sampras with 14 slams

Roger Federer wins the French Open on Sunday with a straight-set destruction of Robin Soderling. Federer completes the career Grand Slam and ties Pete Sampras with a record 14 major singles titles.

Move over, Pete Sampras. You've got company.

Roger Federer won his 14th Grand Slam singles title on Sunday afternoon, typing Pete Sampras for the all-time record by defeating Robin Soderling in the French Open final. With his 6-1, 7-6(1), 6-4 beatdown of Sweden's surprise finalist, Federer also lifted the Roland Garros trophy for the first time and thus completed a career Grand Slam.

Aside from the first point, which was an impressive baseline slugfest won by Federer, Soderling looked extremely flat throughout the first set. Clearly affected by Grand Slam final jitters, Soderling put in barely more than half of his first serves and struck a mere three winner's to Federer's 11. Federer broke in the opening game of the match and never looked back, finishing off the set 6-1 with his third break of the afternoon.

A crazed, flag-waving fan ran onto Federer's side of the court with Soderling serving at 1-2 in the second, but Federer shook off the scare and got back on track with a hold for 3-2. Both men held serve all the way through set two without facing a break point. Federer fired aces on his first three service points of the tiebreaker and seized mini-breaks on three of his opponent's first four service points to take a commanding 6-1 lead. The world No. 2 promptly finished it off 7-1 with his fourth straight ace.

With momentum fully in hand and one set away from history, Federer broke in the opening game of the third when Soderling flailed a forehand wide. The 25th-ranked Swede had a chance to get back on serve for 2-2, but he missed his first break point of the entire match when Federer abused a short ball with a cross-court forehand. Both players then held en route to a 5-4 Federer lead, giving the Swiss a chance to serve for the title.

Soderling suddenly earned a break point when Federer mis-hit a swinging forehand volley way long at 30-30. Federer saved it, however, when Soderling framed a forehand. A winning forehand volley off the Federer racket gave him his first championship point, and he promptly did it with a big first serve that Soderling dumped in the net.

"You taught me a lesson in how to play tennis," Soderling told Federer during the trophy presentation. "For me you are the greatest player in history."

"It's the most satisfying victory of my life next to my first Wimbledon," Federer said in an interview with John McEnroe. "Now the question is 'Am I the greatest of all-time?' We don't know."

Federer becomes the sixth man to complete the career slam (winning all four majors at least once). He joins Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, and Andre Agassi. Agassi had been the most recent player to accomplish the feat, finishing off his career slam at the 1999 French Open.

Federer faces Soderling with Grand Slam history at stake

Roger Federer is just one win away from completing the career Grand Slam and tying Pete Sampras with 14 major singles titles. Only Robin Soderling stands in his way on Sunday in the French Open final.

Roger Federer has been on the brink of defeat at least twice already at the French Open. Now he is on the brink of history.

Heading into Sunday's French Open title match, Federer is one win away from capturing the sole major that eludes him, as well as equaling Pete Sampras at 14 Grand Slam singles titles.

Standing in his way is not world No. 1, four-time defending Roland Garros champion, and arch-rival Rafael Nadal. Instead, it's previously-unheralded Robin Soderling.

Federer and Soderling have met on nine previous occasions, and Federer is dominating the head-to-head series with a perfect 9-0 record, including 3-0 on clay. They have played 20 sets in total; Soderling has taken just one. Their only prior Grand Slam encounter came in the second round of Wimbledon last summer, with Federer prevailing 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3). The two finalists most recently met at last month's Masters Series Madrid, where Federer scored a 6-1, 7-5 second-round victory.

Federer, of course, is a huge favorite on Sunday in almost every single facet of the game; most notably head-to-head history, Grand Slam experience, and mental strength. Soderling, however, arguably has the edge in current form at the French Open.

The 25th-ranked Swede dispatched Kevin Kim and Denis Istomin in straight sets before ousting David Ferrer in a fourth-set tiebreaker. Soderling then shocked the tennis world with a four-set triumph over Nadal, and he sustained that incredible momentum by blowing out Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets. He appeared to be on similar roll in the semis against Federnando Gonzalez, but after blowing a two-set lead, Soderling had to come back from 4-1 down in the fifth to reach his first Grand Slam final.

Federer has struggled almost every step of the way. After easing past Alberto Martin, the Swiss dropped sets to both Jose Acasuso and Paul-Henri Mathieu. The 13-time Grand Slam champion then came back from two sets down against Tommy Haas in the fourth round. In the quarterfinals, Federer was finally at his best in a straight-set victory over Gael Monfils. On Friday, Federer trailed Juan Martin Del Potro two sets two one, only to storm from behind once again and survive 6-4 in the fifth.

The competitiveness of Sunday's title match all comes down to Soderling. After all, we can almost be sure of what we'll get from Federer: solid play, flashes of brilliance, and at least a few stretches where his game compleltely breaks down from the back of the court. That has been the story of the entire fortnight.

With Soderling, all bets are off. The level of tennis he displayed against both Nadal and Davydenko is easily good enough to take Federer down and shock the tennis world for a second time. Yes, Soderling has handled all the huge moments of the past week with unprecedented mental fortitude. But a Grand Slam final is--to put it simply--different.

Is there a chance we could see what Marat Safin and Lleyton Hewitt did to Pete Sampras in the 2000 and 2001 U.S. Open finals, respectively? Sure, but the chances are slim.

Soderling should be able to take a set by playing with reckless abandon and connecting on his big forehands. In the end, however, he has never been here before and that will probably begin to show at the crucial stages of each set. Look for Federer produce his best tennis at the key moments and make history with his 14th slam title after four competitive sets.

Federer takes on Del Potro in French Open semis

Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro will square off at Roland Garros on Friday afternoon. With Federer seeking his first French Open and Del Potro in search of his first Grand Slam, a spot in the title match is at stake.

It seems like the stars have aligned for Roger Federer to capture his first French Open title and equal Pete Sampras with 14 Grand Slam triumphs.

World No. 1 and four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal is out of the way. So, too, are Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Only Juan Martin Del Potro, Fernando Gonzalez, and Robin Soderling stand in Federer's way.

It will be Del Potro who gets the first crack at Federer, and they will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers on Friday afternoon in the semifinals. Federer leads the head-to-head series by a perfect 5-0 score, including 1-0 on clay. They most recently met in the semis of the Masters Series Madrid, where Federer prevailed 6-3, 6-4. Their other 2009 encounter came in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Federer, who has never lost a single set to Del Potro, dominated that meeting 6-3, 6-0, 6-0.

Although the Madrid clash was far from encouraging for Del Potro, clay should give him his best chance of upsetting Federer. While it is the Swiss' least favorite surface, Del Potro should be just as formidable on the slow stuff as he is on hard courts. Two of the Argentine's four consecutive titles during the summer of 2008 were captured on dirt, and he upset Murray to book his place in the Madrid semis. The world No. 5 has been in stellar form this season regardless of surface, reaching at least the quarterfinals in eight of nine prior tournaments, including a title in Auckland and his quarterfinal appearance at the Aussie Open. In Paris, Del Potro dispatched Michael Llodra, Viktor Troicki and Igor Andreev--all without losing a set--before ousting Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four to reach the quarters. The 20-year-old then hammered Tommy Robredo in straight sets to clinch his forst Grand Slam semifinal.

In Federer, Del Potro will be facing by far his toughest opponent of the fortnight. The world No. 2 owns a 31-6 match record in 2009, a mark that is extremely impressive by almost anyone else's standards. For Federer, however, it leaves a little bit to be desired. If he was slumping earlier in the season, Federer got just what he needed by earning his first ATP title of the year last month on the clay courts of Madrid. He has certainly capitalized on that momentum in Paris, but not without a struggle. After ousting Alberto Martin, Federer dropped sets to Jose Acasuso and Paul-Henri Mathieu. The 13-time Grand Slam champion then came back from two sets down against Tommy Haas in the fourth round. In Wednesday's quarterfinals, Federer was finally at his best in a straight-set victory over Gael Monfils.

Their head-to-head record notwithstanding, Del Potro actually has the tools to give Federer some problems. The underdog moves extremely well for his size (6'6'') and blasts heavy groundstrokes off both wings. Nonetheless, Del Potro has almost nothing going for him as he heads into this matchup. Federer is immeasurably more experienced at this stage of a Grand Slam and there is almost no way his opponent will be able to block their past history out of his head. Del Potro's only realy chance is for Federer to endure a dismal serving day, thus getting opportunities to fire away at second serves.

Don't count on that happening. Instead, Federer should roll over Del Potro in straight sets for the sixth consecutive time. At that point, he'll be one win away from history.

Triumphant Federer into the semifinals..............

Roger Federer marched a step closer to capturing his dream title with a straight-set victory over Gael Monfils on Wednesday at the French Open.

World No. 2 Roger Federer is just two matches away now from his first French Open title, and with no Rafael Nadal in the way, he is the odds-on favorite do so. Federer has not had an easy path to the semifinals. He struggled somewhat in nearly every match he has played along the way – until Wednesday.

Gael Monfils hung with Federer through the first set. In fact, the Swiss started off the match needing to fight off break points. Once he did so though, Federer rolled through the rest of his service games until 5-5, when he sent a shot into the net to give Monfils another break point. An over-zealous forehand from Monfils sailed long to erase the chance.

The Frenchman earned himself his first set point in the tiebreak, but Federer erased it with a fantastic serve and volley winner. Monfils sent a passing shot wide to give Federer his first mini-break. The world No. 2 then captured the set with a volley winner.

The missed opportunity seemed to get to Monfils. He came out flat in the second set and immediately gave Federer a break of serve. The Swiss raced out to a 4-0 lead before Monfils finally got back on the board again. Federer never blinked as he pressed to a 6-2 second set and the lead.

The Frenchman put all he had into the third set in an attempt to stay in the tournament. Federer was clearly the better player, but Monfils was able to keep up until the game at 4-4. With the finish line in sight, Federer put heavy pressure on the Monfils serve, and was rewarded with a netted forehand for the break of serve.

Federer served out the match at love and he will take on Juan Martin Del Potro in the semifinals.

Federer back from the brink to win in 5

Roger Federer narrowly escaped the fate of world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, coming from 2 sets down to defeat Tommy Haas in straight sets.

Monday’s 4th round match between Roger Federer and Tommy Haas had it all – massive choking, a drastic change in momentum, an epic comeback and the customary vicious crowd support for Federer. The only thing missing was excellent tennis.

Federer played well enough in the first set. Haas could not get a bead on the Swiss man’s serve, so that up until the tiebreaker, Federer had not dropped a single point on serve. The fact that he had been unable to secure a break of Haas’ serve seemed a small obstacle. Unfortunately for Federer, he chose the tiebreak to have a concentration lapse. Haas was able to win 2 points in the tiebreak – enough to snag the first set from the world No. 2.

Federer went back to business in the second set. He took advantage of some weak volleying (a foreshadowing of things to come) from Haas to gain the first advantage in the set at 2-1. Federer rolled along fairly comfortably until 4-3 with the Swiss man up a break. Errors crept into Federer’s game and Haas pounced on the opportunity to get the break of serve back.

Things began to unravel fast for Federer at this point in the match. Haas played reasonably well, but Federer consistently hit the ball to the center of the court, clearly hoping that Haas would make an error. The German did not oblige and with more shanked errors than ever before, Haas broke Federer at 5-6 to take a two sets to none lead.

Perhaps Haas would have closed the match out in 3 sets, but a terrible missed opportunity to break Federer at 4-3 in the third cost the German his concentration and ultimately the match. Federer set up his first break point of the set on an over-hit Haas volley and finally he consolidated.

With a choke for the ages, Haas surrendered the final two sets, where he won just 2 games. Federer awaits the winner of Gael Monfils and Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals.