Roger Federer’s career didn’t end last night, but his U.S. Open did.
Hours after Andy Roddick was bounced out of tennis, the No. 1 seed Federer was bounced out of the U.S. Open in a quarterfinal stunner. The Swiss Maestro wasn’t so sweet, losing in four sets to hard-serving No. 6 seed Tomas Berdych, 7-6 (1), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 before a shocked crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The loss broke Federer’s streak of eight straight Open semifinal berths and opens the door for Brit Andy Murray to win his first Grand Slam event.
Afterward at his post-match press conference, Federer was as angry and downcast as anyone had seen him here in years, knowing this was a big damper on a resurgent 2012 after winning Wimbledon and reaching the No. 1 ranking. It’s one thing had he lost to Murray in the semifinals. It’s quite more embarrassing to fall to Berdych in the quarterfinals.
Federer knew this could be a beast of a match as he had split the last six meetings against Berdych, who pounded 14 aces. But Federer never expected this. He had never lost a night match at the U.S. Open, going 21-0, and the unsung Berdych had never played a night match at Flushing Meadows. Nor had he ever made an Open quarterfinal.
“I’m disappointed,’’ Federer said. “I really expect myself to play better tonight, especially at night where I have such a great record. I had such an amazing summer. I really thought I was going to come out and play a solid match.’’
Federer lost the first two sets and fell behind an early break in the third before rallying. But it was too little, too late. “I’ve got to go back to the drawing board,’’ he said.
The string of U.S. Open disappointments are mounting. Federer hasn’t won the Open in the last four years after winning five straight from 2003 to 2008. In 2010 and 2011, he blew match points in the semifinals. The Federer loss also spoils what would have been a classic Saturday rematch between Federer and Murray, who routed him at the London Olympics.
Federer’s forehand was spotty, mistiming shots off his frame in the first two sets. With his walkover over ailing Mardy Fish on Labor Day, Federer had not played a match in four days and the rust was evident. He had 18 unforced errors in the first set.
Federer downplayed the layoff, saying “I should have come in here with tones of energy and ready to go.”
In the second set, Berdych went up a double break at 5-2. Federer reached back to break him at love to close to 5-3, then held at love to get to 5-4. The fans were electric, sensing a turning point. But it didn’t occur.
Berdych served for the second set again and got it done. Federer shanked a forehand wide for 30-love, then Berdych bashed two straight aces, holding at love and taking a 2-0 lead in sets.
After Federer lit up the crowd in winning the third set, the players were on serve at 4-3. Federer was serving at 30-30 when his forehand clipped the net and caromed long. Berdych then closed the game with a rippling forehand crosscourt winner and served out the match at love, with two aces sprinkled in.
“There is no better moments than this one,’’ Berdych said.
Murray rallied from a set down and a double break 5-1 in the second set on the day card at Louis Armstrong Stadium to beat Marian Cilic 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-0. Earlier last night, Murray was asked about playing Federer and countered, “Tomas Berdych is a great player as well. Let’s show him respect too.’’