The History of Men's Tennis (Open Era)

(1)Rafael Nadal d. (3)Roger Federer 7-5, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-1  [3:40 h]

Federer and Nadal have made the first pair in the Open era to play four finals at one Grand Slam tournament (beside them, three finals at one major played only: Stefan Edberg with Boris Becker at Wimbledon; Federer verus both, Andy Roddick and Nadal at Wimbledon too; and Pete Sampras against Andre Agassi at the US Open). “Fedal” also equaled a record of Ivan Lendl, who faced (five times at one major – US Open) two players – John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors #
Federer began the final in a great style with a 3:0 (30-all) lead. I noticed that Nadal was unusually tense, maybe a bit afraid of Federer’s form after his sensational win over Djokovic. The Swiss was a dominant figure over the first 30 minutes and actually  2-3 centimeters decided that he didn’t win the 1st set 6-2… at 5:2* (adv.) he played a backhand drop-shot which was called correctly “out”, Nadal had only an illusive chance to win that point if the ball had been good… It was a crucial moment for the entire final, Nadal won the game with a powerful backhand passing-shot and came back to his standard eagerness after a timid start, in the meantime errors crept into Federer’s game. The Swiss was 30/15 ahead in the two following games, but Nadal since 2:5 won seven consecutive games, he even led 30/15 in Federer’s service game in the 3rd game of the 2nd set, eventually the former No. 1 stopped the streak of losing games with a help of three good serves. Nadal led 4:2*, Federer leveled up, but lost his serve again. In the 10th game  the rain came, Nadal wasted a set point with a forehand error and the rain was already so intensive that the chair-umpire decided to suspend the final. After a short break, Federer caught the momentum winning eight points in a row, he led 6:5* (15/0), and happened something quite characteristic then – a streak of successive points for one player, was followed by a streak of points for the other one – Nadal won eight points in a row too, which gave him a comfortable 4:0 lead in the ensuing tie-break; it was enough to get the tie-break seven points to three with a forehand winner (it’s 9-9 in their tie-break record now). Surviving a match against Nadal, being two-sets-to-love down is almost impossible, only Federer has done it so far, and it was a base for him to fight in the 3rd set, in which Nadal led *4:2. Federer showed once again his excellent technique, deceived his opponent with tricky shots a few times, and after taking that set, he had a triple break point in the opening game of the 4th set – Nadal managed to win five points in a row. He broke Federer to ‘love’ in the 4th game – Federer hadn’t too much in the tank to come back from a break down in second consecutive set. Nadal won relatively easily the next three games, converting the first match point as Federer sent a forehand long. Stats of the match.

‘Rafa’ celebrated his tenth major crown on the knees. He retains his position of the best player in the world for (at least) next four weeks thanks to the title and… Federer, who outplayed Nadal’s biggest current foe – Djokovic. Nadal has collected 46 career titles, including ten majors (he becomes only the fourth player to win at least 10 Grand Slam tournaments in the Open era ##). “As it often happens, he is the best on clay,” Federer admitted, “He proved it once again.” Nadal said: “It’s a big personal satisfaction to win this tournament, especially when you started without playing your best. My mind was open to change the situation, so that makes the victory probably more special. So in general, [I am] very, very happy for everything.” The Spaniard has tied Bjorn Borg‘s record of 6 titles at Roland Garros, but I’m disposed to value Nadal’s achievement more, because the Swede won his first two titles (1974-75) when “the best of three” matches were required in the first two rounds.

  Doubles final:
(2)Max Mirnyi/Daniel Nestor d. *Juan Sebastian Cabal/Eduardo Schwank
7-6(3), 3-6, 6-4

 * Cabal – the unknown Colombian – had not played a tournament at the main level before the Roland Garros 2011!

# The record-tying in majors, five Roland Garros meetings between Nadal and Federer:

2005, SF: Nadal d. Federer 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
2006, F:   Nadal d. Federer 1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(4)
2007, F:   Nadal d. Federer 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
2008, F:   Nadal d. Federer 6-1, 6-3, 6-0
2011, F:   Nadal d. Federer 7-5, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-1

## Players who have won at least 6 major titles (the Open era):

16 – Roger Federer
14 – Pete Sampras
11 – Bjorn Borg
10 – Rafael Nadal
8 – Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi
7 – Mats Wilander, John McEnroe
6 – Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg

# Only for the fourth time in the Open era,  top four seeded players met in the semifinals at Roland Garros (12th time overall in majors). The other interesting historical circumstances: Nadal and Murray joined a relatively modest group of pairs that met in all four Grand Slam tournaments whereas Djokovic and Federer made the sixth pair to play in three consecutive Grand Slam tournaments!

1st semifinal:
(1)Rafael Nadal d. (4)Andy Murray 6-4, 7-5, 6-4    [3:17 h]

A bilaterally high-quality tennis in the first two sets, both players had the same amount of winners (11 in the 1st set and 12 in the 2nd set); in both sets Murray was arguably close to win them, but “King of Clay” responded with his amazing stamina in the most important moments. He already led 5:1* in the 1st set, but the Brit had two break points to level at 5 games apiece – Nadal saved break points with long rally and serve & volley action. There were four consecutive breaks of serve in the longest 2nd set (73 minutes), Murray finally broke the streak, led 5:4* – Nadal easily held then, and won five games in a row. From 2:0* in the 3rd set, the defending champion was only trying to hold his serve. The level of Murray’s game slipped significantly, however, he had break points in three consecutive games (six in total). Nadal won the last game of the match to ‘love’, producing very good shots to finish all rallies (two forehands, one backhand and smash). The Spaniard said on a chance to tie Borg’s record of six titles at Roland Garros: “[I have] a lot of respect for the great Bjorn, but I am focus[ing] on try[ing] to play well. For me, is much more important [to] win Roland Garros than equal Bjorn.” Nadal celebrated his 25th birthday with a cake after the victory… Stats of the match

2nd semifinal:
(3)Roger Federer d. (2)Novak Djokovic 7-6(5), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5)    [3:39 h]

It was their third straight Grand Slam semifinal and eighth Grand Slam match overall, which place them just two matches behind the record holders, Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe! Djokovic before the match had an unusual long break between matches (four days!) because of Fognini’s walkover in the last eight. The level of tennis in this second semifinal was tremendously high throughout, Federer’s serve fantastic. In the 1st set, Djokovic led 4:2, at 5:4* he had a double set point when Federer saved the first set point, Djokovic was ironically laughing because he was caught “contre pied“. Both set points quickly evaporated due to Federer’s excellent serves. The Serb had also his chance in the tie-break – 5:4*, but Federer won the last three points and took the initiative at the beginning of the following set. Djokovic had been forced to save a lot of break/set points to avoid a ‘1-6’ or ‘2-6’ set, then had a break point at 3:5, only to see Federer’s ace. He raced into a 3:0 lead in the 3rd set and easily held his service games to the end of the set. The 4th and the last set was arguably the best among all seven sets played on the day, and the most thrilling as well. Djokovic broke Federer after five deuces at 4:4 (the Swiss had won his first four service games quickly), but couldn’t push the match onto Saturday (there was 9 p.m. and potential 5th set was impossible). Djokovic had two break points at 5:5, in the 12th game he was twice two points away from defeat. In the tie-break, Federer with the help of two good serves made a triple match point – the Serb saved them both, but at the third one, Federer served an ace down the middle (his 18th) and roared in ecstasy. 9:38 p.m. appeared on the on-court clock – it’s the latest finished match in the history of the tournament; by one minute has been surpassed a record established eight days ago by Chardy & Simon! “I’ve trained a lot during my whole life for these kinds of matches,” Federer admitted, “There was an enormous amount of pressure on Novak and he really played well.” Stats of the match

# Top 4 seeded players in Parisian semifinals:

1984: 1 – McEnroe, 2 – Lendl, 3 – Connors, 4 – Wilander
1985: 1 – McEnroe, 2 – Lendl, 3 – Connors, 4 – Wilander
2006: 1 – Federer, 2 – Nadal, 4 – Nalbandian, 4 – Ljubicic
2011: 1 – Nadal, 2 – Djokovic, 3 – Federer, 4 – Murray

# Pairs of players who have faced each other at all four majors (in parantheses – years between they did it):

(1985-1987) H.Leconte vs. A.Mansdorf
(1980-1989) J.McEnroe vs. I.Lendl
(1983-1989) J.McEnroe vs. M.Wilander
(1991-1993) S.Edberg vs. J.Courier
(1991-1994) P.Sampras vs. J.Courier
(1989-1995) P.Sampras vs. M.Chang
(1990-1995) P.Sampras vs. A.Agassi
(1992-1996) P.Sampras vs. T.Martin
(1994-2000) P.Sampras vs. M.Tillstrom
(1995-2000) P.Sampras vs. M.Philippoussis
(2004-2006) R.Federer vs. N.Kiefer
(2002-2006) M.Safin vs. O.Rochus
(2005-2007) D.Tursunov vs. T.Henman
(2001-2009) A.Roddick vs. L.Hewitt
(2007-2009) R.Federer vs. JM.Del Potro
(2007-2011) R.Nadal vs. A.Murray

# Three consecutive matches at all slams:

(US Open 1983 – Roland Garros 1984) I.Lendl vs. M.Wilander
(Roland Garros – US Open 1984) J.McEnroe vs. J.Connors
(Roland Garros – US Open 2003) P.Srichaphan vs. D.Hrbaty
(Wimbledon 2005 – Australian Open 2006) R.Federer vs. N.Kiefer
(Roland Garros – US Open 2008) J.Chardy vs. F.Gil
(US Open 2010 – Roland Garros 2011) N.Djokovic vs. R.Federer

1st quarterfinal:
(2)Novak Djokovic d. Fabio Fognini w/o

Fognini [49] suffered an injury (left leg) during his epic win over Albert Montanes and decided to pull out of the quarter-final match against D’Joke. It’s the first case at Roland Garros in the Open era that a player gives a walkover in the last eight or onwards (the last time in Paris, it occurred in 1965 when Cliff Drysdale received a walkover from Thomas Lejus at the same stage of the tournament). It means that the Serb is just one win away from reaching the No. 1 in the world – he has to win his semifinal match; if he wins, he will equal McEnroe’s record of the most winning matches to open a year (42). “I have a small muscle tear and the doctors have decided that I should not play” said Fognini – the first Italian man to reach the Roland Garros quarter-finals since Renzo Furlan sixteen years ago.

2nd quarterfinal:
(3)Roger Federer d. (9)Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3) [2:34 h]
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It was their third meeting on Centre Court in Paris in the last four years. Both previous encounters (semifinal in 2008 & quarterfinal in 2009) Federer won easily. This time wasn’t otherwise out there, although Monfils is a better, more matured player… Federer served less aces than usually (only 4), but his 1st serve average speed was very good – 194 kmh – which definitely helped him in windy conditions, along with the forehand that was functioning very well throughout the match. Monfils couldn’t force Federer to play more from the backhand side, the Frenchman didn’t risk anything at 30-15 in two Federer’s important service games (“Lamonf” leading 5:4 & 6:5). Federer wasted six break points in total at 4:4 & 5:5, but stayed focused and won the tie-break convincingly on the third match point with a solid forehand winner. Federer on Djokovic: “He’s been playing fantastic this season, so I know I have to play some of my best tennis. I have a couple of days to prepare for that and come up with a good game plan.”

3rd quarterfinal:
(1)Rafael Nadal d. (5)Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-1, 7-6(3) [2:35 h]

Nadal and Soderling met on Centre Court in Paris for the fourth time #. It was almost a copy of their last year’s final. The only difference this year – 3rd set, in which Soderling had his slim chances. Nadal won easily first two sets against the shaky and tentative Swede. The defending champion led *2:0 in the 3rd set, but Soderling relaxed himself and made a ribreak, later on had three break points at 5:5. It was a time when Nadal was pushed to a deep defensive and all depended on Soderling’s winners/unforced errors ratio. “I am through. I’m in the semifinals, so that’s the thing,” Nadal said, “I have to be playing better and better every day if I want to have chances to win the final and that’s what I’m going to try.”

4th quarterfinal:
(4)Andy Murray d. Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6(2), 7-5, 6-2 [2:53 h]

This match was playing on Court Suzanne Lenglen, concurrently with the Nadal-Soderling encounter. Murray won his first match point just ten minutes after Nadal celebrated his advancement to the semi-finals. It was a quarter-final consisted of long rallies on a regular basis. Initially, better dealt with them Chela (4:1 in the 1st set with two breaks), but Murray implemented successfully drop-shots over time. It allowed him to mix the pace, and the confused Chela made a double fault on his third set point. The Brit took the tie-break easily and dominated the next two sets. Chela admittedly won five games in the 2nd set, but Murray already had set points serving at 5:2 in that set… The Argentinian had a better tournament than he could expect, but worse for him is the fact that he has confirmed his status of the eternal quarter-finalist ##. Just like Nadal and Soderling, Murray and Chela met in Paris for the third straight year (!) – Murray has won seven meetings in a row against the Argentinian veteran.
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The prospect of the Friday semi-finals is great: four best players in the world, Nadal fights to maintain his No. 1 position and (if wins) tie Bjorn Borg‘s record in number of the French Open triumphs; Djokovic tries to become the new No. 1 and (if wins) overcome John McEnroe‘s record of the most consecutive wins to open a year!

# Four matches between Nadal and Soderling on Philippe Chartier Court:

2006, 1R:  Nadal d. Soderling  6-2, 7-5, 6-1
2009, 4R:  Soderling d. Nadal 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-6(2)
2010, F:     Nadal d. Soderling  6-4, 6-2, 6-4
2011, QF:  Nadal d. Soderling  6-4, 6-1, 7-6(3)

## Chela’s quarterfinals in the most prestigious events:

Masters 1000: 2002 – Miami; 2003 – Monte Carlo, Madrid; 2004 – Indian Wells, 2005 – Hamburg; 2007 – Indian Wells, Miami, Rome
Grand Slam: 2004 – Roland Garros; 2007 – US Open; 2011 – Roland Garros

The highest ranked player born in the 70’s – Juan Ignacio Chela [34] prevailed in five sets against qualifier Alejandro Falla [120], who was trying to join Thierry Champion, Adrian Voinea, Filip Dewulf and Marcelo Filippini as the fifth player to reach Roland Garros quarter-finals after playing the qualifying tournament. The Colombian was pretty close, leading two-sets-to-one he squandered four break points at 4:4 – Chela saved two of them ripping forehands. The 31-year-old Argentinian won 4-6, 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-2 in 3 hours 55 minutes. Chela has won his last 7 five-setters, it’s intriguing that he had lost the first eight five-set meetings  and was one game away from losing another one, when the luck suddenly changed its direction!
The same amount of time on court spent Andy Murray [4] and Viktor Troicki (two-day battle, suspended at 2 sets apiece). Troicki [15] led 5:2 in the 5th set, ’30-0′ serving in the following game, but more patient and clever tactically Brit survived 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5. It was a weird match overall, Murray started it with a 0:5 deficit (three breaks of serve), then had two break points to level at ‘5 all’. In the 3rd set, Serbian player led 3:2 with a break when the momentum shifted. “I was a bit nervous and didn’t go for my shots at those points, and he took advantage of it,” Troicki said, “Definitely one of the toughest losses in my career.”
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Robin Soderling won their matches without any serious troubles. These three guys presented the best form in the four rounds (Federer as the only one hasn’t even dropped a set). Rafael Nadal doesn’t impress this year, he now faces Soderling in a repeat of last year’s final.  “I have improved since the tournament started. I’m able to play better and I’m going to continue on this path,” said Nadal adding on his next match, “For me it will be a tough match. He’s played two finals here at Roland Garros, so he knows what this means.”
A match between Gael Monfils [9] and David Ferrer [7] on Court Suzanne Lenglen was stretched over two days due to darkness. The match was suspended with Ferrer leading 2:0 in the 4th set. Monfils losing the first game after the resumption, strategically tanked the set, but came back to his his standard attitude at the beginning of the 5th set and got a break to lead 3:1. Serving at 5:3 he had a double match point, another match point at 6:5. Tenacious Ferrer had a moment of hope in the 13th game, but Monfils fought off a break point with a service winner. In the following game he passed the Spaniard twice, broke him to “love” to notch a 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, 1-6, 8-6 victory in 4 hours 7 minutes. Monfils is the second best 5-set specialist (behind Nadal) among players who have played at least 10 five-setters. Ferrer, once the second best, has currently lost 4 five-setters in a row, including two to Monfils #.

Longest match:
4 hours, 22 minutes: Fabio Fognini d. Albert Montanes 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 11-9

Most aces:
12 – Andy Murray, defeated Viktor Troicki in five sets

5-set barometer:

13-9 David Ferrer
11-5 Andy Murray
9-2 Gael Monfils
7-8 Juan Ignacio Chela
6-2 Albert Montanes
5-5 Fabio Fognini
5-5 Viktor Troicki
2-4 Alejandro Falla

# Two five-setters between Gael Monfils and David Ferrer in France:

Davis Cup QF, 2010 (Clermont-Ferrand): Monfils d. Ferrer 7-6(3), 6-2, 4-6, 5-7, 6-4 – 3 hours, 57 minutes
Roland Garros 4R, 2011: Monfils d. Ferrer 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, 1-6, 8-6 – 4 hours, 7 minutes