2 Responses to rome03mantilla.federer

1. Voo de Mar says:

   April 26, 2024 at 2:18 pm

   Points won by each set: | 37-37, 29-21, 59-60 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   15 % Mantilla – 21 of 139
   17 % Federer – 18 of 104

   The biggest success in career of the 29-year-old Spaniard, the former Top 10 player, who was ranked No. 47 at the time. Untypical progress of the opening set: Federer had wasted break points (7) in four consecutive Mantilla’s serve, before being broken at ’15’ in the 12th game. The Swiss [5] opened up the 2nd set with a 2:0* (15/0) lead, but lost eight straight games. Then he won four games in a row, and put himself in a good position to win the 3rd set: he led 5:3*, then squandered a double set point at 5:4 (Mantilla’s BH return, and Federer’s FH error)… at 5-all occurred the longest game of the final as Mantilla survived after 9 ‘deuces’ saving seven break points. In the tie-break Federer led 5:3 once again, and blew his third set point at 8:7* in a consequence of his tentative BH slice that landed in the net. At 8-all Federer lost a rally despite two overheads, and sent his forehand long on Mantilla’s third match point. “It’s incredible. The biggest win of my career,” said Mantilla. “To beat such a strong player as Roger makes it extra special. I’ve played solid tennis all week and physically I’ve felt stronger as the tournament has gone on. It was far from easy and had he put some of his chances away it would have been a lot closer.” Federer’s first defeat after 12-match winning streak – his longest at the time… Mantilla won’t play another ATP final…

   Mantilla’s route to his 10th & last title (his 180th main-level event):
   1 David Nalbandian 6-3, 1-6, 6-0
   2 Mardy Fish 6-4, 6-3
   3 Albert Costa 7-5, 4-6, 6-1
   Q Ivan Ljubicic 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
   S Yevgeny Kafelnikov 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4
   W Roger Federer 7-5, 6-2, 7-6(8)

   # Kafelnikov was serving to beat Mantilla at 6:5 in the 2nd set but lost his serve at ‘fifteen’. The match lasted 2 hours 41 minutes – as long as the final.

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2. Voo de Mar says:

   April 26, 2024 at 4:04 pm

   One year later, as a defending champion, Mantilla defeats Ginepri in the first round 5-7, 7-5, 6-0 saving 4 match points from 1:5 in the 2nd set

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