Roger Federer powered his way to a routine 6-3, 6-3 victory over Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Friday afternoon. There was more drama between Federer and Fergus Murphy than there was in the actual match.
At one point a camera fell over just as Federer was about to put away an overhead. Murphy called a let, thus denying Federer the point, and the following ensued:
The 33-year-old Swiss is asking if Murphy speaks English, to which the chair umpire claims, “I can’t hear you.”
In another incident shortly thereafter, Federer hit a first serve, came into the net behind it, and put away a winning volley. After all of that happened, Berdych found the mark indicating the serve was long. Murphy agreed and called for the point to be replayed, citing that the Czech had “stopped” after hitting the return and before Federer stuck his volley. Replays showed absolutely nothing of the sort.
Nonetheless, the world No. 2 had no trouble setting up a semifinal showdown with either Rafael Nadal or Stan Wawrinka. After beating Berdych, Federer called Nadal the favorite to win at Roland Garros.
“Regardless of what anybody says to me, [Nadal] is the favorite at the French Open,” he said. “The guy has lost just once in 10 years.”
“Regardless of what anybody says to me, [Nadal] is the favorite at the French Open,” he said. “The guy has lost just once in 10 years.”
You tell ’em Fed!
Federer shouldn’t argue with the chair umpire over such small things.
rafaisthebest: Come on Nadal isnt the favorite to win French open after the way he lost to Murray at Madrid. Federer and Nadal support each other even when they arent playing well. its more like, you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. I guess Nadal will return the compliment and If Federer makes an early exit at French open, people start doubting Federer. Nadal will say something like that “Federer is still the favorite to win Wimbledon”, when in reality he clearly isn’t.
Is that why Roger complained about Rafa’s grunting and time between points?
Such fine support.
Rafa would say no such thing at this point in Federer’s career.
@64aces, I agree, Rafa is not the favourite to win RG 2015, Novak is. Vegas says so. For me, it’s not about how he lost in Rome, that is not the half of it. It’s because he has been playing poorly all clay season, period. However, I will hold my opinion on who will win RG 2015 after the Rome final on Sunday.
I think Rafa is peaking……….
^^meant to say, “how he lost in Madrid”
LOL never mind, don’t take it too seriously.
Don’t take tennis too seriously????
You cannot be serious!!!
FYI, pretty much anyone who posts on a tennis forum takes tennis too seriously.
(Those who claim otherwise usually are the ones who take it most seriously BTW.)
Smiley faces are an easy tell. 🙂
fair points, these
I wouldn’t mind if he wins French Open.
Why do you guys always get offended by any comments that you disagree with? I am saying Nadal isnt the favorite to win The French open. Federer always thinks he is, but based on his results this year he is no longer the favorite to win. Time will tell. We are going to find the answer soon enough.
Why are you being defensive @64aces? I do not see anyone responding offended up there, only banter. This is a sports blog for crying out loud, not the Vatican newsletter! Try not to take yourself too seriously dude…………….
this was a good call by Fergie. The other one was terrible.