Roger Federer capped off an otherwise disappointing day for the top players in the world by outlasting Marin Cilic 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-4 on Thursday night during third-round action at the Rogers Cup. Fededer needed seven match points over two hours and 39 minutes of play to book a spot in the quarterfinals.
Neither man could break serve a single time until 4-4 in the third set, but Federer had a golden chance–or more like “chances,” plural–almost an hour earlier with his opponent serving at 4-5 in the second. Cilic faced six match points but saved all of them and eventually took the middle frame of play in a tiebreaker. The Croat seemed to be on his way to another ‘breaker in the third, but he was broken from 40-0 up in the ninth game.
Had Federer lost, the four top seeds all would have bowed out of Toronto on Thursday. The most surprising of all was Novak Djokovic’s loss–an emphatic one, at that–to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The Frenchman cruised 6-2, 6-2 in a mere one hour and three minutes, ending a streak of 18 consecutive sets dropped to Djokovic.
Had Federer lost, the four top seeds all would have bowed out of Toronto on Thursday. The most surprising of all was Novak Djokovic’s loss–an emphatic one, at that–to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The Frenchman cruised 6-2, 6-2 in a mere one hour and three minutes, ending a streak of 18 consecutive sets dropped to Djokovic.
“Congratulations to Jo,” the world No. 1 said. “He played some great tennis; served very well. He was obviously the better player on the court. I [didn’t play] even close to what I intended before going to the court. Just nothing was going; no baseline, no serve, no return. [It was] a very bad day; very poor performance. Couldn’t do much.”
No. 3 seed Stanislas Wawrinka also did not do much, as he went down to Kevin Anderson 7-6(8), 7-5. Wawrinka had a set point on his own serve in the opening tiebreaker, but he could not convert. This is Anderson’s second win over Wawrinka in 2014. The South African previously handed Wawrinka his first setback of the year after the Swiss had gotten off to a 13-0 start.
No. 3 seed Stanislas Wawrinka also did not do much, as he went down to Kevin Anderson 7-6(8), 7-5. Wawrinka had a set point on his own serve in the opening tiebreaker, but he could not convert. This is Anderson’s second win over Wawrinka in 2014. The South African previously handed Wawrinka his first setback of the year after the Swiss had gotten off to a 13-0 start.
“Playing him before and playing some of these guys a bit more regularly over the last few years definitely helps,” Anderson explained. “A little more experience in the bank. Often you get a few ups and downs; today I felt I played a really level match throughout.”
Tsonga annihilates World No.1. But Djokovic gave the impression he wasn’t particularly bothered!
I just came here to check the results. I haven’t been watching the matches. But it’s surprising to see that Novak lost of Tsonga, of all people.
If he isn’t bothered by this loss, he should be!
That 4-5 game in the 2nd set of Fed vs Cilic was some of the most dramatic, and best, tennis, I have seen all summer. High quality points from both players and some mazing match points saved by Cilic….super to watch on tv!
third set was good as well
Entertaining match played by both. Other than the many missed break:match points, that’s about just as good as Federer has ever played against worthy competition.
Fun to watch.
Tiggy picked Milos to beat Fed but I don’t see it all things considered. Cilic was much more consistent than Milos has played.
Djokovic was emotionally divested from his match. His win over LaMonf obviously took a lot out of him and he probably saw the rest of his draw as too much of a climb with Tsonga, Muzza, Dimi and Fed ahead. Draw was stacked against him from the start. He will get his focus back but in the short term, his mind is probably focused on his new family.
Tsonga physically looks better. Looks like he’s lost some weight in a good way and seems more mentally focused. That said, Muzza should win this based on current form shown so far in Toronto.
Last year, I’d like Ferru’s chances against Fed but their forms over the last twelve months have gone in opposite directions.
I predict a Muzza Fed final. Muzza will have to be on his game if Fed continues to play like he did against a vastly improved Cilic.