Belly flip time, Fed fans! Roger Federer needed four sets to beat Jose Acasuso today in the second round of the French Open: 7-6 (10/8), 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2. Federer went into the match with a 3-0 record over Acasuso, but the two had never met on clay. The cold, rainy weather made for molasses slow court conditions – just the kind the Argentine dirtballer needed to test Roger.
Acasuso had four set points in the first set tiebreaker and another chance in the third. Considering Jose won the second set, it’s not too harsh to say Roger “should have” lost in three.
“He did deserve a few sets,” Roger admitted in his post-match presser, though he was generally positive about his own performance.
“Well, I like easy matches,” he said, “but it’s also nice to fight on these difficult matches, especially when you win. Then it’s nice to talk about this match, but I have good experience here in Roland Garros on the center court.”
“Physically speaking, I was fine. I was fit. I can’t forecast any problem for the future, and the work I did over the last month pays off.”
“It was sort of a fun match to be part of, you know, with so many ups and downs.”
Fun for Roger, maybe, but agony for his fans! Especially in the third set, when Roger had to fight back from a 1-5 deficit.
Q: Were you a bit worried at 5‑1 in the third set?
ROGER FEDERER: Yes, a bit. But I was not afraid to die, so everything was okay.
Come on Roger, don’t be so selfish! Did you ever think about the trauma you put us through? Not to mention Mirka:
Roger did mention how important the support of the notoriously fickle French crowd was to his confidence:
“I had a standing ovation at the end, and that’s very moving each time. I have a feeling I’m the grand favorite here in Paris, and that’s very nice.”
“I’m not trying to seduce the crowd. I just try and play beautiful tennis. If they like it, great. If they don’t like it, nothing I can do. I also think being a fair player with regards to your opponent, with regards to the game, with regards to the people there, it’s very important to me, and this is something people seem to like.”
So what do we make of this, Fed fans? Was this just a detour on “the grand favorite’s” march to the finals or a sign of very bad things to come?
Roger will face either Paul-Henri Mathieu or Pablo Andujar of Spain in the next round.
Roger’s comments via rolandgarros.com
Roger having fun photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images via Daylife
Mirka not having fun REUTERS/Vincent Kessler (FRANCE SPORT TENNIS) via Daylife
Tags: Acasuso, ATP, Federer, French Open, Roland Garros, tennis
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I don’t think he’ll be such a “grand” favorite against frenchman Mathieu.
I was here at work during the match, torn between wanting to get my work done (and, surprisingly, I made it) and wanting to punch whatever happened to be within my arms reach.
I hated how vunerable Fed’s game seemed at times, but in the end I was very pleased that when his amazing skill seemed to be off on vacation, the man had a lot of heart and courage to dig himself out of that hole. Of course, it’s Acasuso, and we South Americans are very used to his headcase-y ways. Twitter was basically filled with “ok, when is Chucho going to choke? Because you know he will.”
Still, it’s good to know Roger “was not afraid to die”. Not being afraid to die is probably what ended up saving his life.
Ah, very well said, C.F. Roger did look vulnerable, but at the same time, he played some brilliant points. Same with Acasuso. Very up and down, indeed. Hope Roger’s back doesn’t bug him after that long fight.
And it will be interesting to see how the crowd treats Roger when he plays a Frenchman. We know how Safin fared. . .
Thanks for the South American report on Acasuso!
I was on Chatrier today (in the last row) to see Roger play and I was truly worried all the time, because Acasuso actually played really great during those 3 first sets, and he didn’t let Roger dictate the points at all. So I was starting to text every tennis fan I knew something like “OMG I’m scaaaaared”, but an Argenitinian who was sitting next to me just laughed at me, and kept saying even after the 2nd set and the double break that never on earth would Acasuso win this match, because he would obviously choke at one point. And I didn’t believe him (fans like to be worried apparently !) but I was so surprised (and relieved !) to see that it was actually what happenned !! Poor Acasuso, that’s a tough reputation… And apprently Argentinians don’t like him very much because they blame on him the loss of the Davis Cup…
ps : Sorry for my English, I’m French !
Why are you apologising for your English? As far as I can see it’s practically word perfect. I took French at school and there is no way I would be able to write like that in French now.
its too bad that Ben Affleck look alike is a choker.!what a waste!
HI whynotme! Great “on the ground” reporting! It’s funny that the Argentines would come cheer on their guy but still have no faith in him. I guess you are confirming C.F.’s comment, above – he’s just a known choker.
You are so lucky to be there! Please keep us posted on what you see and have fun!
Scary stuff, and gives ammo to the Fed haters and conspiracy theorists. My take: choking opponents is a dividend from being so dominant so long.
I was in school and followed the game on slamtracker and it was nerve wrecking. But how was his game, was it all bad? because the statics was actually pretty good with almost double up on winners and a very good first service percent. And I have just read on Roland Garros that Acasuso played the game of his life.
HI Mark! It wasn’t that bad, except for the when he was down 1-5 in the third. But Roger played some good tennis – it’s not just that Acasuso freaked out. It was a well played match and I’m sure Roger wasn’t fibbing when he said it was fun.
Roger, stop giving me heartattacks!! I’m so glad he pulled out a win. And I love that pic of Mirka. GO ROGER!
Fed didn’t play a shabby match in hindsight. Could’ve done with some better use of breakpoints, but Acasuso was taking it to the Fed. Nerve racking stuff. I thought we were headed down a Tipsarevic/Berdych path again. Also reminded me of the match against Feli Lopez at the USO two years ago for some reason.
But you know what, it’s good for Fed to get some workout now rather than in week 2. he’s been playing too many of the Karlovic’s/Stepanek’s during the clay season.
Mirka’s expressions during the match was PRICELESS. I was going through pictures of the match and laughing at all her pursed lips and raised eyebrows! Poor thang …
I worry about that baby if Mirka has to watch many more matches like this one. The adrenalin rush must be really something!