RG.9- Five Points from Oblivion

The House of Federer very nearly imploded on Court Chatrier today.

With neither Rafa Nadal nor Novak Djokovic around anymore, Roger Federer came into his Day 9 Round of 16 match against Tommy Haas as the player under a magnifying glass. As the new "favorite" to win Roland Garros, even he had to know that every point he played today took on additional importance in the grand scheme of things.

And, at the start, he played just as one would expect an all-time great staring history in the face to play. His tennis, at least on serve, was nearly spotless. Through twelve games in the 1st set, he'd yet to lose a solitary point on serve. Thing is, the score was 6-6. In the tie-break, he lost his first two service points. A few minutes later, he was a set down.

Pow! Talk about a shock to the system. So much so that it must have caused him to lose focus. After going up 4-3, 30/15 in the 2nd set, he must have seen his Roland Garros life -- and maybe his ultimate place in history -- flash before his eyes.

Down two sets to love, and battling to keep his head above water in the 3rd set, one couldn't help but wonder whether the Nadal upset had managed to infect the entire tournament, putting crushing pressure on all the potential champions left in the draw as they fully realize in the light of day the opportunity with which they've been presented. Even Federer, thirteen-time grand slam winner, is susceptible... and it looked like his incredibly lucky weekend might go for nothing.

But then Federer realized who he was, and Haas looked around and did the same. The German got within five points of bringing down the House of Federer in the 4th Round, but that was as close as he got. This Roland Garros could still go down the road of a final that will drive people away from their televisions -- Davydenko vs. Robredo, anyone? -- but it will go on from today with Federer still with an eye on tying Pete Sampras' slam record before heading off to SW19.

Federer won 6-7/5-7/6-4/6-0/6-2.

Federer's 2009 Roland Garros quest might end earlier than he'd wish when all is said and done, but it wasn't meant to end like this. Not today.

Whew!

Next up... Gael Monfils





All for now.

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