Oh yeah. Everyone’s going to be talking about this tomorrow. They already are talking about it. Roger Federer was in fine, beautiful, true FedEx form tonight as he quickly dispatched opponent Juan Monaco in three straight sets–in 80 minutes. After some inconsistent play recently, Federer showed he’s still got mad skills when it comes to execution and speed and elegance on the tennis courts. Sure, Monaco isn’t Djokovic, but he was a fast and hard-hitting opponent. Fed has been tweaking his game all week at the US Open, working hard at increasing his effectiveness at the net, cutting off those long rallies that tend to end with him backhanding into the net. He’s also firmed up that backhand, and considering the ridiculous wind conditions and even rain, his accuracy was mind-boggling.
After the afternoon Tsonga/Fish battle and the triumphant three-set, three-hour turnaround by Wozniacki over Kuznetzova, Roger and Juan didn’t get to take to the court until nearly midnight New York time. There was even a short delay as the officials debating something about the court conditions, leaving the players waiting in the tunnel, hoping the game wasn’t going to be canceled. Considering the 20,000 fans chanting for Roger, it would have been a pretty risky move to cancel the event, and the players were soon called out to the court.
I love that the highlight reel over at USOpen.org begins with the trademark smoothing back of the hair. He’s got to look good for his fans, of course. I suspect some of his opponents have lost points because they got distracted looking at Roger’s perfect hair–you know, those silky soft curls we all want to run our fingers through. *GUH*
Roger got to 5-0 in 12 minutes. The commentators were laughing gleefully, joking about Fed “obviously off his game due to the late hour,” and then cackling like schoolkids up past their bedtime. They and the audience were both loving how the cool, calm, gracefully efficient Federer was making sure he didn’t get home too late, and that he beat the rain that eventually fell from the monstrous storm clouds constantly threatening to delay the match. The game was so good, that even when the misting rain started dampening the court, no one even thought to delay it–after all, Roger was about to close it out in 80 minutes, and no one in the stands seemed to even notice it was raining. And Roger looked as unrumpled as ever.
One of the many highlights came when Roger closed out a game with four aces…in 51 seconds. The crowd went crazy. The commentators cackled with more glee. Fed fans everywhere wanted to hug, kiss and tackle him in ecstasy…or something like that. Our hearts were full of the Fed love, and he was loving the attention right back. He even hit a tweener on one shot, hoping to recreate a little past US Open magic. He didn’t quite get it there, but the crowd went crazy, and Roger chuckled along with us. Confident, sassy Roger is a Good Thing.
Monaco did manage to get himself in the match for a few games, and fought hard for points, but he simply got outplayed tonight. Roger was ready, he was on fire, and it was too tough to stop him. He hit winner after winner, playing all the widest angles, landing balls in corners and hanging onto lines by the tiniest bit of tennis ball fuzz. The commentators showed us a “serving clinic” courtesy of Roger–the video showing his precision placement of his serves was astounding. The man was a machine tonight. In 80 minutes of gloriously efficient play, Roger landed himself in his 30th consecutive quarterfinals of a Slam. If another sports writer asks him when he’s retiring, said person should be smacked. Really hard. With a tennis racquet to the head.
Here are some more shots of lovely Roger after his match, being interviewed for TV, and soaking up the adoration on the huge stage of the US Open. Beautiful man, beautiful play tonight.
Allez, Roger! Take that fire, take that immensely improved game, and take all of our squeeing adoration for you and bubble it in a cauldron to cast a decisive spell over Tsonga–it’s time for revenge, baby!!! XOXO
**You might also enjoy: Rafael Nadal: Anatomy of a Shirt Change
PHOTOS: Roger Federer vs. Juan Monaco Match, US Open Round Four, screencaps c2011 US Open.org.
Shriney is a freelance entertainment writer who contributes regularly to both big-name and little-name websites. She's also published some pretty dirty stuff in fiction. When she's not trying to make a living, she's perving over hot men, screencapping obsessively, and doing her best to share the SQUEE with like-minded women and men. She's been known to disappear for long stretches into the Dirty Old Lady Cave, where you are also welcome to book your own room.