Nadal exit will not faze me, says lucky Fed
WORLD No2 Roger Federer dismissed suggestions that Rafael Nadal’s shock French Open exit was on his mind after coming within a whisker of suffering a similar fate in Paris.
The Swiss ace looked destined to follow his big rival through the Roland Garros trapdoor after going two sets down in a nerve-jangling fourth round clash with Tommy Haas.
Federer also faced break point at 3-4 in the third, but somehow the No2 seed clawed his way back to complete a thrilling 6-7 (4-7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 victory and set up a last-eight clash with Andy Roddick.
All eyes were on Federer securing a first-ever French Open crown following Nadal’s crushing defeat to Sweden’s Robin Soderling on Sunday.
But Federer, who has reached every Grand Slam quarter-final since his third-round loss to Gustavo Kuerten in Paris in 2004, insists he is focusing purely on his own game.
“Sure it was a big upset,” Federer said. “But the focus wasn’t on that. Of course the dream scenario is to beat Rafa here in the final but I’ve got to concentrate on my part of the draw and make sure I come through like today. Tommy Haas was very good today and that is where my focus was.”
While Federer enjoys a well-earned rest today after his three-and-a-half hour marathon, the focus is now on British No1 Andy Murray, who takes on Fernando Gonzalez, of Chile, knowing Nadal’s absence from the top half of the draw gives him a great chance of claiming a first Grand Slam.
Murray, however, seeded three, is taking nothing for granted and expects a tough task from the clay specialist as he bids to match Tim Henman’s semi-final berth in 2004.
“He’s got a huge forehand, serves well and loves clay – it will be difficult,” the Scot said. “He’s very unpredictable, which makes it tough to play against him. I have to play a very consistent match and keep the ball deep.”
In the women’s event, unseeded Romanian teenager Sorana Cirstea caused a huge upset, beating former world No1 Jelena Jankovic 3-6, 6-0, 9-7, although second seed Serena Williams eased past Aleksandra Wozniak 6-1, 6-2 to make the last eight.