わいたろうの趣味を探す旅


還暦まで続くような趣味を探しています。
現在は、現役テニス界のLegendといわれているRoger Federerのツアー記録を主に記してます。
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09Cincinnati 優勝!

Western & Southern Financial Group Masters
ATP WORLD TOUR 1000
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A

Final
[1] R Federer (SUI) d [4] N Djokovic (SRB) 61 75

数あるハードコートの試合をやってきて久々のマスターズ格の優勝。USOのプレイを見てファンになったせいか、アウトドアのハードコートで優勝する姿が一番好きです。ハードのアウトドアでマスターズ格を優勝できたのって一昨年のトロント以来ですかね。

SF、Finalとここ最近負けこんでる相手に勝てただけによりいっそう嬉しさが(^^
不安要素と苦手意識がなくなりました。


モントリオールからつけてるこの時計。Rolexのデイトナかデイトジャストっぽいなぁ。文字盤がもっとはっきり見えるといいんだけど。
そういえば春先のアブダビでつけていたイエローゴールドの時計はちょっとロジャーには似合わなかったな。。。

1st set(61)
RF KBKBK K
ND       K

昨日に引き続き出だしからロジャーのショットは安定してました。わいの頭にはSFでジョコビッチがナダルを押さえつけるほどのショットをどかどか放っていたので、ロジャーがどうかわすかということがありました。しかし、蓋を開けると昨日のジョコビッチのショットをロジャーがやっているように見えました。
2ndゲーム、ジョコビッチのサーブをきっちりリターンし、ラリーでミスなく打ち込むことで15-40とさっそくBPがきました。ロジャーは自分のショットフィーリングが良いことを確認し、ジョコビッチの調子、特にサービスがあまりよくないと見るや否やポイントリードするとプレッシャーを絶えず与えてるようなプレイをしてました。ラリーからフォアのダウンザラインで優位に立ちドロップショット+ボレーでポイントをとるなどジョコビッチのメンタルをぐらぐら揺らしてました。GP3つ、BP7つを迎えたあとブレイクに成功。
長いゲームをブレイクしたあとの3rdゲーム、40-15からワイドのサービスエースでさくっとキープ。3ゲームこなした状態でUEはロジャー:ジョコビッチ=2:11、数字だけでもプレッシャーを感じる安定感。
4thゲームもその勢いはとまらずネットに出るなど打開策を見つけようとするジョコビッチにバックのダウンザラインでパスしたり、フォアのドロップショット+ボレーで前後に動かしたりし、2ブレイクアップに成功。

まったく付け入る隙を見せないロジャーに安心してました。
モントリオールでの不甲斐ない負け方を見てから元気なロジャーが見たくて05年のシンシィのDVDを引っ張り出して見てましたが、今回のSFとFinalはそれよりも状態が良いように見えました。
これなら今年のMIAMIのような崩れ方はないなと思いました。

5thゲーム中、BaselineでのポイントWonがロジャー:ジョコビッチ=16:3というデータがでました。圧倒的です。それを象徴するかのようなLoveゲームキープでした。
6thゲームではジョコビッチの1stサーブが入るようになってきて、2ndセットは少し流れが変わりそうだと思いました。
Serving for the setの7thゲームではジョコビッチがねばりのアングルショットを繰り出してきましたが、ロジャーが落ち着いてダウンザラインに切り返し、流れを譲りません。センターのサービスエースや、フォアのダウンザライン強打、バックのスライスで同じテンポで打たせないロジャーならではのタクティクスでポイントし、1stセット先取しました。

1stサービスの確率が48%と今大会通してよくないですが、まったくピンチがないセットでした。
そりゃそうですよね。だって、1stサービスWonが89%、2ndサービスWonが80%ですから(^^;
一方ジョコビッチは1stサービスの確率が81%に対し、1stサービスWonが55%、2ndサービスWonが14%と攻めるサービスではなく入れるサービスをしていたのかなと思いました。この辺をロジャーが感じ取ってリターンゲームでロジャーは攻めていたのかもしれません。

2nd set(75)
RF    KBK K KBK
ND KBK   K K

1stゲーム、Loveゲームでジョコビッチがキープすると、2ndゲーム、ロジャーのUEが出始めました。30-40とBPを握られた後、フォアのダウンザラインでエース、センターへのエース級でGP1度はとりましたが、スマッシュを返されたりして3回目のBPでブレイクされてしまいました。

フォアのダウンザラインをバックアウトしたときリュティがロジャーにアウトと示しました。ロジャーがファミリーボックス見るときって大事なポイントとったとき、セットをとったとき、勝ったときだけ見るものだと思ってましたが、他の選手同様微妙なボールのときはアウトかどうかチームに確認するんですね。

4thゲームはサービスを修正し、1stサーブを全て入れてLoveゲームキープ。2ndゲームはブレイクされましたが、1stサーブが入らなかった以外は特に悪いポイントの落とし方はしてなかったのでプレイレベルがダウンしたわけじゃないと思いました。
5thゲームでリターンをきっちり返すようにすると、パス、バックハンドの強打でポイントにして15-40からブレイクバックに成功。
2-3とした6thゲームではDeuceにもちこまれましたが、ラリーからフォアのダウンザラインで優位に立ち、逆クロスでしとめ「C'mon!」。ワイドのサービスでキープ。振り出しに戻しました。
7thゲームでは30-40、40-A×2と三度ブレイクチャンスがありましたがブレイクできませんでした。
10thゲーム、フォアのミスヒット(ラインにのってイレギュラーした?)で今度は30-40とロジャーがピンチ。しかし、ワイドへ2つ良いサーブが入り逆転キープ。
11thゲーム、トップスピンでショットし続けアングルショットで決めたかと思えば、スライスでスローペースに持ち込むなどして30-40とブレイクチャンス。これはとれませんでしたが、Deuceを三度迎えたあとジョコビッチのドロップショットがネットにかかり40-Aと再びチャンス。これをブレイクし、Serving for the matchを向かえました。
最後はフォアに振られたボールをぎりぎり返し、ジョコビッチのスマッシュをカウンターでパス、このディフェンスから1stポイントをとり、そこから三連続1stサーブを叩き込みLoveゲームキープ&ゲームセット。

ジョコビッチが復活してきましたが、少しもあわてず、ゲームを支配してました。
この仕上がりを見ると、やっぱりモントリオールは準備不足でしたね。でも、そんな中QFまで勝ち上がったのは見事でした。
良い形でUSOを迎えることができました。

プレスインタビューです。

Q. With the debate of the greatest of all?time, obviously with you winning the 15th slam and all that, Laver said you can’t compare eras. If you had to answer the question in terms of criteria to determine who the greatest of all?time would be, how would you go about answering that? Not adjust a player, but what to you constitutes the greatest of all?time in the sport of tennis?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I guess you gotta to be winning many titles and being at the top for very long. You know, dominating I think is also part of it. Yeah, I mean, I think that’s about what it is, you know. Having streaks, you know, no matter how they are, you know. If you’ve been able to create stuff that maybe hasn’t been done before.

Then again, Laver is not on the wrong side. It’s hard to compare eras, and that’s why we don’t know who it is.

Q. It would be natural to lose focus a little bit after a milestone win at Wimbledon, after becoming a father for the first time. You clearly haven’t if this week was an indication. How do you think you’ve been able to manage that?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I think I had sort of a good mindset and I had a good nine months to get ready for it, which helped. You know, Mirka was great burg the pregnancy, so I kind of knew that when the babies arrived that she’ll be relax and she’ll be, you know, great support and she won’t mind the traveling if it’s necessary.

All os that I think contributes to me to be free in my mind and being able to do, you know, what I do best. You know, the hard work I put in again in between Wimbledon and Montreal, you know, people don’t know about, but things went great. You know, I was three weeks at the hospital, but I also went for practice, you know, almost every day except obviously during the time of the birth and right after.

But that was all great, you know. My condition trainer was really happy with the work I put in, and with Severin we were really precise on what we wanted to work on. We had Stefan Koubek come over from Austria and had a great practice week.

All of that I felt like ?? actually I’m playing very well at the movement. Of course I was always going to be confident after winning, you know, those big titles in a row. I felt like my game was already pretty well in practice already, so I knew when I was coming over here it was just not just to show up, but to really do something. I mean, that it already paid off so quickly I’m a little bit surprised, you know.

But it’s been great, and now I look forward to New York.

Q. You mentioned in the awards ceremony with Mary Joe how happy you are in your personal life. You said it’s perfect. Is there a direct correlation between that and how well you play?

ROGER FEDERER: Sure, I mean, it helps if you’re happy in your personal life. Then again, when I walk on the court it’s all tennis. I have to sort of be able to block things out that happened off the court.

I want to have fun out there. I love playing in front of sell?out crowds. If you don’t get a high from then something’s wrong with you and you better retire. I don’t ever have that feeling, and I’m sure I will never get that feeling. Walking out on center court is a great feeling.

So then in away connected, but not really. Then when the match is over, then you do your personal life and you see how you try to juggle both things best. It’s not always easy, but by now I have some experience so it’s not a problem.

Q. How special is this title for you? It’s your 61st of your career and your first as a new dad.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I think that’s the special part, especially winning for the first time as a dad. It’s a great thing. Gets me going emotionally a little bit, because I know it’s been a wonderful summer. And going through all of what I’ve been through and then now right away having success again, it’s a great moment in my career again.

You know, Mirka couldn’t unfortunately be in the stadium today, but I know she was watching and happy for me. You know, it’s good to have a week with her to really hang out in New York before playing some more matches.

Q. Is this title any different than the previous ones since you became a father?

ROGER FEDERER: I mean, I think I played very well, you know, throughout the tournament. But I think it was quite similar to a few years ago when I think I also won here against I think Blake one year in the final and Roddick in the final.

In all the years I’ve come here I’ve always sort of struggled early on but then got on a roll, and it was the same again this year. I mean, like I said, this is a special year for me to win the first title as a dad. But it’s also my first Masters Series win again on hardcourts since a long time.

I’m happy I was able to win here in Cincinnati, my first Masters 1000 on hardcourt again.

Q. Do you ever let your opponents relax?

ROGER FEDERER: What do you mean? They are relaxed.

Q. Is there a point in the match where a point is not as difficult for them as it is at any other time? Do you always stay after it every point?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I think that’s what you gotta do to stay at the top, because it’s windy at the top. You know, you’re a little bit off your mark and off your game. You know, you won’t win those matches. It looks convincing 6?1, 7?5, but if a few points go here or there or your focus is not right on breakpoint, then you’ll be broken.

Actually maybe you are the better man, but you end up losing because you’ve lost focus on the biggest points. That’s why you always got to push yourself on each and every point. My game allows me to mix it up and make it hard for the opponent, that he doesn’t know what’s coming. That’s what I’ve done best for so many years now.

Q. One of the other things you said on court was that you are quite lucky to be here because the girls came earlier than expected. When were they supposed to come?

ROGER FEDERER: Beginning of August.

Q. Could have been difficult.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I guess I would have come here, but then without the girls and without Mirka. You know, so that’s the way it went.

Q. Going into next week’s US Open, how would you assess your current confidence level as opposed to going into the US Open this time last year?

ROGER FEDERER: Just a little bit different just because last year we didn’t have the break we usually have in between Wimbledon and Canada. Instead of having, you know, let’s say two weeks off, two weeks practice, I ran from like, you know, one week off, five days practice, and off we go to Canada. Cincinnati I’m trying to hang onto my No. 1 ranking. And then we run to China and some to the US Open, and here we are, you know.

I was lucky enough that when I got to the New York that the fans were I think really there trying to push me back to No. 1 right away. They were great, you know. Like all the cab drivers and everybody was stopping to wish me luck. It was something that I’ve never really experienced before in New York.

I think that really helped turn it around for me. Because after having the disappointment at Wimbledon, even though I played great ?? and also in Beijing where I actually played all right, but also didn’t win that. I was sort of disappointed coming into the US Open, even though I won Olympic gold in the doubles. For the singles that maybe didn’t really help that much.

The fans for me really turned it around, and that’s why this year I’m so excited going back there. I’ve had even better results, so I hope I can again show them what I can do on a tennis court.

Q. How would you compare this tournament to the other stops on the tour? What do you appreciate about Cincinnati the most?

ROGER FEDERER: I think it’s sort of a quiet tournament in between the big majors we have or the big cities we sometimes have. It’s nice to have it a bit more calm at times. I like that change. You know, the players like coming here. They really try hard to put on a good event.

I think the stadium is fantastic to play in. It’s always a good atmosphere. It seems like people really come here for ?? maybe it’s a weekend, maybe it’s an entire day, but then they stay all day at the grounds. Wherever you go practice or walk out, they’re waiting for you.

That’s not always something that happens, because in the big cities they come watch the match and they leave. They go for dinner or go somewhere else. Here, they always stay at the courts, which is quite different.

I think that’s why they’re very tennis fanatical here. For the players, it’s awesome.

Q. Tiger will be in the New York area next week for a tournament. Have you texted or talked about getting together at some point?

ROGER FEDERER: I didn’t know, so thank you for the hint. I’ll contact him and see what he’s up to.

Q. Do you have a friendly rivalry with him just in terms of like you’re one major ahead of him now. Do you guys give each other grief?

ROGER FEDERER: It was more like when we met for the first time. The first few years were very like, all right, I’m up on you. And I was like trying to catch up, but I knew I was never going to because I thought he was gonna to always stay ahead.

Of all of a sudden he had his long injury, and that allowed me to catch up and even pass him. Ever since it’s sort of calmed down. But of course I support him as much as I can, and him the same thing.

So we’re always happy when we win titles, especially majors. I think it’s gotten to a really fun rivalry.

Q. Seems like your serve is back to its very best. Is that something you’re most happy with?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, it’s just good to know that when I need a good serve I can hit it, you know, whereas maybe last week I still had some muscle pain just from coming back on tour. Pounding the big serves your arm gets heavy and stuff.

That’s stuff you just have to go through. That’s why I’m happy I was able actually to also come to Montreal and one of the reasons I was able to win here. I got the muscle pain out and got used to hitting big serves again.

I have no back problem and pain, so that allows me again to play freely and focus on the way I want to play and not the way I have to hit the shot. That’s a big difference today than a few months ago.

Q. 3?3 in the second set, you had a fantastic dropshot that kind of got the crowd going. Was that a big momentum changer? The first set you kind of had a relatively easier time compared to the second set. Talk about your performance in the second set. And also, did you feel that Djokovic maybe increased his level in the second set to make it tighter?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, yeah, I mean, my focus is on my own game. I mean, Novak plays good or bad, for me, I try to weather the storm if he plays better. But I was happy the way I came out of the blocks again. I played aggressive. It was quite similar to the Murray match. I didn’t maybe give him that many chances.

Even though I didn’t have a first serve percentage that was very high, I think I served very smart and good on the second serve to always keep him guessing and not knowing what’s gonna come.

I wasn’t missing much. When I wanted to play aggressive, that worked too. Unfortunately I got broken early on in the second, which I could have avoided. But he hung tough, and in the end played some good points to get the break.

I knew that though, because I was in so many service games with him in the first set that if I keep at it I’ll get a chance to break back and then maybe momentum swings again.

That’s kind of what happened. I really had the feeling today I could mix it up the way I wanted to. That then gives me a lot of confidence. You know, I was playing great from the beginning to the end.

Q. Can you speak to the importance of winning that second game of the first set today?

ROGER FEDERER: The second ?? well, I mean, it’s important, but I don’t think it’s crucial. I mean, sure, the beginning is important, but I feel like such an early stage of the match, that’s not the deciding factor yet. I broke him plenty of times today, and he also broke me once. I don’t think the second game was all that key after all.
| 15:53 | MS Cincy 2009 | comments(4) | - | posted by わいたろう |
09Cincinnati SF マレーを粉砕

Western & Southern Financial Group Masters
ATP WORLD TOUR 1000
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A

Semifinals
[1] R Federer (SUI) d [3] A Murray (GBR) 62 76(8)


今日はよくガッツポーズがでました。

解説の辻野さんが「マレーは気負ってますね。ロジャーにプレイさせられている」という言葉にピンとこなかったですが、自分のリズムでテニスができてない、ロジャーがそうさせているって感じはわかりました。
ESPN2の解説ブラッド・ギルバートは試合前の両選手を見て、ロジャーは冗談を言いながらリラックス、マレーはボクシングをするようなアップをしていて緊張していたそうな。マレーはこの試合にすごくプレッシャーを感じていたようです。

QFベネトー戦のマレーはDFが多く、とんでもないところに打ち込む大フォルトもあり、荒れてました。ベネトーの粘りのあるプレイに調子を崩し、1stセットを4-6で落としました。見ている限りだとそのままベネトーの流れでいくかと思いましたが、やはりマレーは一筋縄ではいきませんでした。プレイレベルがダウンしてもメンタルでカバーするトッププレイヤーらしい一面を見ました。

1st set(62)
RF  K KBK KB
AM  K   K

1st〜3rdゲームはお互い様子見といった感じですが、マレーがナーバスになっていることを感じたのか、ロジャーは4thゲームから一気にギアを上げてきました。まずラリーの3球目にフォアのダウンザラインでエースを奪う早いテニスを出し、0-15。続くポイントもとり0-30.マレーもついていこうとギアをあげセンターへのサービスエース、アプローチ&ボレーで30-30まで盛り返しますが、ロジャーのふわっと浮く緩い球とフラット気味の速い球をミックスしたショットでマレーのミスをさそい、ブレイクに成功。
6thゲームでもラリーからショートクロスのフォアでエース。チップ&チャージで0-40と再びブレイクチャンス。30-40から2ndサーブを叩き優位に立とうとしましたが、相手の正面に行ってしまい、うまく切り返されてしまいました。マレーも必死にくらいつこうとラリーで粘り、最後にフラット系のカウンターを叩き込むいつものプレイを出し逆転キープ。しかし、このマレーらしいプレイはこのポイントだけだったように思います。
8thゲーム、ロジャーの武器の一つフォアの逆クロスでエースが出て15-30。このショットを見るとロジャーが本調子だということがわかります。今日のロジャーはほんとにショットが切れてました。フォアのダウンザラインでエースも出て30-40.このBPはとれませんでしたが、ロブをジャンピングスマッシュできめた二回目のBPではバックのフレームショットがうまくライン際で落ち、Challengeすると数ミリかかってブレイクに成功。運も味方につけて1stセット先取しました。


2nd set(76(8))
RF K K K K K K
AM  K K K K K
Tiebreak
RF KBB K  K    KK  KKB
AM    B KK BKK  KK

最近の対マレーでは1stセットをとっても2ndセットをとられ、ファイナルセットも流れを変えられないまま負けるという内容でした。
マレーとの試合は1セットアップでも安心して見られません。
1stゲーム、ロジャーの1stサーブが入るようになりました。36%しか入ってなかったものが徐々に数字を上げていきます。マレーはラリーでロジャーを左右に振るように攻めてました。この日のロジャーは初戦、3Rに比べると格段とフットワークがよくなり、マレーのクロスショットにもくらいつきディフェンスがかたく、切り返すボールも深い良いショットが返ってました。短くなってもそのあとに攻められたボールをカウンターでパス、エースにする絶妙なプレイスメント。今日のロジャーならいけると思いました。
このセットは1stセットにくらべ、ロジャーのショットがペースダウンしたように見えました。作戦を変えてきたのか、集中力が落ちてきたのか、ファイナルセットにもつれることも考えてペースを落とし体力温存につとめていたのかわかりませんが、それにつれてUEが増えてきました。それでもミスを続けて出さず、サービスゲームでは1stサーブでポイントをとりかえし、リズムを崩しませんでした。一つもBPを握らせないテニスをしてました。
6thゲーム、マレーの右こぶしの画が映され、そこには血が流れてました。ダイビングボレーとかしたっけな?と思いましたが、後で止血している画で傷口を見ると切れたような感じでした。その後に拳をラケットでたたきつけてる映像がでて、それによる傷と映されてました。これを見てマレーもまだメンタルコントロールをうまくできないところがあるんだなと思い、同時に勝機を感じました。そんな状態にありながら、40-40ともつれたところから1stサービスをライン際に入れキープするあたりはさすがでした。
7thゲームを終えたチェンジコートの際、マレーがペットボトルの蓋をしめずにポジションに戻りました。それをボールボーイ(ガール?)が締めてました。主審が指示したのかわかりませんが、こんなこともしてるのかと新たな発見でした。
1stサーブの確率が悪かったロジャーでしたが、9thゲームでは71%まで上げてきました。ここ最近は試合中の修正力が見えませんでしたが、今日はそれが見られました。嬉しい兆候ですね。シンシィ後の一週間で強化してUSOをとても良い状態で入れそうです。
終盤、ロジャーはブレイクをするべくラッシュをかけましたが、チップ&チャージをパスされたり、カウンターでバックのダウンザラインを決められたりとポイントをとれませんでしたが、サービスゲームでは強引にネットにいったアプローチでプレッシャーをかけポイントにできたりと内容ではロジャーに分がありました。ロジャー優位のままタイブレークへ。
するとロジャーが1stセットで使った強打を見せ始め、その流れのままいきなり2miniブレイクアップ。3-0から短いバックのスライスショットを繰り出し攻め続けますが、マレーがうまく処理し、miniブレイクバックされました。3-1でマレーが左右にロジャーを振り、なんとか追いつこうとしますが、ロジャーの見事なフォアのダウンザラインがきまり4-1.マレーが2つキープ。ロジャーが1つキープした5-3.しかし、ここで2ndサーブを叩かれ、miniブレイクバックされました。6-6で迎えたロジャーのサービス。サービスライン際に入った1stサービスをマレーがプレイを止め、チャレンジ。これがオンザライン。ロジャーとしてはラッキーなポイント。マレー側はなんとももったいないポイントになりました。マレーのこの判断は相手のミスを期待した行動だったわけで、後ろ向きな気持ちでプレイしてるのかなと思いました。これをロジャーがミスなく押さえつければこのセットもとれるだろうと思いました。マレーはフラストレーションをため、フィーリングも悪く最後は気持ちが切れてしまったかのようなDFで試合が終わりました。
マレーにしばらく勝ってなかっただけに勝ったら吠えるかなぁと思ったら、DFで「あらっ」って感じで気が抜けてしまいましたね。



プレスインタビュー動画です。

Q. Yesterday you were mentioning your series with Andy was just a couple points here and there. The question is: What did you do differently today, if you can think of anything? Because the difference was only a couple points here and there that enabled you to pull through.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I don't think that actually changed a whole a lot. In the last few times I played against him I -- very often, I think if you look back I won the first set. Ended up losing the second set and then can't find my way back into the match in the third.
So that's kind of how he sort of ran away with it. To me it was obviously important this time rather the same doesn't happen again. You know, I stayed aggressive. I was always looking to make the plays, and I think in the end I deserved to win just because I wasn't scared to go after my shots, you know. And I think I served well today.
It was just overall a very good performance.


Q. Given that pattern of matches that you mentioned, were you quite relieved to close it out in straight sets?


ROGER FEDERER: I mean, sure, you know. But even maybe losing the second set this time around, you know, I felt I was in the match, I was feeling well, I was striking the ball well.
Whereas at other times I really felt like, This is gonna get really hard in the third set. I kind of felt it coming that I was not gonna win the
match.
Today was different. If even if I were to lose that second set, I would have been in the match with a good mindset. You know, I was feeling well. I think it's also in a way normal after two very windy days that made it very difficult to play here.
Today was just much easier, and I played a really good match.


Q. Talk about the pressure in the tiebreaker that can lead to double faulting a match away? Have you ever done that? And how do you keep your cool in those points?


ROGER FEDERER: I've done that as well last week, so I'm very happy. I did the same against Tsonga, and that was 7-6 in the third. Sure, that's not something you really want to do, but sometimes that happens. Maybe you're trying to spin the ball too much or, you know -- I mean, it's pressure.
Double faults just sometimes happen. You hope they don't happen on match points, but they sometimes do happen. Very rarely actually, and especially between two top guys they don't because we're too consistent.
But I think it's maybe also something to do that I was able to pressure him. He was not sure if I was gonna maybe run around the backhand and thump a big forehand or maybe just chip it in. Maybe making him doubt a little bit brought a double fault out as well. I don't know.


Q. When was the last time you felt that good on this surface this year?


ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I guess it was at the Australian Open. I played some good matches as well in Indian Wells and Miami. I haven't played a whole a lot yet on this type of a surface this year yet, so this is good that I played well today.


Q. You're playing very well today, but do you think that the timing of the win is as important as the win itself obviously going into New York?


ROGER FEDERER: Um, I mean, to me, not really. I told the guys yesterday that winning or losing for me against Murray is not the key here. For me, it's about playing well and trying to win the tournament. I'm playing the tournament, not the player, you know.
So I'm not gonna change my tune saying, Now this is gonna put me as a massive favorite for the US Open and now Andy is not gonna beat me next time. That's not true. He's a wonderful player, and he's had an incredible streak on hardcourts. He's just been very consistent, and it takes a great performance to beat him these days.
You know, that's what I was able to do that today. I know it could be different, but right now obviously it helps my confidence. But I have to focus on what's to come, and this is the final tomorrow. The tournament is not won yet, even though I beat the second best player in the world right now. We'll see how it goes.


Q. Do you consider yourself a natural-born entertainer, or is that a role as an athlete you had to grow into over the years as you've been in the biggest stages?


ROGER FEDERER: Um, I think on the court, yes. Off the court, no. Um, I think that's something I grew into because I was -- I mean, I was very outgoing and energetic off the court when I was younger, but rather on the shy side if it came down to ceremonies, let's say, of award shows, or maybe signing autographs, taking pictures.
For me, I didn't think that was sort of part of whole pack, so I didn't kind of figure that out early on. Of course it was nice when it happened, but I didn't know really how to handle it. Also in the beginning you get mixed up. They ask you if you're another player. So that doesn't help your confidence sometimes.
Today I feel great. On and off the court, for me, it's a lot of fun. Now it's for me natural to feel good everywhere I go and everything I do.


Q. The fans are hoping Rafa wins tomorrow. Do you have a preference?


ROGER FEDERER: I'd like to play Rafa just because he's been hurt. It's always nice seeing a guy back at the top right away again.
But, again, same thing with Novak. He's maybe not had the run he was hoping for and he's also coming back. I think it's a good match for both players.


Q. How would you describe the difference between the last tournament in Montreal and here in Cincinnati?


ROGER FEDERER: Well, not serving out the match I should have won, and then maybe who knows what I would have done in the semis against Murray. But the next thing you know, you have to concentrate on the first round again in Cincinnati.
That's how it goes in tennis. But, I mean, I think I could have done something good in Montreal. Maybe it was too early for me to...


Q. Do you feel better now?


ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I thought I was playing okay yesterday and the day before. But conditions were so windy, so it was just -- some of those matches you just want to get through them and hopefully win.
But I definitely think Ferrer and Hewitt, who are both baseliners gave my better rhythm for the semifinals today, for instance. Whereas maybe last week I wouldn't have been so consistent off the baseline yet because I came through different type of players. You know, Tsonga who's mixing it up a lot and doesn't give you that much rhythm.


Q. If it's Rafa tomorrow, did you expect to face him so soon after his comeback, or does it seem like a long time since you played him?


ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, we played in Madrid. That's not that long ago. That really got the streak going for me, beating him on clay and then going to win Paris and Wimbledon.
Not that surprised, you know, that he's doing so well just because -- I mean the guy's only lost like six matches this year. It's not like he already lost like 20. I know he's coming back from injury, but the injury wasn't ten months. I mean, it was two months. I know that's a long time as well, but it's not too long after all.
I mean, of course he's looking for his game. I hope he's feeling well now. At the end of day, he's a great player and an unbelievable competitor. He's got that image, too, which the players know about. He's obviously going to make it hard for the opponent.
It seems like things are coming back together for him, which a great to see. Of course I would like to play him, but that's not something that I think was playing in our heads, of Rafa and myself, that we're gonna play in the finals here. He's still got some work to do. I'm there already waiting. Maybe it's gonna happen.


Q. Even though recent matches with Andy have been close ones, psychology starts to enter into it if it gets too lopsided. How important was it to win today rather than going into New York perhaps with an 0-5 streak if you meet again?


ROGER FEDERER: Doesn't matter to me. I'm past that point, you know. People and media like it hype it up that you get a -- you know, you don't have the mental edge and stuff.
I don't read into that stuff. For me it's important that my game is on. I know when it's on, I can beat any player in the world on any given day.
Sure, it's better to have winning streaks. But if you don't, you kind of forget about those and you regroup and come up with a better game plan next time.


Q. Who presents more of a challenge for you tomorrow? Both players are very difficult. In terms of your game, who would be more difficult to play?


ROGER FEDERER: Well, it's just a completely different matchup, you know, just because -- I would say that too if, let's say the other guy were to be Nieminen, let's say, against Djokovic just because one is a lefty and one is a righty. That has nothing to do with the quality -- both are quality players. Both have incredible footwork and solid shots, forehand and backhand. That's why they're up there in the rankings.
Sure, Rafa has caused more problems for me in the past, but I also played him about, I don't know, 12 to 13 times on clay which didn't help in my head-to-head.
Sure, I've had better matches with Rafa than with Novak in the past.


Q. Who would people confuse you with when you said you were just coming up?


ROGER FEDERER: Oh, I had long hair, so it was Carlos Moya and Tommy Haas and some other guys, you know. So I knew I had some work to do.

 

| 18:16 | MS Cincy 2009 | comments(0) | - | posted by わいたろう |
09Cincinnati QF難なく突破

Western & Southern Financial Group Masters
ATP WORLD TOUR 1000
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A

Quarterfinals
[1] R Federer (SUI) d L Hewitt (AUS) 63 64


コイントスをした女性がスイス国旗をプリントしたスリーブレスだったので、うわぁ露骨だなぁ。レイトンには気の毒だと思ったんですが、ベルナルデスさんの言葉に三人笑顔で話してました。何話してたのかな。

レイトンの持ち味は粘りのあるラリーからのカウンターショット。近年はそのスタンスが変わり、自分から攻めてポイントを取る傾向が出てきました。
しかし、序盤から短いチャンスボールや腰を落として打てる状態でのUEが目立ち、なかなかペースがつかめない感じでした。
逆にロジャーは3R同様1stサーブが入らず2ndで勝負をかけることが続きました。3Rと違ったところはショットフィーリングが良かったこと。レイトンの調子が今ひとつ上がってこなかったのもあり、リズムよくショットが打ててました。

1st set(63)
RF K K KBK K
LH  K K   K



6thゲーム、ラリーでスライスを多用し、自分のペースで展開するとレイトンにミスが出始め40-Aとこの日初めてのBP。しかし、リターンをミスし、Deuce.再び40-AとするもまたもやリターンミスでDeuce.A-40とGPを取られるも追い込まれたところから絶妙なバックのスライスロブが入り、そこから再びBPを握ってブレイクに成功。レイトンの瀬戸際からの粘りをディフェンス力と攻撃力でねじ伏せました。
8thゲームでもレイトンのDFから30-40とダブルブレイクのチャンスがきましたが、3回目のGPでキープされました。
ロジャーのサービスゲームは1stサーブが入ってませんが、2ndサーブの配球がよく気持ちよくリターンさせないことと、ラリーになってもドロップショットを交え、常に主導権を握ってました。BPを一度も取られず比較的楽な展開。
ドロップショット、FOのインタビューで「ずっと練習してきて使えるようになった」と言ってただけに自信がつくとこんなにも使うようになるのかと思いました。バックのドロップショットは深い鋭い球が来たときディフェンスの一つとして反射的に使ってましたが、今はフォアもバックも攻撃の一手として使うようになりました。特にフォアのドロップショットが新しいロジャーの武器になったと感じます。
Serving for the setは隙を全く見せずLoveゲームキープ。モントリオールQFの崩れ方が頭から消えました。

2nd set(64)
RF  K KBK K K
LH K K   K K



長いラリーをほとんどものにしている調子でこのセットも進みました。
2ndゲーム、0-30と先攻されあやしい雰囲気になりましたが、このセットになるとサービスエースが出るようになり、逆転キープ。ピンチらしい場面でもショットが安定していて安心して見てられました。
5thゲーム、バックのダウンザラインが決まり、15-40とブレイクチャンス。これを一度でとり良いタイミングでブレイクアップ。
このセットのサービスゲームは1stセット以上に隙を見せず、ブレイクポイントはおろか相手に2ポイント以上与えない展開に。
10thゲームのServing for the Matchではセンターへのサービスエース×2で30-0とリズムよくとり、続くポイントでは2ndサーブをセンターへ打ち込みリターンが返らず40-0.最後はワイドへエースでLoveゲームで締めくくりました。
終わりよければ全てよし。1stサービスは49%と低いですが、締めるところは締めてくれました。

次はマレーですね。08USOFinalで勝利以来4連敗中。ロジャーが・・・というよりわいがマレーに対して苦手意識があります。
去年からプレイレベルがガラッと変わった彼とロジャーの怪我の影響で負けている感じですが、FOから調子を戻してきたロジャー。強くなったマレー対策はできていると思います。それがうまく回るといいなと思います。
H2Hは2-6
 05バンコク Final 63、75 RF
 06シンシィ 1R 75、64 AM
 08ドバイ 1R 67(6)、63、64 AM
 08USO Final 62、75、62 RF
 08マドリッド SF 36、63、75 AM
 08上海 RR 46、76(3)、75 AM
 09ドーハ SF 67(6)、62、62 AM
 09IW SF 63、46、61 AM

プレスインタビューです。

Q. It seemed like you were serving very well today. You won 89% of your first serve points and didn’t face a breakpoint throughout. Can you elaborate on that?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, it didn’t actually come to my mind that I didn’t have to save any breakpoints. I think that definitely helps against Lleyton, who once he gets his teeth into your serve it can get quite tricky.

From this reason, you know, I’m really pleased the way it went. Conditions were difficult again with the gusty winds this time around, whereas yesterday it was a bit more predictable but stronger. It’s a good match to come through.

Q. You’ve won 13 matches in a row against him now. Obviously probably not lucky each time. What do you attribute your success to? That’s a pretty good run.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, it is a great run. Well, obviously I’m surprised myself, because he’s a top?quality player. He’s beaten me so many time in the past that I didn’t expect myself to all of a sudden go on such a great run against him.

But I guess with the power I have in my shots and when I grew stronger, that maybe made a quite a significant difference in our games. And as I was going up, maybe he was coming down just a touch, especially the last few years. But it seems like he’s hanging in there.

I never really think going into a match with Lleyton that it’s for sure that I will win. That would be foolish.

Q. Do you feel that’s your best performance so far since Wimbledon?

ROGER FEDERER: It doesn’t really matter to me. You know, I’m happy the way I’m playing. That’s key. I still feel there are improvements I can make, and for this reason I hope I can show that tomorrow.

Q. Is there anything about Murray’s game that makes it more difficult for you to play him than other people? He’s one of the few players or tour that I think has an edge in head?to?head meetings with you.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, there’s for sure things that are, you know, things you might not like in a player’s game if he’s got a good head?to?head against him.

But it’s not like he crushed me every single time we played. For this reason, you know, you can see it the way you want: like maybe you should’ve closed out a few more; or maybe he should have won it more easy if he wouldn’t have had a bad start sometimes to matches.

But we’ve always had close matches, and good ones actually against each other. So for this reason I’m excited playing against him.

But he doesn’t have many weaknesses in his game. I think that’s what makes him so tough on all surfaces.

Q. It’s been such an eventful summer for you. Has it sunk in yet what you’ve accomplished in terms of two large career goals that you had in front of you three months ago are not there anymore?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, sure. I mean, it’s been an amazing summer in my personal life and also on the tennis court. So I guess it’s sometimes still hard to believe I was able to win Paris and Wimbledon back to back after already doing so many things prior to that.

It definitely sort of came at the right time. I think getting back to No. 1 with the Wimbledon win, with the way I was able to do it at the end against Andy, it was amazing. And then sort of being No. 1 in the world and having twin girls, it’s something that doesn’t happen every day.

It’s been quite something, and I’ve been enjoying it, of course.

Q. How strange or not does it feel to you that you’re going into a No. 1 versus No. 2 matchup tomorrow and the other guy isn’t Rafa?

ROGER FEDERER: Look, I don’t even pay that close attention to the rankings, because I always said that No. 1 is sort of what I’m focused on. If you’re not No. 1, well then you’re a former Grand Slam champion, you know, in my case and Rafa’s case and so forth.

So I never looked at Rafa as, for instance, No. 2 in the world, you know. I always saw him as the great champion he is, you know.

The same might happen with Murray, because Djokovic already has slam, for instance. But I’ve played No. 2s in the world in the past in semifinals as well. At the Masters Cup, for instance, I’ve played Rafa twice there.

It just tends to happen here. The draw was already done before he won in Montreal.

Q. Has there been any change to you in terms of the number of years you’re gonna play left to play in the game? You have the career Grand Slam, the number of slam wins, you’ve got the record there. What’s left for to you accomplish in the game?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, that’s up to me to sort of decide how much more I want to do. For the moment, I’m very eager to play much more and much longer. I don’t see anything changing because of the twins, you know. But that definitely, you know, has an impact on my life. So far it’s a very positive impact and it’s not pulling me away from the game, you know.

So I’m positive about my tennis future.

Q. Does evening up your career record against guys like Murray and Nadal enter into your mind or motivate you at all as you look towards your legacy?

ROGER FEDERER: Not really. I’d love to beat them more than they beat me, but it’s not really a priority, to be quite honest.

Q. Is there psychological stress that comes with a tournament like this with five straight days where you don’t get a chance to catch your breath, or is it markedly different from a Grand Slam experience?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, it’s different just because it’s like a blur. You go from one day to the next and you always have the same schedule. It’s sort of a touch boring sometimes. You know, you wish you had maybe an off day so you can sort of regroup and focus.

But it’s just like you’re jumping from one to the next match. You have to try to take it in your stride. So when you’re doing really well it’s great. If you’re not doing well, there can be some tough weeks, you know.

This is where I hope I can, you know, take as many wins as possible as I’m winning.

Q. Do you prefer a day or night match for the semifinals and? And looking ahead, if you were to win, for the what’s better for you in terms of rest and all that stuff?

ROGER FEDERER: Doesn’t matter. I’m not very particular about when I play and who I play and how I play. All I care about is that I hopefully win the match, you know.

I love playing at night, for instance, in New York in front of sort of the electric crowd and everything. I know I can request a night session every time. If the tournament likes to put me night session, that’s great. If they choose otherwise, I am okay with that, too.

Q. So it wouldn’t bother you to play a night semifinal tomorrow, and then if you won that, go to the final in the afternoon the next day?

ROGER FEDERER: No. That’s why I work really hard, so I don’t have to hope that I play during the night.

Q. We see you very relaxed now. Is it because you’re where you wanted, and now the pressure is on the other players to complete their goals and dreams?

ROGER FEDERER: Not really. I’m a relaxed person, you know. I think that sort of maybe relaxes you, too. I mean, I hope so. I’ve always been, you know, that type of person.

People then sometimes make things up that when I wasn’t winning all the slams and losing in finals that I wasn’t relaxed anymore and too crazy about maybe winning. That’s completely untrue.

You can’t take the tour sometimes too serious, either. It’s a lot work and a lot of traveling, and you need to be relaxed. I think that’s what I am, so I have a good balance.

Q. And do you enjoy playing Andy, or is there a different dynamic, a different edge to how you approach the matches with Andy now?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, yeah, I mean, playing against a fellow top player is always a thrill. I think we work really hard in the off?season so we can either play the top guys or we’re deep into a tournament. You know, this is the two things we’re sort of looking for.

With Andy, you definitely have that type of a matchup. I’ve played him several occasions now the last few years now. It’s not his first year on tour anymore either, so he’s become much more experienced. He’s won, you know, not only just a handful of tournaments now, but over 10 or almost 15 now.

He’s getting up there in the tournament count, and that makes it more exciting to play a player like him, especially him being on the run like he on right now after winning in Montreal. It’s definitely a good matchup.

 

| 15:04 | MS Cincy 2009 | comments(0) | - | posted by わいたろう |
09Cincinnati 3R突破

Western & Southern Financial Group Masters
ATP WORLD TOUR 1000
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A

3rd Round
[1] Roger Federer (SUI) d David Ferrer (ESP) 36 63 64


今日は昨日以上に風が強かったです。強風の上、フェレールの調子がよく、なかなかリズムがとれずUEに何度も天を仰ぐシーンが見られましたが、終盤なんとかブレイクしてぎりぎり勝てたような試合でした。
ブレイクしたゲームはロジャーが特にプレッシャーやラッシュをかけてポイントをとったわけではなく(プレッシャーやラッシュをかける余裕がなかった)、フェレールがなんとなくミスしてしまったポイントが多かったです。フェレールがプレッシャーを感じていたようにも見えませんでした。


1st set(36)
RF BK   K
DF   KBK KBK



試合開始から強風と昨日以上にバッド・コンディション。このせいかフェレールはサービスにナーバスになり、DFからスタート。ショットフィーリングもよくなくロジャーがリターンを返した三球目でミスし、30-40といきなりBP。フェレールのUEによりさっそく1ブレイクアップ。なにもせずもらった感じでした。
この強風はロジャーにも同じ状況。DFで15-15.しかし、センター、ワイドへのサービスと1stサーブがよく40-15からキープ。
フェレールも3rdゲームはLoveゲームキープし、今日の環境にあわせてきました。ここから試合開始といった感じでした。
すると4thゲームのロジャー、2ndゲームで入っていた1stサーブが入らなくなり15-40とピンチ。ここから底力が出せずブレイクバックを許しました。
このゲームから感じたんですが、今日はロジャーの1stサーブが入らず、エースも取れない。2ndサーブからラリーに入る展開が多かったです。今日のフェレールは1stゲーム以外、ほとんど完璧で、07年の好調時を思わせる彼の武器である、フットワーク、粘り、深くて隅をつくショットが目立ちました。ロジャーのショットがほとんど拾われ、なかなかポイントが取れない雰囲気になってました。
6thゲームはキープできましたが、8thゲームは15-40とBPを握られ、フォアハンドのクロスパス、アプローチ&ボレーと盛り返しましたが、40-Aからブレイクされてしまいました。
今日はバックハンドに少し不安を感じました。強風などでイレギュラーもあると思いますが、ラリーになるとバックのUEが多かったように感じました。
フェレールのServing for setはLoveゲームでキープされ、さくっととられてしまいました。
この調子が続くとロジャーは自分のフィーリングをあわせない限り勝つのは難しいなと思いました。



2nd set(63)
RF K K K KBK
DF  K K K



2ndセットに入ってもフェレールの調子は崩れません。ロジャーがアプローチ&ボレーやドロップショット、スライスでフェレールのリズムを崩し、自分のペースにしようと試みますが、おかまいなしに切り返しなかなか通じません。
3rdゲームでは40-40までいきますが、フェレールのサービスがよく、そこから先のポイントがとれません。
4thゲームからラリーになるとバックのスライスを多用しますが30-40とピンチに。しかし、これまでとれなかった長いラリーをとり、なんとかキープ。
フェレールは比較的楽にポイントをとってキープ。ロジャーはリズムをつかめないままなんとかキープといった印象のまま進み、迎えた8thゲーム。フェレールのUEが出るようになりフェレールのドロップショットをうまく処理し、30-40とこのセットはじめてのBPを握るとブレイクに成功。
Serving for setでは1stが入るようになり、40-30からキープ&1セットオールに持ち込めました。
しかし、リズムは相変わらず悪く、UEを出すたびに天を仰いだり、ラケットを下に振り下ろしたりとロジャーにフラストレーションがたくさんたまっているのがよくわかりました。


3rd set(64)
RF  K  BK KBK
DF K KB  K



ロジャーの1stサーブが入るようになってきましたが、リターンゲームではスライスリターンを立て続けにネットするなどフラストレーションのたまるプレイが続きます。
4thゲーム40-0とGPを楽々とりながらここからラリーになるとバック、フォアのUEなど4ポイント連取され40-Aとピンチ。ワイドのサービスで切り抜けるも三度目のBPで再びバックをふかし、ブレイクダウン。
プレッシャーのかかるポイントでのラリーになると慎重にショットするもバックの不安定さが露呈し、ポイントをとれる気がしませんでした。
しかし、続く5thゲーム、相手のUEに助けられ0-40とブレイクバックのチャンス。フェレールのサーブに押され一旦は40-40まで盛り返されましたが、続くポイントをとりそのままブレイクバックに成功。
6thゲームをキープし、3-3。早い段階でリセットできました。
8thゲーム、この日初めてLoveゲームキープ。ここから少しずつポイントがとれる雰囲気が出てきました。
4-4で迎えた9thゲームDFで0-15からはじまったフェレールのサービス。アプローチ&ボレーではパスされるも長いラリーからフォアハンドエースがとれ、15-30.次のポイントもとれ15-40とMP(マッチポイント)に等しいBP。30-40となりラリーからロジャーのバックのスライスがミスショットで短くなり、フェレールがアプローチ。それをバックのロブでブレイク。ロブを打った瞬間。またフレームショットでミスしたのかと思いました。ロジャーのバックハンドのトップスピンロブってあまり見たことがなかったので。
Serving for the Matchではアプローチ&ボレーが決まりリズムをつかみました。30-0からバックのダウンザラインがオンザラインになりラリーを優勢にしてポイント。40-0となりLoveゲームでキープ&ゲームセット。
これまでリズムがつかめず苦しんできましたが、最後の8th〜10thゲームでようやくリズムがつかめた感じでした。この3ゲームは次の試合につながる良いゲームだったと思います。

スタッツを見ると、1stサーブは最終的に少しあがり62%でしたが、いつもより入ってない。2ndサーブWonが以上に低いですね。1stサーブが入らないとポイントがとれてないというわけで、この数字からもサービスゲームでポイントをとるのが厳しかったのがよくわかります。

ともあれ、相手の調子がよく、自分のペースでテニスができない状態で勝てたのは大きな自信になると思います。
厳しい状況で勝てた試合はとても嬉しいですね。

プレスインタビューです。

Q. How do you keep your mental edge and composure in tight matches? You were broken to go down 3?1 in the final set, but you came right back and broke him again. You didn’t get flustered.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, it’s something you kind of develop, I guess, over the years, you know. You have a certain attitude out there and certain approach. Mine you know many years ago was that I tried to stay calm and not give too much away to my opponent and try to hang in there. And even when it’s tough sometimes, accept it and try to turn it around. There’s never a guarantee, obviously.

Today I didn’t think I was going to because I thought David was playing a great match. That’s why the satisfaction is maybe greater now.

Q. How difficult was it to make shots in the wind?

ROGER FEDERER: I mean, look, I like playing in the wind. I used to not like it at all when I was coming up and about because I had a small racquet head size. I used to shank many balls and my footwork wasn’t perfect yet. So there’s always ?? those little adjustment steps you need to take in the wind are crucial, otherwise you’ll always shank them.

I think at the beginning maybe my footwork was just a touch off. After that I think got it together, you know, and started to play better and better. In the end when it goes your way, all of a sudden you can actually use the wind to your advantage in a big way. That’s what I actually hoped to do the whole match today, but it’s not so easy sometimes.

Q. How did you use the wind to your advantage?

ROGER FEDERER: Just playing smart, you know. Because if you play dumb in the wind, that can really ?? that can backfire bigtime.


Q. Rafa said that you’re an obvious favorite for the US Open. Do you agree with that?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, it seems like he’s never the favorite, so I guess I ?? you know, I’ll definitely have a shot, you know, after winning five times, but so has he. He’s only lost a handful of matches this year.

Many other guys like Murray and Djokovic have been up there in the past in the finals. Then the other guys right behind them, Del Potro and stuff, they also have changes.

But, yeah, I think definitely the top few guys have the best chance.


Q. Were you disappointed with your first serve? First serve percent was 62%. I’ve seen you serve better.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I’d sign that for the entire year, you know. I don’t know for whom a good percentage is 50 or 60 or 70 or 80. As long as you don’t fall below 50 I think it’s always good. Sometimes it’s better to have a low first serve percentage, but you’re coming up with good serves at 30?All, 30?40, 40?30 points, you know. So you gotta look at the big picture. That’s why statistics, for us, are not always that crucial.


Q. You talked yesterday about the up?and?down performances here in the past. With that in mind, how frustrating would it have been if you hadn’t got past him today.

ROGER FEDERER: Look, it’s stuff you have to accept. I thought he played a good match. I think the frustrating part about this tournament for some of players who lose, like me last year against Karlovic, you don’t really get a chance to get become into a match. The conditions are quick. You lose a first set and get a bit unlucky in the second or it goes into a breaker and you’re out.

That’s how tennis used to be played a lot of the times 10 or 20 years areas when Pete and those guys were around, and Ivanisevic. Came down to a few points even on the hardcourts. That’s change for us now because, you know, we return maybe better and the conditions have slowed down dramatically. That then gives us maybe a bit more control in the match.

Here it’s not the case. That’s why you can crash out without actually playing a bad match. You know, that’s then stuff you just have to accept and move on. You can’t be too disappointed about it.


Q. What do you want to improve on for your next match here?

ROGER FEDERER: For me it’s just really getting match play. I still think sometimes I’m playing wrong decisions out court, you know. I’d like to play sometimes a bit more aggressive or a bit more with spin. I tend to do the opposite. It’s just like those little ideas you have sometimes that need to come at the right time.

For that, you need matches. That’s why this win today was perfect. Gives me another opportunity to play another match. I’m further into the tournament, which then normally makes me play better. So now I’m excited about the tomorrow.


Q. After the highs of French Open and the record, did you go through any sort of emotional letdown at all?

ROGER FEDERER: Not really. Look, it’s not the first time I’ve done well. I’ve been in those situations so many times that I’m more ?? I only take positive out of it, you know, because you never know when it’s your last tournament to win.

Even though I have 60 you still feel ?? you never know if it’s your last. You have to be happy when it’s going well and not think about, oh, my God, I’ve just won Wimbledon. What a disaster. That’s not how I go through life anyway.


Q. What’s a better matchup for you, Hewitt or Querrey?

ROGER FEDERER: Tough call. I mean, it seems like Querrey is playing well. He’s had a wonderful summer so far, but, I mean, he’s played a lot of tennis. I think he’s got to definitely battle through Hewitt. That will take something out of him if he comes through. I think on the American hardcourts he’s definitely a tough player. That doesn’t mean I like to play him.

If I could choose, I would rather play Lleyton just because of our history, our rivalry. I played him for the first time when I was 15 years old. Yeah, we’ve had some wonderful battles in the biggest arenas around the world. That’s why I’d like to always play Lleyton.

It’s gonna be a close match, I’m sure.


Q. When all the power came into the men’s game with the racquets, it seemed like a lot of the art was taken out of the game.

ROGER FEDERER: I disagree.


Q. Well, now I think it’s coming back and we see a lot of different styles. You don’t think it went out of the game?

ROGER FEDERER: I just think it’s become so much more athletic, you know. Before it was more guiding the ball around, because with the wooden racquets you couldn’t really generate a lot of pace. So like even an overhead wouldn’t mean it was the end of the point.

Today if a guy gets an overhead you know it’s gone, you know. I think today we’re seeing incredible plays. No, I think the game has evolved actually quite nicely, you know. You’ll always go through patches where you have big servers or then you have baseliners.

But I think throughout the tennis history we’ll always see a good mixture, you know.

 

| 19:12 | MS Cincy 2009 | comments(0) | - | posted by わいたろう |
09Cincinnati 初戦突破

Western & Southern Financial Group Masters
ATP WORLD TOUR 1000
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A

2nd Round
[1] R Federer (SUI) d J Acasuso (ARG) 63 75


このフォームがボールに力と回転を与えてるんですね。
ロジャーは手を伸ばしてヒッティングします。実践するとわかりますが、脇が空いているとリラックスしてスイングできます。

今日の相手はFOで苦しんだアカスソ。試合前はセンターコートを半分ずつ使って同じ時間練習してました。

今日はTennisTV.comが固まり気味で長いラリーに入ったときや重要なポイントで固まったりしてたので、世界陸上を見ながら観戦しました。

アウトフィットはモントリオール同様、Glass Blueのポロ、バンダナ、リストバンドにBlackのパンツでした。

USOシリーズではおなじみ、メアリー・ジョー・フェルナンデスさんがお子さんと一緒にルティの隣に座って観戦してました。
ミルカはファミリーボックスにはいませんでした。
ミルカの同行は、応援というよりロジャーがホテルに帰ってきたときのリラックスできる雰囲気作りといったところでしょうか。


1st set(63)
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JA  K K K



コイントスのとき、両者のトップ、パンツがなびいていたので、今日は風が強かったみたいです。
それでも1stゲームロジャーはぽんぽんポイントをとってLoveゲームキープ。
出だしからACEがでて良いリズムでゲームに入れました。
すると2ndゲームから30-40とブレイクチャンス。しかし、アカスソの1stサーブが入るようになりうまくリターンできず逆転キープされました。
3rdゲームはDF(ダブルフォルト)で15-15となりましたが、今日は1stサーブのフィーリングがよくワイドのサービスエース、エース級でキープ。
中盤になるとロジャーの緩い球をアカスソがふかすシーンが目に付きました。
8thゲーム、DFで0-15、続くポイントでもネットについたアカスソの足元にバックをくりだしポイント先攻。そこからセンターへのサービスエースで盛り返されるも30-40二度目のBPでブレイクに成功。
一番良い形でServing for 1stset。
ACEをここでもだし、なんなくキープ。競った感覚もなくピンチもなく1stセットがとれました。


2nd set(75)
RF  K K K KBK
JA K K K K



このセットもサービスゲームが安定。2ndゲームもACEを含みLoveゲームでキープ。
アカスソも徐々にリズムがつかめてきたのかロジャーの緩急つけたショットにハードヒットして返すようになってきました。特に1stサーブが強烈で、ロジャーが欲しいポイントのときにACEやACE級を繰り出すことがよくありました。
このセット、先にピンチになったのはロジャー。6thゲーム、DFで30-40とBPを握られました。続くポイントで1stサーブが入らず、2ndサーブからの展開になりましたが、ラリーをなんとか制し、40-40.せっかく握ったBPがとれず、アカスソがフラストレーションを吐き出すように「NO!」と叫びました。ここから一旦はワイドのサービスでA-40とGP(ゲームポイント)を握りますが、2ndサーブをたたかれ再び40-40、しかしA-40と押し戻し最後はセンターへのエース級で切り抜けました。
今日のピンチはこのゲームのみで、BPは1つで抑える安定ぶりでした。
9thゲーム、0-40と大きなブレイクチャンスがめぐってきましたが、ここからアカスソは集中力をあげ、1stサーブを入れてきて5ポイント連続奪取で逆転キープされました。
ロジャーのサービスは6thゲームのピンチで目が覚めたのか、そこからまったく危なげないゲーム展開で楽々キープ。
11thゲームでは9thゲームの良いリズムのまま競ったラリーでもネットプレーでポイントを重ね15-40。ここではじめてのガッツポーズ。そしてブレイクに成功。
12thゲームのServing for the matchはLoveゲームキープでゲームセット。

モントリオールで嫌な負け方をした後だっただけに、少し不安でしたが、うまく切り替えしっかり集中してました。
6thゲームのBPでは少し緊張しましたが、そのほかは楽に見られました。
まぁ、世界陸上とのながら観戦で集中してみてなかったのもありますが( ̄▽ ̄;

次はフェレールですね。最近不調ですが、ここにきてスタン君、チリッチと旬な選手を倒して上がってきただけに要注意です。
07上海決勝以来の対戦ですかね。

プレスインタビューです。

Q. Key point of the match at 4 All, second set. You had three breakpoints against him, and he came back and won that game. What did you do differently when it was 5 All and you had two breakpoints and you converted that one?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, if there was a secret to that, you know, we would all be kind of better players. Look, sometimes those breakpoints, they are over in a hurry. You just try to first get the ball back. That's what I couldn't do. I couldn't get the ball back on all three occasions.
I think he hit three first serves, and that's kind of then it's a tough task, especially here. I mean, we both served I think over ten aces, and the conditions are really quick.
But I think I you know, he didn't serve the perfect serve at 15 40 at 5 All, so that's what gave me an opportunity to hit a good return and then be on the offensive. Once on the offensive, it's kind of hard afterwards to come out of it.

Q. What do you like about your game, and what do look at and say, I really want to work on this?

ROGER FEDERER: I think once the tournament starts there's not a whole a lot you're working on. It's just about playing trying to win matches playing the matches the right way and playing the opponent the right way.

You know, I was happy today just because I know the transition to Cincy is always a difficult one. I've had very up and down results here. I mean, very great, you know. Not very bad, but maybe just not to the standard I would like it sometimes.
But it just showed sort of how hard it is to get used to kind of courts. We don't usually play on these fast courts, you know. That's what I'm very happy with today's match.

Q. How much does a match like this reinforce that on many days, the difference between being No. 1 and 51 isn't all that much, a few points played here and there?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I guess we have the advantage, the ones at the top, that we have always a very high standard of play, no matter who we play. Maybe in practice we push it a little bit harder, I don't know. But it's really marginal.
You know, people might think guys ranked outside of the top 50 for us it's not a challenge. But I almost lost to Acasuso in Paris, which today probably nobody even remembers anymore. But I was down 5 1 in the third, and looked like I was out of it almost, you know, at one set all.
That's why you cannot underestimate any opponents. That's why we already had some upsets yesterday and today. It's not easy in a sort of a knock out system.

Q. What do you do specifically to adjust to a faster court?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, you sort of shorten your backswing. You know, you don't go back too much. Like on clay we have much more time, so you can also return from further back. You're just reacting more on a quicker court.
And when you're on the offensive, you don't want to give it away anymore, so you got to keep on playing offensive. That's why it ends up
that the points are actually played quite shorter, usually.

Q. I don't know how much you pay attention to the other matches, but how unique is it to be part of a lineup where the 5 top players of the world are playing back to back to back to back to back on the same court?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, that's the sort of thing I would love if I were a tennis fan. You know, coming out and seeing the best play. Just keep the same seat, you know. They come rolling in.
It's like going to the movie theatres and seeing, five, six great movies, you know. So it something it's great it's like the quarterfinals last week. Friday we had those four great matches on center court with the top 8 involved.
I think that can only help the game.

Q. A big year for you. Obviously you got the Grand Slam record at Wimbledon. You had twins. Two questions: How is fatherhood changed you? You mentioned you weren't losing any sleep yet. And secondly, what goals do you have for the rest of the year?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, it's definitely a very positive change in my life, you know, having twin girls. I mean, I didn't expect that, but it's a pleasant surprise. We're enjoying ever second we can spend with them. Mirka spends 24 hours with them, and I spend a little bit less because I'm at the tennis sometimes, you know, which I still have to do.
But, no, it's very exciting. We love our role, and we try to be the best parents we can. So far, they've been super cute and it's been great.
And the results, obviously this is just sort of just right before the US Open, so this is where my focus is on. I'd love to finish No. 1 in the world at the end of this year.
But, you know, I think after the US Open and then until the end of the year, I'll definitely just sit down and see where I want to go next year, you know, what my goals are.
So far I just wanted to see how it feels to be a dad and get through the US Open and hopefully play very well over and there, and then sort of makeup my mind how it goes.

Q. You've got very good vision on the court. They changed from green to blue a few years ago. As a player, do you find that has improved the game and being able to see, or would you prefer the green?

ROGER FEDERER: I think I do improve sort of that purple blue. I think it's I mean, for TV it's better. Doesn't have any impact on me. I think you still do you see the ball is bit better when it's blue.
I think the Australian Open went from green to blue if you remember. That was a good change as well. I just think it's good for the TV. You see the ball better, because our ball is already pretty small. For that reason, I think it's good.
As long as it doesn't sort of, how did you say, sort of really get bright from the sun on the court into our eye, then it's fine. That's why a matte color is much better for us instead of being too slick.

Q. Looking at the lineup today and in Montreal, do you think there's a greater number of players ready to win majors now than in the past few years?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, possibly. I think it's due to the fact that Rafa was injured now. That obviously gives more guys a chance, or they think they have a better chance. We'll see what happens at the Open.
But I think it's mostly to the fact of the Rafa situation.

Q. Don't you see a sort of a new era moving in now?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, but they have been around for a while now. It's not like it's the first year they ever started to know how to play tennis. They announced themselves since a few years. I mean, Del Potro, I played him the first time three, four years ago. Tsonga has been injured a lot, but he's also not a teenagers anymore. These guys are all in their 20s now, too.
It's nice to see them all breakthrough, like Murray and Djokovic and Rafa. But they're not 19 anymore, so we're sort of already waiting for the next generation.
But I think we have a great group of guys at the top with a lot of charisma, and that's great for the game. I'm the excited playing against them.

Q. You seem to have a asymmetry going with Tiger. He fell short of getting his 15th major this year. Since that happened, there's been some suggestion that it's been a bad year for him, even though he has five titles because he didn't win a major. Is it a bad year if you don't win a major, even if you collect a lot of other titles?

ROGER FEDERER: Depends on how you feel on how you played, you know. I think in his situation he came back from injury. It wasn't just like a one week layoff where he had to heal something. It was a major surgery and taking out something and putting it in a different place. I mean, that's major stuff. That's why I think he's reasonably happy with the way he played.
I mean, sure you wish he would have one at least one so he can say, Look, guys I did win one. Leave me alone. Like this it's maybe too much talk.
But I always say, Every year you win a major is a great year. And then if you don't, well then you have to see how the year played out. Sometimes you maybe got unlucky or missed one due to injury. So you can't analyze it the same way you could if you've been a 100% for all majors.
If then you fail, then it's a different story. But he wasn't a 100% for all the majors. I think that then sort of gives him more credit for what he did this year.

Q. This match lasted an hour and ten minutes. Would you prefer having longer matches in terms of to enhance your preparation for this tournament and the US Open, or a much shorter match? What's better for you personally?

ROGER FEDERER: No, I mean, look, this is a good first match for me, you know, because I'm looking at the big picture. The big picture is hopefully winning another four here. For that, I don't want to start with a three and a half hour match in hundred degrees heat, you know.
Sure, I been practicing hard as I could prior to Montreal. This is where I imitate maybe the best of five set match over and over again. So when I come to these tournaments, I don't need to play another three hour match. I'm know I'm fit enough and ready to go for when the US Open rolls around. So I feel like I'm in great shape, which is most important.
| 19:27 | MS Cincy 2009 | comments(0) | - | posted by わいたろう |
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