As mind-numbingly nerving as Roger Federer's second round match against experienced Jose Acasuso was, there was a refreshing intelligence of play that was exhibited by both players. Neither started with a particularly famous game plan but humility and the brinks of defeat worked wonders for the creative development of the latter stages of this match.
Acasuso came out blazing, proving that he can hang right in there with the Fed by forcing Roger's second service game to 8 deuces, though failing to convert 5 break point chances. To hold, Federer was forced to hit an amazing service out wide, setting up and beautifully disguised drop volley. However, the lost opportunities did not phase the Argentine, who went on to hold and then go up a break by coming to the net himself. As expected, though, the former world #1 immediately lifted his game as needed and broke back with an utterly gorgeous backhand down the line, hit at full stretch. The set was destined for a tiebreak and the first two points went to the returner. Then something odd happened. Acasuso, mildly possessed, flew off to a 6-3 lead. Roger threw in two aces to erase the set points on his racquet, forcing Jose to serve out the set. The two ended up in a long rally of 20 shots before Fed decided to take all the pace off a backhand, drawing a waywardly hit ball from Acasuso: 6-all. Federer went on to take it 10-8.
The second set wasn't nearly as exciting as after a trade of breaks, each held serve fairly comfortably until Acasuso was able to finagle a deuce game on Roger's service at 5-5. He went on to break and hold to take the second set 7-5. At the 2-hour mark, we began the best of three.
Federer was certainly at odds, unable to gather proper footing, stunningly missing routine forehands and simply panicking. Acasuso took the golden opportunity and ran up to a 4-love lead before Roger could get an grasp of the set. It was looking rather grim for Swiss fans, already imaging a fifth set or, at worst, an embarrassing first week loss for the heart-favourite. No worries though, as Federer quickly found his game: serving easy aces, drawing errors, charging the net and invoking his world-class talent as intimidation. He broke back and went on to steamroll the tiebreak 7-2.
The fourth set was what we would have expected from him during such an early round obstacle, though Federer did seem to use this as a practice session for a potential Nadal final. Roger repeatedly hit the forehand drop shot, the backhand slice drop shot, the half-volley drop shot, the return of serve drop shot... and all with great success. Surely a swift Rafa will connect with more than a big fellow like Acasuso, but Roger, having passed this one, will surely be up to the test.
Acasuso came out blazing, proving that he can hang right in there with the Fed by forcing Roger's second service game to 8 deuces, though failing to convert 5 break point chances. To hold, Federer was forced to hit an amazing service out wide, setting up and beautifully disguised drop volley. However, the lost opportunities did not phase the Argentine, who went on to hold and then go up a break by coming to the net himself. As expected, though, the former world #1 immediately lifted his game as needed and broke back with an utterly gorgeous backhand down the line, hit at full stretch. The set was destined for a tiebreak and the first two points went to the returner. Then something odd happened. Acasuso, mildly possessed, flew off to a 6-3 lead. Roger threw in two aces to erase the set points on his racquet, forcing Jose to serve out the set. The two ended up in a long rally of 20 shots before Fed decided to take all the pace off a backhand, drawing a waywardly hit ball from Acasuso: 6-all. Federer went on to take it 10-8.
The second set wasn't nearly as exciting as after a trade of breaks, each held serve fairly comfortably until Acasuso was able to finagle a deuce game on Roger's service at 5-5. He went on to break and hold to take the second set 7-5. At the 2-hour mark, we began the best of three.
Federer was certainly at odds, unable to gather proper footing, stunningly missing routine forehands and simply panicking. Acasuso took the golden opportunity and ran up to a 4-love lead before Roger could get an grasp of the set. It was looking rather grim for Swiss fans, already imaging a fifth set or, at worst, an embarrassing first week loss for the heart-favourite. No worries though, as Federer quickly found his game: serving easy aces, drawing errors, charging the net and invoking his world-class talent as intimidation. He broke back and went on to steamroll the tiebreak 7-2.
The fourth set was what we would have expected from him during such an early round obstacle, though Federer did seem to use this as a practice session for a potential Nadal final. Roger repeatedly hit the forehand drop shot, the backhand slice drop shot, the half-volley drop shot, the return of serve drop shot... and all with great success. Surely a swift Rafa will connect with more than a big fellow like Acasuso, but Roger, having passed this one, will surely be up to the test.
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