Having heard that David Goffin, Roger Federer’s fourth round opponent, had posters of him in his room, Federer recalled a match he played against Patrick Rafter. He took a set off of the Aussie, but the Aussie claimed the next 3 sets. He felt, once Goffin claimed the first set, that it was his job to earn the next 3 sets, which he did.
Because of the length of the Djokovic-Seppi match and even the Federer-Goffin match, two other matches were suspended due to darkness. The first match that was suspended, around 9 PM, was between del Potro and Berdych. del Potro took the first set in a close tiebreak. Berdych stormed back with at 61 set. del Potro took the third set, 63. They decided to stop the match there with the Argentine up 2 sets to 1.
The other match ran longer. Last year, Wawrinka beat Tsonga in 5 long sets. This year, they went to a 5-setter as well, but both played 6 games in the fifth set, with Tsonga leading 4-2. Wawrinka took sets 3 and 4 after being down 2 sets to none and having some chances to break back.
Monday, the matches of interest are Ferrer vs. Granollers. They’ve only played 3 times and only once on clay. Ferrer has won all 3 times. He will be favored in this match. Ferrer has flown under the radar, but has played solid tennis.
Murray is scheduled to play Gasquet. There’s been talk that he wants to test Gasquet’s fitness. Gasquet won handily against Haas, needing 4 sets, but winning 2 at love. Haas always plays well in Slams, but often has played very little tennis heading into a Slam. Thus, his fitness is often suspect. Murray and Gasquet have had a long battle between each other and Gasquet won their last encounter back in Monte Carlo, though Murray had ample opportunities to break. Given Gasquet’s struggle against Haas, Murray has said he wants to test his fitness. The two played each other two years ago in a match Murray won in 5 sets in an opening round.
Tomorrow, Nadal will play Monaco and expected to do his business and head to the next round. Tipsarevic plays Almagro and tries to show he deserves to be in the top ten. This will be their first encounter. Almagro has struggled to be a relevant Spaniard after Nadal and Ferrer. Tipsarevic wants to show that he is worthy of his top ten ranking.
Should be an interesting Monday!