Features

Federer still the best

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 19/05/2010
Tennis betting

Just under a year ago, those who still doubted the greatness of Roger Federer were forced to bow to the accepted wisdom that the Swiss is the greatest tennis player of the open era.

Federer finally got his hands on the French Open title by seeing off Robin Soderling in a one-sided final, after his Paris nemesis - Rafael Nadal - fell to the big-hitting Swede in the quarter-finals.

Nadal, the four-time defending champion at Roland Garros, had previously stretched his winning run in Paris to a record 31 matches before a knee injury caught up with him and allowed Soderling to clinch a 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 victory.

That cleared the way for Federer to march on to the title, but he had to fight all the way to complete his set of all four Grand Slams.

Can Roger Federer retain his French Open title? - Latest Tennis Betting

In round one, Federer had few problems disposing of Spain's Alberto Martin, winning through 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.

Round two saw Federer face Argentinian clay-court specialist Jose Acasuso and the Swiss maestro was given his first fright when his opponent levelled the match at one set all, before Federer edged a third-set tie-break and raced through the fourth set to seal the match 7-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-2.

Thirty-second seed Paul-Henri Mathieu pushed Federer in round three, taking the first set before the tide turned and long-time world number one came through in four sets, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

With Nadal despatched by Soderling a day before his next match, Federer was clearly feeling the pressure of expectation against an inspired Tommy Haas and was in desperate trouble at 6-7, 5-7 down.

However, motivated by the knowledge that his great rival had fallen, Federer roared backed to reach the quarter-finals, winning the last three sets 6-4, 6-0, 6-2.

Federer's last-eight clash with home favourite Gael Monfils proved to be a much more straightforward affair, with the Frenchman being seen off in straight sets 7-6, 6-2, 6-4.

With glory at his fingertips, Federer was again pushed to the limits in the semi-finals, with rising star Juan Martin del Potro - who would beat Federer in the US Open final later in the season - putting together an inspired display.

Del Potro twice led by a set before Federer's steely resolve paid off and he clinched a place in a fourth straight Roland Garros final by winning out 3-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.

That left Federer just needing to see off Soderling to finally get his hands on the Coupe des Mousquetaires and he was not to be denied. Federer raced through the first set 6-1, before Soderling took the second set to a tie-break, which he lost 7-6.

That left Federer on the verge and he duly wrapped up the third set 6-4 before dropping to his knees in triumph and breaking out into his customary tears.

BET NOW