Shaken by his shocking US Open quarter-final loss to Tomas Berdych, world no.1 Roger Federer is going “back to the drawing board” to try and pick up the pieces of a suddenly shattered season.
Czech sixth seed Berdych stunned the Swiss top seed 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 late Wednesday to book a berth in tomorrow’s semi-finals against Andy Murray, who beat Croatian Marin Cilic 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-0.
“I’ve got to go back to the drawing board from here and see what’s really a priority,” Federer said.
“I’m disappointed. I really expected myself to play better.”
Federer saw his 21-match unbeaten run in night matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium snapped by a rival whom he had beaten in 11 of 15 prior meetings, one who had never played a night match in the largest Grand Slam tennis venue.
After collecting his first Grand Slam title in over two years by beating Murray in the Wimbledon final, taking an Olympic silver medal and reclaiming the no.1 ranking, Federer was handed his worst US Open loss since a fourth-round ouster in 2003 by David Nalbandian.
“The goal has been achieved, but now this is disappointing for me,” Federer said. “We’ll see where I go from now and if I go to Davis Cup or not, about what’s to come for the remainder for the season.”
Federer was trying to become the first man in 87 years to win a sixth US Open and capture his 18th career Grand Slam title. Instead, he missed out on what would have been a 33rd Slam semi-final in New York.
“I always know I’m going to put in the best fight. I did that,” Federer said.
“I wish I could have played better. So many moments I thought, ‘Man, it’s just not happening for me.’ It was just a very disappointing match... it was unfortunate.”
Berdych made only 21 unforced errors in the match to 40 by Federer, who smacked 44 winners to 30 for Berdych but won only 45 per cent of second-serve points to 51 per cent for Berdych.
“I rarely go through matches where I have no chances,” Federer said.
“I missed some but that’s normal. He probably created more than I did and that’s why he ended up winning.”
Women’s Singles
Today’s semi-finals: Azarenka vs Sharapova; Williams vs Errani.
Mixed Doubles
Final: Makarova/Soares vs Pesc-hke/Matkowski 6-7, 6-1, 12-10.