2009 in review: A match to remember...
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Got the end-of-year blues? Feeling sentimental? We are, which is why we fancy a nostalgic look back at our ten favourite Grand Slam moments of the year. Today, we remember a determined Tommy Haas at the French Open…
It was a result that sent shockwaves through the tennis world and put a rather sizeable smile on the face of a certain Swiss. Rafael Nadal’s five-year, 31-match unbeaten run at Roland Garros ended at the hands of Robin Soderling in round four, paving the way for Roger Federer to finally get his hands on the Coupe des Mousquetaires.
Having already lost two consecutive finals to the Spaniard, Federer was hammered 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 by Nadal in the 2008 final, a defeat convincing enough to suggest that the Swiss maestro might never win the French Open with the king of clay around.
But when Soderling worked his magic to defeat Nadal in 2009, Federer finally had the title in sight.
Could he safely negotiate the banana skin fourth round that had felled Nadal?
Tommy Haas had other ideas…
Despite failing to pinch a point off the world number two in Federer’s first six service games, the fired-up Haas proved equally strong on serve. In the resulting first set tie-break, Haas cracked it, forcing two mini-breaks before taking the set with cool assurance.
Federer fought back in the third game of the second set with a break of his own, delighting a French crowd eager to see him inch closer to a title that had long since alluded him.
But Haas broke back five games later. Drawing inspiration from Robin Soderling’s takedown of Nadal, the German appeared determined to record his own fourth round upset. It looked to be on the cards when the 31-year-old broke again in the 12th game to clinch a two sets lead.
Earning a break point at 4-3 in the third set, Haas found himself just five points away from causing a huge upset, but after failing to convert, his head dropped. Federer saw his chance and broke immediately before serving out the set; the comeback was on.
After three sets that had each lasted well over forty minutes, the fourth took just 21 minutes. A rampant revival from the world No.2 saw him charge through the set without making a single unforced error. At 2-0 up, Federer produced a sublime backhand return-turned-drop shot to clinch a second break in game three. The Swiss was back to his slick, untouchable self.
By now, Federer was in the groove. Haas, running near-empty. Two more games was all the German could muster as his early fight deserted him with a whimper and Federer eventually eased to a 6-7(4), 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 victory.
In a match that so nearly ended his French Open dream for another year, the Fed-express had ultimately prevailed in style. After being taken to the wire in round four, Federer went on to steamroll Gael Monfils to reach the last four of a Grand Slam for the 20th time in succession.
Battling past a determined Juan Martin del Potro in the semis, Federer finally clinched the career Grand Slam.
Describing the French Open win as the greatest victory of his career, Federer said: “It takes away so much pressure. Now, I can play in peace.”
A stunning victory for only the sixth winner of the career slam.
That fighting fourth round comeback against Haas may just have clinched it.
