An awkward match from Fed ?

ForehandRF

Legend
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At that point, they were.
Up until 2013, USO surfaces were quite faster than what we have seen in recent years due to multiple reasons.
2014 was probably the fastest in the 2010s, or maybe they used different balls that edition, dunno.After that, USO started to be like a different tournament imo.The AO plays faster in recent years, in comparison with the USO.
 
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zep

Hall of Fame
From the guy to bagel novak a couple weeks ago, to the guy losing to birdman of all people.
Fed really blew huge chances in 2012

Berdych was a dangerous opponent back then. I remember he also beat Federer in Cincy the year before. He had a big first serve, a decent return game and easy power from the baseline, especially with the forehand. On his day he could trouble anyone. Plus Federer would have had to beat Murray and then Djokovic to win the title. I won't call it a blown opportunity, that would be 2014. But Cilic was on fire that day.
 

Enceladus

Legend

I mean, was Berdych that good ? Can we consider it a wasted opportunity for Fed at the USO ?
Roger advanced to QF without a fight, he was supposed to play with Mardy Fish in the 4R. WO evidently negatively affected Fed's rhythm.
We could speculate on how USO 2012 would turn out if Fed won over Birdman and played against Murray in SF. Murray would win over Fed, respectively. would he win over both Djokerers or not? :unsure:
 

ForehandRF

Legend
Roger advanced to QF without a fight, he was supposed to play with Mardy Fish in the 4R. WO evidently negatively affected Fed's rhythm.
We could speculate on how USO 2012 would turn out if Fed won over Birdman and played against Murray in SF. Murray would win over Fed, respectively. would he win over both Djokerers or not? :unsure:
Murray was yet to win a slam match vs Fed, so he wasn't de favorite.With Djokovic it's a tough call, but he wasn't at his 2011 level.
 
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Martin J

Hall of Fame
Federer had put incredible effort to get to #1 that year and it took its toll on his body at the end. Prior to the US Open, he held titles in Basel, Paris, WTF, Dubai, Indian Wells, Madrid, Wimbledon and Cincinnati (played SF in Australia and at the FO) and that run had exhausted him both physically and mentally imo.
I think 2012 was the first year (since he entered his prime) he couldn't manage to play a full season without fatigue catching up with him. So I would say it was an expected performance, rather than awkward.

And Birdman is a tough customer, he dethroned him at Wimbledon 2010 (bad back or not, it was a fair victory) as well and it hasn't been always easy for Fed to deal with his power.
 
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ForehandRF

Legend
Fed's USO losses have been inexplicable since 2009.

20 year Delpo, 2 times with MP against DJokovic and 1 time with 23 BP, Robredo, Millman, Dmitrov, Berdych, Cilic..
At least the ones in recent years can be understandable to same extent, given that his aging body won't allow him to be 100% by the time USO starts.From 2009 till 2015 it's another story.
 
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