For those who say the match was an ‘embarrassment’ today, fun fact: Roger has bagelled Rafa both on his best surface, clay, and Roger’s best surface, hardcourt. That’s more than what can be said for Rafa any way you slice it.

Roger is into the finals in Rome after again being victorious in straight sets against B. Paire, 7-6, 6-4!

6-4, 7-6 Roger is through to the semi final after defeating bullet-server, J. Janowicz in straight sets! Awesome performance, Roger! C’mon champ!

Roger making an obvious statement that he means business, after a ruthless display of tennis, beating G. Simon 6-1, 6-2.

Rog not only destroyed 6-1, 6-2 in his opening match in Rome against P. Starace, Federer also succeeded in winning the fastest set in the history of tennis! The first set was won in a startling 19 minutes. Bravo Roger!!!

Side note: Yes one brief note, Roger got a haircut. Curl lovers look away.

Through to the quarters…

À bois noueux, hache affilée:
Roger delighted us yet again with a performance nothing short of master class; dispatching I. Dodig 6-3, 6-1. Though what appeared to be little trouble for most of the second set, Roger was met with sudden back pain which made his serving stiff but still didn’t hinder him in closing the match swiftly. The stiffness in the last set was recognized by most of the comms and when asked of his condition, thankfully Roger calmly stated,

“I’m not too worried. I have gone through it so many times where you feel a little tweak,” he said. “Happened during Grand Slams, during tournaments, in practice. It’s just something you learn to deal with.”
Let’s hope it’s just that!
This breezing victory marked his 890th career ATP match victory on tour. Let’s all pray everyone that what happened with Roger’s back was just a tweak and that GOD will bless him with a full and swift recovery. All the best, Rogi!

Our Roger demolished opponent D. Istomin 6-2, 6-3 at a startling rate in his opening match at Indian Wells. In this match I noticed a new ferocity and tweaking in the movement of Federer’s forehand which made many of his shots nearly unpredictable but painted the lines left and right!

Motto: Speak softly & carry a big racquet…
The victorious Federer makes a thumping statement by serving a swift 6-2, 6-2 coup de grâce to the Russian, N. Davydenko and clears his way to the semi-finals. Match was under an hour.

Federer danced past Spain’s M. Granollers in a 6-3, 6-4 victory that seemed routine…but this day-in-the office win granted Federer with his 100th match victory in an ATP 500 tournament and a place in the quarter-finals.