Apology for the late post, I didn't get to see much from Roger's match against Julien Benneteau and what a thriller it was! Unfortunately I had to see highlights, as channel Seven was broadcasting Hewitt/Guccione's doubles match instead, that's what you get for living in Australia! But I did get to see Roger's encounter with Xavier Malisse  from start to finish and both match reports are in this post.

FEDERER VS BENNETEAU
When Nadal got beaten by Rosol a day earlier, not anyone was expecting Federer to almost join him in the airport. But Benneteau was playing some of the best tennis of his life when the match started, benefiting from Roger's unforced errors to snatch the first set 6-4. Roger broke immediately in the second set, but failed to consolidate and Benneteau was back on serve. Amazing he also saved three set points at 5-6 down to force the set into a tiebreaker. Once again, Roger wasn't getting his shots placement right and Benneteau took the tiebreaker 7-3. 

On the scoreboard it showed - Julien Benneteau_2, Roger Federer_0. Two sets down. Could Roger fight back like he did against Del Potro a few weeks ago? He was in the same situation in the first round here in 2010 against Falla. He refocused to take the set 6-2 and I thought that would be enough to keep some composure, it was looking fine in the fourth set when he has up 40-0 on Benneteau's serve, but once again he failed to convert the opportunities! Since Benneteau served first in the set, Roger had to serve at 4-5 to stay in the tournament. I almost had a heart attack when he was down 15-30, the next point was so crucial - either 2 match points for Benneteau or 30-30. Thank goodness, Roger kept his composure and forced the set into another tiebreaker. It was so tense, he had a couple of mini-break only for Benneteau to fight back to level the tiebreak. Roger was leading 5-4 when he hit a backhand volley wide after chopping it too much, one of the worst mistakes anyone could make in a tiebreak; remember when Roddick was up 6-2 in the second set tiebreaker against Roger in the final in 2009 and overpowered his volley at his last opportunity? That cost him the match and the 2009 Wimbledon title.

 
Anyway another big serve by Roger on the T gave him a set point, but a backhand flick error pushed the score back to 6-6. Switch sides. Either match point or set point. Benneteau fired huge serve which Roger had to full stretch to just have his racquet block it back, Benneteau moved him around the court until an overpowered backhand gave Roger his second opportunity to stay in the match. When Benneteau hit a forehand into the net, Roger and the crowd gave an impressive roar.

In the decider, I guess Benneteau had taken his toll and Roger cruised to take the match 4-6 7-6(3) 6-2 7-6(6) 6-1

                             

 “It's always one of the best feelings coming back from two sets to love in a Grand Slam, and in particular here at Wimbledon where I have been able to do it before,” said Federer. “So I have been there, but not with the roof closed. That made the atmosphere very special out there.” 

FEDERER VS MALISSE
I thought this might a total cruise match for Roger, the H2H record was 9-1 in his favour and Malisse hadn't beaten him since 1999! After a few games, I realised there was something wrong, his serves were marginally weaker than all other matches last week and he was only slightly bending his knees, like Andre Agassi's serve motion. There wasn't any pace on his forehand and he struggled to return balls on the deuce side of the court.
                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Eventually Roger called for a trainer and it seems he had a lower back injury and he had to go off the court to get treated. At 5-4, he started off with a huge forehand down the line, moved Malisse around the court with crafty backhands to hit a volley winner at 15-15 and I hoped he would be able to take the set. Malisse held serve and broke the next game to serve for the set. 

Suddenly Roger came alive and started off chasing down a drop volley by Malisse to hit a crosscourt passing shot winner. He went up 40-0 when he hit a great topspin backhand winner and Malisse didn't even attempt to retrieve. A spectacular stretch backhand volley winner took the set into a tiebreak. 

Malisse didn't do anything right in the tiebreak, went for unnecessary big shots and only salvaged one point. First set -> Roger Federer. 

                                       

There was a rain delay when the first set finished, good news for Roger since he could get more treatment and rest his back. The second set was a breeze for him, breaking Malisse three times to take a two sets to love lead. It was good to see Roger recovering and hit a couple of beautiful backhand passing shots, most notably on set point. 

Roger backed off in the third set, errors were starting to appear more frequently and Malisse took the set forcing Roger to keep playing in the cold conditions. Not good for his back. 

Malisse broke again at the start of the fourth set taking a 2-0 lead. I was starting to think that the cold was effecting him, but he broke back, dropping only one more game to secure the match. 850th win and advancing to his 33rd consecutive quarter-final! GOAT!

"I was happy they kept it [the roof] open because it is an outdoor tournament at the end of they day," said Federer. "We don't want to play indoors all the time. It's not that big of a deal coming on and off. I know spectators would rather see a match than sitting in the rain. To see the Referee coming out and inspecting the courts, that's the whole drama that belongs to Wimbledon. Eventually, if it's too bad and it's really raining, this is when you shut it. "

"There's just this drizzle the whole time. You figure at any minute we could come off. Sometimes you're stressing out because you want to stretch the lead; sometimes you hope it rains so you can come off. So it also plays some tricks on you mentally."