Berdych Bounces Federer Out of US Open QFs

In a New York minute, Roger Federer found himself in a unfamiliar place: on the losing end of a night match at the U.S. Open as Tomas Berdych defeated him to reach the semifinals.

By Erik Gudris

(September 5, 2012) -- In a New York minute, Roger Federer found himself in a unfamiliar place - on the losing end of a night match at the U.S. Open.

The man who took out the top seed and World No. 1 is Tomas Berdych, a man who had never played a night match on Arthur Ashe Stadium before in his career but who has a lifetime head-to-head record of 3-3 against Federer, including a win at Wimbledon in 2010.

But when Federer broke Berdych to start the match, it looked like the five-time U.S. Open champion was on his way to yet another crowd pleasing win. However it was Federer who began spewing errors, especially on his forehand side, while Berdych played solid tennis to earn the break back and eventually push things to 5-all.

Federer had mused earlier in a pre-match interview with ESPN's Darren Cahill that he hoped he was the same player he was before his walkover win against Mardy Fish in the last round that caused him to not play for several days. But he clearly wasn't as the errors continued from his racquet giving his wife Mirka, who watched from the stands, more concern as she clenched her hands tighter on each point.

The first set ended in a tiebreak that saw Federer once again hit too many forehand errors giving Berdych the set.

It didn't get better for Federer in the second set as more errors from him gave Berdych a quick break. Federer appeared to finally get things going when he came back from 0-40 down with a series of winning shots to hold for 2-3. The crowd was pumped and so was Federer but it didn't prevent Berdych from hanging on to his lead as he served out the set 6-4.

At that point, Federer had hit a whopping 27 unforced errors in two sets.

The messiness from the No. 1 continued though with another early break lead for Berdych that saw him soon jump out to 3-1 in the third set. But Berdych's nerve, that has failed him before in big matches, failed him again as he tossed in several double faults to give Federer the break back. Federer then started connecting for winners and soon broke the Czech at love and that eventually allowed Federer to serve out the set 6-3.

Berdych composed himself in the fourth set with two solid holds of serve and though he fell hard on the court one point chasing a Federer shot, it didn't effect him in the game as he held again for 3-2. At 4-3, the errors creeped back into Federer's game allowing Berdych a break point chance. Berdych converted with a huge forehand and just like that he was serving for the match at 5-3.

If Federer hoped Berdych's nerves would creep in again, they didn't as the Czech calmly hit a big forehand and then two big serves to go up 40-0. On his first match point, Berdych clinched it with another big serve and thus closed out an impressive 7-6(1), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win.

Berdych's smile lit up the court as he celebrated his win though a few boos from the partisan New York crowd underscored that their favorite was not moving on to the semis, something that hasn't happened since 2003.

"There is no better feeling than this one…to play in my first night match here and to be able to beat Federer," said Berdych afterwards.

A subdued Federer in press could only ruminate on his lost opportunity to win a sixth title in New York. "I'm disappointed. I really expected myself to play better tonight, especially at night. I've had such a great record," said Federer.

"With my game I'm able to make him some trouble. Even if he's playing well.. there is something in my game he doesn't like," said Berdych in press.

Berdych will now face Andy Murray in the semifinals. Berdych leads their head to head record four to two.

(Photo Credit: AFP/Patrick Kovarik)