US Open Quarter-final result: R FEDERER (Swi) bt G MULLER (Lux) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 7-6 (7-5) LATEST ACTION (all times BST)  | 606: DEBATE |
To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111. (Not all contributions can be used) 2230: Quite routine for Federer in the end, although Muller did have his moments - he fully deserved the applause he got from the Flushing Meadows crowd. A bigger test awaits the defending champion in the semi-finals where he will meet Novak Djokovic or Andy Roddick. David Ornstein will take you through the last men's quarter-final later - please be nice to him. "A competent performance by Roger but he's going to have to step it up to make the final let alone win it."
Andrew in Newcastle via text on 81111 Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 7-6 (7-5) Muller
Problems for Fed who sends a backhand long on serve and is suddenly in trouble at 1-4. A poor backhand from Muller brings Fed back in at 4-5, however, and when a Muller backhand drops an inch wide we are level at 5-5. A big second-serve brings up match-point and a mistake by Muller means FEDERER IS INTO THE SEMI-FINALS "Fed will probably go on and win this but two years ago it would have been 6-2 6-3 6-1. I see another French Open final-type score rather than Wimbledon if Nadal can scrap past Murray!!"
Anon via text on 81111 Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 6-6 Muller
It was the first game of the second set when Muller last had a break-point and he has not exactly threatened much since. He is still coming into the net but is still seeing the ball fly past him. Fed holds and we are into another tie-break. Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 5-6 Muller
Credit to Muller, he is not giving up is he? A delightful lob helps him hold and he will at least have a tie-break at the end of this third set - and Fed must actually serve to save it. By the way, even if he loses, Gilles will see his ranking climb from 130 in the world to somewhere in the mid-60s...if he somehow turns this one round and reaches the semis then he will be up in the mid-30s. Let's not get carried away though. Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 5-5 Muller
Still no problems for Fed on serve as he holds to love again, as he has done throughout this third set. "Muller cannot get near the Federer serve at the moment and he is having to perform heroics just to hold his own."
Jeff Tarango on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 4-5 Muller
Fed did have a go too - and boy did he come close to getting what would have been a decisive break. A Muller forehand drifts long to hand him a first break-point but he puts a - poor - sliced backhand into the net. Another sloppy Muller backhand hands him a second chance but the man from Luxembourg comes in to the net to rescue deuce with an almighty smash before serving out. A close call for Muller though. Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 4-4 Muller
In less than 60 seconds, Fed is level and Muller seems to have more or less given up on breaking his serve now. This next game was when Fed struck to snatch the second set so will he go for this one in the same way? I think so... Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 3-4 Muller
Muller has hit 12 aces in this match, including one to wrap up this game. Fed doesn't look that bothered by all this though, and he is still well in control. Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 3-3 Muller
Another routine hold for Federer, although Muller does hit a fine forehand return winner just to show he is still here. Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 2-3 Muller
Muller overcomes being - harshly - penalised for a foot-fault to hold and forces (surely) one of the biggest mis-hits in Federer's career in the process - an attempted backhand comes off his frame and makes into the second tier of the Arthur Ashe Court. Gilles is hanging on. "That foot-fault call was just the umpire trying to be noticed"
Jeff Tarango on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 2-2 Muller
Four big serves, including his sixth ace of the match, bring Fed level. Still no breaks in this third set. Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 1-2 Muller
Gilles looks tired now if I'm honest. His big serve and his big heart are about all he has got left right now. They are enough to see him hold here but I think the end is nigh. I am normally wrong about these things though. "Steam is still coming out of Federer's ears over that poor call that he thinks cost him a break in the first game of this set."
Jeff Tarango on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 1-1 Muller
More determined play from Muller who does not give up even at 40-0 and claws back two points. It's all in vain though as Fed holds and he has got that confident look in his eye again. Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 0-1 Muller
Fed looks relaxed now, and you can't blame him really. He goes 0-30 up and Muller is a lucky boy when a forehand winner is called wide only for hawkeye to show it clipped the line. Still, Fed earns a break-point and it takes a lot of work from Muller to rescue himself and hold thanks to a booming smash. SECOND SET Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 Muller
Muller is still battling and a couple of shanks by Federer mean he is alive and kicking at 30-all. Two big serves wrap the second set up for Fed, though, and you have to fancy him now. Muller has already come back from two-sets down twice in this tournament and he will have to do it a third time if he is to progress. "Federer is just brilliant in breaking at that all important moment of a set. Just seems to go up a gear when needed. It must be heartbreaking for his opposition. Only true champions have that ability."
eirebilly on 606
Join the debate on 606 Federer 7-6 (7-5) 5-4 Muller
Talk about picking your moment. A mistake by Muller and a glorious backhand passing shot by Fed takes him to 0-30. A double-fault after a huge second serve slides wide gives him three break-points too. Two of them come and go after massive serves from Muller but there is no denying Fed - he sends another backhand past Muller and he has just broken him for the first time in the match. "You could tell from Federer's body language at the start of that game that he was going to step up his game - and step it up he did."
Jonathan Overend on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra Federer 7-6 (7-5) 4-4 Muller
Fed is having to be patient here and the main thing for the defending champion is that he does not let anything slip on his serve. Mission accomplished then as he holds to 15. The pressure is still on him though, I feel - Gilles has nothing to lose. Federer 7-6 (7-5) 3-4 Muller
Fed still cannot get near the Muller serve though and he has only managed to pick up one point on it in this entire set. That forehand of his is still motoring as well. "I cannot compliment Muller enough. He is playing the big points well and playing percentages too. He is like a coaches' dream at the moment - he is doing all the right things."
Jeff Tarango on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra Federer 7-6 (7-5) 3-3 Muller
Thank-you Gilles Muller for winning a point against Federer with a backhand that lands plum on the line. Fed has the good grace not to challenge the call too, although it did look a bit tight. That's all Muller is getting in this game though as Fed is well on top - in at the net to put away a couple of smart volleys to take him level again in this second set. Federer 7-6 (7-5) 2-3 Muller
Right, that's three straight games without a point against serve and they need to cut that out now because it doesn't leave me much to write about, or any time to look at what you lot are saying. Federer 7-6 (7-5) 2-2 Muller
Muller had a chance on the Federer serve in the last game but not this time - he doesn't get a sniff, let alone a point. Fed is still in a match here but he is still relaxed enough to have a laugh with the ball-boy after wrapping the game up - offering him his towel then throwing it away. Cheeky boy. Federer 7-6 (7-5) 1-2 Muller
Muller puts away a looping forehand, again into the corner, and holds again, to love. Igor Andreev's big serve and big forehand gave Fed problems in the fourth round and Muller has both of those, plus a backhand that can do some damage too (something Igor didn't have). He is still very much in this one. Federer 7-6 (7-5) 1-1 Muller
Muller went toe-to-toe with Federer at times in the first set and he is still going for it here, some big returns helping him to 30-all and then to deuce. Fed looks a little bit confused - surely it should be him putting the forehands into the corners? - and he is trouble too, a mis-hit backhand handing the man from Luxembourg a break-point. Fed survives thanks to a whipped forehand cross-court winner and eventually holds after a wide backhand from Muller. He's still not having things all his own way though. "Federer is a true great but he made hard work of the first set. I feel that his class will now shine and he will win quite easily in three sets."
eirebilly on 606
Join the debate on 606 Federer 7-6 (7-5) 0-1 Muller
Muller changes his grip in time for the start of the second set and he is still serving well despite the disappointment of losing that first set. He is still charging the net when possible too and he holds without any trouble to get off the mark in the second set. "Gilles' first serve has kept the score respectable so far, but over a best of five sets I think he's going to get MULLERED! Im off for some yoghurt!"
Anand in surrey via text on 81111 Oh dear. FIRST SET Federer 7-6 (7-5) Muller
Fed takes two points off the Muller serve early in the tie-break but he is soon level at 4-4. Fed ups his game though, with a big serve followed by a brilliant backhand passing shot to settle an epic rally, leaving Muller flat out on the other side of the net. Muller isn't done yet though, saving another set-point with one of those big serves, and he comes close to rescuing another - only to see a glancing backhand volley on the run drift wide. FEDERER TAKES THE FIRST SET "It looked like the tie-break would be a breeze for Federer but Muller showed so much guts to get back into it."
Jeff Tarango on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra Federer 6-6 Muller
Credit to Muller, he does not give up without a fight. Some great work around the court from Fed earns him four set-points but some huge serves by Muller save him every time. A poor forehand from Gilles sees the ball land halfway down the net to give the Swiss another chance but a 125mph piledriver keeps Muller alive and he eventually holds thanks to a forehand winner into the corner. A great chance for Fed but we're into a tie-break folks. "Federer will have noticed that throughout the tournament Muller has won pretty much every tie-break he has played."
Jeff Tarango on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra Federer 6-5 Muller
Federer is still moving easily himself, though, and he holds without dropping a point. Muller only gets one serve back and the rally ends when the big man from Luxembourg puts a forehand in the tramlines. Federer 5-5 Muller
Muller's serve has found it's groove now - he kicks off with an ace and Fed barely gets a racquet on the next two before sending a backhand return long. This first set is still wide open. Federer 5-4 Muller
No problems for Fed on his serve this time. He drops only one point and he is within a game of taking this first set, although he has not looked like breaking Muller for a while. Federer 4-4 Muller
With his big serve, floppy fringe and even bigger bandana, Muller could be mistaken for a slightly oversized Greg Rusedski. He has a better backhand than Greg, though, hitting one brilliant cross-court winner to move to 40-15. He puts away a high volley on the next point and is level again. "Judging by the way Fed is playing here he won't be going on to win the US Open. He might not even make it through this match."
Nogonadstice on 606
Join the debate on 606 Federer 4-3 Muller
Hmmm, The first Fed wobble of the evening - but he survives. A well-worked point by Muller ends with him putting away a thumping smash and a nice forehand gives him the first scent of a break at 15-30. Fed responds with a typically effortless winner but he puts his next forehand in the net and is 30-40 down. Muller hits his next return long, however, and two more forehands by Fed see him hold. Federer 3-3 Muller
Two more double-faults for Muller but when he gets his serve in he tends to win the point. An ace wraps the game up too for good measure. It's erratic but it's working for him, so far. "Muller needs to keep that serve going to keep the points short if he is to have a chance here."
Jeff Tarango on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra Federer 3-2 Muller
We've got a pattern to this match already folks. Fed is holding without breaking sweat while Muller is okay as long as he gets his first serve in - if he has to have a rally he is in a bit of trouble. "Djokovic will beat whoever wins this one. World no. 150 or an off-form Federer won't be able to cope."
GraymeadYNWA on 606
Join the debate on 606 Federer 2-2 Muller
Muller has got a huge left-hand serve but it is mis-firing a bit at the moment - a double-fault doesn't help matters and Federer sends back a stinging return too. It's not enough though as Muller sends down another pile-driver to hold and level this first set. Federer 2-1 Muller
Again, no problems for Federer on serve - blink and you would have missed that. This is a good start from the champion. "Federer looks so comfortable at the moment. He has eased through these first few games."
Jeff Tarango on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra "Fed is a victim of his own success. He has only dropped two sets and has shown some remarkable resilience. He will suprise a lot of people when he wins the whole tournament."
Bones in Omagh via text on 81111 Federer 1-1 Muller
Well, Muller has just held too but with considerably more difficulty. He slips to 0-30 after struggling with his serve but replies with an ace and is soon at 40-30. Fed is still on the attack though and forces a deuce before a big Muller smash sees him hold. "Federer not at his best? Two Grand Slam finals in a year? Fed not at his best can still destroy most players on tour! Can't see past Nadal vs Fed final too!"
bennycmufc on 606
Join the debate on 606 Fed's not finished yet, that's for sure, but he struggled against Igor Andreev in the fourth round here...and I would not have said that a year ago would I? Federer 1-0 Muller
Not the greatest start for Federer who puts a routine backhand into the net but he still holds easily enough. The winner of this one plays Andy Roddick or Novak Djokovic by the way. 2003: We're up and running. Federer to serve. 2001: Fed is up against Gilles Muller for a place in the semi-finals and I am not really sure what to expect. Muller, who is 25 and from Luxembourg, is ranked 130th in the world but is on a marvellous run that saw him beat fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko in the last round. Fed, meanwhile, is not at his best right now is he? 2000: Evening all. Defending champion Roger Federer against a qualifier in the quarter-finals of the US Open? This shouldn't take long....oh, hang on a minute.
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?