| 15 May 2010
Match report -
Federer v Gulbis
by Steve Law
Ernest Gulbis shows once again that he is mature for his 21 years by closing out the first set pretty convincingly against Roger Federer 6-3. If we're being picky he was at 40-0 and let Federer get back to deuce before closing the game with an ace. Still pretty convincing from the Latvian.
The second set looked like it maybe just as troublesome for Federer as Gulbis broke in the first game. However, the glory was short-lived for Gulbis as Federer broke back immediately and finally pumped his fist with a ‘come on!' The first sign that he was into the match.
All of a sudden Federer looked a lot more convincing as he started to pick Gulbis's serve that had caused him so much trouble in the first set.
At 3-1 Federer had to absorb the increased pace from Gulbis and a timely lob from the Latvian also kept Federer a little weary of coming forward. But Federer kept pressing and Gulby was unable to live with the precision serving, the mid-court sliced backhands and the variety of the world #1.
Federer continued to show incredible court awareness throughout the set and
at 5-1 Federer closed the set in true class, with a beautiful half-volley drop shot from mid court. 6-1 Federer.
The third set produced some high quality tennis from both players.
At 1-1 Federer picks the 214km/h Gulbis serve and fires a winning backhand beyond the reach of the Latvian. Federer breaks with a beautifully disguised backhand lob to go 2-1 up.
Cries from the crowd of ‘close the roof' when the rain started falling did nothing to distract the players or change the quality of the match.
Although Gulbis stayed within touching distance, Fed's superior class pulled him through to a 3-6 6-1 6-4 victory.
With Murray defeated, and Ferrer likely to be tired from a late night finish it looks odds on for another Federer v Nadal showdown.
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