Roger Federer Loses to Berdych in US Open Quarterfinals
Five-time champion Roger Federer was knocked out of the U.S. Open by Tomas Berdych.
Eventually it became clear even to Federer that he was going to lose Wednesday night – that for the first time since 2003, he was he not going to participate in the U.S. Open semifinals.
"So many moments, I thought, 'Man, it's just not happening for me,'" the 17-time Grand Slam champion said. "It was just a very disappointing match for me."
Able to muster his best shotmaking only occasionally, the top-seeded Federer was stunned by No. 6 Berdych of the Czech Republic 7-6 (1), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows.
It was Berdych's fourth victory in his last seven meetings against Federer, including in the 2010 Wimbledon quarterfinals en route to a runner-up finish to Rafael Nadal at the All England Club.
How did Berdych explain his success against Federer? After all, Berdych never had been past the fourth round at the U.S. Open and was coming off first-round losses at Wimbledon and the London Olympics.
"It's probably the way that, with my game, I'm able to make him some trouble," said Berdych, who will play Olympic champion Andy Murray in Saturday's semifinals. "There is something in my game that he doesn't like, and it makes him a bit struggle, I would say, and maybe bring him out of his comfort zone."