Federer loses to Gulbis in French Open
PARIS, France (AP) — Everything appeared to be under control for Roger Federer, just like in the old days at Grand Slam tournaments.
And then, suddenly, it wasn’t.
One point from a two-set lead yesterday in the French Open’s fourth round against 18th-seeded Ernests Gulbis of Latvia, Federer settled under a floating ball and prepared for what should have been a simple putaway. Except, suddenly, it wasn’t. Federer sent a meek overhead toward Gulbis, who took advantage of the gaffe, ripping a backhand winner.
That was part of a four-point run that let Gulbis break serve and get very much back into the match, which he wound up winning 6-7 (5), 7-6 (3), 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to end Federer’s streak of nine consecutive quarter-finals at Roland Garros.
“A lot of regrets,” Federer said. “I just couldn’t kind of figure it out.”
The result fit with the topsy-turvy nature of this tournament: Both reigning Australian Open champions, number three Stan Wawrinka and number two Li Na, lost in the first round; number one Serena Williams left in the second round.
Gulbis now plays number six Tomas Berdych.
In another quarterfinal, number two Novak Djokovic will face number eight Milos Raonic. Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and number 24 Fernando Verdasco finished off third-round victories in matches suspended Saturday night.
In the women’s quarterfinals, 2012 champion Maria Sharapova — who won the last nine games against Samantha Stosur yesterday — will face 35th-ranked Garbine Muguruza, the 20-year-old Spaniard who stunned Williams last week.
