Paris, Jun 02: Shell-shocked Roger Federer’s mood was as dark as the Paris gloom as his dreams of a second French Open success were crushed by Swedish sledgehammer Robin Soderling.
One year on from condemning four-time champion Rafael Nadal to a first career defeat at Roland Garros, Soderling was back to his gatecrashing best, sending 14 aces and 19 forehand winners flashing past the world number one.
But Federer, with 16 Grand Slam titles under his belt, insisted his European claycourt swing had been badly affected by the weather with the damp, heavy conditions here virtually identical to those he endured in early losses in Estoril and Rome in April.
His lack of serving strength also played a part in his stunning 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 quarter-final loss which brought to an end his record, six-year run of 23 successive Grand Slam semifinals appearances.
–PTI