Roger Federer must have done a lot of things right to have had favours returned the way they have at Roland Garros this year. He has dealt with his opponents in mostly his skilled surgeon manner and only a few minor scalpel slips have occurred, none threatening serious injury.
He has however been assisted by the presentation of those opponents - in succession ranked 78, 92, 89 and 109. Yes, hardly any more than a comfortable relaxing walk in the park with the kids. The only test for Roger thus far would be the match up in the quarter final - the winner of the highly anticipated Berdych and Del Potro clash loomed as a serious warm up for the likely Djokovic semi final.
Although having winning records against both, it is Del Potro that the Swiss champ has owned this year, already dispensing of the Argentine giant 4 times without bleeding a single set. Tomas has been more of a bother to Roger, as recently as Madrid having the gall to force Federer to 3 sets in the final and delaying valuable alone time with the wife and kids. Then there is the still burning hatred of the Czech world number 7, fuelled by his failure to bow to the Grass God in the Wimbledon quarters in 2010.
So the second most delighted person to receive the news of Juan Martin's success in 4 sets over Berdych was Federer, who now was guaranteed a straight sets path to what we all wanted anyway - the dream semi final against the world's best. Of course out to prove me wrong is Del Potro, who after being taken apart in the second set against Berdych, displayed the sort of fortitude and skill on clay to give it straight back and more for one of the more impressive wins in the men's draw in 2011.
If he can bring that attitude to his Federer assignment, then maybe we could receive the benefit of something like the 2009 US Open final rather than the white flag efforts of earlier in 2012.
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