Mardy Fish never misses a chance to relive his epic battles with Roger Federer - and dish out a little playful shade. Responding to the question, "Has a celebrity ever been rude to you?" the American zeroed in on the 2004 Halle final, where Federer handed him his most lopsided defeat.
ADVERTISEMENT
With his signature humor, Mardyquipped it was downright rude of Roger to storm through the opening stretch - claiming nine games straight (though it was actually seven). The Swiss maestro cruised to a 6-0, 6-3 victory in just 57 minutes, defending his Halle crown and sending a loud warning shot ahead of Wimbledon.
Federer was untouchable that week in Halle, dropping just 26 games across ten sets en route to his 16th ATP title. Roger defeated Thomas Johannson 6-3, 6-2 in 69 minutes in the opening round and gained a boost. Mikhail Youzhny fared no better, falling 6-2, 6-1 in another 69-minute rout.
The Swiss maestro racked up five breaks, gliding through with ease.Arnaud Clement hung on slightly longer - 72 minutes - but still succumbed 6-3, 7-5.Federerserved well, andtwo timely breaks propelled him into the semi-final.
ADVERTISEMENT
The defending champion dispatched Jiri Novak 6-3, 6-4 in a crisp 53 minutes, with his precision firing on all cylinders.Then came Fish, who could notderail Federers relentless surge in what promised to be a thrilling grass-court showdown.
Roger outclassed Mardy by 26 points, sealing a bagel in the first set and a rock-solid win. He dropped just nine points across eight service games, never facing a break point, Mardy stood nowhere near thatlevel, not after serving at 55%!
The American gave away over half of the points in his games and lost servefour times from seven chances presented to world no. 1. Federers strokes were dialed in - 25 winners to ten unforced errors. He alsoforced 20 miscues from Mardy, dictating play with his racquet.
The defending champion built a 30-8 advantage in the more advanced rallies. He alsocontrolled the pace in the shortest ones to emerge at the top in under an hour. The beatdown started with a hold at love and a push on the return in game two.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fish squandered gae points and got passed at the net to experience an early break.A backhand winner in game three solidified Rogers grip.He welcomed the rival's backhand error in the next one, delivering another break and opening a 4-0 gap.
World no. 1 grabbed the fifth game with an ace and landed a backhand down the line at 5-0 to delivered the first-set bagel in 23 minutes flat.The American ended his downfall in the second game of the second set, landing a couple of winners and getting his name on the scoreboard.
Roger pounced again on the return in the sixth game,drawingthe rival's mistake for a break and a 4-2 advantage.Federer landed a forehand crosscourt winner in the seventh game for a 5-2 lead. Fish survived three deuces in the eighth game and brought it home to prolong the battle.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, Roger served fir the title at 5-3 and moved 30-15 up after a running backhand down the line winner. Mardy welcomed unforced errors from world no. 1 and denied two match points.
Federer earned the third match point and moved over the top with a forehand drive-volley winner. Thus, the Swiss became the first defending champion in Halle since Yevgeny Kafelnikov and gave the American a story to roast him two decades later.
