A man-hug, a ruffle of his hair and a playful on-court interview, Roger Federer did everything yesterday but invite David Goffin round to play some soft-toy games with his daughters.
In meeting — and defeating — the Belgian on Court Suzanne Lenglen yesterday, Federer crossed another name off the list of those he has seen make a stab at earning a living at the high table of tennis. Goffin has an exquisite touch, sound technique and yearning to play that offers promise of a rich future. “He could become a great champion,” Federer who won 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 said, and that is some pronouncement.
The 21-year-old was at the Braehead Arena in April playing for his nation against Great Britain and by his talent and technique were striking. Seeing off Josh Goodall in a shopping complex in Glasgow is a lot different from facing a 16-times grand-slam champion and your boyhood idol in one of the leading events in the world. He was clearly equally at home in either situation.
It was a cool, blustery day, the temperature had dropped ten degrees and Federer was not at his finest, struggling to hit through a court that had been deadened. “I’m happy to be in the tournament and to give myself another chance,” he said upon reaching his 32nd consecutive quarter-final at a grand-slam event, a record.
The same is true of Novak Djokovic who won the first three games against Andreas Seppi, of Italy, and then became involved in a colossal struggle against someone who is relishing the celebrity of being Italian No 1 and at his career-high ranking of No 25. For a long time, Seppi was mastering the rallies, with his short-arm jab of a backhand making telling inroads.
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When he led by two sets and Djokovic looked such a deflated figure, the likelihood of the world No 1 progressing seemed remote but his survival instincts took over and he won 4-6, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5, 6-3.
“I had some positive flashes,” he said. “But for most of the match I was too defensive. I just have to hope that I wake up tomorrow hoping for a better day.”
In the case of the women’s No 1, Victoria Azarenka will wake up in the mood for not doing much at all, certainly nothing that involves tennis.
The Australian Open champion was hustled out of her stride by Dominika Cibulkova, the No 16 seed from Slovakia, who packs a mighty punch for the tiniest girl in the top 100 and greeted her 6-2, 7-6 victory with a roll in the dirt.