Silent No More
Posted by gauloises1 on November 12, 2009
Put away the mint sauce, rename the Tricolore the United Colours of Benneteau, and tell Agassi his record is safe for now, because Julien “the Lamb” Benneteau has beaten Roger Federer in a three-set thriller, 36 76(4) 64.
This was quite seriously the best match I’ve seen in ages. I couldn’t look away. I didn’t think Federer played badly at all, frankly; he served at 70-something per cent and while there were errors, we’ve all seen worse. But Benneteau was quite simply spectacular. It reminded me slightly of the Soderling-Nadal match at Roland Garros, where I kept thinking that the upstart couldn’t possibly keep up the level of play he was showing. And yet he did. Driving that cross-court backhand, serving quite brilliantly, and stunning touch at net. Loved it.
The match ended on a slightly odd note when Federer challenged Benneteau’s match-winning ace, but it was to no avail and Julien’s reaction was something to see as he dissolved in tears in front of his home crowd (who were, it must be said, amazing). So no Bercy title once again for Federer, who now has a good ten days or so to prepare for the WTFs, a famous victory for Benneteau, and the match of the day/week/month for the rest of us. Good stuff all round.
Crys said
YOU GAVE HIM HIS OWN TAG!!! Thank you!!!! Still an incoherant, gibbering wreck but I agree with everything you said – he was absolutely incredible. Practically everything he touched turned to gold. You’re right it was akin to Soderling v Rafa, but even better because I love Julien, and I was there!!! Never going to forget this night!
AmyLu said
I was amazed by Julien’s play in that third set. When he didn’t convert to go up two breaks and then immediately faced break points in his next service game, I thought for sure that Federer would break back and go on to win the match. But Julien held his nerve so well and came up with big, aggressive shots. Really fun match to watch, and while I don’t think Federer was at his best in the third, this match felt much more like one that Julien won, as opposed to Federer lost. His reaction when he won was really touching too.
imtotallyrad said
damn it! i knew i should have drank that last can of rockstar and stayed up to watch this match…federawr losing in basel final AND losing to this guy….somethings not right in the federer camp
naughty T said
that top pic of Fudd has made me feel slightly better. Still G, I have to disagree, Fudds game was spectacularly askew tonight. Serve was good but his FH was as absent as it was in Basel and more to the point his mind seemed to be anywhere but on the task in hand.
Yes it was definitely the best Benny has ever played, he said so himself but he was most definitely up against an under motivated Fudster. I am beginning to wonder if we won’t see him bow out of the game much earlier than he says he will…. if he plays like this regularly I sure hope he does.
mrdarnley said
I had this match on in the background cuz I thought it was a done deal. Then after watching them play for about 30 seconds (without sound) in the second set I began to watch. So great. I came dangerously close to crying he won. I hope he pushes on. What a great day of tennis. phew.