The fright Federer gave fans

When Roger Federer stepped on to the court last Monday, it was business as usual for the defending champion, ranked number two in the world. It was business as usual for the spectators and tennis commentators too. The end result in all our minds-

Roger Federer will win in three sets against a man he just defeated a week back.

21 June showed us the fragility of the great man, whom we consider to be the ultimate ambassador of the sport. Time showed us not to trust a talent so much so as to discount the ones on the opposite end of the court, but it also gave us reasons to breathe, and realise why we invested ourselves so heavily on the champion.

In his five set heart thumping victory over the 60th ranked Alejjandro Falla of Colombia, he had to bring out his absolute best, digging into reserves stored historically for the later stages of the tournament. Serving at 0-40 in the third set, tied at 4-4, the world just felt its sky falling into bits and pieces.

Images: AP