Roger Federer had to jump the first two weeks on clay in 2003, but once he stepped on the red courts it was not easy to stop him. The Swiss then won the Munich title, beating all five rivals in less than five hours and building his confidence ahead of the Masters 1000 in Rome, where he had not performed well in the past.
Everything changed that year, as Federer played at a high level and even qualified for his third Masters 1000 final after victories over Paul-Henri Mathieu, Mariano Zabaleta, Tommy Robredo, Filippo Volandri and Juan Carlos Ferrero, who had to retire in the second set.
This helped Roger to conserve some energy, but he could not go all the way because having lost to Felix Mantilla by 7-5, 6-2, 7-6, in two hours and 41 minutes, after having had chances to win in the first and the third set.
Mantilla saved 14 of Federer’s 17 break chances, delivering better tennis when it mattered most and sealing the match in straight sets for his tenth and final ATP title, the first at Masters 1000 level.
The Spaniard was just seven points more than the Swiss, having the upper hand in the shortest and middle rallies, while Federer had the best numbers in the more advanced rallies, but not enough to take at least a set.
Roger wasted his opportunities in the finals of the first set and was broken in the worst moment at 5-6. At 2-0 in the second set, the young Swiss gave up the next eight games to find himself at 7-5, 6-2, 2-0, propelling Mantilla closer to the finish line.
Suddenly Federer started to play better and landed four straight games to open a 4-2 lead, appearing to take the set well after serving at 5-4.
Federer had played 2 consecutive weeks before Hamburg 2003
Still, he wasted two set points to keep his rival alive, with Mantilla fending off no less than seven break opportunities in the 11th game to set up a tie-break.
There, Federer saved two match points and missed a set point backhand before sending a forehand too long at 8-9 to push his rival over. Despite the fatigue following such a meeting, the Swiss had declared that he would play in Hamburg the following week, and that he would not retire so easily since he intended to defend his title.
“I’ve been playing for two weeks, and my body started hurting a few days ago. I’m going to travel to Hamburg and play. I’m the defending champion, and I’m not retiring for a few small reasons.
I didn’t feel like I had lost eight straight games, but it just didn’t go well, despite the good things I did on the court. I leave the court and I had the impression that he had to win today; all the big points went in his direction.
It’s not easy to accept this as I worked hard to get back into sets two and three. In the end, I have to say he played a good game and deserved to win, “Roger Federer said.
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