Federer lands a perfect 10
(Reuters)Updated: 2007-01-29 08:52
The Chilean had captured seven career titles, Federer's total stood at 45. Gonzalez had a 104-60 win-loss record on hardcourts, Federer's was almost three times better at 292-64.
Most notably, he had never beaten Federer in nine previous meetings.
Gonzalez, however, did not care about the past.
He came into the match on the back of producing only three unforced errors in his semi-final destruction of Haas and was determined to carry on in the same manner.
He made his intentions clear from the start, firing an 181 kph ace to open his service account.
With gusting winds sweeping through Rod Laver Arena, Federer chose to employ serve and volley strategy but was undone by a leaping netcord in the ninth game.
Prowling the net on his serve, he saw Gonzalez's backhand pass hit the tape and bounce over his head which brought the Chilean to deuce.
As a fan cried out "Come on speedy Gonzalez", the Chilean found an extra spring in his step and promptly broke.
CLENCHED FIST
Federer unleashed his full repertoire of shots to save two set points in the next game and drew level at 5-5. Such was the venom behind his shots, the Chilean even resorted to throwing his racket at the ball after a scorching winner blazed past him.
The 25-year-old failed to convert four set points in Gonzalez's next service game but he put his foot down in the tiebreak and streaked to a 5-0 lead.
A sizzling crosscourt winner settled the breaker 7-2 and he shook a clenched fist towards his coach Tony Roche as he strode back to his chair.
Gonzalez was left to ponder a missed opportunity, and called the trainer to massage his right shoulder.
That failed to change his fortune.
Sensing that he already had one hand on the trophy, Federer was happy to trade a bewitching assortment of spins, slices and groundstrokes with his opponent, safe in the knowledge that he would win the points that mattered.
With Gonzalez fading fast, Federer punched an ace, a volley and a forehand winner to bring up match point.
After two hours and 20 minutes, Gonzalez's dream of becoming the first Chilean man to win a grand slam singles title was all over.
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