Mardy Fish by no means misses an opportunity to relive his epic battles with Roger Federer – and dish out slightly playful shade. Responding to the query, “Has a celebrity ever been rude to you?” the American zeroed in on the 2004 Halle ultimate, the place Federer handed him his most lopsided defeat.
Together with his signature humor, Mardy quipped it was downright impolite of Roger to storm by the opening stretch – claiming 9 video games straight (although it was really seven). The Swiss maestro cruised to a 6-0, 6-3 victory in simply 57 minutes, defending his Halle crown and sending a loud warning shot forward of Wimbledon.
OMG Sure! This one time, Roger Federer received the primary 9 video games of our Ultimate in Halle Germany. Tremendous impolite! https://t.co/RqO3XQxXXU
— Mardy Fish (@MardyFish) February 23, 2025
Federer was untouchable that week in Halle, dropping simply 26 video games throughout ten units en path to his sixteenth ATP title. Roger defeated Thomas Johannson 6-3, 6-2 in 69 minutes within the opening spherical and gained a lift. Mikhail Youzhny fared no higher, falling 6-2, 6-1 in one other 69-minute rout.
Roger Federer, Halle 2004© Stream screenshot
The Swiss maestro racked up 5 breaks, gliding by with ease. Arnaud Clement held on barely longer – 72 minutes – however nonetheless succumbed 6-3, 7-5. Federer served effectively, and two well timed breaks propelled him into the semi-final.
The defending champion dispatched Jiri Novak 6-3, 6-4 in a crisp 53 minutes, along with his precision firing on all cylinders. Then got here Fish, who couldn’t derail Federer’s relentless surge in what promised to be an exhilarating grass-court showdown.
Roger outclassed Mardy by 26 factors, sealing a bagel within the first set and a rock-solid win. He dropped simply 9 factors throughout eight service video games, by no means going through a break level, Mardy stood nowhere close to that stage, not after serving at 55%!
The American gave away over half of the factors in his video games and misplaced serve 4 instances from seven possibilities offered to world no. 1. Federer’s strokes have been dialed in – 25 winners to 10 unforced errors. He additionally pressured 20 miscues from Mardy, dictating play along with his racquet.
Mardy Fish, Halle 2004© Stream screenshot
The defending champion constructed a 30-8 benefit within the extra superior rallies. He additionally managed the tempo within the shortest ones to emerge on the prime in below an hour. The beatdown began with a maintain at love and a push on the return in recreation two.
Fish squandered gae factors and obtained handed on the web to expertise an early break. A backhand winner in recreation three solidified Roger’s grip. He welcomed the rival’s backhand error within the subsequent one, delivering one other break and opening a 4-0 hole.
World no. 1 grabbed the fifth recreation with an ace and landed a backhand down the road at 5-0 to delivered the first-set bagel in 23 minutes flat. The American ended his downfall within the second recreation of the second set, touchdown a few winners and getting his title on the scoreboard.
Roger Federer, Halle 2004© Stream screenshot
Roger pounced once more on the return within the sixth recreation, drawing the rival’s mistake for a break and a 4-2 benefit. Federer landed a forehand crosscourt winner within the seventh recreation for a 5-2 lead. Fish survived three deuces within the eighth recreation and introduced it residence to delay the battle.
Nonetheless, Roger served fir the title at 5-3 and moved 30-15 up after a operating backhand down the road winner. Mardy welcomed unforced errors from world no. 1 and denied two match factors.
Federer earned the third match level and moved excessive with a forehand drive-volley winner. Thus, the Swiss turned the primary defending champion in Halle since Yevgeny Kafelnikov and gave the American a narrative to roast him twenty years later.
