Ernests Gulbis of Latvia got his biggest career win on Sunday after eliminating fourth-ranked Roger Federer 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 6-3 to reach the Roland Garros 2014 quarterfinals.
“It’s the biggest win of my career,” Gulbis said after the match. “Sorry I had to win. I know how everyone likes Roger. It was a tough match but this is sport. I’ve been playing very well in France. I won tournaments in Marseille and Nice, hopefully Paris is the next one.”
“For my confidence and just for me as a tennis player, a five-set win over Roger Federer, it’s really big. Hopefully it’s going to change me that I become more confident about myself, you know, on a tennis court.”
This is Gulbis’ second Grand Slam quarterfinal. He reached the same stage at the same tournament six years ago (lost to Djokovic). He will meet Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic next for a sport in the semifinal.
“The plan was to play more to his backhand and then with my backhand down the line to go for down the line shots,” said Gulbis. “That was the main plan, to not go too much to his forehand, because he has the nicest and the most dangerous forehand I think in the world.
“He’s also a human being,” said Gulbis. “I had more or less a clear game plan. I had to play on his backhand and from the backhand he makes these unforced errors. When it’s a tight moment [at the start of the fifth set], he’s Roger Federer, but he also gets tight. I remember actually he missed the forehand wide when he was going for the shot, and that happens. He’s probably going to make seven out of 10. Other guys are going to make two out of 10. Mistakes happen.”
Federer said that he was not happy with the loss.
“I’m clearly very disappointed not to come through with the win,” said Federer. “After the chance in the second set, fighting back in the fourth, not to play a better fifth set. There are a lot of regrets here now. But I think Gulbis did a good job of hanging around and clearly coming back in that second set was crucial for him, I think. It was a tough match and I’m disappointed I lost it.”
