Davis Cup 2014: The Day Federer Shattered Gasquet's Dream in the Final
In the packed Pierre-Mauroy stadium, the electricity was palpable. France was on the verge of a historic Davis Cup title, and Richard Gasquet, who replaced an injured Tsonga, carried the hope of an entire country on his shoulders.
But across the net, Roger Federer stepped forward for what would become one of his most memorable matches under the Swiss colors. And on November 23, 2014, tennis reminded us of a simple truth: against genius, hope is sometimes not enough.
From the first exchanges, it was clear the task would be too great for the French: Federer played freely, fluidly. And above all, his one-handed backhand, the one Gasquet long considered the most beautiful on the tour, came out with disconcerting ease.
Every acceleration from the Swiss pushed Gasquet further into discomfort. And yet, Gasquet wasn't playing badly. But Federer had an answer for everything.
The score: 6/4, 6/2, 6/2 may seem brutal. But it mainly tells the story of the Swiss player's total control over the match. A flawless performance, played with an almost insolent economy of movement.
By winning this singles match, Federer sealed the victory for Switzerland. A historic moment for him, for Stan Wawrinka, and for an entire country that had been waiting for this for decades.
On the other side, France, which was in a very difficult position before this fourth match, would have to wait longer to win its tenth salad bowl.
