Two of Roger Federer's sublime streaks at the majors ended this season. The one that received the most attention, rightfully so, was his run of 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals, halted at Roland Garros by Robin Soderling. The second is less impressive but hardly insignificant. Until Igor Andreev took a set from Federer in the first round of the Australian Open, Roger hadn't dropped a set in the opening stage of a Slam since 2003.
Federer made that streak look a lot easier than it was. Sure, his opponents were mainly the Devon Brittons, Diego Hartfields and Alex Bogomolovs of the tour, but Federer knew he would get their best punches—the first round was their final. It didn't matter. Federer demolished these initial obstacles, often in a style that would befit an exhibition. Fans saw the fundamentally sound aspects of his game as well as the Fun House.
In 2006, Richard Gasquet had the unfortunate task of facing Federer in the first round of Wimbledon. (In hindsight, this may have been the apex of Federer's career.) He managed to win just seven games:
Today's opening-round (for Federer, anyway) beating at the Paris Masters wasn't as savage, but it was still reminiscent of bludgeonings past. There were the drop shots when a forehand would do; the swing volleys from all areas of the court; the bold backhands you see less and less of as a tournament progresses. Federer also played quickly. Not a minute after thinking that Federer's pace was quite hasty, a graphic appeared showing that his service games were taking an average time of less than 90 seconds. Clearly, Federer was comfortable out there today.
Gasquet, for his part, didn't put up much resistance. The outcome was never in doubt, even if the 6-4, 6-4 score suggests otherwise. Like Federer, Gasquet appeared relaxed, but his strokes were too casual, often finding the net and areas outside the lines. None of the flashy Frenchman's shots elicited memories of his lone victory over Federer, at the 2005 Monte Carlo Masters—when Federer saw what Fun House looks like from the receiving end:
—Ed McGrogan