“We've seen this movie before,” one colleague was heard to note as Roger Federer set another Grand Slam clash with Tomas Berdych at the Australian Open – and it was true a sense of déjà vu existed.
Among 25 clashes between these two popular veterans are nine at Grand Slam level, with four of them in Melbourne.
Several standout performances are woven into their long history, which started almost 14 years ago when the young Czech stunned Federer at the 2004 Athens Olympics. At Wimbledon in 2010, Berdych upset the Swiss on the way to his only Grand Slam final, and he secured another win over the prolific champion at the US Open two years later.
For many spectators, however, the lingering memory will be Federer’s demolition of the then higher-ranked Berdych in the third round of last year’s Australian Open. “I would rather be sitting in the stands watching than on the court,” said the shell-shocked Czech, after managing just 10 games in a quick loss to the superstar. “This was an absolute lesson.”
The pair went on to contest three matches throughout 2017 – and that Federer won all of them, extending his head-to-head record against Berdych to 19-6, was a reflection of their divergent seasons.
While Federer won two Grand Slams among seven titles in a sparkling revival, Berdych struggled at times with a back injury and finished 2017 outside the top 10 for the first time in over a decade.
Now the opening credits are rolling again on their long-standing rivalry, the storylines clearly flipped since a year ago. At world No.2, Federer enters as the statistical favourite, with the 20th-ranked Berdych contesting only his second event since shutting down his 2017 season early.
“To be honest, if there is any plan or any key to success, then I would like to know that,” the 32-year-old Berdych smiled as he contemplated a 26th meeting with his most difficult opponent.
Still, there are many reasons for positivity – and most obvious are the gains Berdych has made at this tournament. While he dropped sets against Alex De Minaur and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, the No.19 seed defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the third round with authority. There was another straight-sets win over Fabio Fognini to reach his seventh AO quarterfinal from 15 appearances.
The progress is especially pleasing given momentum lost in a frustrating end to his season. “I'm glad, you know, to be back in the shape that I am right now, which is finally healthy … that makes the difference,” Berdych noted. “I can play freely and I can have joy from the tennis.”
It follows that his mood ahead of another meeting with Federer is buoyant. “I'm definitely going to go out there, try my best, try to play good tennis, and believe myself that I can do it,” Berdych commented. “I did it in the past, and also, I did it in the Slams, so I know how it is to beat him for the best-of-five sets. “
Whether that full distance is required will be another matter. Federer is the only man to progress to the AO2018 final eight without the loss of a set, routine wins secured over Aljaz Bedene, Jan-Lennard Struff, Richard Gasquet and Marton Fucsovics. Even so, he knows the standard can easily shift against the experienced Berdych.
“We have had some good ones over the years going back all the way to the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004,” said Federer. “I'm looking forward to play against him. He seems in good shape, and I'm happy he's over his back issues … that’s a good thing.”
It is not the only one-sided rivalry that exists in AO2018 quarterfinals. Angelique Kerber, the 2016 titlist, take a 6-1 record into her showdown with Madison Keys, while world No.1 Simona Halep leads 5-1 against quarterfinal opponent Karolina Pliskova.
History would suggest that those accomplished players will build on those winning records. But this is sport, where plotlines alter, creating more suspense than in any Hollywood blockbuster.
And as the experienced Berdych and Federer each prepare to resume their starring roles, the beauty is that it's so gloriously unscripted.