Richard Gasquet, ragged and panting, sweat cascading down his face, reached out and barely got his racket to the ball. It seemed to take every bit of energy he had just to do that.
Gasquet, now standing helplessly at the net, could only watch as Roger Federer, silky clean as if he had just walked onto the court, glided across the court and whipped a forehand past Gasquet for a second-set winner.
It looked as if Gasquet and Federer were playing in different matches in different weather conditions. A weary Gasquet was staggering on one side of the court in oppressive humidity.