Richard Gasquet, ragged and panting, with sweat pouring down his face, reached out and barely pushed the ball over the net. It seemed to take every ounce of energy to do just.
Gasquet stood helplessly at the net when Roger Federer, silky as ever, glided across the court and whipped a forehand past Gasquet for a second-set winner.
It looked as if they were playing different matches in different conditions. A weary Gasquet was staggering on one side of the court in oppressive humidity. The 34-year-old Federer appeared to float across the other side on a mild autumn day.