Roger Federer Overcomes Grigor Dimitrov To Make History In Melbourne - UBITENNIS
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Roger Federer Overcomes Grigor Dimitrov To Make History In Melbourne

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8 years ago

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Roger Federer in action during the third round of the Australian Open (image via Zimbio.com)

Roger Federer booked his place in the fourth round of the Australian Open after outlasting Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 3-6, 6-1,6-4.

As the match got underway, Federer was eager to make a statement after suffering a shock third round loss last year at the tournament. In comparison Dimitrov was in good confidence after reaching the final of the Brisbane International last week. The first six games of the match went with serve until Federer launched his first attack by breaking to lead 4-3. That break was all that Federer required to take the opening set 6-4.

The momentum gained from the first set disappeared for Federer in the second as Dimitrov displayed how much of a talent he is on the tour. In his career, Dimitrov has only beaten a top-10 player in a Grand Slam once. Two consecutive unforced errors from the Swiss handed the Bulgarian his first break of the match to lead 3-1. The world No.3 had three chances to break back during the second set but was unable due to some outstanding defensive play from the Bulgarian combined with a series of errors coming from Federer. The set was then handed to Dimitrov after a wild forehand return from the Swiss shot outside of the court. The second set was a disappointing performance from the 34-year-old with him producing 18 unforced errors compared to only 12 winners.

Despite the spirited second set from Dimitrov, Federer knew how to strike back. As the Bulgarian served in his first service game of the third set, the Swissed raced to 40-0 for three break points. After failing to convert his first, the 34-year-old was successful with his second after a forehand down the line resulted in his rival being unable to return it over the net. Once again the 17-time Grand Slam champion had established himself as the leader in the match. A wild backhand shot from Dimitrov handed Federer the double break and the chance to serve for a two sets to one lead. Taking the third set was a straightforward task after a Dimitrov backhand slammed into the net.

After three sets of play, concerns of an injury for Dimitrov started to arise. He requested a trainer to treat some pain in his right elbow. Despite the worry, the Bulgarian continued with the match. Meanwhile the elevation in Federer’s form since dropping the second set continued. At 2-2, Federer broke once more after a poor approach to the net from Dimitrov lead to an unforced error.

There was no way back for the Bulgarian as his elbow caused him more difficulty. The biggest issue for Dimitrov was serving, as he kept flexing his elbow, sending warning signals to his camp. Despite the injury of his opponent, Federer knew that he still had to battle for the win. The third seed had a triple chance in the seventh game to break but failed to take advantage as Dimitrov continued fighting. The failure of converting for a double break didn’t have an impact on the match outcome. As Federer served for the match, Dimitrov was set up for a backhand down the line, but smashed it into the net, handing Federer two match points. The Swiss were triumphant with his second to win the match after two hours and 35 minutes.

This triumph over Dimitrov is a historic one for Federer. It is his 300th win in a Grand Slam tournament, making him the first male player to achieve this in the Open Era. During his milestone triumph, Federer’s mixed performance was reflected with 13 aces (five more than Dimitrov), 48 winners, 55 unforced errors and converting 4/15 break points.

During his on-court interview, he spoke about his below-par second set performance.

“It was a difficult situation to be in for sure. Grigor was playing well and I was struggling a little bit. I don’t know, maybe I was tired or whatever was going on. I didn’t feel like it was happening out there”. The world No.3 candidly said.

Win No.300 has set Federer up with a fourth round clash with Belgium’s David Goffin. Goffin, the 15th seed, reached the last 16 after dismissing Austria’s Dominic Thiem in four sets. Federer currently has a winning head-to-head of 3-0 against the Belgian.

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Rafael Nadal To Play Laver Cup In Berlin

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21 hours ago

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22/04/2024

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Rafael Nadal has eased speculation that he might be retiring from the sport soon after signing on to play in the Laver Cup later this year. 

The 22-time Grand Slam champion is the latest player to join the line-up for this year’s team competition which features Europe taking on the rest of the world over three days. It will be Nadal’s fourth appearance in the competition and his first since 2022. He competed in the inaugural edition of the event back in 2017 alongside co-founder Roger Federer. 

“I am very happy to be playing Laver Cup in Berlin for Team Europe,” Nadal said in a press release. “I have some really special memories from my Laver Cup experiences, including all the emotions from London two years ago playing alongside Roger for the last time.”

Nadal’s decision to play comes amid questions about his future in the sport. The former world No.1 has previously indicated that this year could be his last on the Tour but he has stated that no decision has been made. In recent months he has been sidelined from action due to injury setbacks and has only been able to play in two tournaments so far this year. 

“At this stage in my career I really want to go out there and make the most of every opportunity I am given,” he explains.
“Teaming up is always an incredible experience and I have always enjoyed it, the competition is different and exciting. I’m looking forward to going to Berlin and helping Team Europe win back the Laver Cup.”

Other European players confirmed to be playing are Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev. Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul have agreed to play for Team World. This year’s event will be held in Belin at the Uber Arena between September 20-22. 

The Laver Cup was inspired by golf’s Ryder Cup. It was co-founded by Federer’s Team8 management company (which he formed with agent Tony Godsick), businessman Jorge Paulo Lemann and Tennis Australia. In 2019 it became an official ATP sanction event and now has a place on the official calendar. 

Nadal is set to return to competitive action at the Madrid Masters which he has won on five previous occasions. He has been drawn to play teenage wild card Darwin Blanch in the first round. If he wins, Nadal will then play Alex de Minaur who knocked him out of the Barcelona Open last week. 

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Carlos Alcaraz In Doubt For Madrid Open Title Defence

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1 week ago

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16/04/2024

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Carlos Alcaraz admits that he is not certain if he will be ready in time to play at next week’s Madrid Masters.

The 20-year-old is yet to play a clay tournament in Europe due to a forearm injury which ruled him out of both Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He hurt his right arm whilst training shortly before the Monte Carlo event began. 

It is the latest in a series of injury issues that has affected Alcaraz throughout his young career. Since the start of 2023, he has also been derailed by issues with his abdominal, hamstring, post-traumatic arthritis in his left hand and muscular discomfort in his spine. 

“My feeling isn’t right, but it is what it is. Now I’m fully focused on recovery and I have a little more time,” Alcaraz told reporters in Barcelona on Monday.
“My goal is to try and go to the Madrid Open, but at the moment nothing is certain. I was given specific recovery times and I’ve respected them, but I haven’t felt good. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.
“I can’t say I’ll be 100% in Madrid, but that’s my intention. We’ll train and do everything we can so that the feelings improve so I can play a match … It’s also a very special tournament for me.”

Alcaraz has won the past two editions of the Madrid Open, which is classed as a Masters 1000 event. In 2022 he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final and then 12 months later he beat Jan-Lennard Struff in the title match.

The setback comes after what has been a steady start to the year for Alcaraz who has reached the quarter-finals or better in four out of five tournaments played. He successfully defended his title in Indian Wells and then reached the semi-finals in Miami. 

Should he not play in Madrid, it is likely that the Spaniard will lose his No.2 spot to Jannik Sinner who is just over 100 points behind him in the standings. He will still have the chance to play a clay-court event before the French Open with Rome taking place early next month. 

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Olympic Qualification Is Not the Only Goal For French Veteran Gael Monfils

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2 weeks ago

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10/04/2024

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Gael Monfils (image via https://twitter.com/atptour)

Gael Monfils admits he doesn’t have too many years left on the Tour but this doesn’t mean his targets are any less ambitious. 

The 37-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise up the rankings over the past 12 months following battles with injury. At his lowest, he was ranked 394th last May but is now in 40th position. As a result, he is closing on securing a place in the Olympic Games which is being held in his home country of France for the first time since 1924. The tennis event will be staged at Roland Garros. 

“When I was 400, I was thinking the Olympics would be great, but it’s going to be tough,” Monfils told reporters on Tuesday. 
“There are younger players playing well. If I don’t qualify, I don’t mind. It will just mean I’m very close to the ranking I want to be. That ranking will allow me to find another goal.”

Monfils is already a three-time Olympian but has never won a medal at the event. He reached the quarter-finals of the singles tournament twice in 2008 and 2016. 

Another goal of Frenchmen is the Wimbledon championships which concludes just three weeks before the Olympics begin. The proximity of these tournaments will be a challenge to all players who will be going from playing on clay to grass and then back to clay again. 

“I really want to go and play Wimbledon. I don’t have so many Wimbledons to play in the future. The Olympics is one goal, not the only goal.” Monfils states.
“My dream is of course to be part of the Olympics. I played three times at the Olympics. I’d like to be there again. But I also really want to do well in Wimbledon this year. To reach my goal, it has to be including Wimbledon.” He added. 

Monfils is currently playing at the Monte Carlo Masters where he beat Aleksandar Vukic in his opening match. In the next round, he will take on Daniil Medvedev in what will be their first meeting since 2022. He leads their head-to-head 2-1. 

Medvedev has openly spoken about his roller-coaster relationship with playing on the clay. He admits it is not his favourite surface but how much of a factor could this be in his upcoming clash with Monfils?

“Of course, it’s not his favourite one, but he’s still Daniil Medvedev, and whatever the surface, it’s always very complicated to play him,” Monfils concludes. 

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