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Roger Federer Unsurprised By Lacklustre Start At The US Open

Published

6 years ago

30/08/2017

Roger Federer (zimbio.com)

It was a far from perfect start to the US Open for Roger Federer, who endured a tough five-set clash against 19-year-old American Frances Tiafoe in the first round.

The Swiss second seed struggled to exert his usual consistent dominance in the match, hitting 56 unforced errors compared to 41 winners. During stages when he was in the lead, Federer came undone. Ahead by two-sets-to-one, an inspired Tiafoe fought back to force proceedings into a decider. Then in the deciding set a 5-2 lead was cut to 5-4, before he finally triumphed in the match.

“It was very exciting. I really enjoyed myself even though maybe I also was tired and nervous at the end. It was very cool to be part of that match.” Federer said after the match.

Delighting the Arthur Ashe stadium with a late-night classic, questions about Federer’s current form is mounting. Leading into the final grand slam of the season, he withdrew from the Cincinnati Open due to a back problem. As a consequence, his preparation heading into New York was disrupted. He still remains one of the favourites to win the title, but Federer himself admits that parts of his game is ‘rusty.’

“I don’t think I had the preparation I was hoping to get.” He explained. “Since Montreal, focus has been more on the back, making sure I can play the tournament rather than being well-prepared. I always knew I was going to come in feeling rusty or not great. I was hoping to start better.”

At the start of the match Federer immediately dropped his first service game and subsequently the opening set. Playing in his 17th US Open main draw, the 36-year-old admitted that he initially struggled to adapt to the court. A somewhat perplexed statement from a player that has previously won the title five times.

“I really struggled early on. I think Frances connected well. I just really kind of lost my footing sometimes. My eye wasn’t working. I was misjudging distance. I think I was also being a bit cautious with my movement. Then in the second set I think it all started to come together.”

Praise for the Next Generation

Tuesday’s clash wasn’t all about Federer’s roller coaster journey on the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The rising star Tiafoe manage to illustrate the potential he has. He is currently ranked 70th in the world, ten places below his personal best, and has already won two Challenger titles this season. Tiafoe is part of the ATP next Generation campaign, who promotes the future stars of the men’s game.

“I think it’s a great initiative, the NextGen. Frances has done well, as well, this year. Moved up the rankings. Got a taste of Arthur Ashe, how it is to play against top players. He’s only going to learn from a match like this and become better.” Federer evaluated.

It is clear that the next generation of players is moving their way onto the big stage of tennis. 20-year-old Alexander Zverev, who defeated Federer at the Rogers Cup, is seeded fourth in the tournament.

Prior to the Next Generation campaign, Federer was part of the ‘New Balls Please’ intuitive, which worked on the same concept. In his group was the likes of Lleyton Hewitt, Tommy Haas Gustavo Kuerten.

“Obviously our generation also was very strong. We went on to become, many of us, top five players. I wish the same for them (the next gen).” The 19-time grand slam champion said.

The ATP’s rising stars campaigns – the class of 2001 vs the class of 2017 pic.twitter.com/UuVxBRWHpj

— Adam_Addicott (@tennisbanter) 30 August 2017

Related Topics:2017 US Open Roger Federer

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Luca Van Assche rallies from two sets to one down to beat Alex Michelsen

Published

11 hours ago

30/11/2023

sampaolo

Luca Van Assche came back from two sets to one down to defeat Alex Michelsen 4-3 (7-0) 3-4 (4-7) 3-4 (4-7) 4-1 4-3 (8-6) in 2 hours and 36 minutes at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah in the second longest match in the history of this tournament.

Van Assche and Michelsen went on serve in the first three sets. Both players saved all five break points they faced in the first three sets.

There were three consecutive breaks in the fourth set. Van Assche earned two of them and served out the set at love in the fifth game.

Both players traded breaks in the fifth and sixth games of the fifth set. Van Assche earned a chance to serve for the match, but Michelsen pulled back on serve to force a tie-break.

Van Assche built a 3-0 in the tie-break with an early mini-break. Michelsen saved two match points to draw level to 6-6. Van Assche sealed the win with another mini-break on the second match point.

“He was playing very well the whole match. It was really close. Not a lot of breaks and it was difficult for me but I am very happy”, said Van Assche.

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Arthur Fils beats Dominic Stricker to end Green Group unbeaten

Published

14 hours ago

30/11/2023

sampaolo

Arthur Fils battled past Dominic Stricker 4-2 3-4 (3-7) 4-2 4-3 (7-5) after 1 hour and 47 minutes in the final round-robin match to end the Green Group unbeaten with a 3-0 record at the Next Gen ATP Finals.

Stricker knew that he would advance to the semifinals if he won just one set. The Swiss player won the set he needed against the already qualified Fils to secure his spot in the semifinal despite the defeat.

Stricker saved a break point on the deciding point in the third game of the fourth set. Fils earned the break in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead and served out on his second set point.

Stricker held serve at love in the first game of the fourth set. The Swiss player broke serve on the deciding point to open up a 2-0 lead. Fils broke straight back in the third game and held serve at 15 to draw level to 2-2. Fils earned three mini-breaks, but Stricker pulled back on serve each time. Fils sealed the tie-break 7-5 on his second match point.

Stricker beat Fils 7-6 7-6 in Gstaad in their only previous head-to-head match last summer.

Fils saved two break points in the first game to hold serve. Stricker fended off a break point in the fourth game on the deciding point to draw level to 2-2. Fils earned his first break on his third set point with a forehand return winner in the sixth game to clinch the first set 4-2.

Stricker saved the only break point of the second set in the fourth game. Both players held on their serve en route to the tie-break. Stricker won six consecutive points from 0-1 down with two mini-breaks to win the tie-break 7-3.

Fils won his first title in Lyon and reached the final in Antwerp

“I knew before the match that I qualified, but I just want to win every match that I am playing. I think I put a little bit more focus out there out there today than the first two days because I know this opponent and he already beat me this year. It was a tough match but I am really happy to win and let’s see who I get in the semifinal”, said Fils in the post- match interview.

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Luca Nardi beats Flavio Cobolli but it’s not enough to advance to the semifinals at the Next Gen Finals

Published

17 hours ago

30/11/2023

sampaolo

World number 115 Luca Nardi overcame Flavio Cobolli in an Italian match 3-4 (4-7) 4-2 4-3 (7-1) 1-4 4-3 (7-3) in 2 hours and 14 minutes in the final round robin match of Green Group at the Next Gen Finals at King Abdullah Sports Club in Jeddah.

The win was not enough to earn a semifinal spot for Nardi. Arthur Fils is the first player to qualify for the knock-out stage. The top seeded Frenchman will face Dominic Stricker later today. Stricker needs to win just one set to reach the semifinals.

Both players went on serve in the first set en route to the tie-break. Cobolli earned two mini-breaks to win the tie-break 7-4.

Nardi saved two break points in the third game of the second set to take a 2-1 lead. The world number 115 broke serve in the sixth game to close out the second set 4-2.

Cobolli converted his second break point in the first game of the third set. Nardi pulled back on serve in the sixth game to draw level to 3-3. Nardi opened up a 3-0 lead with two mini-breaks. Cobolli pulled one of the two mini-breaks back for 1-3. Nardi won the final four points with two mini-breaks to claim the tie-break 7-1.

Nardi clutched his groin when he was serving at 0-1 in the fourth set and called a medical time-out at 0-3. Cobolli earned a break in the second game to close out the fourth set 4-1.

Cobolli saved two break points to hold serve in the second game. Nardi fended off two break points in the fifth game. Both players held on serve en route to the tie-break. Nardi earned his first mini-break with a backhand flick from out wide to take a 2-1 lead. Cobolli pulled the mini-break back to draw level to 2-2. Nardi closed out the match with a return down the line winner.

Nardi hit 27 winners to 12 unforced errors.

“I am happy with the win. Even if I did not qualify, I think today was the best match I played out of the three. I am a bit sad I did not qualify, but I did not want to leave Jeddah without a win. I kept fighting today and I am happy”, said Nardi.