Eight-time Basel champion Roger Federer had to dig deep to beat last year’s Paris Bercy finalist Filip Krajinovic 6-3 4-4 6-4 in two hours and nine minutes in the first round of the Swiss Indoor Open in front of his home fans at the St. Jakobhalle, where he was a ball-boy during this tournament many years ago. Federer has remained unbeaten in the home tournament for 16 consecutive matches and has not lost at this event since the 2013 final against Juan Martin Del Potro.
Federer dropped a set for the first time in the opening round in Basel since 2008. He won his 40th win of the season and his 67th in his hometown.
Krajnovic converted four of his 14 break points, but he dropped his serve six times.
Federer hit 38 winners to 38 unforced errors. Krajnovic produced a 21-22 ratio.
The Basel native stuggled with his second serve in the opening set and faced two break points in the fourth game, but he saved it with two service games.
Federer hit four service games to open up a 4-2 lead with a break of serve. He went up a double break in the seventh game and served out the set 6-2 in the eighth game with an ace after just 30 minutes.
Federer went up a break at the start of the second set and backed it up by holding the serve with four winners. Krajnovic held serve with ease in the third game. Federer held his serve at love in the fourth game, but he faced two break points in the sixth game. He fended them off with service winners. Krajinovic converted his third break point with a volley winner to draw level to 3-3. The Serbian player saved a break point in the seventh game and earned a break point in the eighth game. He conveted his chance after Federer made a poor forehand to break for the second time in a row earning his chance to serve for the set. Federer broke back at love with a backhand down the line winner to close the gap to 4-5, but Krajnovic broke again in the tenth game after a poor forehand from Federer.
The Swiss Maestro bounced back by breaking serve in the third game of the decider. Federer saved a break back in the next game and held his serve to open up a 3-1 lead. Federer brought up anothher break point in with a smash winner but Krajnovic saved it. The Serb earned three break points when Federer made a double fault in the sixth game, but he did not convert them.
Federer got the break on his fourth break point in the seventh game with a volley winner and served out for the match, but Krajnovic pulled one break back and held his serve to claw his way back to 4-5. Federer came back from 0-30 down and hit a forehand down the line to clinch the win on his second match point.
“It was a bit more of a hard-fought win, but they feel good, especially knowing that I have the day off tomorrow, so it’s no problem having played three sets today: Home fans helped me win a difficult match”, said Federer in the post-match interview.
Federer will face Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round. The German beat Jon Millman from Australia 7-6 6-2.
