On a day where the rain wrecked havoc, Roger Federer kept his momentum going with a straightforward 6-4, 6-0, win over Kevin Anderson.
The 20-time grand slam champion took to the court much later than expected due to mother nature, but experienced little difficulty throughout his quarter-final match. Taking on Anderson, who recently missed nine weeks of the tour due to an elbow injury, Federer broke his opponent five times as he claimed 80% of his first service points. Avenging his loss to the South African at last year’s Wimbledon Championships.
“I played a really solid first set and got a good read on his serve,” said Federer.
“It was tough because I know he keeps going and if you get passive you need to come up with a good passing shot.
“Maybe I got a bit lucky at the end, but I am just pleased to get through.”
Federer has progressed to the semi-finals of a Masters tournament for the 65th time in his career. Awaiting him will be rising star Denis Shapovalov, who was born six months after Federer scored his first win on the ATP Tour at the 1998 Grand Prix de Tennis de Toulouse. Shapovalov battled back from a set down to defeat Frances Tiafoe 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2. Reaching the last four of a Masters event for only the third time in his career.
The upcoming match will be the clash of the generations. Federer is 18 years older than Shapovalov and have played in 68 more grand slam tournaments. Despite the disparity, the seemingly ageless world No.5 is relishing the challenge.
“It doesn’t feel that different to when I played Rafa when he was super young, or anybody. Any teenager you play, once I think you’re 23, feels different to playing anybody else, because you know they come out there and they might not know all the plays down to the T yet, but they don’t have to, because they just free-swing sometimes, and that makes it particularly dangerous.” Federer explained during his post-match press conference.
Whilst the two are yet to lock horns on the court, Federer is already fully aware of the Canadian’s potential. The two have previously practised together with Shapovalov leaving a good impression on the former world No.1.
“I think he warmed me up for a match in Toronto,” he recounted. “He might have been 16, 17, and similar to today, he was just hitting big. I was, like, ‘Wow, it’s unbelievable. How old is he? How good is he gonna get?’”
“He was very impressive. Same with the serve. He has that beautiful swinger going. It just felt like he belonged there.”
The Federer effect
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Shapovalov is currently ranked 23rd in the world, but he is set to crack the top 20 next week following his run in Miami. The 19-year-old is yet to win an ATP title, but he is the second youngest top 100 player after compatriot Felix Auger-Aliassime. Auger-Aliassime will play John Isner in the other Miami semi-final.
“In terms of playing Roger, it’s definitely a matchup I have been looking forward to, I think, my whole life” Shapovalov said. “It’s going to be a dream come true to play him in such a big event over here, and the stakes are so high, semifinal match of a Masters 1000 against your idol. It’s just a dream come true.”
Growing up, Shapovalov said the 37-year-old was one of the players that he would mould his tennis after. Citing the one-handed backhand of the Swiss player as one of his biggest inspirations.
“I was always looking at his backhand, the way he hits it. I always tried to kind of copy him. Really just build my game and play like he does.” The world No.23 explained.
“Aggressive, coming in. He was always not afraid to kind of go for his shots and close the point at the net. I feel like that, just watching him do that so much kind of built my personality on the court, and I try to do the same.”
Federer isn’t the only one who inspired the rising star. Shapovalov also said he used to study Novak Djokovic’s return game and Rafael Nadal’s ‘fighting spirit.’
“I feel like those three guys have helped me learn so much in the game. It’s three great guys to kind of look up to when you’re young.” He concluded.
Federer will play Shapovalov in Miami on Friday.