20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer was on the brink of exiting the Australian Open no fewer than seven times before staging an epic comeback in a five-set thriller against Tennys Sandgren.
The 38-year-old Swiss Maestro was from from his best form on the Rod Laver Arena and appeared at times to be struggling with an injury of some sort. Yet he was still able to come out on top to win 6-3, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-3, against the giant killing world No.100. Who knocked out seeds Matteo Berrettini and Fabio Fognini earlier in the tournament.
“You gotta get lucky sometimes I tell you that because with those seven match points you’re not in control.” Federer said during his on court interview.
“I was just hoping that he was not going to smash the ball on that one point. Keep the ball in play, maybe miss one or two.’
“I think he played his match and I got incredibly lucky today.”
In what was a far from normal encounter in Melbourne, there was stages where it looked as if the former world No.1 was totally out of contention. Moving gingerly around the court and unable to find a way to dispose his rival, who was playing tennis at a level well above his ranking. Throughout the three-and-a-half hour clash, Federer was only able to break twice. Doing so in the first and fifth set. The roller-coaster performance saw him hit 44 winners to 56 unforced errors.
Alarm bells for the Federer camp started to ring during the third set. In a rare occurrence, the 38-year-old got into an argument with the umpire after receiving a code violation. A line official heard him swearing and reported it to the umpire. According to an ESPN commentator it was “an R-rated German word”.
“If you heard it so clearly why didn’t you call it,” a frustrated Federer said to umpire Marijana Veljovic. “Is she 100 per cent sure. She is from Switzerland right?
“She is sure but you’re not sure and she is the same distance. Give me a break.”
Following the dispute proceedings were halted after Federer left the court to take a medical time-out. Making it clear that the 20-time grand slam champion was suffering from some sort or problem. The main issues concerned the right side of his open stance as he looked tentative hitting certain shots.
“I’ve played a lot of tennis throughout my life and sometimes you feel a little bit funny. I started to feel my groin and then my leg started to tighten up.” The world No.3 later explained.
“I really don’t like calling a trainer because it is a sign of weakness.’
“In the end, I was like ‘whatever’ I was going to go off and have some extra treatment on the leg. People know I’m probably not 100%.”
“It wasn’t bad enough where I thought it was going to get worse.” He added.
Dispute the issue, Federer continued to fight on the court until the end. Refusing to retire from a tennis match for the first time in his career. It looked as if it would not be enough against a very in-form Sandgren who illustrated some of his best tennis. Remaining mentally strong and sticking to his game plan, Sandgren rallied to a game away from one of the biggest wins of his career.
However, it was not to be for the American. Leading 5-4 in the fourth frame, a tense Sandgren had three match points against the Federer serve, but failed to convert all of them. Reviving hopes of a comeback by the Swiss player. With all to play for the third seed found a fresh burst of energy as he continued to fight by saving a further four match points in the tiebreaker. Prompting a huge roar from the crowd. After being on the verge of going out, Federer managed to force proceedings into a decider after a shot from his opponent drifted out.
Avoiding a shock exit from Melbourne, Federer continued to gain momentum heading into the decider. Much to the annoyance of his frustrated rival. Weathering the storm, the critical break occurred six games into the fifth frame. Hitting a shot deep to the baseline, an error from Sandgren granted Federer the break for a 4-2 lead. From then, he cruised towards the finish line of what was a difficult and testing match. Serving for a place in the final, Federer prevailed on his first match point opportunity with the help of a serve down the middle of the court which Sandgren couldn’t return over the net.
“As the match went on I started to feel better again. All the pressure went away and I just tried to play. I got a little lucky to get the break (in the fifth set) and I served really well for most of the match towards the end.” He reflected,
“I don’t deserve this one (to win) but I’m very very happy.”
It is the first time Federer has won two five-set matches in the same grand slam tournament since the 2017 US Open. He is the oldest player to reach the last four in Melbourne since Ken Rosewall back in 1977 and the oldest to do so at any grand slam tournament since Jimmy Connors back in 1991.
Awaiting Federer next will be either defending champion Novak Djokovic or Canada’s Milos Raonic.
“I got nothing to do the next day and then I play at night (on Thursday). You do feel better in a couple of days and you never know again. I’m lucky to be here and I might as well make the most of it.” He concluded.