LONDON: A cloud of disbelief filled The O2 Arena when six-time champion Roger Federer fell to David Goffin for the first time in their clash at the ATP World Tour Finals. Yet, the warning signs were already there.
After clinching the opening set against the Belgian, 36-year-old Federer struggled as Goffin elevated the level of his game to prevail 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. In the last 19 games of the match, Federer only managed to work himself towards two break point opportunities. Both of which he failed to convert. In comparison, a more agile Goffin seized his chances by breaking twice on his three attempts.
“He’s crushed me too many times in practice not to do it also in a match situation.” The world No.2 said about Goffin.
“I’m very happy for him. He’s a great guy. I like him a lot. I think today he played so nice that he deserves to be in the finals.”
There were clear reasons as to why Federer was expected to win. Prior to today, his record against all three semifinalists in London stood at 15-0. In relation to Goffin, he had only ever dropped two sets against him in six meetings. On top of that was Federer’s 100% winning record to qualify to the last four of the season-ending event. Scoring wins over Marin Cilic, Jack Sock and Alexander Zverev.
“I just think he raised his game. I couldn’t follow any more.” Federer reflected about his loss. “Maybe my game dropped naturally a little bit because he was playing better. Maybe never really reached my best level because the first set was all right.”
One of the keys to Goffin’s win was his ability to speed up the match and hit more towards the Federer backhand. In total, the 36-year-old hit 22 forehand errors and 12 from his backhand side.
“The key was not to play his forehand, it was just to play fast, to go from one side to the other one after my serve and after my return.” The Belgian said during his press conference.
“I served a lot in his backhand, and I went to the other side. So, yeah, I wanted just to play faster in the second than in the first.”
It is not the first time Federer has been silenced during what has been a mainly successful season. He has only lost five times in 2017, but two of those were against players ranked outside the top 100. Evgeny Donskoy in Dubai and Tommy Haas in Stuttgart.
Focus is often placed upon Federer’s records, which features 19 grand slam titles and 302 weeks as world No.1. But sometimes they mask his vulnerabilities. It is not very often that these are talked about in fear of angering his army of loyal fans. Yet, the 36-year-old is the first to admit it himself.
“I wish I could have played more aggressive today, but I just never really felt comfortable taking the ball on. Starting with the return, starting with the first shot after the serve. There was never like this simple 1-2 punch, return, first strike. I never got 100% comfortable with it throughout the entire tournament.”
Federer is described sometimes as a god in sport, but that is inaccurate. Not because he isn’t an exceptional player, but because it describes immortality. A concept that can’t be applied to humans. Federer is human and he has weaknesses. That was what Goffin masterfully managed to expose in London.
