This week’s Paris Masters is known as the tournament where players can get some critical ranking points before the season ends, but for Roger Federer it is the complete opposite.
Gracing his presence at the AccorHotels Arena for the first time since 2015, the world No.3 has raced the quarter-finals despite playing only one match. After being handed a first round bye, his next opponent (Milos Raonic) withdrew due to injury. Meaning Federer’s first test was Fabio Fognini on Thursday, who he dismissed in straight sets during what was a far from perfect performance.
“I served better than him at important moments. This was actually the key of the match.” Federer said afterwards. “This is the indoor effect. This is what is crucial in a match is who serves better.”
It has been seven years since Federer’s first and only triumph in Paris. When he defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final. One would assume that the Swiss No.1 would be hungry for glory this year. Not only does he have the chance of winning the trophy. He has a chance of closing in on Rafael Nadal’s No.2 spot.
“I’m trying to play this tournament without any pressure to see how it turns out, without any expectations.” The 37-year-old explained.
“It is a pleasure for me to play at such a tournament for once, because often in the past it’s always good to play well because of the rhythm or because you’ve been preparing yourself for many weeks.
“This time, it’s different. It’s after I won a tournament (Swiss Indoors). I just tried to play as good as I can. If it turns out well, good. If it doesn’t, well, too bad. I tried.”
The somewhat laid back approach to the tour continued when the 20-time grand slam champion was questioned about the race to finish the year as No.1. An accomplishment he has achieved on five previous occasions. Should the quarter-final matches goes according to the seedings, Federer will play nemesis Novak Djokovic in the last four. Djokovic will return to No.1 on Monday.
“I don’t even know if I still can. I don’t know the situation.” Federer commented on the race to the year-end No.1.
“I didn’t come here to win Paris. Maybe that answers the question. My objective is London. If I can do well here in Paris and beat him (Djokovic), all the better.“
Federer will play Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals on Friday.
