Federer overcomes injury fear and slow start

Worried about a recent back problem that kept him from getting ready the way he usually does for a Grand Slam tournament, Roger Federer had to overcome an early deficit and a late lapse Tuesday night to edge 19-year-old American Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 in a compelling first-round contest under the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof.

“I was maybe a bit worried from the beginning with my back issue but eventually I was able to let go,” Federer said. “I always knew I was going to come in feeling rusty or not great.”

It was the first time Federer had been taken to five sets in the opening round at Flushing Meadows since his debut against Peter Wessels in 2000. His 79th US Open match win ties him in second place with Andre Agassi, behind only Jimmy Connors on 98.

“I think in many ways people were hoping for a good battle between the Next Gen and somebody established like myself,” Federer said. “In many ways also it felt like people were happy to see me again after missing last year. I felt like the energy was in the building.

“They were very excited about seeing me back on the court, especially after the year that I've had. They seemed like really a good crowd, crowd support for both players.”

Unperturbed by the occasion, the free-swinging Tiafoe took it to the No. 3 seed throughout. Federer saw his 16-0 record in US Open first rounds come under threat, as four unforced errors in the opening game handed an initial break to the American.

Tiafoe did well to hold his serve throughout the set and gave a huge fist pump and a scream of “C'mon!” as a forehand winner saw him grab the opener. It marked the first time Federer had lost the opening set to a player outside the Top 50 of the ATP Rankings at the US Open since 2007, when he rallied past No. 60 Feliciano Lopez in the Round of 16.

“I really struggled early on,” Federer said. “I think Frances connected well. I just really kind of lost my footing sometimes. My eye wasn't working. I was misjudging distance. I think I was also being a bit cautious with my movement.”

The 36 year old’s passive start would not last, however. He would grab his first break for 3-1 in the second set and the tension released. The Swiss started finding his range with more depth and opened the court for his finishing forehand. He reeled off 12 of 15 games to grab a two-sets-to-one lead but his American opponent was not about to fade away.

Tiafoe went two from two on break points when he surged to 3-1 in the fourth set and with the errors beginning to flow from Federer’s strings, the American made it a perfect three from three on break points with a double break for 5-1. He brought up three set points with a drop-shot winner and locked it up at two sets all.

Tiafoe’s chances of winning a five-set match for the first time in his career were not looking great when Federer broke with a backhand winner down the line for 3-1. The No. 3 seed brought up match point with his 16th ace at 5-3. But Tiafoe was not done yet.

Roared on by his home crowd, he broke with a forehand pass down the line to get games back on serve for 4-5. His revival, though, was short-lived. Federer broke to close out the match when the American netted a short forehand at the two-hour, 37-minute mark.

“In the second set I think it all started to come together,” Federer said. “That was good. But because of the preparation being not the best that I've had, I think I was quite up and down.

“Every time I was down, Frances took care of it. Then in the fifth, it was just more of get the energy back, play to win, don't just play to hope that he will miss. I think I did that, so I'm really, really excited that I won tonight.

“I'm very happy that I'm feeling as good as I'm feeling right now. Honestly, if I would have felt like that going into this tournament that my back was going to get worse every match, I probably wouldn't have played. My hope and my belief is that it's only going to get better from here because every day that goes by puts me further away from what happened in Montreal. So that's how I see it.

“I think there's a lot of positives for me to look at, that I can come through a five-setter with the preparation that I had. This win will give me a lot of confidence.”

Date: 30 August 2017, Source: ATP, US Open and AP

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Is this the year for Federer vs Nadal in US Open?

It somehow has never happened, but Roger Federer - and every tennis fan in the world - would welcome the occasion. Federer and Rafael Nadal have played 37 times in their ATP Head to Head series, including three times this year - Australian Open final, Indian Wells round of 16 and Miami final - all of which Federer won.

But the all-time greats have never faced off at the US Open, which starts Monday in New York. The match-up could happen this year, though. Federer, the third seed, has been drawn in the same half as No. 1 seed Nadal. The two could meet in the semi-finals.

“I'd love to play Rafa here in New York. Hopefully it will be a night session. Hopefully that would be a great atmosphere and one again where we play great like at the Australian Open,” Federer said. “I think that would be fun for everybody involved.”

The 36-year-old Swiss makes his return to Flushing Meadows this week after having to miss the season's final Grand Slam last year because of injuries. He will be going his 20^th Grand Slam title and his sixth US Open crown. Both would be records.

Federer last won the US Open in 2008, the fifth year of his five-peat. The early years of that streak stick with him the most, though.

“Winning here for the first time was big; 2004 was a great year for me. World No. 1 for the first time and trying to win the US Open for the first time. So that was a big deal of course,” Federer said. “You look back at those first couple of years where I got on the run of the five here. I fell in love with New York, I always loved coming back here as a junior back in '98 and every year after that. I think 2004 and '05 were the big years for me.”

Incredibly, Federer has a chance to return to No. 1 in the ATP Rankings this fortnight. If he wins the title or makes the final, he will become No. 1 and knock Nadal off the top spot. The Spaniard reclaimed No. 1 last week.

Federer also could ascend to No. 1 if he makes the semi-finals and Nadal does not reach the last four, or if he reaches the quarter-finals and Nadal is upset in the first round.

Federer debuted at No. 1 on 2 February 2004 but has not been there since 4 November 2012. Federer would break two records of Andre Agassi's if he were to reach the top spot again.

He would become the oldest No. 1 since the ATP Rankings were established in 1973. The four years and 310 days between 4 November 2012 and 11 September 2017 would also be the longest gap between stints at No. 1.

Federer begins with young American Frances Tiafoe. The Swiss won their lone prior match-up, earlier this year in Miami, 7-6 (2), 6-3.

“It's an interesting first round. Clearly he has nothing to lose but everything to gain. It's a tough one, plus like you said, he's playing well. He's aggressive baseliner like so many of the Americans. Thankfully I played him in Miami this year so I have a little bit of an idea of how he plays, and his patterns and what he prefers to do and what not,” Federer said.

“At the end I'm going to try to focus on my own game like I usually do, play within myself that first round and make sure I make it tough for Frances to get through me, and hopefully get off a good start in the match. Excited to play on centre court for the first time with the proper structure and roof now. I missed it last year. I'm very excited playing here again.”

Date: 27 August 2017, Source: ATP

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Federer feels as good as possible ahead of US Open

Roger Federer, in his first interview since injuring his back in the Rogers Cup final in Montreal, says his progress is “encouraging’’ and doubts it will be a big factor at the US Open that starts Monday in Flushing Meadows.

Making an appearance in midtown Manhattan to promote next month’s Laver Cup, Federer called 2017 “a magical year” and reported he has been on the court since Sunday. He pulled out of the Open tuneup in Cincinnati last week because of the ailment sustained in his loss to Alexander Zverev in Montreal 10 days ago.

“I don’t think so,’’ Federer said when asked if his back will be a factor. “I’m already playing points (Wednesday and Thursday). I am where I want to be. I took it slow because I could. I wasn’t in a rush. I didn’t have to play points or matches within a few days after Montreal. I was really good taking my time, follow a schedule and not force it. I’m better off following that schedule. I still have four, five days. So it’s all good.

“Other than the back issue, I’m coming in as good as I can possibly feel. I’m playing extremely well. I’ve had as much motivation as I ever had. I rested the clay-court season, hoping it would pay off for the grass-court and it did. It was good saving the body and mind. I’m really excited to be here. I’m making sure I’m 100-percent ready for New York. I’m feeling a lot better than a week ago. That’s very encouraging. I love playing here - the courts suit me well.”

The Swiss Maestro is gunning for his record 20th Grand Slam singles title after adding the Australian Open and Wimbledon to his largesse in 2017 at age 36.

Last August, he missed the Open for an extended rehab after knee surgery. He finished 2016 stuck on 17 Slam titles, having not posted a major title since 2012. All that has changed in 2017 to enhance his legacy as the greatest ever.

“It’s been a magical year - I was only here in New York last year a couple of days, briefly for a few events,’’ Federer said. “Now to be back this year, fast forward a year later, fighting for No. 1, it’s pretty amazing. Winning in Australia and Wimbledon, it’s great.

The first-ever Laver Cup will be Sept. 22 - 24 in London and will feature Europe vs. the World - similar to golf’s Ryder Cup format. Federer and Rafael Nadal will finally team up, but first they could also face each other for the first time ever at the Open. Federer dominated Nadal this year, beating him in the finals in Australia and taking him out in big hardcourt events in Indian Wells and Miami.

“It’s a good feeling after all these years to finally be able to support his forehand,’’ Federer cracked of the Laver Cup competition. “I know Rafa so well. It’s going to be highly entertaining for both of us.’’

Rod Laver told that Federer’s biggest change this year is hitting his backhand more flat and powerful, playing more patiently at the net and not obsessing over the sport.

“He’s not always thinking tennis off the court,’’ said Laver, the last men’s player to win a Grand Slam. “He’s got his two sets of twins. If they’re in Orlando for a tournament and they want to go to Disney World, he goes with them.”

Date: 24 August 2017, Source: New York Post

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Federer withdraws from Cincinnati with back injury

Roger Federer has withdrawn from the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati. The seven-time champion said on Monday that a back injury will force him to miss the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament this week.

“I am very sorry to pull out of the Western and Southern Open as I always enjoy playing here,” Federer said. “Cincinnati has some of the best fans in the world and I am sorry I will miss them. Unfortunately, I tweaked my back in Montreal and I need to rest this week.”

A lucky loser will replace him in the draw and have the benefit of a first round bye.

Federer fell in the Rogers Cup final to Alexander Zverev, the first title match the Swiss has lost this season (5-1 record). His withdrawal guarantees Rafael Nadal will return to No. 1 in the ATP Rankings when the new rankings are released on Monday 21 August. Nadal has spent 141 weeks at the top spot but hasn't been No. 1 since 6 July 2014.

The Swiss star, ranked No. 3, is sidelined along with No. 1 Andy Murray, No. 4 Stan Wawrinka, No. 5 Novak Djokovic, No. 6 Marin Cilic, the defending champion, No. 9 Kei Nishikori and 21st-ranked Gael Monfils.

“It's bad news for Roger that he's not playing,” Nadal said. “I wish them all a speedy recovery. We need them in the game. I hope they get back soon.”

Date: 14 August 2017

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Zverev upsets Federer to win Montreal Masters

Alexander Zverev shocked second seed Roger Federer in straight sets in the Montreal Masters final to win his fifth title of the season and 10th consecutive victory on Sunday.

The 20-year-old German used his booming serve to overpower Federer 6-3, 6-4 as the Swiss superstar never got a chance to get into the match and physically struggled in the second set.

"I tried to be aggressive as I can," said Zverev. "If Roger starts being aggressive with his forehand and backhand then it is not going to be an easy day for me."

Zverev avenged a 6-1, 6-3 loss to Federer in the Halle final in June - his only loss in a final this season. He is now tied with Federer for the most titles this season at five.

"It's a wonderful achievement for him," Federer said of Zverev. "I wish him the best for the coming months and hope he can finish the season very strong.

"I'm just really happy for him, to see that he's taking everything not just to the next level, but the two next levels."

Federer said playing a lot on the hardcourts this week caught up to him on Sunday.

"I felt all right all week. Had a bit of muscle pain, aches and pains here and there, just because it's back on the match courts, on the hard courts," Federer said. "After vacation and practice, it's always a bit of a shock for the body.

"We'll have to wait and see now how I feel in the next couple of days."

Federer will travel to Cincinnati Sunday night for the next tournament then see if he can play back to back events.

"I will take a decision in the next couple of days and see how I feel after five days of playing, if I'm ready to play in Cincy next week or not," he said.

"Looking ahead to the US Open, obviously I want to be in the best possible shape. Winning my third of the year, my 20th Grand Slam, would be completely insane. I just hope I'm going to be 100 percent ready when the moment arises."

The victory over the 19-times Grand Slam champion was the second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title of the season for Zverev, who also beat Novak Djokovic in Rome.

"This one against Roger is something so special for me because he was always a great idol growing up for me," Zverev said during his trophy presentation. "The greatest player of all time, beating him in a final, not just any final but in the final of a Masters 1000, is amazing."

Date: 14 August 2017, Source: Reuters and AFP

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Federer reaches finals of Rogers Cup

Roger Federer extended his winning streak to 16 matches and moved into the Rogers Cup final with a straight-sets victory over Robin Haase in Montreal on Saturday.

The Swiss right-hander struck “Are you kidding?” backhand passes and was untouchable on serve. He dropped only nine points on serve (45/54) and hit 28 winners, including nine aces, against Haase, who was playing in his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final.

But the 30-year-old Dutchman was eager for the fight, pushing Federer to a second-set tie-break before the all-time great advanced 6-3, 7-6 (5) to reach the Montreal title match.

“I'm happy, most happy that I'm actually really healthy going into the finals. I haven't wasted too much energy. I've been able to keep points short. I've been really clean at net. I think my concentration and just my playing has gone up a notch. I'm just playing better,” Federer said.

The 36 year old will go for his third Canadian Masters 1000 crown (2004, 2006 in Toronto), his 27^th Masters 1000 title and his 94^th tour-level title on Sunday. If Federer wins, he'll tie Ivan Lendl in second place for most tour-level titles won in the Open Era.

“I have reached levels that I never thought I would be able to reach, winning so many titles. Each title you can add is like a thrill. I am playing tennis to try to win titles. I always said that the ranking, if you're not No. 1 in the world, doesn't count really. It's secondary. Now I'm lucky because both are in sight,” Federer said. “Lendl is a legend of tennis. He reached incredible records. He was extremely consistent. He won many titles. It's fantastic and cool that I'm able to reach his level.”

Federer will meet either 20-year-old German Alexander Zverev or 18-year-old Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the final. He will be playing in his sixth final of the season on Sunday.

“To have a player at 18 or 20 years old in the finals of a Masters 1000 is not something we've seen very often, very rarely, except maybe when Andy, Novak and Rafa were coming up. They were such great teenagers that we maybe saw it more often. Not even I probably achieved finals of Masters 1000 at that age,” Federer said. “I think it's very exciting for tennis. It's the biggest stage that we have in the game on the ATP Tour. So to have young guys like this be there, it's a good opportunity for them.”

The Swiss right-hander owns a 2-1 advantage against Zverev in their ATP Head to Head series, including a 6-1, 6-3 victory in the Gerry Weber Open final in Halle in June. Federer has never faced Shapovalov, who's the youngest Masters 1000 semi-finalist (since 1990).

Earlier in the week, Federer talked about struggling to implement his aggressive game plan. In the third round, he dropped the opening set against Spaniard David Ferrer, a player he's now beaten 17 consecutive times.

But Federer was sharp from the start against Haase, breaking twice for a 3-1 lead. He served out the set to 15.

Haase, though, who's hitting top form after battling injuries for years, refused to back down. The right-hander tidied up his service games, striking eight aces and never facing a break point in the second set. But Federer found his way through the tie-break, advancing to the his third Masters 1000 final of the season when Haase lifted a forehand long.

Date: 12 August 2017, Source: ATP and Omnisport

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Aggressive Federer cruises to semi-finals in Montreal

Roger Federer remains on course to lift his 27th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title and put pressure on Rafael Nadal in the two-man battle for the World No. 1 in the ATP Rankings.

Bidding to capture his first trophy in Montreal - and his third overall in Canada - Federer produced a spellbinding blend of power and finesse to outclass No. 12 seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-4 in 68 minutes on Friday afternoon at the Rogers Cup. It was his seventh straight win over the Spaniard and Federer is now 34-2 on the season, which includes an ATP World Tour-high five titles.

“It pays off playing aggressively here in Montreal, plus I feel comfortable at net, so why not spend some time there instead of slugging it out from the baseline,” Federer, who won 21 of 25 points at the net, told after the match. “I think I did a good job again, even though it was tough to control the ball. I got some decent rhythm going.

“Yesterday, I struggled against David Ferrer early on, so today was better. I was more committed and a step further in, adjusting my position slightly realising the ball does fly a lot.”

The second seed and 2004, 2006 champion (in Toronto) will now challenge Dutchman Robin Haase, who will appear in his first Masters 1000 semi-final on Saturday, for only the second time. The pair met in a Davis Cup World Group play-off in 2012 with Federer winning the rubber 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

Bautista Agut held firm through the first eight games, effective on serve and also in keeping his position on the baseline. However, the pressure began to tell and the Spaniard faltered on first serve in the ninth game of the first set. Federer surprised Bautista Agut with changes in pace, angle and net rushes, breaking to 15 when his opponent struck his first double fault.

Federer and Bautista Agut exchanged service breaks at the start of the second set. But it was Federer, quick to attack the net off his powerful forehands, who seized control and moved Bautista Agut out of his comfort zone at the baseline.

“I wanted to play a great tournament, and I think I did a good week,” said Bautista Agut. “Today, I felt that I didn’t get into the rhythm of the match and I didn’t feel the ball well. Roger plays very fast and he didn’t want to rally with me, so he went for his shots. To be in the quarter-finals here in Montreal is a very good result for me, also getting hard-court matches under my belt.”

The 36-year-old Federer has not ranked as the World No. 1 since 4 November 2012. With no ATP Rankings points to defend in the rest of the 2017 season, the Swiss superstar could potentially add to his 302 weeks at the pinnacle of men’s professional tennis as early as 21 August.

“I obviously follow it, because Rafa had an opportunity to get to No. 1 this week,” Federer said. “I thought it would take a few months to get my teeth into it, but now Rafa is out I obviously know I can make big strides, especially if I was to go further than the semis here. But it’s all connected by great play, but I have to focus on the next match against Haase.”

Date: 11 August 2017, Source: ATP and Reuters

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Federer survives Ferrer test in Montreal

Tested early and often, Roger Federer overcame a formidable performance from David Ferrer to advance to the Rogers Cup quarter-finals on Thursday. Federer prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 57 minutes.

The Swiss kept his bid alive for a first title in Montreal, improving his 2017 hard-court record to 21-1 and bumping his overall win streak to 14 straight. Meeting for the first time in three years, Federer extended his impressive ATP Head to Head advantage over Ferrer to 17-0.

"I already beat other players 17 times," said Federer. "Sometimes I played them maybe 30 or 40 times. They ended up beating me at a certain stages, like Roddick, Gonzalez and Soderling. Sometimes I beat them 10 times in a row. At the end they always ended up beating me. That's why I have a lot of respect for this match today. I know it can't continue that way. 17 is a lot.

"The last match we played were three tight sets in Toronto, then three sets Cincinnati, and again today. So these statistics are a bit ridiculous, because I have a lot of respect for David. As a person, he's very nice. He's a great fighter on the court. So this type of head-to-head is a bit strange."

Ferrer was on the front foot throughout the opener and he would halt Federer's dominant sets-won streak at 32. The ruthless run began in the first round of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle and included his title at Wimbledon and straight-set win over Peter Polansky on Wednesday.

Striking his forehand with great depth and relying on an efficient first serve, Ferrer was unflappable in closing out the 43-minute opener. The Spaniard, who is in top form after claiming his 27th ATP World Tour title two weeks ago in Bastad, struck a deep, penetrating return to snatch the initial break for 3-1. Serving for the first set at 5-4, he would fire a return at Federer's feet, which the Swiss hit into the net. The second seed struck an uncharacteristic 19 unforced errors in the first set, but the tide would take an abrupt turn in the second. After exchanging early breaks, Federer rediscovered his groove, surging ahead with another break in the fifth game.

Coming forward more often and playing more aggressive, the Swiss would turn aside a set point at 5-3 and force a decider in the next game. He would pull away from then on, breaking twice in the third and closing out a spot in the quarter-finals with a volley winner on his first match point.

"For me it was more of a struggle," Federer said about the match. "As you know, you don't always feel the same and each opponent is a different problem. He started very well, especially on the return on my second serve. I was not able to serve my first serve where I wanted to, and he hurt me on the second serve.

"From the baseline, I didn't have enough rhythm. The court is fast here. Of course, because of the surface, that it's fast, you can't just decide to put the ball in because physically David is very strong. You can't do that. You have to go into the battle. You have to accept you're going to make mistakes. But you have to keep moving forward.

"I tried with my intensity and focus to change the match, and this is what I was able to do. I was able also to change the angles, and that helped me win the match."

A two-time champion at the Canadian Masters 1000 event (2004 and '06 in Toronto), Federer advanced to the quarter-finals in Montreal for the first time since 2009. He will next face Roberto Bautista Agut, after the 12th seed edged Gael Monfils 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (2) earlier on Thursday. Federer owns a 6-0 edge in their ATP Head to Head, most recently prevailing at the Masters event in Miami earlier this year.

"We battled, both tried to find a way to win. He had a good start, I had a better finish. That was important. For me, take it how it is and hope that this match gives me some better rhythm and confidence against Bautista Agut, who plays actually very similar to David today."

Date: 11 August 2017, Source: ATP

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Federer cruises in first match since Wimbledon win

Roger Federer needed less than an hour to defeat Canadian Peter Polansky 6-2, 6-1 at the Rogers Cup in Montreal on Wednesday in his first appearance since winning a record eighth Wimbledon title in July.

A day after celebrating his 36th birthday, Federer played the aggressive game that has propelled him to five titles, including two grand slams, this year, attacking the net and rocketing second serves.

Polansky, a wildcard for the ATP Masters 1000 event, never looked comfortable. The 29-year-old double faulted twice in his first service game and had difficulty handling Federer's pinpoint serves.

"I started the first set well. In the second set, I was able to put pressure on him and he helped me with some double faults, of course. Overall, I'm very satisfied with the match. The conditions were tough here in Montreal. There was a lot of wind today and it was fast. Sometimes it's difficult to find the rhythm.

"But I was happy that I was very focused on my service games. I was aggressive. This is how I want to play for the whole week. Anyway, it's a good start," Federer said.

Federer, who has lost only two of 34 matches this year, will next play Spain's David Ferrer who prevailed in a three-setter against American Jack Sock 7-6 (7), 3-6, 6-1.

''I think in this tournament I'm trying to play with confidence that I gained through the grass-court season. I have to adjust my game a little bit just because the bounce of the ball is so much higher here than at Wimbledon, and there's wind, which in Wimbledon we didn't have much of," Federer said.

''It's just really to see how it goes this week, and then learn from this week, how I need to then play in Cincinnati and the U.S. Open.''

Polansky, ranked No. 116 in the world after some strong results in challenger events, upset No. 75 Vasek Pospisil of Canada in the first round on Monday.

It was his second meeting with Federer. At the 2014 Rogers Cup, he lost 6-2, 6-0.

''Even though I lost, this is one of the most memorable experiences of my life along with the match I played against him in Toronto,'' Polansky said. ''His transition from the baseline to the net, it's a joke.

''You blink and he's at the net. You hit balls pretty hard at him and he's handling them like it's no problem. Guys I'm used to playing, if I hit really hard, they'll kind of block it but he's constantly moving forward like a freight train.''

Date: 10 August 2017, Source: Reuters and AP

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