Sharp Federer gives Switzerland winning start at Hopman Cup

Roger Federer dismissed Japan's Yuichi Sugita 6-4, 6-3 in just over an hour on Saturday to give Switzerland a winning start at the Hopman Cup and send out a signal to his opponents ahead of next month's Australian Open.

Coming off a fruitful year which yielded two Grand Slam titles, world No. 2 Federer looked fit and sharp while other members of tennis' "Big Four" are grappling with injury issues.

Federer hurried to save a break point in his first game but otherwise did not have any trouble against the 29-year-old Sugita, whom he broke in the fifth game, and there was no looking back from there.

"This year I feel much more in a rhythm," Federer said. "You get to break point or the moment where you have to serve the first time of the year, and it’s a normal thing.

"Last year, I was like I hope I'm going to be able to hit my first serves, and I hope it's going to work out as much as it did in the practice.

"I think all those question marks aren't really there this time around, which is a nice thing.

"I think it was a great start."

The 19-times Grand Slam winner, who will be defending his title at Melbourne Park next month, was happy with the way he coped with the demands of the game.

"I feel the game has evolved again in the last 10 years or so," Federer said. "I have made some adjustments to my game, I'm trying to hit through the backhand a bit more, maybe I have a bit more pop on the serve and naturally the whole rally has changed because you have different options.

"I think I'm playing very well, otherwise I wouldn't be having the results that I'm having. I'm happy I'm still playing at this level. I was always hoping to play for a long time and I'm doing that."

Federer said his body was feeling great, and he was pleased with his first outing.

"I’m just very happy I was able to have a good level today, and stay calm under pressure," added Federer. "I had some good moments moving forward to the net and playing up in the court.That’s how I want to play for the year."

Belinda Bendic beat Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 in the women's contest to clinch Switzerland's victory in the round-robin stage of the mixed team event.

In the mixed doubles the Swiss completed a clean sweep of the tie with a 2-4, 4-1, 4-3 (5/1) win under the Fast4 format.

Date: 30 December 2017, Source: Reuters, AFP and Hopman Cup

Read More

Ferderer plans to keep expectations in check for 2018

Roger Federer did not know what to expect when he touched down in Australia in 2017.

The then 17-times grand slam champion was 35 and coming back from a first surgery-enforced absence to the sport he dominated for more than a decade from his maiden Wimbledon title in 2003.

The six months off, however, appeared to be positively cathartic as he provided arguably the major talking point of the tennis circuit by reviving a career that pundits thought could be over with the injury.

He beat Rafael Nadal in an epic final to win his fifth Australian Open crown and then clinched his eighth on the grass courts of Wimbledon to finish the year with seven titles and the world number two ranking.

However, Federer, who begins his 2018 campaign at the combined teams Hopman Cup tournament in Perth, recognizes that while expectations this year might be a little higher, he was trying to ensure they did not get out of control.

And after touching down in Perth ahead of the Hopman Cup, Federer said: "I had a great off season. I mean, I did have a good off season too last year but I just wasn't sure what to expect.

"Now expectations are higher but at the same time I try to remind myself just don't think it's normal and realistic to aim for the same things I did this year in 2017.

"I've got to try and keep it cool. Try my best and see what happens but the preparation's been good so far. We'll see how things go."

Federer previously used the Kooyong invitational tournament to warm up for the Australian Open but returned to the Hopman Cup last year to team up with compatriot Belinda Bencic, where the pair finished second in their group.

"It worked out perfectly this year, winning at the Australian Open. Of course, that's a good omen. I hope that winning or losing the Hopman Cup is going to be good for me.

"Obviously looking ahead to Melbourne, I really hope that Hopman Cup's going to give me everything I need here.

"I had a wonderful time in 2017. I can't wait to see all the fans again because they came out in big numbers and supported me," Federer said of starting the season in Perth, where he and his 20-year-old partner will face Japan, Russia and the U.S. in group play.

Date: 28 December 2017, Source: Reuters and Omnisport

Read More