Federer reflects on Tsitsipas loss

Roger Federer’s success at the Australian Open is undeniable. The 37-year-old holds six titles at the year’s first major, which is tied for the tournament record with Novak Djokovic and Roy Emerson. The Swiss had reached at least the semi-finals in 14 of the past 15 years.

But on Sunday evening, Federer lost in the fourth round. Despite having four chances to take a two-set lead against reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, the third seed could not battle through, as the 20-year-old took advantage of the small opening in front of him to work his way into the match and eventually reach his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final.

“I lost to a better player who was playing very well tonight. Hung in there, gave himself chances at some point, stayed calm,” said Federer, who will drop from the Top 5 of the ATP Rankings on 28 January. “It's not always easy, especially for younger guys. Credit to him for taking care of that.”

Tsitsipas made a massive breakthrough in 2018, climbing from No. 91 in the ATP Rankings to No. 15, earning his maiden ATP Tour title in Stockholm and triumphing in Milan. His dream run to the Rogers Cup championship match earlier in the year was unforgettable. But despite this being a night match on Rod Laver Arena, Tsitsipas stepped out into the sun.

“I see him definitely being high up in the game for a long time,” Federer said. “That was a good night for him tonight.”

Glaringly, Federer was unable to convert on all 12 break points he earned in the match. In the second set, the Swiss had eight opportunities, but could not take advantage of any of them. The 12 opportunities he missed out on are the most break points Federer has ever failed to convert without breaking. The four set-point chances he missed out on were also crucial, allowing Tsitsipas to gain a foothold in the battle.

“I have massive regrets tonight. I might not look the part, but I am,” Federer said. “I felt like I have to win the second set. I don't care how I do it, but I have to do it. Cost me the match tonight.”

Perhaps the question is simple: how did that happen? Federer entered the match in great form, winning all nine of his sets in the first three rounds with little difficulty. He proved opportunistic in those clashes as well, converting 10 of 23 break points he earned through the third round.

“There is always multiple factors that play into a match like this. But it definitely didn't go the way I was hoping on the break points,” Federer said. “Clearly something is wrong how I returned his serve, what I'm trying to do. He's doing a good job to defend them. Nevertheless, it's very frustrating.

“He did a nice job of taking care of his half volleys. That's maybe what won him the match tonight, I'm not sure.”

Federer departs Australia after missing the semi-finals of a fourth consecutive Grand Slam (did not play at 2018 Roland Garros), the first time that has happened to the Swiss since making the last four at a major for the first time at 2003 Wimbledon, where he also claimed his maiden Slam title. But the 99-time tour-level titlist gave plenty of credit to Tsitsipas, who will now play Doha champion Roberto Bautista Agut for a spot in the last four. The Greek began 2018 with four tour-level match wins and now, after his four victories in Melbourne, Tsitsipas has 55.

“I think he's definitely done a really nice job now the last year and a half. I mean before that, too, obviously. But beating Novak Djokovic in Toronto, the likes of Kevin Anderson and Alexander Zverev, now me here. That's what you need to do to get to the next level,” Federer said. “He's doing that. It's really nice for him.”

Date: 20 January 2019, Source: ATP

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Federer to face Tsitsipas in Australian Open 4th round

Roger Federer celebrated his 100th match at the Australian Open on Friday by giving young American Taylor Fritz a centre court schooling to reach the last 16 and set up a mouthwatering clash with 'Next Gen' champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Chasing a record seventh Melbourne title and his third in succession, the 37-year-old Swiss has been in ominous form at the year's first Grand Slam and his 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 masterclass at Rod Laver Arena was another warning to the Tour's upstarts.

Fritz, 21, was meant to offer Federer a meaningful test with his prodigious serve and powerful ground-strokes but was instead sent packing after less than 90 minutes.

“I think I wanted to get out of the blocks quickly because I knew of the threat of Taylor, his possibilities of the serve,” Federer said. “I think I had a really good feeling out here today against someone who can definitely be very dangerous in the future, and I wish him all the best in the future.”

Federer dropped only three first-serve points (93%, 40/43), won more than half of his break points (5/9) and never let Fritz into the match. He finished with 34 winners, including 10 aces, to only 14 unforced errors. The American saw zero break points.

The next wave of talent, however, will have another crack at the six-time Australian Open champion in the fourth round. Federer will face Greece's Tsitsipas for a spot in the quarter-finals. It will be their first meeting.

The 20-year-old Athens native matched his best Grand Slam showing with a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4 win against Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili, a two-time ATP Tour titlist.

“I'm happy for him,” Federer said. “He's playing so well, and I'm looking forward to the matchup with him. I think it's going to be a good one. I like how he mixes up his game and also comes to the net. So will I. I think we will see some athletic attacking tennis being played.”

Date: 18 January 2019, Source: Reuters and ATP

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Federer opens quest for 7th Australian Open crown

Defending champion Roger Federer started his bid for a record seventh Australian Open trophy - and the 100th title of his career - on Monday with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.

Federer was solid on serve, winning 83 per cent of his first deliveries, and struck 52 winners, including 14 aces to complete victory in one hour and 57 minutes. The third seed broke serve once in each set - in the fourth game of the first set, the third game of the second set and the sixth game of the third set. He extends his perfect record to 7-0 against Istomin.

"I think I was hitting the ball pretty well," said Federer. "I think I protected my serve well, didn't allow Denis really to get into my service games very often. I was always in the lead, as well. Obviously that helps as I can free swing maybe a little bit more. At the same time I think I have to do some defence, some offence. It was a bit of everything. But I'm very happy with my first round. It's been great. Felt the ball really good."

The Swiss superstar will now prepare to meet Briton Daniel Evans, who knocked out fellow qualifier Tatsuma Ito of Japan 7-5, 6-1, 7-6 (8) in two hours and 35 minutes. “It’s a good opportunity,” said Evans. “I played him at Wimbledon before. It's not very often you get to play Roger on a pretty big court, I'm guessing. I look forward to it.”

Federer, who played Evans on Centre Court in 2016, said, "I remember playing well. He's got all the shots. Likes to take chances, takes the ball early. It's nice to see him back on the tour as well. I'm happy for him that he won his first round."

Federer is currently tied on six crowns for most titles at the Australian championships with Novak Djokovic and Roy Emerson. He is hoping to become the second man - after Jimmy Connors (106) - to win 100-plus tour-level singles titles in the Open Era (since April 1968).

"I think I can be happy how I got out of the blocks from the off-season," said Federer. "I think I started to feel that midway through the first set already that it was going to be difficult for Denis to get into my service games. That relaxes you from the baseline. Then good things really happen."

Roger Federer has now advanced to at least the second round in all 20 of his appearances at the Australian Open. The 37-year-old's last loss in the opening round at a major championship came at Roland Garros in 2003. He has since played at 59 Grand Slams.

Date: 14 January 2019, Source: ATP

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Federer in fine form as Switzerland win Hopman Cup

Roger Federer became the most successful player in Hopman Cup history when he led Switzerland to a 2-1 win in an enthralling final of the mixed teams tournament in Perth Saturday.

In what is tipped to be the final edition of the unique tournament, the best was saved for last as Federer became the first player to win three Hopman Cups, teaming with Belinda Bencic to make it successive titles in Perth.

For the second year in a row, the Swiss beat the German pairing of Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber by claiming a deciding mixed doubles rubber which was loaded with drama.

It was Switzerland's fourth title overall, behind only the United States with six, and Federer first won the Hopman Cup back in 2001 when he teamed with Martina Hingis.

In the men's singles, Federer defeated fourth-ranked Zverev 6-4, 6-2. It was a high-octane match, with plenty of big serves and clean winners, but Federer was able to answer everything the 21-year-old threw at him.

He broke Zverev in the 10th game of the first set and then tightened the noose on the German, with two more breaks in the second set.

Federer, who also beat Zverev in three sets in last year's Hopman final, clinched the match with a typically crisp forehand volley.

Ahead of his Australian Open title defense, the 37-year-old Federer didn't drop a set in four singles matches at the tournament, beating Frances Tiafoe, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Cameron Norrie and Zverev.

''I'm happy I'm feeling this good and playing as well as I am,'' Federer said. ''It's good to finish on a singles performance like this. I'm a bit surprised that the matches have gone as well as they have.''

Kerber squared the tie by beating a dogged Bencic to set up the mixed doubles decider. But Federer was a dominant figure in an extraordinary doubles match as the Swiss claimed the abbreviated format 4-0, 1-4, 4-3 (5/4) to clinch the title despite Germany having two match points.

Fittingly, it was Federer who served out the match in the third set tie-break, having been unable to do so earlier in the set.

The tournament came down to a single point at 4-4 in the third set tie-break, with both teams holding match point and after an extended rally Zverev dumped a backhand into the net to hand the Swiss victory.

Federer also became the first player to win successive Hopman Cups and said the records were a nice bonus for winning the title.

"I am very happy for these records, although I didn’t come here for that," he said.

"Winning it back-to-back years, what a thrill it was, not just the match point but the whole week. It's great fun. I'm proud to represent my country. It's been a super pleasure teaming with Belinda."

Switzerland's first win in the competition was secured by Manuela Maleeva-Fragniere and Jakob Hlasek in 1992.

Zverev and Kerber were despondent after the loss and the former said it was a tough pill to swallow.

"We really wanted to win as a team," Zverev said. "We came so close - we were one shot away."

Date: 6 January 2019, Source: AFP and AP

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