Federer, who won in a stroll over Rafael Nadal
just over a week ago in the Shanghai final, continued his top form in
front of the local crowd at an event he has won seven times. The
36-year-old Swiss, who has competed in a dozen Basel finals, made quick
work of his 19-year-old opponent, who had taken him to five sets in
this year's US Open first round.
"I
felt good throughout. The short match didn't matter too much because I
have a day off tomorrow. Even if it had been three sets, it would have
been OK," Federer said.
"As long as I'm winning, it's all good. I'm just happy to win the first match. Frances was tough in the US Open."
Federer will next face France's Benoit Paire, a 6-3, 7-6 (4) winner over American Steve Johnson. The Swiss has won all four of their matchups
without dropping a set. The pair’s last meeting came at this year’s
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where Federer won 6-1, 6-3.
"The next round with Paire will be tough, he's a dangerous player indoors. I'm happy I've found my rhythm early in Basel."
Against Tiafoe, whom he also defeated last March in Miami, Federer wasted no time in establishing domination of the young gun.
The Swiss quickly rolled 4-0 ahead, with Tiafoe finally earning a game after 21 minutes of play. Federer then produced a love game and closed out the set in 29 minutes on his first set point.
Tiafoe's
resistance stiffened slightly in the second set, with Federer achieving
the break in the eighth game for 5-3 before wrapping up victory in 61
minutes. Federer improved to 3-0 against Tiafoe.
Federer, who was a ballboy at the indoor event for two years and first
played in the tournament as a 16-year-old in qualifying, advanced to 10
consecutive finals from 2006 to 2015, and at one point won five of six
championships. His 12 total finals appearances in Basel are the most of
any event he has competed in. If he can triumph again, he will capture
an ATP World Tour-leading seventh title of the season.
Date: 24 October 2017, Source: AFP and ATP
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