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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Federer withdraws from Rogers Cup in Montreal

World number two Roger Federer has withdrawn from next month's Rogers Cup in Montreal.

A spokeswoman for Tennis Canada, Valerie Tetreault, wrote in an email to The Associated Press that Federer ''wants to make sure he will be in top shape for'' the U.S. Open, the year's last Grand Slam tournament, which begins August 31.

“I am disappointed that I won’t be playing in Montreal because it’s a tournament and a city that I really enjoy and has incredible fans. My family and I have always received first class treatment from Tournament Director, Eugène Lapierre, and his team and I hope to be back in the future,” said Federer.

Federer, a 17-times grand slam singles champion, has twice won the elite ATP World Tour Masters event - in Toronto in 2004 and 2006. He also reached the Montreal final in 2007 and finished runner up last year in Toronto. Federer has played the Canadian ATP Masters 1000 event eleven times in his career.

“We are obviously disappointed to have Roger withdraw as it is always a privilege to watch him play,” tournament director Eugene Lapierre said in a statement. “We also understand his decision because, above all, he has always been very loyal to our event and we would love to see him play tennis for many more years to come.”

Jerzy Janowicz of Poland will take Federer's place in the main draw for the August 10-16 Rogers Cup.

Date: 30th July 2015, Source: AP and Reuters

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Federer battling with back injury; Montreal Masters in doubt

Its been a tough two weeks for Roger Federer who is battling with his back pain by taking some pain killers through out the last week in Hamburg and now in Gstaad. The problem is a muscle spasm in the back.

"I've had serious problems with the back, I had to get some anti-inflammatories last week in Hamburg due to the back pain," Federer said after his shock loss to Daniel Brands as 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of Gstaad Open.

"My back felt ok enough, but not enough to play at 100 percent. I knew coming into the match that it would be a tough one. I didn't decide to play until after the warm-up in the afternoon, that's what a close call it was. I thought I had a chance to win at least one round."

"Some members of the team thought I shouldn't play. I'm relieved I played more or less correctly without making it worse. It was so tough to play and move out there today. I'll just have to take treatment and see how it all goes."

"I’m still happy that I came to Gstaad this week. It was great being back here and the crowd gave me a fantastic welcome."

I think he played the match for his fans who travels to Gstaad to watch him play. Indeed he had a great welcome on the court when he enters and till the end of the match.

His first US Open build-up event, the Montreal Masters from August 5, could now be in doubt.

"I will have to do a lot of exercises and see how it all feels. My main priority now is to fix my back. I would love to be able to train at 100 percent," said the former world number one.

"I'll have to see if the rehab is enough to let me play in Montreal. If it is, I'll go; if not, then it gives me another week."

"I will give myself three, four days time and will discuss with the team. We'll take it from there," Roger added in regard to his participation in Canada.

Date: 25th July 2013

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Federer out of Rogers Cup

Roger Federer had said his previous two losses against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga were “not normal” - both matches in which he let sizeable leads slip away.

On Thursday night, the pair met again at the Rogers Cup in Montreal two years after that first uncharacteristic loss, and this time Federer found himself playing catch-up before falling to the Frenchman 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-1.

Federer was unable to convert his three break points in the opening set, including one set point, allowing Tsonga to seize the lead in the tie-break after 57 minutes of play.

He quickly countered to go up a break, 2-1, in the second set and saved three break points in the eighth game. He could not hold Tsonga down for long, however, as the Frenchman decisively took control in the third set, rolling out to a 5-0 lead before serving out the victory.

“He’s confident right now and he played an excellent third set,” said Federer, a two time champion at this ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament. “The first two sets were tighter. I should maybe have won the first one. I had some opportunities. In the second I was able to hold my serve. I might have won, but he was able to finish off the match very well.”

Date: 12.08.2011, Source: ATP

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Federer defeats Canadian, faces Tsonga next

World No. 3 Roger Federer began his summer hard-court campaign with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Canadian wild card Vasek Pospisil on Wednesday afternoon at the Rogers Cup in Montreal.

Pospisil had notched his first tour-level victory Tuesday against Juan Ignacio Chela to set up a second-round meeting with his idol, and managed to hold his own against the two-time Rogers Cup champion through the first 11 games of the match.

But Federer capitalised on his first break point to secure the opening set, and then broke open a 3-0 lead to start the second, proving enough for the victory. The Swiss won 85 per cent of his service points.

"For me it was important to have role models to look up to, such as (Pete) Sampras and (Stefan) Edberg and so forth," Federer said after beating Pospisil.

"Then to be able to also play Pete at Wimbledon was very big in my career, it gave me a huge lift to be able to play in a big stadium against a big player — and I hope it does the same for him."
Federer said he was impressed with Pospisil's performance.

"He had good variation on his serve," he said. "It was somewhat tricky getting to know his patterns a bit more."

Federer, who celebrated his 30th birthday Monday, is playing his first tournament since a five-set loss in the Wimbledon quarter-finals (l. to Tsonga) and improves to a 40-8 season mark.

He will have a chance to avenge that Wimbledon defeat in the next round, when he encounters Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the seventh time. The No. 13 seed fired 15 aces to defeat Australian wild card Bernard Tomic 6-3, 7-6(1).

Tsonga trails Federer 2-4 in the head-to-head series, but his other victory over the Swiss came two years ago at this ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament.

Date: 10.08.2011, Source: ATP & Canadian Press

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Montreal 2011: The draw

The world's best players will meet again this week: the Rogers Cup in Montreal is up after the summer break.

Roger is in the same half of the draw as the world No. 1, Novak Djokovic. Rafael Nadal and Britain's Andy Murray, the defending champion, fill the top spots in the other half of the draw.

After a bye in the first round, our champ will meet the winner of the match between Juan Ignacio Chela (ATP 23) and Vasek Pospisil.

In the third round, Roger could have the chance of a revenge against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (ATP 16), who defeated Roger in Wimbledon this year.

In addition, Nicolas Almagro (ATP 10), Richard Gasquet (ATP 13) and Bernard Tomic (ATP 71) can be found in Roger's half of the draw.

Date: 08.08.2011, Source: RF Official

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Federer trusts himself to thrive past age 30

Roger Federer will turn 30 next week, but the Swiss winner of a record 16 grand slam singles titles said on Wednesday he will not pause for reflection since he is too busy plotting for more tennis success.

Federer will spend his birthday on Monday in Montreal at the Rogers Cup tournament, where adoring fans have serenaded him in the past to mark the occasion.

“I’m looking forward to turning 30, excited to see how the Canadians are going to celebrate my birthday this time around, because sometimes they start singing ‘Happy Birthday’ during my match,” Federer told reporters during a conference call.

Federer said the milestone birthday would not move him to take stock of his career and his future.

“My plans are always probably a bit over a year ahead of the time. I’m already way past this point,” he said. “I’m already thinking beyond the Olympics next year.

“Birthdays, they happen. They are a part of life. I’m happy I’m getting older,” added Federer, who is married and the father of twin girls. “I’d rather be 30 than 20 to be quite honest. This is, to me, a nice time.”

Federer said he still loves the game, the lifestyle and the challenge as he ramps up his preparation for this month’s U.S. Open, which he won five times in a row from 2004.

What has changed, is his frequency of winning.

Federer, who once reigned a record 237 successive weeks as world number one and enjoyed the top perch for a total of more than five years overall, has slipped to number three behind Australian Open and Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic and number two Rafa Nadal, the French Open champion.

Federer is 1-3 this year against Djokovic and 0-3 versus Nadal, and his last grand slam triumph came at the 2010 Australian Open.

The Swiss maestro, who is comfortable trading groundstrokes or attacking the net and who has won majors on grass, hardcourt and clay, said he was feeling fine physically heading into the year’s last grand slam.

“In the preparation, nothing changes,” said Federer.

“Do you listen to your body more? Yes, you do. Are you more wise? Yes, you are. Are you more experienced? Yes. Do you have a thousand matches in your body? Yes, you do. You just go with what you have.

Federer is happiest, of course, when he is winning.

“I’ve won so much that you feel like if you put yourself in the right position and you do all the right things you’ll definitely get a shot of winning big tournaments,” he said.

Federer said he draws inspiration from tennis greats who enjoyed longevity.

“Like (Andre) Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Ken Rosewall, Rod Laver, it’s very inspiring to see what they were able to do for a very long period of time.

“My planning has always been long term. I’m looking forward to how much more I can achieve from this point on.”

Date: 04.08.2011, Source: Reuters

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