Roger Federer Survives Upset Scare In Halle; Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray Open In Queen’s Tuesday

by Staff | June 15th, 2015, 9:43 pm
  • 84 Comments

Roger Federer title defense in Halle nearly ended on opening day. Facing Philipp Kohlschreiber in a rematch of their 2008 final, Federer found himself down 5-4 with the German serving in the final set breaker. But the Swiss won the last three points to earn victory 7-6(8), 3-6, 7-6(5).

“I’m very relieved,” said Federer who had some interesting moments in the match. “Philipp served at 5-4 in the tie-break. It’s rough on grass, it takes two serves and maybe that’s it.

“I wasted two match points at 5-4, 15-40 and then saved a break point at five-all, so it was a roller-coaster ride in the end. My nerves are still going a bit crazy right now,” he said.


Federer’s won Halle seven times in his career. He’ll play the Ernests Gulbis – Sergiy Stakhovsky winner on Wednesday. Federer’s lost to both in Slams in their most recent meetings.

Also at the event, youngsters Borna Coric and Alexander Zverev advanced today.

Kei Nishikori, Tomas Berdych and Gael Monfils are in action tomorrow.

In Queen’s, defending champion Grigor Dimitrov overcame a 3-1 second set hole against Sam Querrey to force a third before darkness set it.

Milos Raonic, playing his first event in a month, went three sets with James Ward. Lleyton Hewitt squandered a matchpoint in a loss to Kevin Anderson and Richard Gasquet collected his 400th career match win.

“I have loved coming back here and playing for so many years,” said Hewitt, a 4-time Queen’s champion. “It was special to come back. Knowing it was going to be the last one, as well. I have played so many big matches in front of big crowds here over the years with big names, quality players. For most of the first two sets I played pretty well out there.”

Tomorrow, Rafael Nadal returns along with Andy Murray and Marin Cilic. Nadal, who just won Stuttgart on Sunday, faces Alexandr Dolgopolov.

“Since one month and a half, I feel that I am playing better. The most important thing is that I am enjoying being on court again,” said Nadal yesterday. “[Grass is] probably the second surface where I have had the most success in my career. So I feel comfortable but I have to play well. That’s all. Today I don’t have physical limitations like I had in 2012 and 2013, so that’s important.”

Murray will be joined by Jonas Bjorkman who will figure more prominently this grass season during Amelie Mauresmo’s pregnancy.

“We’ve spent four or five days on the grass now,” said Murray over the weekend. “The things that he did extremely well as a player are things I think I could really learn and benefit from with him. He was a very aggressive returner and I think that works extremely well on the grass courts.

“He was very good up at the net. He was the No. 1 doubles player in the world. If you can get yourself up to the net and play aggressive tennis, it can make a big difference on this surface. There are things I’m hoping I can work on and improve upon within my team and see how it goes.”

Murray has won Queen’s three times most recently in 2013.

“I feel like the past few months consistently I’ve been playing well at the big events and hopefully that will stand me in good stead,” Murray added.

French Open winner Stan Wawrinka also opens his grass season against Australian star Nick Kyrgios.

Tuesday Queen’s Schedule
CENTRE COURT start 12:30 pm
N. Kyrgios (AUS) vs [2] S. Wawrinka (SUI)
Not Before 1:00 pm
S. Querrey (USA) vs [6] G. Dimitrov (BUL) 64 36 00
[5] R. Nadal (ESP) vs A. Dolgopolov (UKR)
[1] A. Murray (GBR) vs [Q] Y. Lu (TPE)
[4] M. Cilic (CRO) vs A. Mannarino (FRA)
[1] A. Peya (AUT) / B. Soares (BRA) vs [WC] D. Inglot (GBR) / A. Murray (GBR)


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Rafael Nadal Is Returning To Queen’s This Year, He Makes The Wimbledon Final Everytime He Plays There
Nadal, Murray Upset in Queens; Federer Having His Way in Halle
Nadal Wins, Federer v Raonic In Halle; Tsonga Injured At Queen’s
Andy Murray Sets Record With 5th Queen’s Title; Florian Mayer Denies Alexander Zverev In Halle

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84 Comments for Roger Federer Survives Upset Scare In Halle; Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray Open In Queen’s Tuesday

skeezer Says:

“Today I don’t have physical limitations like I had in 2012 and 2013, so that’s important.”
Yes the ole excuse lingo of why I did not win. Keep chasin that Cow.


sienna Says:

yeah and what happenened with 2014? That was up to par for his own standard. Otherwise he would have talked about it.


KatH Says:

Re a camera shot at Murray yesterday leaving a practice session with Jonas? -did anyone notice a anything that might indicate an injury? Even BBC said he wasn’t looking happy….


Hippy Chick Says:

Skeezer lol,for a minute i thought you were talking about Federer,and thought nah it couldnt be?then i read the full presser,my apologies lol….


roy Says:

federer’s grass record/title count will always have an asterisk compared to the grass players from the past because halle effectively makes up half his tally of wins. not only is it just a regular tour event, it has always had an inferior field compared to queens. you can guarantee the other ‘all time great’ grass players faced higher ranked competition throughout their grass playing lives.

i don’t think it’s just halle appearance money that has kept federer away from queens (which due to its high prestige and ‘traditionalism’, fed would theoretically be drawn to). he clearly doesn’t want to deal with the better field if he can help it, especially in 3 set matches.


skeezer Says:

“federer’s grass record/title count…”
Fed has 7 Wimby titles, of which so happens to be a Slam. Don’t think his grass court record is skewed by any means. Also don’t think in the grand scheme of things he cares or anybody else about the effects of playing Halle. He does what he wants/needs to prepare for Wimbledon. It’s worked.


Hippy Chick Says:

Just a generalisation,but why do posters always have to belittle one all time greats achievements iin favour of anothers,what they have all achieved is amazing,cant we just leave it at that??


Markus Says:

Hippy Chick, that’s because there are people who can’t face reality. Anything that happens that’s hard for them to take, they have to concoct a scenario to make it more acceptable to them, hence the compulsion for asterisks. It is a sign of insecurity, their security blanket.


Purcell Says:

Roy, I award your post an asterisk owing to it’s ridiculous nature. Read, mark and learn from Markus.
Sorry Markus, I didn’t mean to interfere but that was a cracking retort…….


Purcell Says:

…..its….


Giles Says:

@roy. Spot on.


Felipe Says:

What was Nadal problem in 2013, didnt he won 2 slams and finished the year as world number 1??
In 2012 his only problem was Rosols ridiculous level. This guy is the most disrespectful player in regard to players who have beaten him. So Soderling, Rosol, Tsonga, Darcis, Wawrinka….sorry but you did not earned your triumphs over the mighty Nadal….he had physical limitations.


Jeez Says:

So much for Wawrinka’s all TOUGH matchup with Kyrgios going down 3-6,4-6 to STAN !!

Also seems to UNDERCUT the Clay – Grass transition theory!!


Gordon Says:

@Roy – if Fed wanted to avoid tougher competition he should have just avoided Wimbledon. But he didn’t, did he? And how did he do there?

Are you forgetting there used to be more grass tournaments on the circuit in the US, including its grand slam? Oh and the Aussie Open also was played on grass.


Jeez Says:

Could STAN be able to complete Career slam before Murray or even Djokovic!!??

OR

Is it just in realms of WISHFUL THINKING ??

:-)


Purcell Says:

Spot on Giles……Clearasil usually does the trick.


Giles Says:

So very witty Purcell. And no, I do not have spots. How about you? I bet you love the cryptic crossword puzzles.


gonzalowski Says:

King of Spain (the former) at Queen’s… Gibraltar issue at the schedule?
Dolgo breaks at first


gonzalowski Says:

well, Rafa started a bit back to pre-Stuttgart feeling, but the has played better, confident. He’s serving very well again, anyway, and I don’t see him nervous. Some Terrific winners by Dolgo, who has played on 1st set settled a lot over the line and even deep inside the field.


Jeez Says:

Will Nadal escape as Federer?

:-)


Jeez Says:

6-5 @ MATCH POINT for Dogopolov


jalep Says:

I think so…if he can win this tie break


Jeez Says:

7-6 SET POINT for Nadal!!


jalep Says:

Dolgopolov.missed his chance I think.


gonzalowski Says:

10 aces Dolgo, 3 Nadal
Pfff, a thriller of a breaker, Rafa saved a match point, then made an incredible volley to set his set point


Felipe Says:

Nadal finding his mojo against players that on paper he should beat…saving break points, match points and sneaking trough tie breaks….thats the way you win tournaments….surviving the first cople of matches, we saw this last week and might well be repeating against this week. The thing is to do the same against top tier rivals


Jeez Says:

For the record:Dolgopolov is ranked no:80!!!

:-)


Jeez Says:

MATCH IS ON!!


Daniel Says:

Checkimg scores and Dolgo broke back but is facing double BP at 4-4. If he holda he can turn this match if Nadal
Breaks will serve for the macth


Jeez Says:

2 BPs saved by Dolgopolov !!


Jeez Says:

1 more!!


Jeez Says:

5-4 Dolgopolov !!

Game away from VICTORY!!


Jeez Says:

2 points !!


Jeez Says:

MATCH POINT!!!


jalep Says:

Dolgopolov has a match point


Jeez Says:

4 CONSECUTIVE GAMES from 2-4!!!


Markus Says:

Nadal played like an asterisk!


Markus Says:

Nadal played like an asterisk!


Jeez Says:

48 winners for DOLGOPOLOV versus 25 for Nadal!!


Daniel Says:

And Dolgo beat him. So much for Nadal ressurgence.

Last week he could have lost to Baggy first round as well, I think he was 2 points away from the match and in set 1, one point from a double break.

It remains the same for Nadal, first week in Wimbledon he is going to ve vulnerable again. What happen in Troicki match was a one of, he served more than 10 aces in two sets and ot was just one of those big serving days, because Teoicki also have chances in that match.

Now onto Wimbledon for him, unless he gets a wild card for Nottingham next week, which I doubt.


Markus Says:

Oops! Was that a double asterisk? Sorry for the duplicate.


jalep Says:

Wow pogo does it!

He’s a whole lot better than his present ranking. But has to battle a chronic health issue. He does the best he can under the circumstances. Such a gifted shot-maker.


skeezer Says:

Lets review; Mikhail and Nadal, finalists in the tough competition of the Stuttgart 250 Glory Tourney, are out @London in the first rd. Stellar.


Daniel Says:

Next on is Murray, curious tk see his first match on grass. Hope he has a good serving day to get free points and avoid drama.

Fed almost lost, Nadla lost today, first rounds they have to be extra careful


Okiegal Says:

Good enjoyable match…..Rafa missed some easy shots today….but Dog played an amazing match and congrats to him and his fans! On to dubs with Marc. Maybe Rafa can relax out there and have dome fun and work on his net play……then Wimby!!


gonzalowski Says:

The last games Dolgo increased clearly his agressivity, and Nadal wasn’t able to cope with it… In spite of offering a better image on grass, he is struglin’ a lot (and losing today) with not-top level guys.
Not the best thing looking to Wimby.
:( …well, I’ll be able to have some siestas this week


Okiegal Says:

C’mon Andy!! Pulling for you now that Rafa made an early exit…..and I’m going to watch the entire match…..live streaming is excellent today!!


jalep Says:

Now for Randy n Andy :D


Felipe Says:

I think i went ahead with my comments….Nadal remains the same player that we have seen during this season….saves match point, win second set tiebreak…any other year you could guarantee a 6-1/6-2 third set….not anymore…with a break up he proceedes to lose 4 consecutive games, including one in which he squandered 3 break points to serve for the match.
If he gets a big hitter / server in the first copule of rounds at SW19….this might turn into another tough couple of months


jalep Says:

Okiegal. Thanks for your gracious congrats to Dolgo. I’m probably his biggest fan here…maybe the only one too, lol…


jalep Says:

And Simona won her match yay!


sienna Says:

weak performance by Nadal.
Dolgopolav was very erratic he shouldnot be stable enough to beat Nadal, but he did.
back to training for Nadal. Probably on clay.


jalep Says:

Agree with you Felipe.Rafa normally would have won the 3rd set decisively.

But credit to Dog. He kept fighting.


jalep Says:

Kokkinakis over Chardy 67 62 64


Jeez Says:

Lu is a DECENT GRASS COURT player

TRIVIA : Lu Yen-hsun defeated Roddick in five sets, 6–4, 6– 7(3–7), 6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–5), 7–9 @ 2010 Wimbledon .Like his final match with Roger Federer the previous year, his serve was broken only once during the match, in the fifth set !!


jalep Says:

It’s true, Randy likes grass. Jeez


jalep Says:

Murray breaks and gets 1st set 64. So good from Andy!


Okiegal Says:

@jalep

U R welcome! Didn’t want to slight any fans should there be any on here. He was a bad draw for Rafa out of the gates. He’s got game, especially when he goes up against Rafa. He played a great match……Rafa had his chance and blew it. All the winners he had!! Wow, just wow!
I did enjoy the match….exciting…..but a wrong ending for me. Glad he made you happy, however. I enjoy the nice pleasant posters on here. I can’t believe how people can hate on other human beings…this forum sports a few of these types, sad to say. Have a great day, and good luck to Alex!!


jalep Says:

Okiegal. I never expect Pogoserve, as I call him, to win. He”s too unpredictable. But you are right, he’s seems to bring something extra when he gets to play the great Rafa.

Rafa really should have won that match-finished him off in 2 sets. But it isn’t the best tennis from Rafa yet. He’ll get back on track, though. Way too soon to write him off. Thought he served well most of the match. Maybe it’s something going on behind the scene that we don’t know. He’s human. Reminds me of Rafa’s spring 2009, minus the knee issues.

Cheers Okiegal :D

Let’s see how Cilic does. He’s due to get on a roll.

Well done Andy! 64 64


jalep Says:

Oops…Andy 64 75. It was a good match for Andy – not too easy; not too tough.

Kei got a good win over baby Wawa backhand , Thiem, in Halle. 76 75


jalep Says:

Is Margot at Queens today?…wondering

Would be fun to be there today.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Well, that is sub-optimal Wimbledon prep for Rafa.

This will be the first time in a decade where Rafa will enter a Slam and even I won’t pick him as a top challenger.

Really looking forward to seeing how Cilic and Wawrinka do, I think they could be added to the Grassy-A@@ Three, and the Lost Generation could as well. Weird. Seems like for years grass eliminated challengers and left just 3 or so. This year, feels like a lot more hopes.


Okiegal Says:

@jalep…..Thanks for the response and cheers back at cha! BTW, tennis is a fickle sport! I think that’s why I love it so much…..it’s so unpredictable! How can someone lose the first two sets 0-6 0-6 and win the next three 6-0 6-0 6-0? That scoreline might be a little far fetched, but it could happen and probably has…..just making a point! :) Love this crazy sport!!


jalep Says:

Cilic is not playing like a GS champ.
For starters, he barely won that 1st set 76. In the 2nd, he’s lethargic about footwork, movement; and unable to return Mannarino’s lefty out wide serve or if he does, the ROS isn’t good enough. Dropped a service game too. Mannarino 63.

It’s dark out there but playing on 3rd set.


jalep Says:

Yes indeed,Okiegal. Love the game of tennis ;)


KatH Says:

Andy did not play well – sufficient only to win. Disappointing. Re. Margot, I recall she said would be there for the quarters – hope Andy is still around and has found better form.

Rafa played well – but oh gosh “The Dog” had one of his days – and what can you do?


jalep Says:

Didn’t think he played terrible, KatH. Was never in doubt that he’d win. Cilic, on the other hand…
made it in the end but that wasn’t good tennis, imo.


sienna Says:

Jalep agree about Cilic
He should have been closer his slam winning form.
But it does give hope for others….
Cilic the slamwinner is getting further away with every tourney entered. But we should give him the whole year to reestablish himself.
After that he will be just again cilic with great potential but seldom success.


jalep Says:

Another day off for me :D

Goodness. Looking forward to Halle:

Young A.Zveŕev will see what he can do v Ivo Karlovic.

And poor Borna Coric v Berdych

Then Federer v Gulbis (Ernests. usually can gets motivated v RF. Could be interesting )


Emily Says:

Was worried about Stan playing Nick today, but it was one of his fastest wins I’ve ever seen.

Another performance from Kyrgios that turns me off. He literally told a spectator that the match was over in the 2nd set and it wasn’t like Stan was playing lights out tennis (Anderson is going to be much harder). After the match, he then said he was tired and that he needed to take a week off and play some video games instead of tennis, after proclaiming how excited he was to play this match.

Stan only said that those comments were a bit strange considering that you can’t really take a week off right before Wimbledon. Again shows Nick’s immaturity, but this excuse is only going to last for so long and now players are getting a bit sick of it.


KatH Says:

jalep -Appreciate your comments re. Andy – as my favourite player I was a bit disappointed today – the scoreline suggests he did well – but I felt it was a bit of a lacklustre performance…..hopefully I’m wrong and you are right…….

From the matches I saw today the best one was Rafa v The Dog – my goodness there was a lot of talent on view.


jalep Says:

Oh dear. Kyrigos :/

Had not heard about his comments, Emily.
Pretty much typical of him though.


jalep Says:

Agree…Dog v Rafa KatH. Worth another look on replay.

I can empathize with your perception as a you’re a #1 Andy fan. He was annoyed at himself – seemed like he expected more perfection today. I think he’ll only get better as he goes deeper. :D


Emily Says:

Interesting to see how Nick will do at Wimby. He has quarter final points to defend, and if he plays like he did today, he won’t make it very far. The commentators described it as equivalent to an exhibition match, which is really bad. He also added he doesn’t need many matches before a slam, but IMHO I don’t think video games help as much as matchplay.

He can have good wins, but for every Federer or Nadal win, there is a loss like today or against Murray in Australia. Too much hype and too many excuses.


jalep Says:

Nick is clearly full of himself. If he can grow up, catch on to less talk and more tennis, he can have an amazing tennis career. Can’t really take him seriously at this point, Emily.

His mate, Kokkinakis seems smarter right now.


jalep Says:

@Sienna
Not going to judge Cilic yet. But I did hope he would be playing at a higher level by now.

Watching Thiem v Nishikori from the beginning. ..the part I missed. Thiem had 3 set points when Kei was serving from behind at 5-6 and showed power and brilliance much like Stanimal. Speedy Kei just finds a way to win.

Not sure who to pick to win Halle: Berdych, Federer, Kei, longshot fave LaMonf? Okay, probably not LaMonf :D


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Well, when Sienna starts to doubt Cilic you know he’s in trouble. Those comments from Kyrgios are asinine. Too bad, I liked the kid from the little I’ve seen of him but sounds like he’ll be exiting the seeded royalty as quickly as he entered.

Say hi to Ernest on your way down!


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Boy, the new ATP website is AWFUL. They are asking for feedback. Please give it to them so they can simplify this again.


Daniel Says:

Agree TV, draws didn’t load, it is just horrible. Everything looks the same. The old one was excellent compared to this blue blur


Daniel Says:

CilIC was away from courts for a while, at least he is fighting there and could have made finals against Troicki. Better win ugly 3 sets matches than lose.


sienna Says:

it is true players who are out for longer periode like delpo, Murray take long to get back at former level or level they were competative. periode to get back is said 1 on 1. 6 months out 6 months to get back. ofcourse depending on player.

Only fedal have been able to keep winning after injury or sickness. still theire level was down but they found ways to get back on top or near top.

djokovic is exception I really cant remember him being injured. Hampered yes with mental problem or eyesight but no injury.
even in the early part of career he used to get upset and throw the match due to mental problem. Not anonymore.

Cilic needs matches so any win is good. thought he would click into US open gear by now. I just know that that level is enough to take out every current elite player.


KatH Says:

Agree TV and Daniel – ATP website is “bl..dy” awful I did do a feedback — told them it was dis-organised, messy, impossible to find scores easily; couldn’t find usual reads —the arrows they’ve got up leads to no-man’s land…urgh!

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