Federer Shocked By Goffin, Dimitrov Finally Gets Past Sock To Reach Title Match At ATP Finals

by Staff | November 19th, 2017, 12:33 am
  • 31 Comments

David Goffin picked a good time for a career run. The Belgian had just a 2-22 career record v Top 5 players coming into the ATP Finals, but now he’s added three more. Goffin stunned Rafael Nadal on Monday, then Dominic Thiem last night and today denied Roger Federer in three sets 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Goffin had never beaten Nadal and was 0-6 against Federer. Now he’s the sixth player to beat both legends at an event.

“Both are really special. It was the first time against Rafa. Then the semifinal for the first time for me here, and to beat Roger for the first time here in such a big event, big tournament, it was the perfect moment,” Goffin said. “It is the best win of my career, for sure.”


Federer looked well on his way to another final appearance, rolling in the first set. But Goffin start to dial in his groundstrokes in the second and then the errors crept in for Federer. He broke Federer in the second game then hung on.

In the third, Federer opened with a strong service game but then fell apart at 1-all giving Goffin the lead. And the 26-year-old rode his serve to the biggest win of his career.

“I have no words,” Goffin said. “I cannot describe how I am feeling for the moment, But so much joy, so much happiness. I’m so happy to play the match I played in front of you against Roger. It was such a special moment. It’s unbelievable. I cannot describe.”

Federer, who was the only former champion in the field, cited the early second break as the turning point.

“I think it was a tough game to get broken at 1-0 for him in the second [set]. I had I think multiple game chances to get out of the game and go 1-1, keep the pressure up,” said Federer. “I think things really turned around for him at that moment. He started to feel better from the return, from the baseline. He wasn’t missing as much anymore. He was returning also much better off the second serve after that.

“I just think the better returner won over the better server today.”

In the final, Goffin will meet Grigor Dimitrov who outlasted Jack Sock 4-6, 6-0, 6-3.

Dimitrov had lost three straight to the American but started out quick winning the first three games. Sock turned the tables taking six of the next seven to win the set 6-4.

After going down a quick break in the second, Sock all but conceded the set, similar to what he did against Alexander Zverev.

Sock stiffened in the third holding a break chance in the opening game, but the Bulgarian held on. Then finally broke for 5-4 and on his fourth match point closed it out.

“I thought he really stepped up his level in the second and third. Came up with some pretty crazy shots in the third set at some inopportune [times] for myself,” Sock said. “There’s a reason he’s been playing this consistently all year. That’s the reason he’s in the final.”

The win gives Dimitrov the No. 3 ranking.

“The goal was to finish the year Top 10. Now I finished 3,” Dimitrov said. “It’s wonderful, a wonderful reward. This is what I’ve been working for.

“It’s not only good for me, I think for the whole team. I think that gives us a very good platform to start in the off-season, to have a good start of next year.”

Dimitrov leads Goffin 4-1 in their head-to-head series including a 6-0, 6-2 win on Wednesday. But Federer just crushed Goffin a month ago and look what happened the second time around.

“I think his confidence is going to be up there. But I’m not going to focus in on his confidence or his game right now. I’m just focusing on myself, the recovery that I’m going to do today,” Dimitrov said. “Of course, it’s not going to be the same after I played against him… I think also it’s a different stage for both of us.”


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Dimitrov Dominates Goffin To Reach ATP SFs; Zverev v Sock Thurs
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31 Comments for Federer Shocked By Goffin, Dimitrov Finally Gets Past Sock To Reach Title Match At ATP Finals

Danica Says:

Rooting for David, someone who is not supposed to be at the top due to his physique. He’s an awesome player and an inspiration to all those who are not 2m tall or have the 250 miles per second serves.


Margot Says:

Who’d a thought either of these two in the final TBH? Wee GEE against Gorgeous Gee? Heavens to Betsy. Like Danica I applaud WG, this has been a terrific result for him.
Am hoping also that GG can shake off the shackles of constantly being unfavourably compared to Rog and use this success to do great things in 2018.
And love Jack’s fantastic volleying skills and willingness to come forward. Just hope he can find a decent back hand in the off season, running around it, he doesn’t half leave a massive amount of court exposed.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

There was a great moment at the end of the Goffin match. The camera caught Fed, naturally upset after the last point loss, and then Goffin. The emotion on Goffin’s face was extraordinary, obviously a huge win, probably the biggest of his career. Then Fed saw the look on his face and broke out smiling, ran to the net and embraced Goffin, congratulating him. It was a very unscripted scene of one player being genuinely happy for this moment of success of another.


Jean Says:

And that, my friends, is why Roger wins the ATP Sportsmanship award and Fan Favorite award year after year after year.

(I’m referring to the TV 12:24 pm post.)


Willow Says:

First set Grigor ….


squirrel Says:

Hey Willow.

Still pulling for Dimi eventhough I’m in Belgium! Haha. Because I think he’s paid his dues and deserves this a bit more, but I’ll be more than happy if David wins, such a nice guy! :)

What do you think? Not much posts here weird.


Willow Says:

Hi Squirrel just said to J-Kath on the other thread, i think David looks spent, still fighting hard though, i think he needed the first set more than Dimi, an absorbing match too, hope we get a third set, not many posts no, some are too busy arguing about Fedal, i mean give it a rest folks, theres more to tennis than just these two ….


squirrel Says:

Haha thanks Willow for your thoughts. Yeah people are still pining over these two, how is tennis world gokng to be when they’re no longer around! Scary thought! Hehe

Yeah third set would be nice, I argue David plays better, Dimi’s lucky to get that first set.


Willow Says:

You too Squirrel love you ;-)


squirrel Says:

Owhh love you too :)

Your third set is coming pretty close now :)


squirrel Says:

Owhh love you too :)

Your third set is coming pretty close now :)


Daniel Says:

Very entertaining match. A lot of nice points, slices, they are using all the corners of the court. Dimi with some amazing defense. There is patches where he just doesn’t mistake court.

Coffin counter attacking with some nice DTL shots from both wings, very fluid game.

Still think Grigor wins in the end as he serves first. If he is in the zone for 2 games it will be enough.


Willow Says:

Daniel nice summary, shame more people are not more enthusiastic about this match ….


Daniel Says:

Dimi 1 game away. Goffin serving under pressure down 2-5.


Daniel Says:

Gregor very fast, he is chasing some insane shots, and a lobby after. 2 points away.


Daniel Says:

Fight game from Goffin to save 3 MP’s.
C’mon Grigor, don’t choke!


Daniel Says:

He does it. Biggest title of his career.
Solid #3. Hope next year he contend for Slams. Vallverdu partnership working.


FedExpress Says:

Congratz Dimitrov

Feel for Goffin, beat Nadal and Federer. Was the better player till the middle of the 3rd set.

Cant wait for the new season when all top players are back.

Some of the current top 10s will have a hard time to retain their position.


Willow Says:

Congrats to the lovely Grigor, sad for David, chin up kid, come and celebrate your birthday with J-Kath and me lol ….


j-kath Says:

WILLOW: Was on other thread – simply said: Happy Birthday and a Happy New Year….”see U then”. Ciao.


Willow Says:

J-Kath lol just replied to your post my dear ;-) ….


Margot Says:

Fabulous match. Wee Gee put up a heck of a fight but Gorgeous Gee came through. Thrilled for him and hope that this act as a springboard into 20168.
And hope Belgium get the Cup now. Wee Gee deserves it.


Giles Says:

Yes great match. Felt sorry for David.


Purcell Says:

TV and Jean. That was indeed a beautiful moment.
Anyway, tonight we had a great match, one of the very best finals we’ve seen at WTF but does it herald a changing of the guard? Who knows.


skeezer Says:

Congrats Dimi, great match. Goffin looked a little gassed at the end, but no excuses, Dimi played great. Seeded #3 at AO?


Wog Boy Says:

Congratulations Griša,

That’s what happens when you pick good coach and stop chasing aunties, you play good tennis and consistently so.


Leo Says:

What a great tournament for Grigor and Goffin! Wishing both continued success. ATP may be in safe hands beyond the big 4


Tennisfansince1976 Says:

Congratulations to both Grigor and David. It is actually nice 👍 to see players other than the big four be able to grab a big prize and some serious ranking points. The match did not disappoint. It was worthy of the atp finals. Despite what some say the ATP finals are only a notch below the grand slams. All one has to do to realize that is look at the roll call of players that have won it over the years. It is the creme de la creme. Năstase, Vilas, Connors,Borg,McEnroe,Lendl,Becker,Edberg,Agassi,Sampras,Kuerten,Hewitt,Federer,Djokovic,Murray.


chrisford1 Says:

Tennisfansince1976 – Only one Open Era legend missing from that list. Hope he gets it, but odds are dwindling.


Willow Says:

A very much doubt you do, always the sly dig ….


Danica Says:

Was able to see just the third set but that set was great. Sorry that at some moments it seemed that the noise and the crowd got the better of David. But I hope he also learnt from this.

Congrats to Dimi. Some great, awesome defense. If only he could get rid of those bangs :))

Bring on the 2018!!!

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