Federer Cruises In Halle Opener For 17th Straight Grass Win; Coric Upsets Zverev
Roger Federer began his bid for a 10th Halle title in great form cruising past Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene 6-3, 6-4. The Stuttgart champion improved his grass win streak to 17.
“I think I got out of the blocks well,” Federer said. “I felt good right away. You know, it’s a bit of an easier court to play here in Halle than last week in Stuttgart. It’ a bit harder, so the ball bounces up a bit more. So, I felt like it was nicely in my strike zone and I was connecting well on the return right away and being able to also read maybe better the serve quite well and then after a while that kind of went away.”
Federer gets a day off before returning Thursday to face Benoit Paire.
Federer’s main rival at the event was stunned. No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev was upset but Borna Coric 6-1, 6-4. Coric has now won three of four against the German who was coming off a leg injury at the French Open.
“There is not a lot to analyze about this match,” Zverev said. “I only trained once on grass beforehand and played one doubles match. I probably had the most difficult draw in the first round. Now I just have to train. Before the match, I tried to think about always feeling good here in Halle on the Centre Court. But that was completely different today.
“The most important thing is for sure, that I didn’t get any problems with my hamstring. That was all good.”
Zverev elder brother also lost as Mischa fell to Karen Khachanov. Also, fresh off a title Sunday, Richard Gasquet fell to Florian Mayer. Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Lucas Pouille.
On Wednesday, Khachanov returns to take on Kei Nishikori and Dominic Thiem is also in action.
You Might Like:
Federer Wins 19th Straight On Grass At Halle; Coric Into First Grass SF
Federer Loses to Unheralded Coric in ATP Halle Final
Federer Opens Grass Season In Halle Seeking 10th Title
Preview: Federer Goes for No. 10 at ATP Halle Gerry Weber Open
Federer Seeks 99th Career Title Sunday In Halle Against Coric