Federer Opens Shanghai Title Defense With 3 Set Win; Del Potro, Zverev Also Winners

by Staff | October 10th, 2018, 7:58 pm
  • 10 Comments

Roger Federer opened his Shanghai title defense with a tough 3-set 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over recent Tokyo champion Daniil Medvedev. Federer, who was playing in his first official tour match since the US Open, broke at 4-all in the third then served it out.

“In the third set I really started to figure it out, as well, how aggressive or how tactical I wanted to make the match,” said Federer. “And by trying everything, I found a solution at the end, which was a great feeling to have, so I was very happy.”

Up next tomorrow is a meeting with Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut who he leads 7-0.


“I have a lot of respect for him. He’s just a tough guy, you know. So you have to bring it. Could be similar like today. A lot of long rallies potentially,” Federer said.

Earlier, US Open finalist Juan Martin del Potro survived his own scare in a 7-5, 7-6(7) victory over Richard Gasquet. The Frenchman served for the first then held four set points in the second set tiebreaker at 6-2. But Gasquet couldn’t close and the ill-feeling Argentine won seven of the last eight points to advance.

“It wasn’t easy to play for me today,” said Del Potro. “I did what I could. I didn’t run too much. But I think I played with all my strength in the important moments of the match.

“I got lucky that I win, but tomorrow will be a different day. If I have a good night today and I have a good recovery tomorrow morning, maybe I will feel a little bit better for tomorrow night and play better than today. But I’m going like hour by hour and see how I’m feeling.”

Del Potro returns tomorrow to face Borna Coric.

Alexander Zverev eased into the third round with a win over Beijing champion Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4, 7-5.

“I played all right,” said Zverev. “I played a solid match. I did everything that I needed to win. Focused a lot, focused on my game. As you can probably hear in my voice, I’m a little sick right now, so feeling a little bit low energy, but I hope it will get better over the next few days.”

Kevin Anderson, Kei Nishikori and Alex De Minaur were also winners. And Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame an early break to beat Karen Khachanov 6-4, 7-6(8).

Tomorrow, Novak Djokovic resumes his bid for a fourth Shanghai title against the last man to beat him at a Grand Slam, Marco Cecchinato who upset Hyeon Chung.

Also, Sam Querrey meets Nishikori, Anderson takes on Tsitsipas and in a battle of youngsters, it will be Zverev and De Minaur.

THURSDAY SHANGHAI SCHEDULE
CENTER Starts At 1:00 Pm
Alex de Minaur v 4 Alexander Zverev
Not Before 3:00 Pm
Marco Cecchinato v 2 Novak Djokovic
Not Before 6:00 Pm
1 Roger Federer v Roberto Bautista Agut
3 Juan Martin del Potro v 13 Borna Coric


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Del Potro Withdraws from Shanghai
Federer, Nadal Lead Shanghai Masters Field; 2013 Finalist Del Potro Opens Play Mon.
Del Potro Tops Zverev In Shanghai; Nadal v Dimitrov, Federer v Gasquet Friday
Medvedev Stays Hot, Wins Shanghai Masters Over Zverev

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10 Comments for Federer Opens Shanghai Title Defense With 3 Set Win; Del Potro, Zverev Also Winners

FedExpress Says:

Good baseline and net game on display by Federer.

Looking good at the baseline aftee ages.


FedExpress Says:

Dont dont why but Fed has a special talent to let his opponents back into the match.

Leads with a set and break. Gets broken to love in the next game.


FedExpress Says:

why tf does he play a simple put away at the net back to the opponent eveey f***ing time? why?

Deuce. Simple put away. Right court open.But no sir. I wanna play ping pong with Bautista.


FedExpress Says:

From 6-3 1-0 to 6-3 1-3 in no time.

1st serve so useless.

Federer making it hard for himself when there is no need to.


FedExpress Says:

lol

6-2 Agut
Federers serve was non existent. Hold only once. And even when he got his 1st serve it was useless.

Getting exposed in every department


FedExpress Says:

lol. what clown show by Federer.


FedExpress Says:

You cannot explain this.


FedExpress Says:

Federer somehow breaks.

But honestly Agut got robbed there. That out call which was corrected and Cederic said replay the point.

Federer netted the ball and after that call came. Should have been Aguts point.


Daniel Says:

DelPo retired vs Coric. Looks his cold depleted him. Should recover in time for Basel.

Shoudl Fed beat Kei, can have a rematch with coric after.

Djoko has Anderson, who beat him in Laver Cup and porentially Zverev before finals.


FedExpress Says:

Daniel, Delpo retired cause of a knee injury. Wasnt about the cold.

He had a big tape on his right knee. Had a nasty fall.

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