Federer Needs 3 Sets In Basel Opener Over Krajinovic

by Staff | October 23rd, 2018, 10:17 pm
  • 9 Comments

Roger Federer opened his fall indoor season in his home event in Basel, but despite being an 8-time champion, it was no easy day in a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory over 2017 Paris finalist Filip Krajinovic.

Federer, who has won the Basel title the last 3 times he’s played, has now won his last 16 matches at the event.

“It was a bit more of a hard-fought victory, but they feel good too, especially knowing that I have the day off tomorrow, so it’s no problem having played three sets today,” Federer said.


“I didn’t serve very well today. I think I was misfiring the corners, I was not hitting the lines enough. Clearly you make your life more difficult, but still I was up 6-2, 3-1, break points, so things could have ended very quickly today, even though I didn’t have the best serve percentage stats. But maybe that’s exactly what caught up to me eventually,” Federer said.

“It’s just getting used to it. This is where the first rounds can be tricky.”

Federer will face Jan-Lennard Struff Thursday in the second round. Struff ousted Federer’s US Open conqueror John Millman in his first round.

Federer has won all three meetings with the German including two this year at the Australian and Wimbledon.

The 20th-ranked Daniil Medvedev was also a winner.

Tomorrow, newly-minted ATP champion Stefanos Tsitsipas faces Jeremy Chardy. Alexander Zverev and Marin Cilic are also scheduled.


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9 Comments for Federer Needs 3 Sets In Basel Opener Over Krajinovic

chris ford1 Says:

No Rafa or Novak for Vienna. Resting up, each, it seems, as they have their Saudi exo coming up. Race for #1 on hold.

They should pay no heed to the Khashoggi killing – pro tennis is best served by being as apolitical as possible on negative events in the countries, the flaws of their leadership, culture, prevalent ideology while on tour. Instead, emphasizing the positives of host countries and . And being as kumbayah as can be with transborders charities, “helping Africa”, being a trans-Balkan ambassador, etc.

Something we in the West might wish to consider, not just tennis or football players – at least as for the Middle East. Everytime we stick our noses in, we get burned .


skeezer Says:

CF1,
Put your not so hidden geo politics views here;
http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2018-10-05/29105.php
Where they belong.
—-
If Fed starts a decline(probably coming soon) in his game no doubt the tiny haters will come out and do their thing. Was surprise he hung around as long as he did. But he proved me wrong.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Roger_Federer


Daniel Says:

Couldn’t see the match nor check scores. Looks like the extra day will help him big. But from Thursday on, if he wants to retain his title, he will have to play 4 straight days.
He better clean up his game and no more 3 setters before possible final against Cilic/Zverev. His draw doesn’t look hard on paper before finals: Struff R16; Simon/Gulbis (leading Sock right now 1 set up) QF; Tsisipas/Seppi/Medvedev Semis.


Humble Rafa Says:

Does the Arrogant One still get paid to play Basel? Asking for money to play at home is a noble gesture.

Asking for a friend.

#mallorca


J-Kath Says:

When Roger’s retires this is what he wants to do – (hope this article copies properly – my “copy-post” button doesn’t seem to be reliable today).

http://uk.businessinsider.com/roger-federer-bought-bus-for-retirement-travel-2018-10?r=US&IR=T


Humble Rafa Says:

If I had 12 kids, I will buy a bus also. How else would you transport those little monsters?


Humble Rafa Says:

Also, the bus has more room on the outside for Uniqlo, Rolex, and all other companies that pay money. It’s all win-win.

Mr. Robert (aka Arrogant One Sr.) is always the driver.


chris ford1 Says:

Skeezer, Rafa and Novak are missing being in Basel or Vienna despite the race for #1, because they intend to play their exo in China.
That is as relevant as Federer is to the two ATP 500 events.
So not off-topic.

It explains their absence, why Thiem will likely win Vienna and why Fed is at least safe from both of them showing up at Basel with a wildcard – something organizers begged Djokovic and Nadal to take. The events are further depleted with injuries Wawrinka, Murray, and del Potro are dealing with. Zverev is showing he is hitting a bit of a stamina wall late in the season as well.


chrisford Says:

Humble Rafa – For all the money you have made trashing Fed on court you should by him one, since, being humble, you would find getting around in any huge thing not actually on the water to be ostentatious
I say buy a Spanish autobus for him as a retirement gift.

I point you to the extremely funky Spanish Pegaso from 1963. The sucker even has tailfins. Your amigo Roger would LOVE it!
http://www.oldpicz.com/picz/2015/08/Spanish-buses-Pegaso-1960s-4-e1440942091445.jpg

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