Federer Overcomes Simon, Wins 18th Straight In Basel; Thiem Blown Out In Vienna

by Staff | October 26th, 2018, 7:47 pm
  • 8 Comments

Veteran Gilles Simon pushed Roger Federer to nearly the brink Friday in the Basel quarterfinals but fell short in a 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-4 loss to the Swiss. Federer led with a break in the third but the Federer held firm and got an additional break and closed it out for his 18th straight victory in Basel.

“Sure, Gilles came back. But I found a way, which was most important, so I’m really happy now,” said Federer, who is into his 200th tour-level semi-final. “It was always going to be at times a frustrating match, because you’re always going to hit winners and errors against Gilles because he puts so many balls in play.”

In his 12th straight Basel semifinal, the 37-year-old Federer will now face Rising Russian Daniil Medvedev who got past Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Federer just beat Medvedev in Shanghai a few weeks ago.


“I think it’s going to be a tough semi. I’m very excited, apparently it’s my 200th semi-final on the Tour,” Federer said. “It’s something I’m very excited about, that it also happened here in Basel.”

Alexander Zverev will be in the other semifinal where he’ll take on surprising qualifier Marius Copil. Zverev was sharp again in a 7-5, 6-3 win over Roberto Bautista Agut.

“On this surface, he’s an unbelievable opponent,” Zverev said of the Spaniard. “His ball is so flat, the surface really slides it through and you don’t have a lot of chances to attack him, so you have to be patient.”

Copil got past American Taylor Fritz 7-6(6), 7-5.

“He’s playing the tournament of his life, probably,” Zverev said of Copil. “He’s obviously a big guy, big server, hits the ball very hard, and it’s going to be a tough match.”

In Vienna, Kei Nishikori blew out home favorite Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-1. Nishikori will meet Mikhail Kukushkin who ousted Marton Fucsovics.

Fernando Verdasco and Kevin Anderson collide in the other semifinal after both won by second set retirements. Verdasco beat Gael Monfils while Anderson advanced when Borna Coric retired in the second set.

“It’s definitely an interesting route to get through to the semis here,” said Anderson who also got a walkover from Jurgen Melzer this week. “Obviously it’s good to get through to the quarters, but then I’m playing my first match on Monday and not playing again until Friday, up against a very tough opponent, a very in-form player. It took me some time to find my feet.

“The good thing is that I feel fresh. I’ve played a lot of tennis this year and I know that if I can stick to what I’ve been doing, I’m going to be good, even if I haven’t played as much.”


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8 Comments for Federer Overcomes Simon, Wins 18th Straight In Basel; Thiem Blown Out In Vienna

AndyMira Says:

M!…U done picking Bracket?Oh wow!…Head scratching as usual right Boss?Hehehe….
God!Some of the picks r really tough…

Btw…this is the last Bracket 4 this year M!..so,i wish u allllllll the best my Witch from Welsh!…Good luck Boss!!


Margot Says:

Thank you darling. And good luck to you too.
Backed Cilic this week, and look what happened :(


AndyMira Says:

Hehehehe!….Yeah M!…Don’t put your trust too much in Marin atm M!…I read a couple of months back,he admitted that this time of the year is a little bit hard for him coz of the long season & all…In easy words…he’s fatigue…And his form also off the last couple of months…

But,hey!…U have a chance to win Vienna this week if Kei win the whole thing M!…kpuppy picked Anderson till final..but he’s got Thiem as a winner…So,for Welshwitch’s sake…GO KEI!!WOOOHOOOO!!

Oh yeah!…Dimitrov too!…He’s sucks atm!


Margot Says:

AM: Yipee! Think I’m near the bottom in the other one. Words fail regarding Dimi. Playboy player and all that. Perhaps he’ll turn into a Gulbis and make surprise runs every now and then, and then vanish again.
Just gonna post in the off topic now. See you there.


Margot Says:

PS AM: Borna The Bod retired. Do you know what’s up? Hope he’s not badly injured, is just about ready to make some serious waves, I think.


AndyMira Says:

I don’t know why Borna retired M…Every articles i found didn’t mention at all bout his injury…He probably don’t want to talk much about it,otherwise we already know what’s all about atm right?


Daniel Says:

Federer all business today, 6-1 in under 30 min. Final against Copil who won’t play many rallies. More serve and volley and touch shots. Just what he needs to not get physical matches this last rounds. He may even play Paris now.


Daniel Says:

Medevedev missing too much, this will go fast in 40 min. Just what he needed.

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