Federer Rolls Into Basel Final, Seeks 99th Career Title Against Qualifier Copil

by Staff | October 27th, 2018, 6:13 pm
  • 23 Comments

Roger Federer rolled into his 14th career final at his home Basel event, crushing rising Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-1, 6-4 in only 65 minutes.

“I’m very happy. I think it was my best performance this week,” Federer said. “I’m starting to really get to understand the conditions and it was consistent, my most consistent match by far. The results show it as well, so I’m very happy.”

Federer needed a tough three sets in Shanghai just a few weeks ago. Indoors today, it was a different story.


“I don’t think Daniil maybe played as well as then,” he said. “Conditions are different, maybe also his legs were a little bit heavy. He’s played a lot of tennis the past few weeks, so I understand,” Federer said. “For me, it goes on. I’m really super-excited to be in another final here in Basel and I hope I can defend my title tomorrow.”

Federer, who has won 8 Basel titles and his last 19 matches at the event, will now face surprising qualifier Marius Copil after the Romanian stunned No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev.

“I watched some against Cilic, he played great. Saw some against Zverev, he played great, too. He plays Federer, he plays great? I’m not sure. But anyway, I’m excited,” Federer said. “He played a great match against Zverev. He served great when he needed to and then he had good variation from the baseline.”

Copil shocked Zverev 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-4 to reach his second career final after Sofia. The German Zverev has just one final since the start of the French – a title at the Washington event.

“It’s been an unbelievable week for me so far,” Copil said. “Before coming here, I was fighting and struggling to have the points to finish Top 100, and that was in my mind. I was trying to win one or two matches here just to stay there. But now being in the final, it’s an unbelievable achievement for me.”

Federer also bids for his 99th career title, while for Copil will seek his first and at a ranking of No. 93, he’ll try to become the lowest ranked player to ever beat the Swiss in a final.

In the Vienna final, former US Open finalists Kevin Anderson and Kei Nishikori collide. Anderson knocked out Fernando Verdasco in three sets while Nishikori cruised past Mikhail Kukushkin.


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23 Comments for Federer Rolls Into Basel Final, Seeks 99th Career Title Against Qualifier Copil

Humble Rafa Says:

Because He is the Chosen One and because it is his hometown, can he skip 99 and go to 100?


skeezer Says:

This so called Humble is the most Fed obsessed lover on this site. When Fed hits 100 we can be assured Mr. Un Humble will be the first to report it.
——
As Staff pointed out, the qualifier beat some quality players, no pun intended. Saw a couple of his setup and rip BH’s in the pretty boy match, and its a banger.


Margot Says:

Skeeze: I saw Copil and he is playing way above his pay grade. Apparently he loves this time of the year and playing indoors.
Thought Sascha was a bit off tho. Made mistakes on his wonderful back hand. Think he was discombobulated by the high level of Copil’s tennis.


Giles Says:

Apparently Grigor is being coached by Andre A.


J-Kath Says:

Giles: Oh my, didn’t know that – previously Grigor was with Andy M’s coach. Wonder if Andre A. can make much difference – think Grigor’s become too besotted with his latest lady-love?


Daniel Says:

Copil was in until 3-3 tiebreak, gifting a netted drop shot to Fed. Tiebreak for Fed, 1 set from title 99 and 9th Basel.


Daniel Says:

Fed break back again, serving down 3-4 to level second set. A lot of great points by both.


Daniel Says:

Lines are not with Copil. 3 close calls all against him. Fed serving for the match and 9th Basel, 99 Title.


fred stone Says:

Winning ugly again, but the fans will take it.

#Lazarus


Jatin Says:

Great match Fed.
Title number 99
I am loving it.Such inspiration this guy is. Congratulations Champ.


Daniel Says:

Don’t know if Federer will play Paris, but he has a mathematical chance for #1 still. He can gain 2.500 pts with title in Paris and WTF (what he has done before, but younger).

Tomorrow he’ll have 5.660 pts in ATP race, so Nadal and Djoko can’t go beyond 8.160 pts in Paris and London. Currently they have 7.480 and 7.445 pts respectively. So, if they win more 700 pts they keep the race between than. But if both lose, lets say Paris R16, and Fed wins it, things can be decided between the three in London.

He still in on the draw for next week and play not that much matches this year (51 matches: 44-7 record with today title), let’s see if he will give it a shot or not.


skeezer Says:

99. Congrats Maestro!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=degkTgIlsAo

Toto. Poland. Rock on.


FedExpress Says:

To to the haters and doubter: take that.

99th title. Number 100 coming in 3 weeks time.


Humble Rafa Says:

Some so called journalist asked the Arrogant One

‘If you were a fruit, what would you have liked to be?’ Roger replied: ‘I do not really know.


Humble Rafa Says:

he is playing way above his pay grade. Apparently he loves this time of the year and playing indoors.

That reminds me of somebody.


chris ford1 Says:

FedExpress -To to the haters and doubter: take that.
99th title. Number 100 coming in 3 weeks time.

Two words to that:

Djokovic
Age

Nevertheless, big congrats to Fed on his 99th title, 10 behind Connors. And doing it in his ‘home’ tournament. And having such a great success story into his mid-thirties.


skeezer Says:

Two words back to that:

Fed
Age
Still Winning.

Nevertheless, big congrats to Novak for having fans like CF1.


Ronn Says:

Daniel, maybe I’m missing something here, but the max amount of points Federer can gain for the rest of the year is 2100. He can gain 1000 in Paris if he wins the title and 1500 points if he wins the WTFs by going undefeated. But he made the semis last year at the WTFs so 400 points will be deducted, leaving him with 2100. For Fed to finish at #1 he’s need a total collapse from Djoko such as a 2nd round exit in Paris and for Djoko not to make it out of his group at the WTFs. It is possible, but again, it would take exceptionally poor play from Djoko for it to happen. And if it did happen, he still has to hope that Rafa gains no points in Paris or the WTFs. And if Rafa makes it past the quarter finals in Paris he will gain points, and Rafa is all but guaranteed to gain points at the WTFs just by winning 1 match so it would take dismal performances from both Djoko and Rafa for your beloved wannabe GOAT to finish the year at #1.


Margot Says:

Congrats to Fed and Anderson and his fans. No 100. Wow!
And congrats to Anderson at age 32, I think, makes first WTF, double well done.
Think Kei might still be in the running?


Margot Says:

Oops sorry! 99. However, am sure 100 wont be long coming as I read that Fed intends to play for 3 more years? Hope I got that right!


AndyMira Says:

Yeah!….Much much congrats to Rog & his loyal fans..especially to my buddies Amit & Squirrel for his 99th…Woohoohoho!..AWESOME!!

Yeah M!…If nothing happen,I believe a 100th within his reach,insyaallah!


J-Kath Says:

Margot: Roger’s commitment to play Basel for 3 years will certainly have 2 more years to go – of course, should he get injured, he’d need to pull out – so given the lives of all athletes, nothing is set in stone.


Humble Rafa Says:

There is one thing set in stone that I know of. Hero worship.

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