Federer Seeks Revenge, 100th Career Title v Tsitsipas In Dubai Final Saturday

by Staff | March 1st, 2019, 5:17 pm
  • 26 Comments

Roger Federer gets his shot at revenge and a 100th career title Saturday in Dubai as he takes on the man who stunned him in Australia, Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Federer, who has already won seven Dubai titles, cruised into the finals overwhelming Borna Coric 6-2, 6-2. The Croatian had beaten Federer twice last year, but Federer was in full control Friday in his best performance of the week.

“I was really happy with my play today,” said Federer after the 67-minute win. “In terms of feeling, was definitely by far the best one, so that was good. I’m sure Borna was feeling it a little bit from his past few matches.


“I think it was important to mix it up, be solid, not give him too many chances and keep showing him it’s going to be really difficult for him to win,” said Federer. “At the end, I actually played really good. I’m very pleased.”

Tsitipas came from a set and a break down to deny Gael Monfils in a thriller 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(4). Both entered off winning streaks from Sunday titles, but Monfils was in charge early with a set and a 3-1 lead before the Greek stormed back.

“The whole match changed out of nowhere,” said Tsitsipas. “I have improved since last year. Beating the big guys, big players, players that have been in the Top 10, means a lot to me.”

The win will also put Tsitsipas into the Top 10 for the time on Monday.

“I wanted to get there at some point myself, and I made it today. I don’t know, probably a special day for Greece,” Tsitsipas said.

The 32-year-old Monfils blew numerous break chances in the third, and he had beaten the Greek last month in Sofia.

“I had some opportunities,” said Monfils. “I couldn’t make them today. I think I was up a break, and I didn’t serve that good at the start of the second set. It was a big confirmation when he broke me back. Less first serves [and] less accuracy. Then, I think, I got those opportunities in the third set.”

Tsitsipas will seek a 3rd career title and a second straight win over Federer.

“[He] showed me at the Australian Open, how hard he is,” said Federer. “I hope I’m going to play well… We’re still far from [100 titles], it seems. I’m just going to try to focus and play good tennis.”


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26 Comments for Federer Seeks Revenge, 100th Career Title v Tsitsipas In Dubai Final Saturday

skeezer Says:

Another ATP final for the 37 yr old, and giving the we young one a smack down with a bit of revenge served. Well done Maestro.


Daniel Says:

Federer quickly up 2-1 with a break. Tsisi missed too much this first few games.


jatin Says:

Fed on fire Today.
Sight to Behold.


Daniel Says:

jatin,

That until this 40-0 triple SP and now BP


FedExpress Says:

What a tense final game. Nearly choked it away after being 40-0 up

Thank god he got it done on the end.


Daniel Says:

Scare gone, 1st set in the bag. One more for AO payback, Dubai title #8 and 100 career title. Another milestone reached. Go Fed!


FedExpress Says:

Please not that usual 2nd set hiccup.


Giles Says:

Come on Tsitsi!


jatin Says:

Just 1 game to go before making HISTORY


Daniel Says:

Tsisi gifting the game and possibly the match for Fed after the DF and 2 awful mistakes.

Fed to serve for the match and #100


jatin Says:

LEGEND of Roger Federer continues. Speechless


Daniel Says:

Indeed Legend.

Great that his level didn’t drop after AO and he is able to play next tourney as if nothing happened. This motivation is remarkable. Hope he keeps it for a few more months.


skeezer Says:

Congrats 100! The #1 player of all time continues to build his legacy beating down the youth of the game. Unbelievable. 37 yr old can still play lol👍


Madmax Says:

Hi Jatin! Skeezer! I got back from Dubai yesterday after watching Federer play. And boy didn’t he do well today! I only had 5 nights in Dubai, so knew that he had reached the SFs, and had said that he had been in very fine form all week. A few struggles at the start, but I think that was mostly rust. There was one day of rain, but other than that, the sun has been shining all week. I can tell you both, he has moved so well. Unbelievably so. It’s really incredible to see, now. Even now. I am in such awe of his talent and ability, it’s been a fantastic week. The third time I have seen him play in Dubai, but this was the best ever!

Well done to Fed today. A master piece, a Master stroke, now he rises again in the rankings, I think to No. 4. A great result!


Madmax Says:

jatin Says:
Just 1 game to go before making HISTORY

March 2nd, 2019 at 11:19 am

He did it Jatin! He did it!


chrisford1 Says:

It’s a number, a nice number. All congrats to Roger on #100. Connors leads with 109 Singles titles and there is a chance Fed could catch him. McEnroe has the most titles in the Open Era, 159, thanks to his stellar doubles play as well as singles play.
Fed has a lot more titles than Djokovic and Nadal, mostly due to him having 5 years before they, and Murray arrived – and the competition for titles got a whole lot tougher.

Nadal has 80, Djokovic 73 and I doubt either will reach Rogers record on titles. Even if Federer stops right now at 100, and Federer is far from done.


skeezer Says:

Madmax,
Awesome you were there to witness the 100! History witnessed.
#jealous:)
—-
I believe T gets into the top 10 now?


fionski Says:

Chrisford 1
You are so wrong. Federer has been playing on tour only 2 years longer than Nadal.


fionski Says:

Federer has been playing on tour only 2 years longer than Nadal, and 4 years longer than Djokovic.


chrisford1 Says:

Fionski – What???

Federer turned pro in 1998, Nadal in 2002, Djokovic and Murray in 2003.
More importantly, while he had earlier success on clay, Nadal only reached full form in 2008. Djokovic 2008 as well, Murray 2009, maybe 2010. Federer reached full form in 2004. So he had tennis almost to himself until the other guys “arrived” as regular threats on all surfaces Roger contended with.

The other 3 guys? They won almost all their stuff as they faced other members of the Big 4. Trophies began to be split between the 4. You can see the effect it had on Roger in seeing his trophy output plummet after 2007.


skeezer Says:

“Federer reached full form in 2004. So he had tennis almost to himself until the other guys “arrived” as regular threats on all surfaces Roger contended with.”
Lol. Almost tennis to himself? What kind of remark is that? Love to hear what Agassi, Sampras,Hewitt, Roddick, Safin, etc, etc…have to say about that.
Fed has had great success, some say his best success was in his old age, you know, the now 37 yr old. Fed has beaten Rafa the last 5 times they have played. Murray the last 5 times as well. He has won 3 Slams since 2015 and got back to #1 in the world just LAST year.


fionski Says:

Federer turned pro after the Orange Bowl at the end of 1998. Nadal turned pro in 2001, Djokovic in 2003, and Murray in 2005.


Wog Boy Says:

^^^
And that makes 2 and 4? You should ask your maths teacher for your money baco
In 2001 Rafa was 15/16 years old boy.

In 2003 Nole was 15/16 years old boy.

In 1998 someone was 17 years old, see the difference?!

Are you politican, only them using the stats that way, ohh wait, 37 years old fanatics using the stats the same.


Wog Boy Says:

^^^
Correction:

In 2001 Rafa was 14/15 years old boy!

Am I missing something, how was he allowed to turn pro, I thought 16 was age limit for turning pro?


j-kath Says:

Fed, wanted the 100 and now he’s got it. He deserves a solid congratulatory clap. Now he’s only got to win 10 more tournaments to beat Connors but he’s not too angst about it. Despite the talented young group the real stars are still Nole, Rafa and Fed.

PS: And player no. 4 – Wee Andy Murray. He’s now walking with a crutch – but hey he’s looking happy and rested – let’s hope he doesn’t return to a tennis routine and gets on with his life….financially helping young Brit. players etc. etc.

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