Federer Opens Grass Season In Halle Seeking 10th Title

Following his first clay season — and a successful one at that — in three years, Roger Federer turns to his favorite surface grass at one of his favorite tournaments, Halle.

Seeking a 10th title in Halle, Federer opens play against the man who knocked him out at the US Open, John Millman.

The Swiss will meet either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Benoit Paire in his second match, then potentially Roberta Bautista Agut in the quarters and Gael Monfils or Borna Coric in the semifinals.

“The pressure is high for me too. The grass-court season is extremely short,” said Federer. “There is not that much I can do to get into it as well, other than have that point-for-point mentality. Focus needs to be crystal clear and that is what I need to have from the get-go here as I play John Millman in the first round, who has been a tough one for me in the past.”

German star Alexander Zverev anchors the bottom half along with Karen Khachanov and Nikolaz Basilashvili.

Last year, Coric beat Federer in the final.

Projected quarterfinal match-ups: 1 Federer v 7 Bautista Agut, 4 Coric v 5 Monfils, 6 Basilashvili v 3 Khachanov, 8 Pella v 2 Zverev.

After decades, the tournament is no longer under the sponsorship of Gerry Weber.

You Might Like:
Medvedev A Winner On Grass, Answers Querrey In Mallorca
Federer Holds Off Tsonga In Halle, Gets Bautista Agut Friday
Roger Federer Returns To Grass Monday In Loaded Halle Field
Roger Federer Opens Grass Season With Halle Win [Video]
Dream Final Set In Halle: Roger Federer v Alexander Zverev