ATP Finals London: business as usual for Roger Federer
Like last year, Roger Federer goes into his second match at the ATP Finals with the mortgage of a defeat. Opponent will be Italian Matteo Berrettini (live from 15:00 on Sky and in our live ticker), who also lost his opening game against Novak Djokovic.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Nov 12, 2019, 10:14 am
By Jens Huiber from London
The training court at the ATP Finals in London is directly integrated into the VIP Village outside the O2 Arena. The very important people, but also the players get in this small tent city certainly excellent to eat, while watching the training actors in their practice sessions. However, the reliability of the suspended schedule may be questioned, on Sunday, for example, the name of Alexander Zverev was given around 17 clock, as paid the German number one but rather buddy Marcelo Melo a visit to its double.
Also on Roger Federer's presence on Monday one should not have set too much. Like last year, the Swiss lost his first game. At that time against Kei Nishikori, for which Federer has reciprocated two days later to Dominic Thiem. he will not succeed in this issue, the Austrian was known to have screwed up the entry 2019 Maestro.
Federer - "That's how it has been the last 20 years"
That the evening would not be very enjoyable, Federer could already think in the very first game. Thiem made an early break, also because the 38-year-old did not finish consistently enough on the net. In the course of the match it was the Austrian who dominated most of the rallies. Even though the record after set one points 33 points for both players.
Federer is not new to the current situation; in 2018 he took a day off after the Nishikori bankruptcy. Thereafter just won against Thiem and finally against Kevin Anderson, but still reached the semifinals.
Two wins will probably be necessary now, the first against Matteo Berrettini, who has not seen any country against Novak Djokovic. The starting situation is clear. "I can not lose a match anymore," said Federer on Sunday. "That's the way it has been every week of the year during the last 20 years. Not new from this point of view. "
Djokovic not beaten since 2015
Although Berrettini can be quite dangerous on a good day Federer, but the more difficult task is of course Novak Djokovic on Thursday. Especially since the Wimbledon finals this year, in which Federer forgave two match balls, was the number one topic of discussion in the press conferences before the tournament. Added to this is the fact that Roger Federer has not won a match against Novak Djokovic since 2015.
But responded to the Swiss reacted again combative: "I'm ready to play against everyone."