ATP Rome: Matchballs fended off - Roger Federer moves into the quarterfinals
Roger Federer has reached the quarter-finals at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Rome. The 37-year-old Swiss defeated Borna Coric from Croatia 2: 6, 6: 4 and 7: 6 (7).
by Jens Huiber
last edit: May 16, 2019, 08:16 pm
By Jens Huiber from Rome
To claim that the grandstands in the Foro Italico were full when Roger Federer played against Borna Coric would only be half the truth. Free plastic trays were not to be seen anyway, but the stairs were also perceived as seating. As many fans as possible wanted to be there when Federer appeared on a smaller court.
For the second time this Thursday. The number one performance in the big theater, the Campo Centrale, was almost full, but the atmosphere was nowhere near as dense as the grandstand. Federer got off to a bad start in the sixth meeting with Coric, giving up his first serve game despite a 40-0 lead. More than 20 minutes of playing time had passed before the Swiss could register on the scoreboard with a game win. Coric acted forcefully from the baseline, leaving Federer no chance to come back. And won the first set 6-2.
Sixth duel between Coric and Federer
The Croatian had defeated Federer twice in 2018, in Halle and in Shanghai. Federer had retaliated in Dubai on the way to his 100th career title and had gone into the game with a 3-2 head-to-head advantage. And presented in run two with a break. Coric made the connection to 4: 5, but had to give up immediately afterwards to equalize the set.
In the decision Federer fended off two Corics break chances in the ninth game, the pressure on the Croatian increased afterwards - due to the results. Coric, however, remained focused and equalized to 5: 5. And a few moments later to 6: 6. In the tie-break Coric drew 4-2 after a rally in which both players put everything in again. Federer came up 4: 5 with an ace, Coric had the chance to reserve. And the 22-year-old from Zagreb showed nerves again briefly and hit his first match ball on the net. Federer fended off the second with a strike through the middle. In front of a grandstand on which all fans stood, regardless of the camp.
After two and a half hours of play, Federer had his first match ball. This time Coric hit the line 7: 7. In fact, the Maestro pulled a forehand ball, which Coric made into the net in the round of the last eight. Federer will meet either Fabio Fognini or Stefanos Tsitsipas there on Friday. But then again in the really big theater.