Semi-final! Alexander Zverev defeats Roger Federer in Shanghai
Alexander Zverev was the third player to reach the semi-finals at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai. Roger Federer defeated the German number one with 6: 3 and 6: 7 (7) and 6: 3. In the second set, the German could not use five match balls.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Oct 11, 2019, 02:52 pm
Roger Federer's invasion of Alexander Zverev before his quarter-finals led to cheers among the audience in Shanghai. A few minutes later there was a certain perplexity in the stands: After less than half an hour of play, the scoreboard showed a 6: 3 for the German number one, especially well deserved, because Zverev did not have to fend off a single break chance until then, using his only one in return Possibility at Service Federer.
With the break to 2: 0 he had a better start in round two. Zverev immediately made the comeback. With kind help from his opponent, who could not reach his usual level, especially on the net. However, this should not detract from the performance of Alexander Zverev, who, with the exception of that early game in set two, won his service games very confidently.
Zverev against Thiem or Berrettini
At the score of 5: 5 and 30:30, Federer put a forehand off, Zverev got the break with a forehand ball. Roger Federer could not recover from this: With an ace, Zverev earned three match balls - Federer fought back as a setback. Then Zverev put a backhand volley out, the break ball was won by the 20-time Grand Slam champion with an outstanding half volley. The audience had found the pre-match form again. The tie break went up to 3: 3, then Federer managed the first mini break. A forehand return from Zverev straightened things out again. A strong serve brought the fourth match ball for Zverev, Federer's serve volley variant 6: 6. The backhand pass ball from the run gave Zverev his fifth chance of winning the match, a backhand mistake 7: 7. The Zverev forehand cross and Federer's strong serve resulted in the set equalization.
The decision saw Zverev ahead with the early break to 2-0. Again Federer was careless on the net. And highly dissatisfied with himself. Which ultimately resulted in a deduction for the 38-year-old - and led to the next two break opportunities for Zverev. Federer still managed the 1: 3. Zverev did not contest that. Even if the native of Hamburg let a break chance to 5: 1 pass. And after 2:04 hours of play, Alexander Zverev finally closed the bag with a strong attack.
The German put Federer on the internal balance sheet to 4: 3 victories. And at the same time secured important points in the fight for a place in the ATP Finals. In the semifinals, it is against the winner of the game between Dominic Thiem and Matteo Berrettini. Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas will play the second match of the semifinals on Saturday. Medvedev defeated Fabio Fognini in the first quarter-finals, Tsitsipas then defended champion Novak Djokovic.