Roger Federer continues to impress in Rome this week, securing a berth in the semifinals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia on Friday.
The World No. 2 moves on to face defending champion Novak Djokovic. Federer, yet to drop a set all week, did not face a break point during his quarterfinal-round contest with 21-year-old German qualifier Mischa Zverev.
The two players held comfortably until late in the first set, Federer earning a set point at 5-4 on the Zverev serve. The Swiss failed to convert, botching an easy forehand pass. Zverev fought off a second set point, striking a forehand volley winner into the open court.The highly-contested set ended in a tie-break, Federer falling behind 0-2 at the start.
The World No. 2, gaining momentum from the back of the court, quickly regrouped to win six of the next 7 points. Federer raced to 6-3, putting away a forehand pass on his third set point opportunity.Federer wasted no time in the second set, notching a 2-0, break lead on a crafty topspin lob from the baseline.
The two-time finalist snagged an insurance break on another forehand pass, extending his lead to 3-0. Federer served for a place in the semfinals at 5-1, hitting an unreturnable serve on match point No. 3. The Swiss turned in 36 winners on the day.
The World No. 2 finished the contest winning 86% of his first-service points, 68% of his second. Federer will meet World No. 3 and defending champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals on Saturday.
No comments:
Post a Comment