ATP Tennis From Dubai | Roger Federer Wins Another 3 Setter

Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during their second round match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis ATP Championships 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 27 February 2019. EPA-EFE/ALI HAIDER

 

 

By Ricky Dimon

 

Roger Federer went to three sets yet again at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Tennis Championships on Wednesday evening, but he continued to survive and advance. Federer earned a place in the quarterfinals by defeating Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

 

“I’m happy I actually stayed calm throughout,” said the second seed, who fended off Philipp Kohlschreiber in his first-round match. “I felt like I was having a good feeling out there. Even though I wasn’t playing my best, I still felt like it was going to fall my way when it really mattered. I think that confidence is kind of important in sports or in tennis. I’m happy I had it today…. I played [well] at the end. I had the serve when I needed it, had some good shots–a good point on break point when I needed it. That was nice to win it that way.”

 

Federer endured a mid-match hiccup in the second round just as he did against Kohlschreiber, but it hardly mattered. The 37-year-old Swiss broke Verdasco at 4-3 in the third after benefitting from a winner off the net cord to set up break point.

 

“(In) these best-of-three set matches you’re not always in control of everything because, like you saw at the end, a good five minutes from your opponent or a good five minutes from you can decide the outcome of the match,”  Federer commented. “You’re definitely living on the edge at some point in the match. This is how it is.”

 

Next up for him on Thursday is Marton Fucsovics, who took care of Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets. Struff upset Milos Raonic in the opening round.

 

“I know Marton quite well actually,” Federer said. “He came to Zurich to train with me. He was nice enough to come there. I don’t remember how long we spent, but a few days practicing together. We had a great time. Then, I played him at the Australian Open last year. (It was a) good match…. He’s improved. He likes the fast surfaces. He likes to play up in the court. He has the power when required. I think it’s going to be definitely a match that’s going to test me.”

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.