Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, UAE
Championship Match: [7] Roger Federer (SUI) vs. [11] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)
Federer was chasing history once again and the only person standing in his way was Tsitsipas. The young Greek defeated him earlier this season at the Australian Open. However, Federer leads the way in titles won amongst active players because he learns from his losses; despite his age, the Swiss is still able to adjust his game according to the threat posed by his opponent.
OPPORTUNISTIC FEDERER
Tsitsipas failed to capitalize on his break point opportunities in the first set. Federer made no such mistake; he was brutally efficient and converted the one break chance opportunity that he was given in both sets. There was not much the Greek could do against a determined Federer. Everything the Greek tried, Federer had the answer.
FEDERER PROTECTED HIS SERVE
With the first set secured, Federer was free to attack everything and to keep the pressure on his young opponent. In the second set, Federer won a hundred percent of his second serves. It has often been said, “you are only as good as your second serve”; and Federer proved that once again. How could Tsitsipas turn things around when he could not capitalize on his opponent’s second serves?
HISTORY WOULD NOT BE DENIED
There would be no repeat result of their first encounter. Although Tsitsipas did not play poorly if you look at the statistics, he did not play at the level required to prevent his opponent from winning his one-hundredth career singles title. Nerves were one reason he was unsuccessful; however, the more important reason is that Federer at thirty-seven years old is still a formidable opponent. With the 6-4, 6-4 victory, Federer made more history.
THE SILVER LINING FOR TSITSIPAS
Despite losing the title, Tsitsipas still walks away with a victory; he becomes the first Greek player to be ranked in the top ten and with his weapons, expect him to keep climbing up the rankings.
SOURCE OF MAIN IMAGE: Zimbio.com (Getty Images Europe-Roger Federer)
