Roger Federer explains the advantages of two-handed backhand
The 4th seed and five-time Indian Wells champion has secured the 63rd triumph in the desert, beating Peter Gojowczyk 6-1, 7-5 in an hour and 17 minutes for the place in the third round. Competing for the first time since winning the 100th title in Dubai, Federer hit two aces and six double faults to give Peter seven break chances, saving six of those and bringing the match home in no time at all after pulling a break back in set number two.
The German lost almost half of the points behind the initial shot, having to play against 14 break chances and suffering four breaks to end his journey in the second round, losing to Federer for the second time in as many matches.
Roger had 24 winners and 18 unforced errors, dominating in the shortest rallies up to four strokes to forge the significant lead that carried him over the finish line. Roger was off to a flying start, losing only two points on serve in the opening set and mounting the pressure on the other side of the net that Peter failed to match.
Federer held at love in the opening game with a service winner and the German was unable to defend serve in game two, hitting a double fault on the fourth break point to give Roger an instant lead. An ace (the ball was in out actually) pushed the Swiss 3-0 up and he secured another break when Gojowczyk sent a backhand long to increase the lead and move closer to the finish line.
After only 17 minutes, Roger went 5-0 in front with a service winner and wrapped up the opener with a service winner in the seventh game for a 6-1 in under 25 minutes. Struggling to find free points or rhythm with groundstrokes, Peter had to play against four break points at the start of the second set, repelling them all and finally creating something more serious on the return in the following game when he earned two break chances.
Roger erased both to keep his serve intact although couldn't repeat the same in game four when Peter broke him for a 3-1 lead, only to lose serve in the very next game to keep Federer in the set. Gojowczyk fired two winners to repel a couple of break chances in game seven and he had a tremendous opportunity to create the gap once again, with Federer playing against four break points in game eight.
Roger stayed composed, blasting four winners to save them all and closing the game with another beautiful serve&forehand combo for a 4-4. Despite a solid effort, Peter fell on the last obstacle, gifting Roger a break in the 11th game after a costly double fault and hitting the exit door when the Swiss held at 15 a few minutes later for the place in the third round.
"I had a mental coach 20 years ago for a year or so, not anymore. I mean, it's very important, you know, to feel strong or feel good or not get down on yourself. But I don't do any work or I don't focus on it, you know. I focus more on, I guess, a good life balance with my family and tennis, how I can juggle all the things in my life. I know I love tennis and going out there to play. I would go for two-handed backhand for all of my four kids because it's easier, it's that simple. If they want to change later on, I will teach them that one. But I can't teach them a double-hander as I can't hit that one. So that's somebody else's job. No, at the end of the day, I think also like with everything in life, you know, you also have your own character. Some people decide to change it at 8, some at, you know, 14, some later, because they find it a good challenge. For now, that's what it is. You know, who cares anyway if they hit a double-hander or not? It shouldn't be in the press."
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2F5NcnA
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