Tennys Sandgren reflects on heartbreaking Roger Federer loss at Australian Open

World No. 53 Tennys Sandgren admitted that falling just short to Swiss Roger Federer at the Australian Open hurt him a lot as that was a great chance to make his maiden Grand Slam semifinal. 

Sandgren missed out on several golden chances for an upset as world No. 3 Federer saved seven match points en route to beating the American 6-3 2-6 2-6 7-6 (8) 6-3 in their Australian Open quarterfinal clash.

Record 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer saved three match points on his serve in the 10th game of the fourth set, before he saved four more match points in the tie-break. 

"I’m just holding on like on a raft in the middle of the ocean,” Sandgren told the ATP Tour. “I don’t take losses particularly well in general, that one being extremely difficult. It’s still a loss and I’m still familiar with the downward emotional spike from a tough loss like that.

“It was just holding on to the important stuff and realising that it’s just one match. Yeah, it would have been sweet to win and it would have been awesome to make my first semi and all those good things, but it’s still a great tournament. Hopefully I’ll have another look and if not, oh well, too bad. I tried my best. There’s not much else you could do other than that and hope it works out for you."

Sandgren, a former world No. 41, will return to action this week as he is set to meet fellow compatriot Steve Johnson in the New York Open first round.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2uDDmqt