ATP Finals Flashback: Roger Federer saves three match points against Andy Roddick

Roger Federer was the dominant figure in men's tennis in 2004 and 2005, propelling his game to an even higher level in 2006. The Swiss lifted 12 titles and won 92 out of 97 matches that year, leaving all the rivals far behind and taking a big step towards the GOAT status. After the Cincinnati quarter-final defeat to Andy Murray, Federer won 24 straight matches ahead of the Masters Cup, conquering the US Open, Tokyo, Madrid and Basel, hoping to regain the Masters Cup crown. Federer lost that trophy in the epic battle against David Nalbandian a year earlier, facing the same opponent in the first round-robin clash in 2006. Interestingly, Federer lost the opening set before shifting into a higher gear for a 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory. The second round-robin clash was even more challenging for the Swiss, prevailing against Andy Roddick 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 in two and a half hours after repelling three match points in the second set!

It was their 13th meeting on the Tour and the 12th triumph for the Swiss, who had to give his everything to cross the finish line ahead of the American. Roger won three points more than Andy, playing better behind the second serve and fending off three out of four break chances. Roddick repelled six out of seven break points offered to world no. 1, taking the opening set with that single break and wasting a massive opportunity for beating Federer for the first time in over three years. Roger had more winners, and Andy erased that deficit after forcing 50 mistakes from the Swiss, punching him in the shortest rallies up to four strokes but losing ground in the most extended ones. Roddick drew first blood in the third game following a double fault from Federer and held at 30 to cement the lead and move 3-1 up. Struggling in those moments, Federer saved a break point in game five to remain within one break deficit, earning two break chances in the next one with a forehand crosscourt winner.

Roger Federer saved three match points against Andy Roddick in Shanghai 2006.

Staying calm, Andy blasted four powerful serves to get out of jail and bring the game home. Serving for the set at 5-4, the American saved a break point with a service winner and closed it with a volley winner at the net for a massive boost. Serving at 2-2 in set number two, Roger erased a break chance with a service winner and earned two set points on the return at 5-4. Andy denied both with winners, repelled the third and brought the game home with a volley winner at the net for 5-5. The American created two match points at 6-4 in the tie break, squandering both to keep world no. 1 in contention. Roger erased the third match point at 7-8 with a service winner, stealing the set following a terrible smash from Andy in the 18th point to force a decider. The Swiss had the momentum now, securing a break at 1-1 in the final set and holding after deuces top open a 3-1 gap. Serving for the win at 5-4, Roger landed three service winners to seal the deal and produce a great escape. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3qaSljR