Basel Flashback: Roger Federer storms over David Goffin to restore the order

Roger Federer missed the hometown ATP event in Basel in 2004 and 2005, returning in 2006 as world no. 1 and the dominant figure in men's tennis. The home favorite was the player to beat in Basel until 2011, winning five titles and losing the final to Novak Djokovic in 2009, standing on five titles ahead of 2012 and 2013 when Juan Martin del Potro toppled him in tight finals to hold the trophy for two years. That all changed in 2014 when the Swiss regained his Basel throne, using the favorable draw and scoring five triumphs for his sixth hometown title. In the first round, Roger needed 46 minutes to dismiss Gilles Muller 6-2, 6-1, dropping four points on serve and delivering four breaks for a strong start. In round two, Denis Istomin won the opening set against Federer before the Swiss shifted into a higher gear, converting only two out of 12 break chances but doing enough to deliver a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory and move into the quarters for the ninth time in a row in Basel.

There, he took down world no. 11 Grigor Dimitrov 7-6, 6-2, fending off all four break chances and stealing the opponent's serve twice in the second set to stay on the title course, with Ivo Karlovic standing between him and the place in the final. The Croat gave his best to keep the pace with the great rival before Roger produced a tricky 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 win in an hour and 42 minutes thanks to a single break in the deciding set that propelled him into the ninth consecutive Basel final and the 11th overall! In the title match, Federer dismissed David Goffin 6-2, 6-2 in 52 minutes for the sixth Basel crown, dominating from start to finish to lift the trophy in style. It was their second meeting after that 2012 Roland Garros clash, and the Belgian stood no chance against such a strong opponent who had the advantage of the home court. Federer dropped only five points behind the initial shot and stole half of the return points to earn four breaks from six chances and control the scoreboard.

Roger had more winners and fewer unforced errors, forcing more mistakes from Goffin, who couldn't find the way to impose his shots and take power off from Roger's strokes that worked like a charm on that day. The Swiss had a massive advantage in the shortest points up to four strokes, using every opportunity to attack and unfold the encounter by his rules, having the upper hand in the more advanced rallies and sealing the deal in no time. Roger broke in the first game of the match and held at 15 with a service winner to confirm the advantage and move 2-0 up.

Another unreturned serve delivered a hold at love for Federer in game four, landing three more direct points at 3-2 and breaking David at 15 in the next one to extend the lead, serving for the set at 5-2. Another service winner from Roger closed the opening set after just 24 minutes, with the Swiss dominating every segment against the rival who barely served at 40%. Continuing where he left in the opener, Federer fired four winners in the second game of the second set and rattled off five straight games from being 2-1 down to sprint over the finish line. Goffin got broken in the fifth game after a more extended rally and again at 2-4 after a forehand down the line return winner from Federer, who sealed the deal with a hold at 15 in game eight to celebrate the first title in Basel in three years. 

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