Basel Flashback: Roger Federer storms over Peter Gojowczyk in milestone encounter

The nine-time Basel champion Roger Federer made a commanding start of his 19th campaign in the hometown last year, toppling Peter Gojowczyk 6-2, 6-1 in 52 minutes. It was a milestone encounter for the Swiss star, competing in his 1500th ATP match in a career! It was the 21st straight win for Federer at the favorite event and the 58th in 61 tests since 2006, dominating from start to finish to get back on the winning way after the Shanghai quarter-final loss to Alexander Zverev. Roger finished the battle with 34 winners and 18 unforced errors, standing as the dominant figure and keeping the points on his racquet on both serve and return to seal the deal in no time and deliver the 72nd triumph in Basel, making a debut there back in 1998. The home favorite struggled a bit on the second serve but had to play against only one break chance, allowing Peter to convert it but stealing the German's serve four times in a row to book the place in the last 16.

The opening set lasted just over 20 minutes, and Roger had the upper hand from start to finish, dropping six points in four service games and stealing Peter's serve twice for a commanding 6-2. The Swiss held after deuce in the first game after a forehand error from Gojowczyk, who brought the second game home at love to get his name on the scoreboard. An ace sent Federer 2-1 in front before breaking Peter at love with some great hitting and a backhand down the line winner that forged the advantage for him. Roger delivered a hold at 15 in game five to extend the gap and earned another quick hold in game seven to open a 5-2 lead.

In 2019, Roger Federer made a flying start in Basel.

Returning at 5-2, Federer grabbed another break to close the opener and gather a boost ahead of set number two. Like in the first set, Gojowczyk reached deuce on the return in the first game before Roger brought it home, with the Swiss securing a break in game two on his fourth chance when the German sprayed a backhand error. Instead of another easy service game, Federer got broken at 2-0 after wasting two game points, keeping the rival on the positive side of the scoreboard before securing another break in the next one with an incredible running forehand winner that sent him 3-1 in front. Roger held at 15 to increase the advantage and fired another forehand winner to steal Peter's serve for the fourth straight time, sealing the deal with a quick hold in game seven to sail into the last 16.

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