ATP Finals Flashback: Roger Federer's worst campaign comes after Andy Murray loss

Roger Federer made the Masters Cup debut in 2002, winning the first round-robin match in the first five trips to the premium ATP event. That all changed in 2007 when Roger lost a thrilling match against Fernando Gonzalez, bouncing back and scoring four wins to defend the title. A year later, the Swiss had to work from behind too, losing to Gilles Simon 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and eight minutes. It was their second match of the season and the Frenchman's second victory, both after losing the opening set! Federer wasn't at his best in 2008, losing the ATP throne to Rafael Nadal and winning "only" one Major crown at the US Open. He couldn't bring his A-game against the Frenchman in Shanghai, losing ground in the crucial moments and having no room for errors in the remaining two matches of the round-robin stage. In the second encounter, Roger prevailed against Radek Stepanek, who stepped in instead of Andy Roddick, setting the must-winning clash against Andy Murray.

It was all or nothing for Roger - Andy was already in the semis - and he couldn't bring himself together for the one last push en route to the semis, suffering a 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 loss in three hours and one minute to hit the exit door and finish the season with negative vibes. It was their sixth meeting and the fourth victory for Andy, dominating over Roger in their early encounters and beating him twice from a set down in 2008, like Gilles Simon. Murray won seven points more, taming Federer's serves with ease and creating no less than 18 break chances, converting six of those and prevailing in the closing stages of sets two and three to send Roger packing.

In 2008, Andy Murray prevailed over Roger Federer at the Masters Cup.

Roger secured six breaks too, but it wasn't enough to carry him home, losing ground to Andy in the mid-range and most extended exchanges to finish his journey before the semis. The Swiss had more winners and unforced errors, and the Briton forged the advantage in the forced errors department, drawing almost 50 from Roger's racquet to score a win.

Federer broke at love in the fourth game of the opening set to move in front, losing the advantage instantly after netting a backhand at 3-1. Murray saved break points in game eight to stay in touch before suffering a break at love at 4-5 to hand the opener to world no. 2. Shifting into a higher gear, Andy grabbed a double break to open a 5-2 gap in set number two, wasting two set points in game eight and failing to serve for the set at 5-4. Overcoming a massive deficit, Roger was the favorite in the tie break but it wasn't to be for him, losing it 7-3 after Andy's service winner and starting all over in the decider.

Giving his best, Federer came from 3-0 down in the final set, securing another break and rattling off four straight games to move closer to the finish line. The Swiss had two chances to gain a 5-3 lead, squandering both and allowing the Briton to break back and level the score at 4-4. The tenth game saw 26 points and it was the most thrilling one of the tournament, with Federer fending off no less than seven match points to stay alive! Still, he had nothing more left in the tank, getting broken at 15 at 5-6 to propel Murray over the finish line and experience his worst Masters Cup result.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/36BRykb