Annabel Croft: 'Roger Federer was soundly beaten by Novak Djokovic in Melbourne'

Roger Federer hasn't played for a year, struggling with a knee injury and undergoing two surgeries in 2020 for his shortest season on the Tour. Speaking about his Australian Open campaign, Annable Croft said that Roger wasn't at his best, reaching the semi-final after two tight encounters and suffering a commanding loss to Novak Djokovic. The seven-time champion ousted the six-time winner 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and 18 minutes, beating Roger for the 27th time in their 50 encounters. The Swiss star gave his best to stand on level terms with a mighty opponent despite a groin injury, hitting more winners and unforced errors than Novak and staying in the rallies. Against all the odds, Roger kicked off the encounter with a 4-1, 40-0 advantage, having a great chance to break Djokovic's serve thrice in a row before Novak pulled that game and gathered momentum that led him towards a comeback and the opening set.

Serving at 73%, the Serb played better on both the first and second serve, fended off five out of seven break chances and stole Roger's serve four times from 11 opportunities to control the scoreboard and bring victory home in style. In sets two and three, Djokovic lost 12 points on serve in total, never facing a break point and leaving Roger behind to advance into the final. Federer netted an easy forehand in the opening game to offer Novak two break chances, fending them off with two winners and holding after the fourth deuce with a forehand crosscourt winner. An incredible backhand down the line winner secured a break at 15 for the Swiss in the second game, making the best start and hoping to cement the lead in the next one. Still, Djokovic pulled the break back after forcing Federer's error, opening a 40-15 advantage on serve and looking good to level the score at 2-2.

Annabel Croft spoke about 2020 Australian Open Federer vs. Djokovic clash.

Instead of that, Roger stayed in the game and converted the third break chance when the Serb netted a backhand, firing two winners at 30-30 in the fifth game to open a 4-1 lead. Facing three break points in the sixth game, Djokovic saved three break points and remained within one break deficit. Firing from all cylinders, Federer closed the seventh game in no time with a hold at love and forced Djokovic to serve for staying in the set, something only a few could have expected before the start of the clash. Serving for the set at 5-3, Federer got broken love and brought Djokovic back to 5-5 in no time. Novak placed two aces at 30-30 in the 12th game to set up a tie break that he claimed 7-1 with a return winner for an early lead after an hour and two minutes. With the momentum on his side, Djokovic dominated on serve in set number two, waiting for a chance on the return patiently and securing the break at 5-4 to take two sets to love and grab a massive advantage that we would never waste.

The Swiss netted a backhand in the third set's sixth game to squander a game point and got broken when the Serb landed a forehand crosscourt winner right down to the line to move 4-2 up. Federer opened the next game with a forehand winner, seizing the second point with a volley winner for a much-needed return chance that he had to take to remain in touch. Still, he wasted his opportunities and allowed Novak to bring the game home with a perfect backhand down the line that pushed him a game away from the eighth Australian Open final. Serving for staying in the match, Federer held at 30 to reduce the deficit to 5-3 before Djokovic brought the next game home to advance into the title clash.

"Federer looked some way off his best when last played in Melbourne at the start of the previous year. He was taken to five sets by John Millman and Tennys Sandgren and was soundly beaten by Djokovic in the semi-finals. Maybe his form had something to do with his knee issues because, just a fortnight later, he underwent surgery for a problem he said had been bothering him for a while," Annabel Croft said.

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