ThrowbackTimes Miami: Roger Federer destroys Kevin Anderson to reach semis

World no. 5 and three-time Miami champion Roger Federer advanced to the 66th Masters 1000 semi-final and the fifth in a row following a commanding 6-0, 6-4 triumph over Kevin Anderson in an hour and 25 minutes, beating the South African for the sixth time in seven meetings. After an excellent performance against Daniil Medvedev, it was another high-quality encounter for Federer, who lost just 13 points in eight service games, suffered one break of serve and raced into a 6-0, 2-0 lead after rattling off the encounter's first eight games! Anderson prolonged his chances in set number two, although it wasn't to be for him, getting broken at 4-4 after a thrilling game and hitting the exit door when Roger held a few minutes later to set the semi-final clash with Denis Shapovalov.

Playing for the first time since the Australian Open and an elbow injury, Anderson somehow reached the last eight. Still, it was never enough to challenge Roger, dropping over half of the points in his games and making a terrible start that set the tone for the rest of the encounter.

Roger Federer stormed over Kevin Anderson in 2019 Miami quarter-final.

Federer earned five breaks and hit 13 winners and 12 unforced errors to control his strokes, leaving Anderson on 17 winners and 30 errors and having a clear advantage in the shortest rallies up to four strokes that forged the victory for him. The South African sprayed a backhand error to give serve away in the first game, which is never a good sign, and hit a double fault in game three to send Roger 3-0 up.

A service winner cemented that second break for Federer, who secured another return game at love a few minutes later and closed the opener with a beautiful volley winner on his serve for 6-0 in swift 27 minutes! Never finding the rhythm on serve, Kevin suffered a break at the start of the second set before pulling it back with a backhand crosscourt winner in game six to level the score at 3-3. The ninth game proved crucial, and Roger converted the sixth break chance with a stunning backhand slice return to open a 5-4 lead and move over the top with three service winners in game ten. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/31Kw80Q