ATP Wimbledon: Roger Federer escapes, as Adrian Mannarino retires

Three years after their previous clash at Wimbledon, Roger Federer defeated Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2 in two hours and 42 minutes, with the Frenchman retiring at the beginning of the fifth set due to a knee injury. The Frenchman played well to open two sets to one lead before a nasty fall in set number four that crushed his dreams of beating an eight-time champion on his birthday! Thus, Federer secured his 102nd Wimbledon triumph, competing at his beloved Major for the record-breaking 22nd time and avoiding the earliest exit at Majors since 2002! The Swiss fired 53 winners and 45 unforced errors and converted four out of 13 break chances to hang in there and keep himself in contention with a fine performance in set number four before Adrian's injury. Federer didn't look that good in the previous sets, though, not trusting his strokes and failing to impose his shots and drive Mannarino out from the comfort zone.

They saved five break chances in the opening four service games to stay neck and neck before Roger fired a backhand crosscourt winner at 5-4 to grab a break and secure the first set. Mannarino played better in set number two, taming his strokes nicely and keeping Federer away from the break chances.

Roger Federer defeated Adrian Mannarino, who had to retire due to a knee injury.

Roger survived two break opportunities in the fifth game and fought well despite many errors to reach a tie break that could have sent him further in front. Adrian made a strong start in the tie break with three return points and closed it with a service winner at 6-3 to lock the overall result at 1-1.

The Frenchman seized both chances on the return in the third set and closed it with three rock-solid service games to move in front. They traded breaks in games two and three, and Adrian grabbed another at love in game six to forge the advantage. A left-hander closed it with a volley winner at 5-3 to move a set away from taking down the most decorated Wimbledon player in the Open era. Federer bounced back to gain a 4-2 lead in the fourth set before Mannarino slipped in the second point of the seventh game to injure his knee and ruin his chances. Roger grabbed another break in the eighth game to close the set, and the Frenchman retired at the beginning of the fifth, unable to move or challenge a great rival for an entire set.

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