'Roger Federer hasn't beaten anyone yet which gave...', says expert

Belinda Bencic became the first Swiss player to win the gold medal at the Olympic Games. The current number 12 of the WTA ranking defeated with a score of 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 Marketa Vondrousova, who appeared quite nervous and wasted the three break points that would have allowed her to re-enter the match in the ninth game of the last and decisive set. Bencic was certainly the most solid and determined player of the two and she deserved this historic success. Roger Federer, who followed the women's tournament with great passion, praised Bencic for the extraordinary result achieved in Tokyo. The 20-time Grand Slam champion posted a photo of the Bencic final award ceremony on his Instagram account and proudly wrote: "Historic". The 24-year-old talked about her relationship with Federer and unveiled a curious anecdote at a press conference. "Roger sent me a message this morning. He told me today was a good day to make my dreams come true and make history," Bencic said at a press conference. "He made me very happy. I dedicate this triumph also to Martina Hingis. She and Roger have accomplished so many things that I will never be able to achieve. This victory is for them too. Emotions? I was at the limit of my strength and stamina. I couldn't think clearly and just tried to send the ball back to the other side of the net in the later stages of the game. However, I wanted to achieve my dream - that's why I played like it was the last game of my life. I still need time to realize all that has happened and what I have been able to achieve. I will do it after the doubles final, where I will give everything I have for Vicky (Golubic, her doubles partner, ed). They are memories that will last a lifetime”.

Gunthardt elaborated on Federer's quarterfinal defeat

In a recent interview with Simon Graf of Tagesanzeigher.ch, player-turned-coach Heinz Gunthardt weighed in on Roger Federer's run at Wimbledon this year. "Given his preparation, the quarter-final is a good result," Gunthardt said. "But Wimbledon was not a step forward after Paris. He already had that level there. In Doha and Paris, he played with a completely different mindset, loosely. He clearly said that this was (his) only preparation, that it would only really count in Wimbledon. And then Wimbledon started and he felt the pressure," he added. Gunthardt believes Federer needs wins against top players like Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev to gain confidence on the big stage once again. "He lacks confidence and that affects his footwork. There is no way around big victories. He hasn't beaten anyone yet, which gave him the certainty: I can compete with the best again. He still lacks this confirmation. He needs wins against the likes of Medvedev and Zverev," he added.

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