World Tour Finals - Federer battles past Verdasco

Reuters - Sun, 22 Nov 20:33:00 2009

Roger Federer had to come from a set down to beat Fernando Verdasco 4-6 7-5 6-1 in his opening ATP Tour Finals group match in London.

Roger Federer v Fernando Verdasco World Tour Finals 02 Arena - 0

Swiss maestro Federer, looking to regain the year-end top ranking after being overthrown by Rafael Nadal last year, dug himself out of trouble to join Andy Murray at the top of Group A in the season-ending showpiece.

World number one Federer was top billing for the evening session at the spectacular 02 Arena but lost his opening service game to love and sprayed 15 errors in the first set as Verdasco threatened to cause a shock.

He then survived a crisis at 5-5, 0-30 in the second set, breathing a sigh of relief as the left-handed Verdasco went agonisingly wide with a forehand - a near-miss confirmed by a Hawkeye replay accompanied by thumping heartbeat sound effect, which was just part of the razzmatazz enjoyed by the 17,500 crowd.

Crisis over, 15-times Grand Slam champion Federer broke serve for the first time in the match in the following game to take the set and then raced away to victory.

"I was down a set, and only the second set was I able to sort of get the ball into play, find my range, find my rhythm," said Federer, a four-times winner of the tournament.

"The longer the match went, the more my belief was going up and his was going down."

Six-times Wimbledon champion Federer added that he was impressed with the venue and the lighting, which leaves the crowd in virtual darkness as the players duel on a vivid blue court.

"I thought the crowds were great. The lighting is unique. We don't really see the crowd and the focus is very much on us. It's a bit unusual," he said. "It's not Wimbledon like, but still special obviously."

Reuters

Comment 3 - 22 of 22

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  1. Well done Roger - I am routing for you to go all the­ way.

    From Pkenn, on Mon 23 Nov 7:09PM

  2. neznam sta se desava sa nadalom, ocigledno je povreda­ svoje ucinila, zao mi je to radi tennisa iako sam­ federer-rov fan ...

    From adi.avdija, on Mon 23 Nov 6:23PM

  3. Sorry guys ! ! !, but Djokovic is the winner of this­ tournament ! !, and takes second place in the ATP list­ ! ! !

    From Firskkkkk, on Mon 23 Nov 4:32PM

  4. MAESTRO INDEED, WELL DONE ROGER AND GOOD LUCK FOR YOUR­ NEXT MATCHES UNTIL THE FINAL, YOU ARE SIMPLY THE BEST,­ THERE IS NO TOPPING THAT...
    LOVE XOXO

    From ciliamaximo_30, on Mon 23 Nov 12:26PM

  5. Nothing against Federer ending the season as world n°1­ for what he showed in GS tournaments, but right now he­ isn't playing his best tennis, yesterday he­ wasn't impressive at all against Verdasco, he was­ good in making the match turn to his side at the end of­ 2nd set but still he think that this level is not­ enough to win here. Oh well, let's wait and watch­ the other four players today, so we can understand­ better who's in his best shape.

    From simondi.filippo, on Mon 23 Nov 12:23PM

  6. ROGER FEDERER is not number one by fluke. he deserves­ to be number one. everyone
    wants to be champion, but­ they are not in ROGER'S class. all you bafoons on­ this
    page who do not like the world number one, @#$%­ yourselves badly, for he's ending the
    year as­ number one.

    BEL pa zed

    From Brian, on Mon 23 Nov 9:51AM

  7. UCB UK from United Christian Broadcasters. Broadcasting­ Nationally
    On DAB Digital Radio From 1st December 2009­ and on the internet right now!! at ucbmedia dot co dot­ uk

    From John, on Mon 23 Nov 9:38AM

  8. Go, go, go ROGER!!!!!

    From clayton.ericsson, on Mon 23 Nov 8:48AM

  9. Wish I watched it, maybe the next game

    From ispurs, on Mon 23 Nov 6:11AM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    RADGER FEDERER HAS A NASE AN EM LEEK A FACKIN SAWSADGE.

    From Donney, on Mon 23 Nov 4:25AM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    4 - ALRITE WEE MONS HOW YE DAIN WEE BABAY. GET U TAY­ YER COT YEE FACKIN WEE RASCOL YAY.

    From Donney, on Mon 23 Nov 4:25AM

  12. Congrats Roger you are clear favourite for title now­ after that warm up match,I would be suprised if he­ dropped another set before final:)

    From rigbydouglas, on Mon 23 Nov 12:37AM

  13. I think you would be sluggish too having played so­ little tennis since Wimbeldon....
    Fed showed his mettle­ when it counted - in the second and third set. Verdasco­ will take something from either Murray and DelPotro and­ Fed will need to elevate his game for the same two.­ Fed's strength is that he comes back and wins.­ Can't be said for many other players. Well done!­ Let's see how DelPotro and Any handle Roger as­ neither looked that impressive this moring.

    From Ned, on Sun 22 Nov 11:58PM

  14. Strange people at this forum, what is wrong with the­ comments wishing Federer all the best and hoping for­ his win. Why people are rating that negatively.
    GO­ ROGER!!!!

    From ya, on Sun 22 Nov 11:39PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Dismal

    From logicsurvives, on Sun 22 Nov 11:29PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    bismal=abysmal?

    From webbski, on Sun 22 Nov 11:27PM

  17. CMON ROGER

    WE LOVE YOU

    ROGER FOR ALL 4 MAJORS IN­ 2010!!!!

    From Fedex, on Sun 22 Nov 11:21PM

  18. Well done Roger you've done it, congratulation ­ wish you all the best..

    From omar morisson, on Sun 22 Nov 11:19PM

  19. there was no subtitle in the first set tha's why,­ still some work to do..

    From Ra, on Sun 22 Nov 11:16PM

  20. I think Federer has put too much pressure on himself in­ this tournament. A relaxed Fed could be much more­ delightful to watch. CONGRATS and hope he wins.

    From pope, on Sun 22 Nov 11:12PM
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