FEDERER CELEBRATES 33RD BIRTHDAY WITH WIN, TO FACE LOPEZ IN TORONTO SEMIS BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 9th August 2014

FEDERER CELEBRATES 33RD BIRTHDAY WITH WIN, TO FACE LOPEZ IN TORONTO SEMIS BY RICKY DIMON

epa04346715 Roger Federer of Switzerland returns to David Ferrer of Spain in their quarter-final match of the Rogers Cup mens tennis tournament in Toronto, Canada, 08 August 2014. EPA/WARREN TODA |

At 33 years old, perhaps it would not have been appropriate if Roger Federer had not been required to work hard for a win on his birthday. Well, he certainly had to do just that in what was his second three-setter in as many days at the Rogers Cup. Federer, who outlasted Marin Cilic 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-4 in the third round, battled past David Ferrer 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in Friday’s quarterfinals.

The 17-time major champion needed one hour and 53 minutes to set up a semifinal showdown against unseeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.

“I was able to find energy and really serve better at the very end, which was key against David because he was doing a really good job on my second serve to put me under pressure,” Federer explained.

The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to Federer after the first game of the second set. He is now 4-0 lifetime on his birthday, having previously won twice in Montreal (2003 and 2007) and once in Toronto (2006).

Lopez and Federer will be meeting for the 11th time in their careers on Saturday. Federer has won all 10 of their previous encounters, including seven on hard courts. They have not faced each other since 2012 in Dubai, where the former world No. 1 dominated a second-round encounter 7-5, 6-3. Federer also has wins this week over Peter Polansky and Marin Cilic and he is 43-8 for the season.

At 32 years old, Lopez will climb to No. 16 in the world on Monday (or higher if he wins the Toronto title)–one spot off his career-high mark. The Spaniard is a stellar 31-18 for his 2014 campaign following victories over Roberto Bautista Agut, Tim Smyczek, Tomas Berdych, and Milos Raonic. He is 17-4 since the start of the Queen’s Club tournament.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: 33rd, Feliciano Lopez, milos raonic, RF birthday, Ricky Dimon, Roberto Bautista Agut, Roger Federer, Rogers Cup, Tennis, Tim Smyczek, Tomas Berdych, Toronto

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10sBalls_com says:

August 9, 2014 at 1:32 pm

@rogerfederer #CELEBRATES #33RD BIRTHDAY WITH WIN, TO FACE @feliciano_lopez IN @rogerscupto SEMIS BY @RD_Tennistalk- http://t.co/qRMBUbTXXX