ROGER FEDERER GETS A FIGHT FROM TIAFOE, BUT WINNING STREAK CONTINUES IN MIAMI OPEN TENNIS 2017

Written by: Staff on 25th March 2017

ROGER FEDERER GETS A FIGHT FROM TIAFOE, BUT WINNING STREAK CONTINUES IN MIAMI OPEN TENNIS 2017

epa05870763 Roger Federer of Switzerland in action against Frances Tiafoe of the US during day five of the Miami Open tennis tournament on Key Biscayne, Miami, Florida, USA, 25 March 2017. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER |

Federer gets a fight from Tiafoe, but winning streak continues in Miami

By Ricky Dimon

Roger Federer improved to 14-1 in what has been a remarkable season so far when he defeated Frances Tiafoe 7-6(2), 6-3 in the second round of the Miami Open. Coming off a title in Indian Wells, Federer began his bid for a second straight Masters 1000 winner’s trophy by getting the job done in one hour and 12 minutes.

Neither player dropped serve or faced a break point in the first set. In fact, there was not even a single deuce before a tiebreaker had to decide things. Predictably, Federer raised his level–especially in the return department–when it mattered most and rolled through the ‘breaker seven points to two.

Tiafoe responded impressively by breaking right away to begin the second. Success, however, was short-lived for the 19-year-old American. Federer broke right back and was off to the races at that point, winning six of the match’s last eight games.

“I’ve hit with Frances maybe twice before,” the 35-year-old Swiss said when asked if anything surprised him about Tiafoe’s impressive performance. “Once at the French (Open) and once at the U.S. Open. There he surprised me. I’m not going to get the surprise really a second time around because I saw the power he had, the explosivity he had. You know, how he easily can generate pace.

Frances Tiafoe of the US in action against Roger Federer of Switzerland during day five of the Miami Open tennis tournament on Key Biscayne, Miami, Florida, USA, 25 March 2017. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER

“I was very pleased actually how I played. It was swirly winds against a player who has really good power and didn’t know the patterns against. I think I can be very happy with my first [match].”

Federer’s next match will come against Juan Martin Del Potro, who took care of Robin Haase 6-2, 6-4 during the night session.

“I would love to play against him,” Federer said of his upcoming opponent before the Argentine beat Haase. “I’m happy for him with his comeback, winning at Davis Cup. I should have played him here last year but I was sick. That was a pity.

“It’s better to play him his time around when we’re both better. He was also just on the comeback last year. We’ve had some epic matches against each other: semis at the French (in 2009); Olympic semis (in 2012); finals at the U.S. Open (2009). You name it–we’ve had some really good ones. I’m sure the crowd would love to see it.”

They will. Game on.