The Shanghai Masters will kick off this week in China. Players have already arrived in the country for the tournament which is set to feature the biggest stars in the sport. Roger Federer will be making his eighth appearance at the event since its inception in 2009. He has won the tournament twice in 2014 and 2017. The 38-year-old reached the final in 2010 but lost to Andy Murray that is finding his way back in the tour.
Murray recovery after hip operation
The British player suffered a hip injury earlier this year which made him contemplate retirement. The 32-year-old decided to have surgery instead,hoping to save his career. After successful surgery, the former world number one is back on the court. Murray will play in Shanghai this week. Federer is delighted to see the three-time Grand Slam champion back in action. The Swiss has said he had been following Murray’s comeback and believes he will get back to his best. “I love seeing Andy back. I also feel like he’s playing better and better. We need guys like him who also lead by example with hard work and toughness and fairness.”
He doesn’t have enemies
The Swiss has also praised the 32-year-old for his good character and great standing among his fellow tennis players. “I think it’s super exciting for the Tour and for us players because he’s very much a guy we like and respect a lot. Doesn’t have enemies.” Murray has won the Shanghai Masters three times in 2010, 2011, and 2016. He reached the finals in 2012 but lost to Novak Djokovic. The former Wimbledon champion underwent a successful hip resurfacing operation earlier in the year. He has said that his hip is now pain-free.
The 32-year-old has been managing his comeback carefully. After his recovery, he eased back into tennis by playing doubles matches. He won the doubles title at the Queen’s Club Championships with Feliciano Lopez in June. Murray has said he is now comfortable playing in singles matches. He has been playing in the Asian swing of the ATP tour which began in September. At the Zhuhai Championships, he reached the Round of 16 and was defeated by Alex de Minaur defeated him. He also progressed to the quarterfinals of the China Open but lost to Dominic Thiem. The British player has expressed satisfaction with his progress. He will face a wild card player in the opening round at Shanghai.
Roger Federer’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.3, the Swiss played his last match on the 3rd of September when he lost to Grigor Dimitrov 3-6 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-2 in the quarter in U.S. Open.
This year Federer has a 43-7 win-loss record. Federer conquered 3 titles in 2019 in Dubai, in Miami and in Halle. Roger was the finalist in Indian Wells and in Wimbledon.
Andy Murray’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.503, Murray played his last match on the 4th of October when he lost to Dominic Thiem 6-2 7-63 in the quarter in Beijing.
Roger Federer and Andy Murray played each other 26 times. The head to head is 14-12 for Federer.
The last time that they played, Roger Federer won 6-4 7-66 in the semifinal in Cincinnati in August 2015.
Roger Federer and Andy Murray |
| Embed from Getty Images |
