Roger beats Lukas 6-2 6-2 and sets up a great semis against Djokovic. Video highlights, Interview
Roger Federer had a great match against Lukas Rosol in Dubai.
After playing a rather lifeless tennis in the previous round against Radek Stepanek, Roger wanted to get back his normal game … and he got it!
The match didn’t start well for the Swiss that surrendered his first service game (0-2). Then Roger regrouped to win 6 consecutive games and clinch the opener 6-2. In the second set after losing the first game on Rosol’s service, Federer won 5 consecutive games to get a decisive 5-1 lead and finally win also the second set 6-2. Match Stats
Roger: I made him work hard
Finally Federer has kept his concentration for the entire match to comment “When you play someone for the first time, you never quite know what his best level is or his normal level is,” admitted Federer, when asked how he felt when Rosol took a 2-0 lead. “That’s why you kind of keep pushing on, and that’s also why I guess the score came out the way it did, because I never let go. I always kept making returns, made sure he had to work hard.
“Yesterday [vs Stepanek], I think I actually played okay. I just didn’t serve well. Maybe I could argue that Radek is a better return player than Rosol is and all these things, but still I did serve much more clutch today when I needed to, which didn’t work at all yesterday.”
Next vs. Djokovic
Federer will play Djokovic for the 32nd time in the semifinal. Head to head is 16-15 for Roger.
“We know each other very well, and we’ve played each other everywhere and on all the surfaces, you name it. I think we always play the match-up actually very good, because we play explosive, aggressive tennis, so there is always some shot-making going on. I’m looking forward to the match. One match, best of three sets on a court like this, it’s a bit of ‘let’s see what happens’, anyway. We both know that.” said Roger