Roger Federer wins an unbelievable match.
The Maestro was facing Leonardo Mayer from Argentina that is definitely playing the best tennis of his career. Leonardo played an incredible match against Roger. The Argentine gave to the Swiss his own medicine with frequent anticipations and mind-blowing winners from the baseline.
In the first set Roger was broken in his second service game. Then the Maestro managed to win 4 consecutive games when he was 3-5 down to wrap up the opener at 7-5. At that point we all expected Mayer to melt. The Argentine was playing like a deserving world no.1 and it seemed there was no way for him to keep that level: that didn’t happen. Once again Leonardo broke Federer 2 more times to win the second set 6-3.
The third set was epic. None of them conceded a break and Roger had to save 2 consecutive match points while he was serving on a 4-5 15-40 score line. Federer saved the first match points with an incredible get at the net with Mayer squandering a relatively easy backhand (see video below). The duo went to a dramatic tiebreak. Mayer was leading 5-2, but he couldn’t win any of the following 2 points (on his serve!). Then Roger saved 3 other match points and he grabbed the match with an incredible backhand lob that reminded everybody who is the boss. The final score 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7).
Rogers wins one of the most spectacular match of the season (and probably of his illustrious career). We feel for Mayer that was in tears after the match; the Argentine played an unbelievable match, but he just couldn’t finish it.
Some numbers
Roger won 125 points vs. Mayer’s 122. The Maestro was broken 3 times (2 for Mayer). Roger fired 10 aces (2 double faults), Mayer scored 3 aces (1 double fault). Match Stats.
Roger: I got unbelievably lucky today
Federer was quite happy by the outcome to comment “I think I got unbelievably lucky today. This was my greatest escape thus far. “I wasn’t quite happy with the way I was playing at times. I was trying to go for an all-time record of missed volleys tonight… The eyes weren’t following balls perfectly, I wasn’t reading the plays maybe as easily as I was before my vacation.
But every match I get, every minute I spend more on the court is going to be helpful. I’m happy I get another chance today.”
Next vs. Bautista Agut
Roger will play Bautista Agut in the 3rd round. Head to head is 1-0 for Roger that has defeated Roberto at the last US Open 4th round 6-4 6-3 6-2.
