Roger Federer has made a successful start to the ATP World Tour 500 tournament in Basel. The local hero and eight-time title winner beat Filip Krajinovic in three sets after a period of weakness in run two.
Difficult first appearance Roger Federer at his home tournament in Basel: The Swiss, already successful eight times in the St.Jakobs-Halle, had some trouble with Filip Krajinovic, but won after more than two hours playing time with 6:2, 4:6 and 6:4.
Federer wobbled short at the beginning, but had to defend two break points in the fourth game. The Maestro countered successfully, however, and took Krajinovic’s serve to 3:2 and the next one to 5:2. After exactly half an hour, Federer served the set to win.
In the second act, the 37-year-old Federer immediately started again with a break – with a forehand return, which Krajinovic could only look back on appreciatively. From nowhere, the Serbian equalised 3-3, and Federer suddenly wobbled, giving up his next service game. However, he managed a rebreak and shortened it to 4:5. At this point, Federer’s percentage of the first serves was under 40 – a circumstance that even a 20-time Major winner can’t take without problems. The episode? After 1:13 hours Krajinovic won 6:4.
Federer also presented an early break in the decision – and was able to confirm it with difficulty. Krajinovic had three opportunities to make a comeback, but failed to equalize 3-3. The following game lasted longer than ten minutes, it brought with the second break Federers to 5:2 the decision. Even if Krajinovic came back for a re-break. After 2:07 hours Federer missed his first match point with a weak backhand, but the record winner used the next one to enter round two. Roger Federer will now meet Jan-Lennard Struff there. The Warsteiner beat John Millman from Australia in two sets.
Here the single tableau in Basel