Defending champion Roger Federer has reached the quarter-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai. The Swiss won 6:3, 2:6 and 6:4 against Roberto Bautista Agut.
It is solid but not yet dominant what Roger Federer put on the court against Daniil Medvedev in the first laps of the Masters in Shanghai – that should change in the second lap. Against the Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, Federer nevertheless had minor problems in the initial phase.
Already in the second service game, the top seed had to face a break ball, which he could fend off with good service. With increasing duration of the first set and longer rallies, Federer gained self-confidence and hit one or two magic shots into the field of the strong Spaniard.
Bautista Agut kept up well, but could not prevent the break lead to 3:1 of the world ranking second place. Federer acted with brains, played the forehand mostly longline, then responded with a backhand slice to the forehand of the opponent. Breaking the rhythm – that was clearly the divise in Federer’s game.
The Swiss increased the pressure with a seven-point-in-successive run and secured the first run with a deserved 6:3 with aggressive serve and volley.
The better player in this round of sixteen came from Switzerland and grabbed a break for an early lead. Federer remained focused and surprised Bautista Agut again and again with unexpected backhand longline or tailor-made dropshots.
However, Bautista Agut had not come into the arena without a fight and snatched the immediate re-break to 1:1. Not enough: The Spanish long-runner followed suit and also won the second service game of Federer, who was 1:4 behind.
Federer did not recover from the deficit and had to accept a third break to equalise the set 3:6.
Right at the beginning of the decisive set, Bautista Agut experienced a moment of shock after falling with full weight on his right elbow and bleeding. After a short stop, the Spaniard was able to continue and shortly afterwards earned a break point. Federer fended him off and equalized the score 1:1 in the sets.
Again and again Federer made slight mistakes, frame balls were not uncommon and Bautista Agut held his ground against the Swiss. Sometimes the Spaniard even dictated the events on the opposite side. In the decisive moment at 4:4, Federer was fully there, struck mercilessly and grabbed the decisive break to 5:4.
After 1:54 hours, the fan favourite converted his first match ball to enter the round of the last eight.
Federer will face Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals, who beat US player Sam Querrey 7-6 (6) and 6-4.
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