Atp Doha: Federer returns after 13 months and beats Evans

After a year, 1 month and 11 days the Magnifico overcomes the British 7-6 (8) 3-6 7-5 in over two hours

And on the 405th day Federer reappeared. Dressed in green, amidst the riot of the Doha public and the crazy flashes of photographers and fans. An event so awaited that even colleagues do not want to miss it, Thiem and our Sonego above all, well placed there in the stands. And he repays the audience with a match of two hours and 25 ‘against Daniel Evans, number 28 in the world, winning 7-6 (8) 3-6 7-5.

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He settles himself in his corner, bottles and towels, as he has done millions of times in his career. But this is different, this is special for him who returns at almost 40 years of age and after a double operation on his right knee, and for the tennis world that has been waiting for him for a year, a month and 11 days. Roger Federer is back from number 6 in the world, in a 250, ideal in his opinion to return without too much pressure. Evans welcomes him on the hard courts of Qatar after more than two weeks of training together in Dubai.

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New habits

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Federer wins the draw and decides to serve, the first point is immediately his. How nice, a Federer 15 after more than a year. He takes home the first game, runs to the ball boy to get the towel and immediately comes back, apologizing. After all, this is the first time he has played during a pandemic, and tennis has had to adapt. The service works well, the trips too. Coach Ivan Ljubicic, who won the tournament in 2007, looks at him satisfied. The match went smoothly, with Evans defending himself from the attacks of the 20 Grand Slam champion and Federer holding the serve without having to sweat too much. Until the 9th game when Evans earns a break point, and Federer is forced to the advantages, but he is saved.

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Tie break n.700

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And so Federer’s first set after more than a year goes to the tie break, the number 700 of his career. Immediately a mini-break for him who goes on 2-0, but Evans reacts and reverses the situation by taking 4-2 at the change. Roger recovers and proceeds in a tie 5-5. The first set point is from Evans, but the Swiss serve and forehand bring the situation back in a tie and this time the set point is his. But it goes on until Federer decides to close the set 10-8 with a wonderful Federer-style backhand pass.

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Small signs of fatigue

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Second set with Federer who wins the first break point of the match but does not materialize. In the 4th game it is Evans, thanks to two mistakes by the Swiss, who gains the opportunity for the break. And with Federer’s third free in a row (the first signs of fatigue begin to surface on his face) the Briton moves forward 3-1 and serve. Ball for Roger’s counter-break who once again misses in length with the forehand. And the British climbs 4-1. Federer’s errors begin to increase, a sign that fatigue begins to cloud the sight of the Swiss who gives up the second set 6-3.

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All to be redone

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Federer tries to shorten the exchanges, Evans continues to push and give him a hard time from the first game. Still mistakes and a bit more awkward movements by the 39-year-old, with the British galvanized by the possibility of beating him and increasingly aggressive. We proceed in balance with Federer who becomes dangerous in the 6th game but without realizing break points. Evans, on the other hand, in the 7th: Federer clears the first with an ace and the second with a short ball that is as risky as it is tasty. In the 10th game Evans serves on Federer 5-4 to stay in the match. Roger is 0-30 ahead two points from the match.

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It goes to the advantages. And Federer is at match point. Canceled. Still parity and net show with Federer wasting and Evans saving: 5-5. At 6-5 Evans is 15-40 down with two mistakes and Federer still has 2 match points. Roger closes with a winning backhand and passes the round. On the eve, Daniel Evans said he saw a very motivated Federer during the two weeks of training they had together: “The fact that he is back after two operations and at his age shows how much Roger loves his job and this sport. any result will be fine: if I win I will be happy, if I lose it means that I trained him well “.

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