Federer Annihilates Albot at Swiss Indoors
The Swiss produced an effortless looking display to come through 6-0, 6-3 to move into Friday's Quarter Final
Roger Federer is through to the Quarter Finals for the seventeenth time at the Swiss Indoors after thumping Radu Albot 6-0, 6-3 in 62 minutes.
The Swiss completely overpowered his opponent, firing 32 winners and recording his 95th bagel at tour-level, his first since 2006 in Basel where he gave Guillermo Garcia Lopez a similar beatdown in the last sixteen.
The nine-time champion will face either fellow countryman Stan Wawrinka or Frances Tiafoe in the last eight, both of whom recorded impressive wins against Pablo Cuevas and Dan Evans respectively.
Quick Match Recap
Federer won the toss and elected to receive. That paid off as the Swiss was able to break in the first game, firing a sweet backhand winner to set up breakpoint.
A hold to thirty consolidated the break and Federer was soon up a double break, breaking to thirty for a 3-0 lead.
Into game four and Albot was able to string together some excellent points to fashion a breakpoint of his own, Federer saved it and then had to save another with a big first serve. An ace brought up game point, and Federer was soon up 4-0.
A bullet forehand in game five gave Federer 0-30, and a weak first-serve straight into the strike zone was similarly dispatched to give the Swiss 0-40. Albot then went long with a backhand and Roger was up 5-0.
Four points later, and Federer had the first set in the bag in just 22 minutes, delivering his first bagel in Basel since the one he served to Garcia Lopez in 2006.
The Moldovan left the court for a toilet break during the changeover and upon his return, he was quickly down 0-40 after Roger came up with an insane get off a volley to push a backhand down the line. Albot managed to save all three and went onto hold two game points, but Federer was able to create a fourth break chance which he converted for 1-0.
A love hold consolidated the break for 2-0 meaning Federer had won the first eight games, but in-game nine, Albot finally troubled the scoreboard, holding to thirty after Roger left a ball that dropped in.
Federer fired down a hold to fifteen, meaning he'd dropped just seven points on serve to lead 3-1 in the second before Albot held again to keep within one game.
A love hold put Roger up 4-2 and the pair then exchanged comfortable holds to put Federer one game away at 3-5.
The Moldovan looked set to hold for his fourth straight game but a delicious lob made deuce for Federer, and he reeled off the next two points to take it 6-3.
Match Stats
| Roger Federer | Radu Albot | |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 5 | 0 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 2 |
| 1st Serve | 75% (30/40) | 66% (39/59) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 77% (23/30) | 51% (20/39) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 70% (7/10) | 35% (7/20) |
| Break Points Saved | 100% (2/2) | 50% (5/10) |
| Service Games Played | 7 | 8 |
| 1st Serve Return Points Won | 49% (19/39) | 23% (7/30) |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won | 65% (13/20) | 30% (3/10) |
| Break Points Converted | 50% (5/10) | 0% (0/2) |
| Return Games Played | 8 | 7 |
| Winners | 32 | 13 |
| Unforced Errors | 21 | 19 |
| Net Points Won | 50% (4/8) | 17% (1/6) |
| Service Points Won | 75% (30/40) | 46% (27/59) |
| Return Points Won | 54% (32/59) | 25% (10/40) |
| Total Points Won | 63% (62/99) | 37% (37/99) |
Highlights
Thoughts on the Match
I'm extremely happy because I struggled against him in Miami. He definitely got my attention there, I was basically a point away from losing. So it was important to show my reaction from that match, get out there and have a proper game plan. I learned a lot in that match. I respect Radu a lot, he tries everything to win, in a tough and fair way. Today I had an answer for everything he threw at me so I'm very happy. Federer on his win over Albot
A brilliant performance from Roger here and he played a perfect match. 75% of first serves in, 32 winners, including 15 from the forehand to completely dominate his opponent.
It wasn't as though Albot played poorly either, he made plenty of balls, but Roger overpowered him from the baseline and the Moldovan's lack of free points on serve put him behind the eight ball from the very first game.
Like the first match, Federer's explosiveness in his movement was impressive, and he looked a step quicker compared to Shanghai. Even when Albot managed to get ahead in some of the rallies, the Swiss quickly regained control and all Albot could do was cast a wry smile as the match passed him by.
The other plus point aside from the serving numbers was his weight of shot, some of his forehands were hit like tracer bullets that left Albot stood like a statue on the baseline.
Another job well done and having dropped just six games in two matches; it's the fewest he's dropped in the first two rounds since 2006. Not bad to say that was thirteen years ago!
Federer Receives Walkover Into Semi-Final
Unfortunately, Stan Wawrinka had to withdraw immediately after he defeated Frances Tiafoe 7-5 in the third on Thursday evening.
Stan revealed he had hurt his back in the last game of the match, somewhat similar to Roger when he faced Wawrinka in the ATP Finals back in 2014.
The bad news is that I will have to retire. I had some trouble with my back in the last game. I'm sure I cannot make it for tomorrow (Friday). I will pull out. Wawrinka after beating Tiafoe
So a tad disappointing for the fans looking forward to an all-Swiss encounter on home soil and it's not ideal prep for Federer either given he is now into the semi-finals having played just two straightforward matches on Monday and Wednesday.
I watched most of the Stan match and his movement looked poor throughout so I couldn't see him posing Federer problems had they met, but just to keep feeling the ball on the strings would have been useful.
Federer will face either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Filip Krajinovic in the semi finals on Saturday.
What did you guys think of the win over Albot? Thoughts on the walkover? Let me know in the comments.
1!
Fun match
2nd?
Go Roger
Federer v.2017 today.
Amazing how good he plays when he’s in debt with himself, like US Open 2008.
“In debt with himself”? Not understanding this phrase…
I guess means like how he can play after a tough loss that he prob could have won?
According to economic genius, Paul Krugman, debt is money we owe ourselves 😆
Exactly, I guess the word was “he owes it to himself”. I’m still learning, jaja.
Ah, thanks Alexander, I follow you now, jaja 😉
A demolition job here.
Well done Fed.
Rather a shame he might meet Stan,who also played well.
However could be an exciting match,gratifying though it is when Fed wins easily,sometimes a tussle is fun.😊
Stan vs Fed rarely goes high level, always feels a bit awkward. Not sure Fed likes playing him.
Yeah, they don’t like to play each other.
It must be a weird feeling to play your friends on tournaments.
I agree. I think their best showing was AO17. Then again, Stan won the last Slam before that one, and Roger…we all know what form he was in
The match felt more like an exhibition 😀 he looked very confident, that’s promising.
💥
Holy crap. It was painful at times… or not.
But no shame. Albot had a great attitude, I like that. He reminds of Ferrer.
Albot has a good attitude. And he got the crowd on his side. Plus I think he liked some of the shots Fed came up with that no other player can.
Poor Radu Albot !
Not one jot
of great shots
No time for a riot !
When Roger – the white gull –
His opponent, will cull
A bagel in Basel…
Good night, thanks for the lull.
Next, Tiafoe in full flow ?
Or Stan, a Swiss foe ?
For another great show ?
We hope : may it be so !
Good luck, Maestro !
Berrettini spécial type of Fed match? Or ? We didn’t have it televised but sounds like it was awesome viewing!
Nice comment how “Radu tries everything plays fair” as some obviously don’t & it bugs Fed !
Like the context and contrast he gave too reminding us of Miami & the relative tussle… so decent & generous love his candour & delight with a good win !!
Go Fed
A toilet break after a 22 minute set from Albot 😆 I wonder how Fed saw that? Although he may have done the same.
I thought the first set was absolutely awesome! And I agree, it felt like 2017 all over again. Go Fed!
I thought the whole match was awesome 🙂
What a display! A joy to watch.
Go Roger!
Hopp suisse!
Wowza.
That get you mention at the beginning of the 2nd – I kept rewatching the gif, thinking how did he even GET to that? That was a great angle! And I realized he started running almost before Albot had struck the ball… just phenomenal.
Albot himself got some nice angles & shots, esp in the 2nd set; it often looked like there was just too much on the ball for him to handle. Well done to him for staying well in the match.
Love your quote from Roger’s presser, & how he talks about what he’s learned from a previous match.
Me too the Fed always striving to adapt, he is such a phenomenon & other
Players should realise dynamism & constant skill honing & athleticism like the early timing of his chasing down returns is required to be a super champ & at his age and stage how admirable that he is applying himself with such flair & originality still !!
That get was awesome, looked effortless in the end.
I saw people tweeting that Albot sucks and has no game, clearly Fed doesn’t think that.
Things said in the heat of the moment or written in a rush rarely have relevant meaning or deserve a logical following.
That’s why most tweets and in general comment lists are a repository of useless garbage content or verbal pugilism.
Including this one… NOT!
Exhilarating to watch! Seeing ball so big, wonderful watch!
It’s going to be Stan and Fed will beat him handily. Allez
Yeah creaming it around the court. Even Albot enjoyed it, just a bit 😆
Awesome display by Roger. Hope it continues for the rest of the week and for the ATP finals in a few weeks. Wawrinka would be a lot tougher than today, but I don’t see Roger losing a set.
Surface bit too quick for Stan I think but if he has a good day and cracks it from way back can still be tough.
Isn’t it breathtaking to watch tennis (especially with Fed) on the fast condition like Basel? It was JesusFed in a show!
“His forehands were hit like tracer bullets” – indeed, haven’t seen such fierce FHs from him since a while!
Stan next, unless he wouldn’t collapse tonight like the final few days ago. Generally though, I’d rather Fed not facing his mate.
Stan the favourite, but first time meeting could be interesting. Tiafoe prob not got enough consistency though.
There needs to be faster courts on tour, way more fun!
What? 😆 unless he collapses
Stan has lost to lesser players in Basel before. Tiafoe not exactly in good form though but you never know…
Be careful with the “faster courts” claim, guys. I would generally agree with you (live it looked incredibly fast), but I also have memories of how Fed suffered in Cincinnati these two years and how well he fared in Wimbledon this year compared to last year which was faster. Also Shanghai wasn’t the best of his showings. But it might have depended also on different physical states of Roger
Do you have the CPI numbers for Wimbledon being faster this year compared to last year?
Actually I was saying that last year the courts were faster. I do not have an objective number to testify it, I am referring to Roger’s statements, But also Fognini was saying something very interesting about the courts being so slow, he could reply to the second serves from positions far from the lines that he used only on clay
Ah so Wimbledon quicker in 18 compares to 19? Ye prob, Fed said it was slower this year.
Yes a fast court isn’t automatically a win win situation for Fed these days, perhaps because he has slowed
down slightly himself.Though sometimes you wouldn’t think so😀
That is exactly what I think. Though I am also sure that he arrived to Cincinnati and Shanghai not in the best of shape in 2018 and 2019, due to the Laver Cup and the negative effects of the Wimbledon losses, so that could have influenced his performance. BTW my feeling is that this Basel court is faster than last years, but I don’t have any statement nor CPI numbers to back it up
Shanghai the second-fastest court at M1000 level so far this year. Cincy third. Miami fourth.
I think it is more about the opponent style fused with the surface. Albot would fair better on a slower court. Whereas someone with a big serve is going to cause more problems on a quicker court.
Basel was 37 last year on the CPI thing, if anyone sees it this year during play let me know…
So I was more or less right, Cincy and Shanghai were among the fastest ones. He also won in MIami, yes, but it was slower, plus he had the “Fed-advantage”, the adaptability to unseen conditions (it was the first time Miami was played in that court… and being THE Genius, he rarely misses first-time opportunities). But Cincy and Shanghai in these two years were lost against players who didn’t show a big serve 3 times out of 4, as he was eliminated by Djokovic, Coric, Rublev, and Zverev (who served incredibly well), so I really guess it could depend from the court being a bit too fast for him. Though I don’t exclude, again, that his shape post-Wimbledon and Laver Cup influenced him
I’d be curious to know the fastest one, though, of the M1000!
P.s:he dropped 6 games in these 2 matches
Thanks, corrected.
Thanks to you for your Always interesting articles
Another clinical performance, hope he continues with this form. Cmon Rog
I always love the little digs Fed leaves out there like “in a tough and fair way”. Who is he talking to? How many players?
I so enjoyed this match. Felt teary eyed at times watching what this guy can still conjure up on a tennis court.
Yes, we are lucky to witness that.
Just read that tweet…
enrico maria riva
@enricomariariva
First ever semifinal for Federer was (ironically) in Vienna 1999 :
Opelka was 2 years old
Tsitsipas was 1 year old
de Minaur was 8 months old
👏👍🤗🦁🐐
* Goffin lost to Opelka today
* StefTsitsipas has just lost the 1st set to R. Berankis. Hopefully another upset to open up the draw for the Fedmeister…
I have The feeling Fognini could make it instead of Stefanos. More determined and he played better in The first round. Also similar levels (excluding The upset with Tipsarevic) in recent weeks. And Fognini would be less of a problem for Roger due to his horrendous serve and very instinctive game which, by the way, is not as ingenious as Roger’s
Guys sad news, Wawrinka retired. They said it now on Supertennis
Oh no 🙁 That’s not good for him – and maybe not for Roger, either?
Hmm. So now he’s having to face Tsitsipas, without having played a match in 3 days. Wonder what the effect of that will be?
Yeah, missing a match is challenging, was disappointed to hear this. I gather Stan & Frances had a heck of a last game, & that’s when it happened.
No need to do a whole write-up about this non-match, Jonathan.