Federer Cruises Past Paire in Dubai Opener
Roger's Federer back in action after his Melbourne triumph and he made serene progress into the Second Round of the Dubai Tennis Championships with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Benoit Paire.
It was a bit of the unknown going after Roger said he's only practised at 100% for the last three days, but he made light work of the Frenchman to come through in just 53 minutes. The Swiss was rarely troubled, winning points freely behind his serve, breaking his opponents serve 4 times and saving all 3 break points again hist own delivery to move comfortably into Round Three.
Quick Match Recap
Paire won the toss and elected to receive. Roger held to 15 to kick things off. Paire levelled but found himself in trouble in game 4, dropping serve to love for 1-3.
Roger was able to consolidate the break for 4-1 but had to save three break points in the process. The Swiss then secured a double break aided by some loose play from Paire he served out the set 6-1.
During the changeover, Paire received a medical timeout for an ankle injury. You could see he'd tweaked something in the second game and after having it taped he held serve for a 1-0 lead. Roger levelled with a 57-second hold and in game five broke for 3-2.
That was soon 4-2 and at 3-5 Paire dropped serve again in tame fashion to hand Roger the win.
Match Stats
| Roger Federer | Benoit Paire | |
| Aces | 5 | 2 |
| Double Faults | 0 | 1 |
| First Serve Percent | 60% (33/55) | 43% (21/49) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 70% (23/33) | 71% (15/21) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 68% (15/22) | 29% (8/28) |
| Break Points Saved | 100% (3/3) | 33% (2/6) |
| Service Games Played | 8 | 8 |
| 1st Serve Return Points Won | 29% (6/21) | 30% (10/33) |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won | 71% (20/28) | 32% (7/22) |
| Break Points Converted | 67% (4/6) | 0% (0/3) |
| Return Games Played | 8 | 8 |
| Winners | 15 | 13 |
| Unforced Errors | 12 | 15 |
| Total Service Points Won | 69% (38/55) | 47% (23/49) |
| Total Return Points Won | 53% (26/49) | 31% (17/55) |
| Total Points Won | 62% (64/104) | 38% (40/104) |
| SABR | 0 | 0 |
Shot of the Match
Thoughts on the Match
I think I returned very well for a first round. I was able to get my second serves in deep, was able to go on the offensive quickly, Didn't have to move that much. It was very quick rallies. So we'll see how that's going to turn out. But obviously couldn't be a better first round for me here in Dubai.
A routine win here for Roger and probably one of the easiest matches he'll play all year.
Having not played since the Australian Open Final and being relatively short on practice, it was the ideal time for someone to take it to him. But Paire didn't come to play, he tweaked his ankle early and from there on looked disinterested, throwing his racquet around multiple times and switching off for too many points to ever make a fist of it. Disappointing for the neutral but ideal for Federer fans 🙂
As for Roger, you don't learn much from a match like this. He served ok, returned pretty well and was easily the better player so from that side of things it's a peRFect start. Not really tested but he saved the break points nicely and hit some decent volleys when coming forward. The court looks to be playing fast too which is going to be good for Fed but also dangerous depending on who he runs into in the draw.
Predictions vs. Youzhny / Donskoy
Next up is either Mikhail Youzhny or Evgeny Donskoy. Those two meet in an all-Russian affair tomorrow, and I think it's a 50 – 50 match.
Youzhny, as we know, has a nice game and a few years ago could hang with anyone. He's not quite the player he was though, and he's yet to beat Federer in 16 attempts. It's hard to see him managing it here either.
Donskoy is a bit more of an unknown. I remember his match against Murray in Indian Wells where he had the Scot on the ropes but couldn't get the job done. That's probably one of his best matches, and he's a very streaky player. He hits fairly flat, has made the third round at a couple of slams so on a quick surface he'll probably be able to win points quickly, but again it's tough to see him upsetting the apple cart if he plays Roger.
What did you think of his first match back? Let me know in the comments.
Nice clean match from Roger!
First comment, first title 🙂 was just good to see Roger back in action instead of “selfying” on the slopes of Switzerland
Nice 🙂
Yeah no skiing for Rog, he’s just a watcher until he hangs up the racquet.
I have no expectations for Dubai, but this is a nice start.
I think he should make semi finals really based on history and the fact he has to be pretty confident.
Hmmmm…
(Just trying to say something as quick as possible for my first title.)
But alas – I get the plate with Rafa.
First I want to say, of course, congratulations to you Ryan; and to your team. I very happy for you. I know you work hard to come back and you play very hard and is amazing win so … all I can say is…congratulations, no? And I will keep try my best.
If I could share out first comment titles then I would 😀
Although Michael won, but I had to manually approve it!
Just glad it was a routine win for Roger, because you never know what to expect from Paire. I know Paire was injured but could have lived without the theatrics. With players throwing their racquets anywhere near officials and spectators it is just a matter of time before someone is injured. Glad the chair umpire called him on it with warning foe unsportsman behaviour.
Hartt, did you see the incident when Shapovalov ( a Canadian teenager) during Davis Cup meant to hit the ball at the net in disgust, nailed the chair ump with the ball.
He hit him in the eye and the ump suffered a face fracture. Dangerous stuff.
Thanks for the write-up, Jonathan. Just saw the hi lights, Fed seems back in the groove.
What’s with Paire’s shorts….tight enough? Ugly seventies flashback.
Yeah apparently you get a bigger fine for unsportsman like conduct.
Like Fed said, it’s not really a big deal as players know the consequence.
Shapovalov was unlucky really, he’s unlikely to ever hit a shot in his career that will get more views or gifs made though 🙂
He has talent and a lefty. He’s actually a really nice kid. Not like those blokes in Oz.
Yes, and he was distinctly extremely unhappy. Of course. Poor lad. But learnt something the ultimate hard way. – And poor umpire too, who had all the bad luck.
Paire is a but of a jerk. I’ve seen him lose matches on his own fault. He belongs to a certain breed of unquestionably talented players thrown out by themselves. There’s an Australian and an Italian that I can think of right away…
As for Fedsey, judging from the highlights, he played just enough on 1st or 2nd gear in his economical way of not going for difficult balls when it was not worth the risk, since the other side was clearly thinking about something else not related to tennis…
Yeah Paire lost interest after hurting the ankle. Suppose playing half heartedly and still hitting some decent shots is better than throwing in the towel completely and giving the fans a 5 minute match.
I think I saw a SABR Jonathan
When was it?
Routine, good practice sets… onward! ??
Donskoy next as I thought it might be. He will be more of a test.
Was just wondering what day Roger was first due to play, then came on here and found this! Oops. I know I’m a bit out of it at the moment, but really! 🙂
Yeah seems like quite a few not with the program in Dubai yet and missed his first match. Aussie open hangover.
OK start!
Oh, he’s still on cloud nine, waring AO outfit? 😆
Thanks for the recap Jonathan. Me, taking time off to watch replay!
Yes, outfit also to my delight, more dynamic!
And also thanks from me to Jonathan – so nice and fast. Feder’ish!
How is it working with time difference in Japan? Guessing it is about 1am when he is playing at 7pm in Dubai?
No green!!!
Benoit Beyond Re-Paire
Haha quality 😀
Roger leaves Benoit impaired 🙂
Classic!
Still on cloud 9, can’t draw much from this match as Paire mentally checked-out after his injury. Quick match is always good for Roger.
Yeah you didn’t even know he was playing 😛
Yeah bad me, too engross with Oscars facepalm ending lol
Dunno why you watch that rubbish. Bunch of celebs preaching shite to the public. Although I noticed none of them had refugees as their plus one’s? 😆
Getting the winners mixed up was a blessing for it, was as forgettable as ever apart from that.
I stopped watching that crap after 2009.
Oscars…. They are overrated. I can’t get it why this shit gets so much hype. I also can’t get it why so much people watch it.
*many
Good practice for the Fed. Now Stan is out.
Not a great for Stan but not a total surprise, Dzhumur can play decent stuff on his day. Is his knee fine now?
Oh great. And Roger and Andy on the same side 🙁
Don’t worry, Fed has all to beat AM. The surface will advantage Roger.
Could there be a better quart for Roger V Andy besides Cincy?
If Fed is going to have to face Murray in SD – assuming the draw plays acc to seeding – Dubai is a pretty good prospect right?
And after AO #18 it’s hard to care too much!! Everything feels like icing right now!
Huge advantage for Fed vs Murray on this surface in my opinion, if that were to happen.
It finishes here for Roger. Unbelievabe what just happened.
Wow! Fed out.
Hard to be upset.
Cause Um…
I think he just won the Australian Open beating 4 top 10 players and 3 in 5 sets.
I seem to remember it was Nadal in the final?
I’m good w Dubai.
I’m good with 2017 actually.
Fed choked… I have followed Federer since the start of his career, and I have very rarely seen him choke like this.
TBH, Fed should consider to retire at some point. His age is taking its toll. I wouldn’t want to see him retire, but it’s a fact. We can see that the physical side of his game is stopping him from returning to the top.
Ummm… That’s bull?… He’s just won the aussie open winning 3 5 set matches, and beating 3 top 10 player, including NADAL of all people in a 5 set final… So agreed he choked that away, telling him to retire after one loss is BS…
He has just won a grandslam ,chill.
Physical side of his game is stopping him from returning to the top,if I remember he played 3 five set matches just a month ago , playing top10 players and won them all.
Just enjoy fed’s Australian open success right now?
This is the reality. 😉
This was a pretty gruesome match. Fed could’ve won in the second set TB, but okay, anything can happen with a one point difference, no problem. He’s up a break and serving for it in the third, dumps a game. Then he’s up 5-1 in TB and proceeds to lose? I’d suggest this was a fix if I thought Roger needed the money. Many of his shots looked deliberately stupid or overcooked. Donskoy is a hack and now he’ll always have a victory over Fed, since the two will never play again. I’m happy that he won the AO, but if he can’t bet a tennis poseur in the early rounds because of fatigue, then he shouldn’t bother playing at all.