Swiss maestro Roger Federer defeated Greek youngster and upcoming star Stefanos Tsitsipas at RAC Arena in the Hopman Cup in straight sets. In doing so, he helped Switzerland make it to the final of the competition where they will play the winner of Australia and Germany.
Federer was a straight-set winner but he was pushed to the distance by Tsitsipas, winning in two tough tie-breakers. He won 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) to ensure Switzerland will have a chance to defend the Hopman Cup title they had won last year.
He will join hands with his partner Belinda Bencic in that final that will be played on Saturday with one of Germany and Australia joining them there depending on who wins the match.
Having won both his previous singles matches in the tournament so far, Federer endured his most difficult encounter of the comptition and needed to bring out his best to get the better of his Greek opponent. In the first set, by the time it was six games apiece, no break of serve was recorded and only seven points went against the server.
Tsitsipas took a 4-1 lead in the tie-breaker but the Australian Open champion came back strongly to win the next four points. The Greek levelled it at 5-5 but followed it up with a double-fault and Federer served an ace to win the opening set. et.
The same pattern continued in the second set as well, as both players managed to hold their serve with ease. However, when things turned testing for both players in the tie-breaker, a Federer drop-shot ensured he would go home winner here.
Federer expressed happiness at the fact he now has a chance to not just win the Hopman Cup title but also because he is happy to be playing this well heading into the Australian Open.
Bencic will play her singles match later before the two will combine in their mixed doubles, the results of which won’t count towards who finishes on the top of the table.
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