Roger Federer went the three-set distance once again at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Tennis Championships on Wednesday, but he continued to survive and advance. Federer booked a spot in the quarterfinals by beating Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
“I’m happy I actually stayed calm throughout,” said the 37-year-old Swiss, who held off Philipp Kohlschreiber in his opening-round match. “I felt like I was having a good feeling out there. Even though I wasn’t playing my best, I still felt like it was going to fall my way when it really mattered. I think that confidence is kind of important in sports or in tennis. I’m happy I had it today…. I played [well] at the end. I had the serve when I needed it, had some good shots–a good point on break point when I needed it. That was nice to win it that way.”
Federer endured a mid-match hiccup in round two just as he did against Kohlschreiber, but it hardly mattered. The No. 2 seed broke Verdasco at 4-3 in the third after benefitting from a winner off the net cord to set up break point.
“(In) these best-of-three set matches you’re not always in control of everything because, like you saw at the end, a good five minutes from your opponent or a good five minutes from you can decide the outcome of the match,” he explained. “You’re definitely living on the edge at some point in the match. This is how it is.”
Next up for Federer is Marton Fucsovics, who took care of Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets. Struff had upset Milos Raonic in the first round.
“I know Marton quite well actually,” Federer noted. “He came to Zurich to train with me. He was nice enough to come there. I don’t remember how long we spent, but a few days practicing together. We had a great time. Then, I played him at the Australian Open last year. (It was a) good match…. He’s improved. He likes the fast surfaces. He likes to play up in the court. He has the power when required. I think it’s going to be definitely a match that’s going to test me.”
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