David Goffin–and an injury–ended Rafael Nadal’s season. Goffin–single-handedly–ended Roger Federer’s.
Pulling off his second self-proclaimed best-ever win in the same week, Goffin shocked Federer 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the semis of the Nitto ATP Finals on Saturday afternoon. The world No. 8 caught fire from just about out of nowhere in the second and third sets to earn his first career victory over his childhood idol after one hour and 45 minutes of play.
Goffin had previously been 0-6 lifetime against Federer, and 2-14 in total sets. He had just lost–and “lost” may be an understatement–6-1, 6-2 on the indoor hard courts of Basel three weeks ago. Following a 33-minute opening set at the O2 Arena, it looked like a near certainty that more of the same would continue.
But it wouldn’t.
The tide began to turn with Federer serving at 0-1 in the second set. Although the Swiss gave himself a game point to hold on three different occasions, Goffin eventually broke for a quick 2-0 lead. The 26-year-old held the rest of the way, withstanding one deuce at 3-1 and fighting off a break point at 4-2 before an especially impressive hold to love at 5-3.
Amazingly enough, one early break was also enough for Goffin in the decide. London’s red-hot No. 7 seed, a recent champion in Shenzhen and Tokyo, struck for a 2-1 lead and then battled through a nervy service game that included another break point as he extended his advantage to 3-1.
If Goffin had any nerves down the stretch, he showed no sign of them. Firing aces and service winners that belied his 5’11”, 150-pound frame, the Belgian dropped only one point in his last three service games.
“It was good there [is a video screen during] the changeover,” he explained. “I was more relaxed so I didn’t think about the first point or the game I have to play. I was watching the highlights of the previous game. I was a little bit more relaxed. As soon as the chair umpire said, ‘time,’ I was ready with the ball. I didn’t have time to think about what I have to do. I served an ace. When you start the game with an ace, it’s always better.”
Goffin, who indicated beforehand that he was “going to try something different; something that I’ve never done in the past,” was far better than he was against Federer in Basel. But did he really have a different plan?
“Yeah,” Federer answered. “He played better. That was a good plan.”
How much better can it get for Goffin? Well, the biggest title of his career will be at stake on Sunday. But even if he goes home–or goes to Belgium’s Davis Cup tie in France, to be exact–without the winner’s trophy, it will go down as a historic week. Goffin is now the sixth player ever to beat both Federer and Nadal in the same tournament–joining Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Nikolay Davydenko, David Nalbandian, and Juan Martin Del Potro.
“Both are really special,” Goffin said of the two wins. “It was the first time against Rafa. Then (I reached) the semifinal for the first time here, and to beat Roger for the first time here in such a big event, big tournament, it was [a] perfect moment. It is the best win of my career, for sure.”
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