New racket, new vest, same story for Federer

Roger Federer picks up another win in Hamburg and is through to the semifinals after holding off Florian Mayer in three sets on Friday. Next up for Federer is qualifier Federico Delbonis.

Roger Federer outlasted Florian Mayer 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-5 in the quarterfinals of the German Tennis Championships on Friday afternoon. Federer, a four-time champion in Hamburg, prevailed in one hour and 59 minutes.

Showcasing a new, larger racket at this event, the top-seeded Swiss struggled at times against both Daniel Brands and Jan Hajek en route to the last eight. This one was no different; not with Mayer playing the kind of inspired tennis in front of German fans that he often does in Hamburg.

Federer was pushed to a tiebreaker in the opening set and even though he dominated it, the world No. 5–sporting a sweater vest for the middle frame–fell behind quickly in the second. Mayer served at just 45 percent in set two and dropped serve once, but he took apart his opponent’s serve. The 45th-ranked German converted all three of his break chances, the last of which came at 5-3 to force a third set in style.

Twice in the decider Federer–now without the vest–gave back breaks. He even found himself serving to stay in the match at 4-5, but he handled the pressure without any trouble. Finally with some momentum back in his corner, Federer won a series of brutal baseline exchanges to break at 5-5 and hold with ease in the 12th game to finally wrap up the proceedings.

“It was extremely difficult,” the former world No. 1 assured. “I started really well. I thought we were both hitting the ball well in the first set and not giving each other that many chances. It went down to the wire. I’m happy I played a good tiebreak. It was a bit of a rollercoaster till the very end of the match. Just had to tough it out.”

Speaking of rollercoasters, qualifier Federico Delbonis saved two match points in the second set before upsetting Fernando Verdasco 6-7(5), 7-6(8), 6-4 in three hours and 14 minutes. Delbonis will face Federer on Saturday for a spot in the title match.