Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers and for the first time since the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals when they meet again at the O2 Arena during semifinal action on Saturday.
Federer leads the head-to-head series 3-2 following a 7-6(6), 5-7, 6-1 round-robin success last fall. They have alternated wins dating back to their first encounter at the 2016 Rome Masters, where the Swiss emerged victorious 6-3, 7-5. It is all tied up at one win apiece on hard courts, as Zverev beat Federer for the second time via a 6-3, 6-4 triumph in the 2017 Montreal final.
Neither man was officially through to the semis after two group-stage matches, but both took the drama out of uncertainty right away. Needing to win only five games against Kevin Anderson on Thursday night, Federer rolled 6-4, 6-3. The 37-year-old preceded that result with a 7-6(4), 6-3 loss to Kei Nishikori and a 6-2, 6-3 rout of Dominic Thiem. He has now reached at least the semis in all four of his fall-swing appearance, a stretch highlighted by a ninth Basel title and a third-set tiebreaker loss to Novak Djokovic at the Shanghai Masters.
“I’ve always tried to pace myself in a way (and) set up my schedule in a way that I would have something left in the tank–I would peak at this event,” Federer said of the year-end championship. “I’m happy that this is another week like this; didn’t look like it maybe 72 hours ago (after losing to Nishikori). But I was able to come back and play good tennis.
“Personally I’m still not thinking of the number 100. I won’t let that get in my head (or) make me go crazy…. I think it’s just going to be hard to finish it. I’m happy I gave myself the opportunity. I’m happy that I’m raising my level of play throughout this week. This is what I hope to do. It’s exciting to be in this situation now, of course, no doubt.”
Already making his third London appearance, Zverev will be a part of semifinal Saturday for the first time. The 21-year-old German put himself in good shape for that with an opening 7-6(5), 7-6(1) defeat of Marin Cilic this past Sunday. Although that was followed by a 6-4, 6-1 setback against Djokovic, Zverev recovered to beat John Isner 7-6(5), 6-3 on Friday afternoon.
“Obviously it’s going to be a very difficult match,” the world No. 5 assured. “On this surface, indoor court, he’s an unbelievable player. (I have) played him a few times in all different conditions; all different surfaces. As I said, I’ll prepare myself for a very tough match.”
Zverev has been solid this entire fall and has played well for the most part through three matches at the O2, but Federer is once again getting better and better each time he takes the court. This week’s second seed has gotten accustomed to the conditions and is suddenly thriving in them.
Pick: Federer in 2
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