On Wednesday it was Novak Djokovic who extended his dominance in one of the most lopsided matchups in tennis, improving to 12-0 lifetime against Jeremy Chardy and a laughable 28-0 in total sets. Now it is Roger Federer who will be looking to maintain his mastery of Roberto Bautista Agut when the two veterans take the court on Thursday for third-round action at the Shanghai Masters.
Federer would likely have to play well into his 40s before making this head-to-head series something along the lines of Djokovic-Chardy proportions, but it has been complete perfection so far for the 37-year-old Swiss. He is 7-0 in his career against Bautista Agut, including 16-0 in total sets. Their 2014 Shanghai showdown–also in the round of 16–was right around the average of their scorelines, with Federer cruising 6-4, 6-2. The current world No. 2 is 5-0 at the Spaniard’s expense on hard courts, taking all 11 of those sets with just two being more competitive than 6-4.
Nonetheless, Federer still had good things to say about Bautista Agut.
“I have a lot of respect for him,” the 20-time Grand Slam champion said following his 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 defeat of Tokyo champion Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday. “He’s just a tough guy; so you have to bring it. Could be similar like today–a lot of long rallies potentially.”
Thank you for all the love from the RFans in Shanghai today! ❤️🇨🇳 pic.twitter.com/xYTCT6W1HU
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) October 10, 2018
Bautista Agut is wrapping up an injury-plagued season that started hot and then went downhill. The world No. 28 is sporting a respectable 30-17 record, but it is underwhelming by his recent standards. He had been a mere 3-5 in his last eight matches before advancing this week with victories over Andrey Rublev and Mackenzie McDonald, surrendering one set to McDonald along the way.
Federer was decent most of the way against Medvedev, and decent should be enough to make relatively routine work–again–of Bautista Agut.
Pick: Federer in 2 losing 8-10 games
[polldaddy poll=10132789]
RBA always a tough out, regardless of what the stas might indicate.
Another narrow escape by Fed; Kei next for Fed. I doubt Fed could escape again if he continues to play like this!
Both Fed and Djoko will have it tough in the next round, they may even depart Shanghai at the same time.
doubt it
Listening to the Sky commentators, you’d think Roger had walked all over Bautista-Agut. They were saying how Roger is the ultimate tennis player and Rafa and Djoker are striving to reach his greatness on all surfaces. I sent them a tweet to remind them that Roger is a failure on clay and suggested they should stop over-hyping Roger because it’s a sign of disrespect and lack of acknowledgement of other players achievements.
I don’t know what the commentators said. It’s obvious that nobody from Fed, Djoko and Rafa is clearly better than the other two overall.
What I don’t agree is that he’s a failure on clay. That’s plainly stupid. There are many good clay players who mever played a final.
I suggest you calibrate your perspective.
I don’t know about Rafa reaching Fed’s greatness on all surfaces (excluding clay); but Djoko may match or even surpass Fed on all surfaces!
Djoko has 9 HC slams and 5 WTF (vs Fed’s 11 and 6); he has 4 Wimbledon (vs Fed’s 8) and he has more clay Masters and HC Masters. I feel it’s a matter of time Djoko is going to match or surpass Fed on the HCs and clay, and gets close to Fed on grass.
Those Sky commentators have to wait and see, give Djoko more time, they may be speaking too early.
I’m open to it. Don’t agree or disagree. Time will tell.