Former Australian Open champions and fellow Swiss veterans Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka had to work hard in their respective first-round contests on Monday in Melbourne. In the end, Federer scraped past Jurgen Melzer and Wawrinka outlasted Martin Klizan.
It was especially tough for Wawrinka.
The 2014 Aussie Open winner was two Martin Klizan service holds away from bowing out right away, but Klizan could not even come up with one such hold. Leading 4-3 in the fifth set with a break in hand, the underdog Slovak lost the last three games of what was a surprisingly competitive struggle. Wawrinka delivered the goods when it mattered most to survive 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 after three hours and 24 minutes.
”It was tough one, for sure,” the world No. 4 commented. “But I’m really happy to get through in five sets. It wasn’t my best tennis today, but I was fighting (and) trying to stay in the game. I think he was playing well; he didn’t give me too much rhythm. He made me play not my best tennis. I’m happy to get through; that’s the most important thing.”
Wawrinka-Klizan highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBV7qMw96zA
Federer also got through his first official match since Wimbledon last summer. Returning from a knee injury, Federer found himself deadlocked with Melzer–also 35 years old–at one set all before pulling away 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
“I’m happy I was made to work today,” the 17-time Grand Slam champion noted. “Actually, at the end I’m quite happy how I ended, which is most important…. It was great to be out there. I really enjoyed myself, even though it wasn’t so simple.”
It certainly wasn’t as simple as the last half year, during which Federer mostly stayed at home in Switzerland with his family while waiting for the injured knee to heal.
“It’s decided, you’re home and you’re not [playing tennis] and just deal with it,” Federer said of his mentality while forced to be away from the game. “I’m old enough that I can handle it, and it wasn’t depressing at home at all. It was great…. This match tonight was more about how I coped with my comeback (than it was about my level of play). I’m happy with how it went. It’s only going to get easier.”
Federer-Melzer highlights:
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The first game of Fed’s match was shocking. Fed was, well, trying to return. Four serves, four shanks. Bad shanks, like Rafa trying to play right handed. Couldn’t bear to watch, and tivo hadn’t recorded that much of the match, but either it got a lot better for Fed and/or a lot worse for Melzer. I’m thinking some of each. Still, Federer should have no problem with Rubin. I’ll give him 8 to 10 games.
I wouldn’t call wining in four winning last two sets 2 and 2 scraping past Melzer.
More like shook off rust in the first two sets and cruising to victory.
Fed already playing himself into form against the first of two punch bags.
Berdy’s in for a world of hurt IF he can get by Harrison.
#ToldYaSo
ROGER FEDERER: I think the conditions played pretty fast. You’re not going to see, like, some brutal rallies where you can out-maneuver the guys a million times in a row. I think it’s really like first-strike tennis to some extent. It can take you a while to get into that, you know.
Brutal rallies. Like Muzzole?
#AdvantageFed
yup, advantage Fed
Fed was only saved by his serve. Melter was also coming back from injury and yet Fed had to go four sets to beat him.
Murray still managed to play long rallies despite the court being quick (according to Fed). It’s just that Fed was at least a step slow hence couldn’t sustain any long rally; I doubt Murray or Djoko would feel the same.
Nah, first two sets are adjustment for everybody. Fed smoked him 2 and 2 once he was dialed in.
#NoContest
That’s an interesting observation, lucky.
On the tennis channel yesterday I thought they said the courts were playing slower. It’s confusing.
I saw Murray’s match and was surprised that the first two sets were so close. But he still got it done in three sets. I fell asleep watching Tsonga. I did not make it to Fed’s match.
I guess he’s got to play himself into form. Getting through the early rounds is the main thing. I am just trying to get a sense of how he looked from reading the comments here.
Oh the tennis channel is showing Fed’s match! So I can see it for myself!
I forgot that they rerun the matches for those of us here in the states who can’t stay up all night to see them live!