Federer gets bragging rights over Serena in hugely-anticipated match

Published January 2, 2019
PERTH: Switzerland’s Roger Federer hits a return against Serena Williams of the US during their mixed doubles match at the Hopman Cup on Tuesday.—AFP
PERTH: Switzerland’s Roger Federer hits a return against Serena Williams of the US during their mixed doubles match at the Hopman Cup on Tuesday.—AFP

PERTH: Roger Federer took the honours in the much-anticipated mixed doubles clash with fellow great Serena Williams in what the latter described as the “match of her career” at the Hopman Cup in Perth Tuesday.

In the biggest mixed doubles drawcard in the 31-year history of the tournament, in what is expected to be its final edition, Federer teamed with Belinda Bencic to win the match in straight sets under the Fast4 format and win the Group B tie for Switzerland.

With 43 Grand Slam singles titles (Serena 23, Federer 20) and more than US$200 million in prize money between them, the two 37-year-olds had welcomed the chance to face each other on the court in an official match for the first time.

As it turned out, the tie was decided by the mixed doubles, after both Federer and Serena won their earlier singles matches.

A capacity crowd of 14,064 turned out for the tie, and they saw Federer and Bencic largely capitalise on the mixed doubles inexperience of Williams’ teammate, Francis Tiafoe, to clinch the deciding rubber under the Fast4 format, 4-2, 4-3 (5-3).

Serena, who seemed to be troubled by her right shoulder during the match but said it wasn’t a concern, was disappointed her doubles experience didn’t give the Americans the edge.

However, even a rare defeat couldn’t take the gloss off the experience of facing Federer for the first, and almost certainly the only, time.

“I was so excited and literally it was the match of my career,” she said. “Playing someone so great and that you admire so much in a match that actually means something. It is really great and special to go against the greatest of all time.”

Federer said he was thrilled to play against one of the few players with more Grand Slam titles.

“I really enjoyed playing against Serena, what an honour and pleasure,” he said. “I was nervous returning because people talk about her serve so much. It was great fun, she is a great champion, you see how focussed and determined she is and I love that about her.”

The pair posed together for a selfie after the match.

In his singles match, Federer scored successive wins to start the new season with an impressive 6-4, 6-1 victory over Frances Tiafoe.

The world number three was challenged early by the 39th-ranked American, but then secured the first set with a break in the 10th game.

Federer won seven games in succession and eight of the last nine as Tiafoe dropped away.

It was another encouraging performance from Federer as he builds his preparation for the upcoming Austr­alian Open in Melbourne, where he will be looking to win a third successive title and seventh overall.

Serena raced to an early 3-0 lead against Bencic, but then lost her way as the Swiss number 54 gained successive breaks of serve to secure the first set.

Although the American was hitting more winners, she was also making more errors and looked in trouble until she broke Bencic in the 10th game to take the set and level the match.

An early break in the final set to Serena was crucial as she used her big serve to hold Bencic at bay and win 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

If Switzerland beats Greece on Thursday they will be through to the final, where they will defend the title they won last year.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Conciliatory approach
Updated 15 Oct, 2024

Conciliatory approach

Pakistan can only move forward when disillusioned segments of society are given their constitutional rights.
PCB mess
15 Oct, 2024

PCB mess

PAKISTAN cricket is in a state of turmoil — all the way from the boardroom to the field. Several decisions have...
Police brutality
15 Oct, 2024

Police brutality

IS our police leadership so devoid of ideas that cracking down on unarmed civilians is their only means of ...
SCO summit
Updated 14 Oct, 2024

SCO summit

All quarters, including political parties, must ensure that no hurdles are placed in the way of the SCO summit.
Not the answer
14 Oct, 2024

Not the answer

THE recent report from Justice Project Pakistan shows how urgently Pakistan needs to rethink its use of the death...
Foul killing
14 Oct, 2024

Foul killing

THE chasm between the powerful and the vulnerable, coupled with radicalisation within law enforcement, has turned...