AM95
Hall of Fame
IMO, Fed had probably the toughest first round match any top 10 player could have. He was playing a tricky and dangerous opponent, who, although streaky, could do some serious damage.
Even though the scorline wasnt showing a beatdown, i felt that Federer showed some great mental toughness in this match.
For example:
He was up in the first set, then somehow loses it. Instead of being frustrated, he works harder, changes his strategy around, and wins the second.
I think that Federer knew that, depsite the shots Igor was pulling off with his forehand, Andreev would get tired. Federer didnt get to angry at himself, even though his game was off.
In the third, Fed goes down a break, breaks back, goes up a break, gets broken, saves 3 SP's and then wins the set 7-2 in a breaker.
The saving 3 set points really makes the cake for me in this match.
He bagels andreev in the 4th.
I feel that, in all honesty, despite blowing leads in the third and first sets, Fed had a good match. His backhand was a bit off, but he showed some grit and determination, and pulled out a tricky first rounder.
I think he'll get to the semi's without a doubt, its a question of whether his game is on to bring down Djokovic.
Note: I know that blowing leads is not considered mentally tough, but look at it from the persepective of playing bad tennis, and managing to win.
Even though the scorline wasnt showing a beatdown, i felt that Federer showed some great mental toughness in this match.
For example:
He was up in the first set, then somehow loses it. Instead of being frustrated, he works harder, changes his strategy around, and wins the second.
I think that Federer knew that, depsite the shots Igor was pulling off with his forehand, Andreev would get tired. Federer didnt get to angry at himself, even though his game was off.
In the third, Fed goes down a break, breaks back, goes up a break, gets broken, saves 3 SP's and then wins the set 7-2 in a breaker.
The saving 3 set points really makes the cake for me in this match.
He bagels andreev in the 4th.
I feel that, in all honesty, despite blowing leads in the third and first sets, Fed had a good match. His backhand was a bit off, but he showed some grit and determination, and pulled out a tricky first rounder.
I think he'll get to the semi's without a doubt, its a question of whether his game is on to bring down Djokovic.
Note: I know that blowing leads is not considered mentally tough, but look at it from the persepective of playing bad tennis, and managing to win.
