World #8 Roger Federer battled past the midnight lights and his first night session at Philippe Chatrier to defeat German Dominic Koepfer 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 7-6(4) 7-5 in three hours and 36 minutes.
Roger Federer vs Dominik Keopfer
First Set
Both players took the court as if they had nothing to loose grinding through point after point. They both held their serves, saving some break points here and there. Federer displayed some of his magic, making an around the net passing shot during the ninth game and assuring to his fans that he’s still got it. Soon enough they found themselves in their first tiebreak of the match. The Swiss quickly got up a minibreak and kept his momentum going, winning the tiebreak 7-5.
R I D I C U L O U S 😵#RolandGarros | @rogerfederer pic.twitter.com/0XtB6o1SC7
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2021
Second Set
The beginning of the second set saw Federer take upper hand, breaking Keopfer immediately in the first game. It seemed that Federer would take the set, but the German wasn’t ready to give in so quickly. He eventually found his chance in the fourth game, getting the break and leveling out the set at 2-2. The following two games were quite interesting as both players traded back to back breaks, but then held their service games to another tiebreak. It seemed the German had learned a few things from the first tiebreak getting himself a minibreak at 4-2. He maintained the lead and won the tiebreak, leveling the match to one set a piece.
Third Set
From the start Koepfer seemed to carry on the confidence he gained from winning the previous set. He maintained his serve and got himself a break to set himself up to a 4-2 lead. Federer has proven time and time again about metal strength and talent of turning matches around. The Swiss quickly held his serve and played a very intense return game, earning two break points and finally converting. Once again both players held their serve for yet another tiebreak. Using his experience and tact, Federer fought his way to a minibreak at 4-2 and punched hard to close the set, producing a magical slice drop shot to get a two sets to one lead.
Fourth Set
Federer seemed to have gotten more confidence and really tried to dismantle the German’s game. It payed off, earning the 2009 champion a break at 2-1. Even at this point the German wasn’t ready to throw the towel in, once again breaking Federer’s serve to level the set out. Both of them held their serves for the next six games until Federer gave himself an opening and window to close the match. Not wasting this opportunity Federer broke Koepfer in the eleventh game, giving himself the chance to close the match on his racket. The Swiss didn’t fail to convert as finished the match with unbelievable magician-like-defense to put him through to the Round of 16.
Fourth Round Opponent
Next up for Roger Federer is heavy hitting Italian Mateo Berrentini, who breezed past Soonwoo Kwon in straight sets. Everything depends on how well Federer can recover from this match. If he can play with variety and pace there is a good chance he can book himself for a quarterfinal appearance in Paris.
Main Photo from Getty.
