Federico Delbonis beats Roger Federer to enter final – Bet at home Open 2013
Top seed Roger Federer was edged out by the Argentinean qualifier, Federico Delbonis, in brutal straight sets at the Bet at home Open German Tennis Championships 2013 on Saturday. He suffered a 6-7(7), 6-7(4) loss at the hands of the world number 114 at
this ATP World Tour 500 series event taking place in Hamburg, Germany.
The 17-time Grand Slam Champion, Federer made a convincing start. However, he not only failed to get a breakthrough but also trailed in both sets’ tie-breakers, eventually exiting from this tournament with disappointment.
“I think he was a bit better than me today,” said Federer, a four-time former winner at this outdoor clay court event. “Both sets could have gone either way. So, it’s clearly a pity I couldn’t win either of the sets because I was starting to feel better
towards the end of the match. But unfortunately I couldn’t push him further and create more chances today.”
Federer drew the first blood in the third game and took the early lead. However, he squandered his edge in the very next game and dragged the set to a tie-breaker. The Swiss was underplayed in it and consequently endured a 6-7(7) loss.
The 31-year-old managed to keep his entire serves in the following set. However, he failed to avail any break opportunity. The set went to another tie-breaker where Federer again trailed and sealed the deal with a 6-7(4) defeat.
On the whole, the Swiss ace clobbered a slightly better first serve share of 58 per cent in contrast with his rival’s 56 per cent and impressively fired five aces. He also amazingly warded off six out of seven breakpoints he came across but converted only
one out of two break chances to his advantage.
With this triumph, Delbonis secured a spot in his first ATP World Tour final. He reflected in a post match presser,
“I feel like I'm dreaming. My key was to enjoy the match and enjoy playing this kind of player, because he's the best of all time.”
The qualifier will square off against Fabio Fognini who stunned third seeded Nicolas Almagro in straight sets to set-up this epic battle. The Italian rising star is in great run of form as he is coming off winning his maiden ATP title at the Mercedes Cup
in Stuttgart.
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