Roger Federer breezes past Cedrik-Marcel Stebe to enter quarters – Gerry Weber Open 2013
Former world number one, Roger Federer, got the better of the local wild card entrant, Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, in straight sets at the Gerry Weber Open 2013 on Wednesday.
He recorded a 6-3, 6-3 victory against the 22-year-old to secure a place in the final eight at this ATP World Tour 250 series event taking place in Halle, Germany.
The five-time champion, Federer stayed on track after outclassing the youngster in their first meeting.
He said, “It was straightforward. I was playing with a lead. That’s always very helpful. I’m pleased. There are many things I could have done better but for the first round on grass, first time of the year, it was a pretty good performance.”
The last year’s runner-up, Federer, made a thunderous entry at the Gerry Weber Stadion and drew the first blood in the opening game to take the initial lead. He capitalised on another break chance and cruised to a 5-1 lead. Despite losing his serve in the
eighth game, the Swiss broke again and clinched the opener with a 6-3 score line.
Ranked third in the Emirates Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Federer kept momentum sailing in the following set. He got the coveted break in the second game and leaped to a 3-0 lead. The Swiss then continued hitting angled shots and kept remaining serves.
As a result, Federer sealed the set by winning six games to three.
Overall, the Swiss clobbered a lower first serve share of 58 per cent as compared to his rival’s 71 per cent but superbly clicked 27 out of 36 points on it. He spilled more double faults but converted four out of seven break chances to his advantage.
Federer has shelved this trophy from 2003 to 2006 and in 2008. In addition to this, the Swiss made the final berth in 2010 where he lost to Lleyton Hewitt and in 2012 where he lost to Tommy Haas.
He added, “Any title is helpful for confidence and for your feeling and in the short term clearly winning is always the best solution. But that’s kind of where I feel I’ve put myself into that, have given myself the best opportunity to do well in Halle and
in Wimbledon. So, I’ll try my very best like I usually do.”
Up next for the Swiss ace is another wild card entrant, Mischa Zverev, in the quarter-finals. He halted Bosnia and Herzegovinian lucky loser, Mirza Basic, with a 7-6(5), 6-3 victory to set-up this epic battle.
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