Roger Federer delighted to reach 300 weeks despite losing in Shanghai semis – Tennis News
World number one, Roger Federer from Switzerland is happy with the semi-final berth at the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2012, an ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Masters 1000 event held in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. He is also glad to reach
300 weeks at the number one rank in South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings.
Seeded top at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Federer displayed top notch performance throughout the week and reached the final four.
The Swiss Maestro stated in a press conference:
"It's been an OK week overall. I played all right. I didn't play great. But I did come here and reach the 300 weeks. I guess I have to be happy with that. I wish I could have played better tonight against Andy and pushed him further, even though it was somewhat
close."
The 17-time Grand Slam champion, Federer received a first round bye after being the top player at this hard court event. He downed the Taiwanese qualifier, Yen-Hsun Lu, in straight sets in the round of 32 with poise. The Swiss smoothly held his entire serves
and required a single break of serve in each set to register a 6-3, 7-5 success.
In the pre-quarters, Federer lost the opening set against his 13th seeded compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka. However, the Swiss star sought his rhythm and eventually crushed his Olympic doubles partner in almost two hours.
Federer kept momentum rolling in the quarter-finals where 10th seeded Marin Cilic awaited. He was broken twice but cashed five out of seven break chances to formulate a 6-3, 6-4 score line in one hour and 21 minutes. He struck eight aces and dominated
throughout the battle.
The 31-year-old high-spiritedly entered the Stadium Court for his semi-final class against the defending champion, Andy Murray. He cashed the lone break chance but dusted away only eight out of 11 breakpoints he came across, eventually suffering a 4-6, 4-6
loss. The Swiss clobbered a better first serve share but spilled more unforced errors which cost him the match.
Federer reflected after bowing out to the British number one:
"It was a bit up and down, too up and down for my taste. To probably beat him tonight, I played okay at times, but overall Andy was just the better player and he deserved to win at the end really.”
The Swiss number one is bidding to keep his top rank until the year end.
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