Roger Federer survives against Thomaz Bellucci to move to the quarters – Swiss Indoors Basel 2012
Top seed and defending champion, Roger Federer, remained alive in the battle for year-end number one ranking with Novak Djokovic, as he defeated Brazil’s 34th ranked contender, Thomaz Bellucci, in the second round of
the Swiss Indoors in Basel on Wednesday.
Federer convincingly won the opener but then went down in a close second set, breaking late in the decider to seal victory 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-5 in two hours and three minutes.
This ATP World Tour 500 indoor hard court tournament is one of the most favourite tournaments of Federer, as he has captured the title here five times.
The Swiss Maestro took things under his control at the start of the contest, dropping just four points in the opening three games to race to a 3-0 lead. The 31-year-old did not allow Bellucci to make a comeback, capturing it 6-3.
Neither Federer nor Bellucci dropped his serve in the entire second set, squaring off the score at 6-6 and taking it to a tie-breaker. The Brazilian grabbed five of the first seven points to take a 5-2 lead but Federer clawed his
way back to equalise it at 6-6. Though, Bellucci grabbed two in a row after that to clinch it 7-6(6).
Bellucci and Federer continued to easily hold their serves in the final set, taking the score to 6-5 in favour of the latter. The Brazilian faltered under pressure and could not hold his serve at that crucial moment, going down
5-7.
Federer uttered good words for Bellucci during the post match press conference, praising the Brazilian for his abilities. He said, “He’s a good player. He has a good serve, good intensity and good decision making from the baseline.
It was a close match today and I’m happy I came through. He had many chances on my serve. It was intense. I think he’s got some good power and usually plays well against the better players.”
The Swiss star was not satisfied with the quality of serve returns he made in his match against Bellucci. He added, “I think I struggled on the return. I think I served smart. I played that part really well. I’m not too happy with
my returning, but then again, he was a lefty and it was a change. Still, I would have hoped to have done a bit better.”
Federer is drawn to face either Lukasz Kubot or Benoit Paire at the last-eight stage.
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