Roger Federer topples Thiemo De Bakker in the first rubber – Davis Cup WG Play-off 2012
World number one, Roger Federer, trounced Thiemo De Bakker in straight sets at the Davis Cup World Group Play-off 2012 on Friday. His compatriot, Stanislas Wawrinka, also bagged the match in the second singles rubber and eventually led Switzerland take a
2-0 lead over the host nation, Netherlands.
The Swiss Maestro showed his true colours after entering the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam, Netherlands. After stealing the show in their first encounter, Federer comfortably led his nation take the lead.
Federer commented in an on-court interview:
“It’s nice to be admired for a nice looking game, one that looks effortless. But I put so much work into making it work. I try to get to balls and get them back. And for some reason it looks OK. And people like that. I try to play fair and tough, the way
I’m supposed to do it.”
The Dutch praised Federer in the post match press conference:
“Federer hit a great one back at me. There’s hardly any margin for error with him. He’s just so solid, he pushes you away so far, he moves unbelievably well. He makes you feel so uncomfortable.”
The 17-time Grand Slam champion stepped into the Dutch clay courts in high spirits. He drew the first blood in the fourth game and took a 3-1 lead. Apart from losing his edge in the very next game, Federer broke his opponent’s serve again and leaped to a
5-2 lead. He plucked his serve once again and clicked the opener with a 6-3 score line in 39 minutes.
Federer maintained his intensity in the following set and jumped to a 3-0 lead with two breaks of serve. Apart from losing his serve in the fourth game, the Swiss held his composure and ultimately clicked the set with a 6-4 win.
The 31-year-old lost his path towards the third set and gifted away his opening serve to trail at 0-1. Despite recovering in the proceeding game, he lost his serve again and fell at 1-2. However, Federer got the breakthrough in the fifth game and never looked
back. He consequently sealed the set by winning six games to four.
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