1 Response to rotterdam18federer_dimitrov

1. Voo de Mar says:

   March 16, 2024 at 5:08 pm

   Points won by each set: | 25-16, 29-18 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   41 % Federer – 16 of 39
   20 % Dimitrov – 10 of 49

   Huge blow for Dimitrov [5]. At the end of 2017 he won ‘Masters’, Rotterdam ’18 it was his another event indoors, he advanced to the final not dropping a set, so it seemed like a great opportunity to finally beat the 10 years older Federer [2] or at least lose after a fascinating contest. The Bulgarian began the final with plenty of confidence, hit three winners in the opening game won at ‘love’, but at 2-all he made a few errors at basic strokes and the Swiss drove away. This match brutally exposed the main difference between them: the serve. Dimitrov had all the shots at Federer’s level at first sight, but the serve (first & second) never could give him as many cheap points as Federer obtained throughout his long career. One year later they face each other for the last time, and Dimitrov prevails in five at the US Open. Federer won their rivalry 7-1 (five wins in straight sets).

   Federer’s route to his 97th title:
   1 Ruben Bemelmans 6-1, 6-2
   2 Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6(8), 7-5
   Q Robin Haase 4-6, 6-1, 6-1
   S Andreas Seppi 6-3, 7-6(3)
   W Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-2

   Serve & volley: Federer 3/4, Dimitrov 0

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