2017 Hopman Cup...Perth, Australia

[don_budge]

Roger Federer has just played a sweet tie-break against Alexandr Zverev and levels his match at 6-7, 7-6. This is the best thing that has happened in the New Year so far. Although the year is young. Federer trying to feel his way around things. Zverev plays with overwhelming power without any of the subtle touches which makes it difficult to get rhythm into the match. But Roger has so much experience to draw from. He is holding it together so far. Federer holds his serve for the first game of the deciding set. It will be a long road back for Roger. He may not be able to make it all of the way back. But without him in the game it is a big, fat zero.

[stotty]

Roger Federer has just played a sweet tie-break against Alexandr Zverev and levels his match at 6-7, 7-6. This is the best thing that has happened in the New Year so far. Although the year is young. Federer trying to feel his way around things. Zverev plays with overwhelming power without any of the subtle touches which makes it difficult to get rhythm into the match. But Roger has so much experience to draw from. He is holding it together so far. Federer holds his serve for the first game of the deciding set. It will be a long road back for Roger. He may not be able to make it all of the way back. But without him in the game it is a big, fat zero.

I didn't see the match. It certainly looked like it was a physical tester by the scoreline. Alexandr Zverev is a decent opponent, even if he may not be the most attractive to watch, so the early signs, for me at least, are good.

Stotty

[don_budge]

I didn't see the match. It certainly looked like it was a physical tester by the scoreline. Alexandr Zverev is a decent opponent, even if he may not be the most attractive to watch, so the early signs, for me at least, are good.

Stotty

A third tie-break. I question just how badly he wanted to win this match. I think that the exposure to a big crowd was all that he needed to see how he will respond once the show begins. The format is perfect for him. He gets some matches...without the pressure. You know...timing is everything. To a tennis player the three fundamental rules are...preparation, preparation and preparation. He is getting ready to compete in a Grand Slam. What a way to begin a comeback. Then he is going to try and build on it from there. We'll see just what he has in the tank. He is 35 years old now. Some of the parts are getting worn.

His serve looked pretty good. His movement and strokes all passed the initial test. The one thing that I noticed is that he wasn't maybe as aggressive as he would like to be. But that is something that he is going to work on. This guy has a lot of miles on him and as a result he has tons of experience. You can almost read his thoughts as he proceeds from one level to the next. He is textbook...which is why he is "The Living Proof". Ironically he is playing at the "Harry Hopman Cup". Hopman is the coach...you know.

[stotty]

A third tie-break. I question just how badly he wanted to win this match. I think that the exposure to a big crowd was all that he needed to see how he will respond once the show begins. The format is perfect for him. He gets some matches...without the pressure. You know...timing is everything. To a tennis player the three fundamental rules are...preparation, preparation and preparation. He is getting ready to compete in a Grand Slam. What a way to begin a comeback. Then he is going to try and build on it from there. We'll see just what he has in the tank. He is 35 years old now. Some of the parts are getting worn.

His serve looked pretty good. His movement and strokes all passed the initial test. The one thing that I noticed is that he wasn't maybe as aggressive as he would like to be. But that is something that he is going to work on. This guy has a lot of miles on him and as a result he has tons of experience. You can almost read his thoughts as he proceeds from one level to the next. He is textbook...which is why he is "The Living Proof". Ironically he is playing at the "Harry Hopman Cup". Hopman is the coach...you know.

I see Roger has an interesting little game coming up with Gasquet, a player he hasn't lost to in over five years, and holds a 15-2 head to head over. Gasquet has spent his whole career in Roger's back pocket....let's hope he stays there. I am not a Gasquet fan.

The event isn't televised over here but the scoreline can often tell me a lot.

Stotty

[klacr]

The jumbotron in the stadium showed Federer playing the bongos during the Bencic match. Laughing, smiling, having a grand ol' time. He's just happy to be back...oh, and its an exhibition. Roger has bigger plans.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[don_budge]

Banging on the Bongo's...Federer vs. Gasquet

Just like old times...Roger Federer pounds Richard Gasquet into submission 6-1, 6-4. Gasquet not having the guns to put any kind of sustainable pressure on an in form Federer. In form? It looked to me that the match with Zverev gave Roger enough swipes at the ball to where he can start to feel it and be more aggressive. Particularly on the backhand where he is going to need it when he starts to compete with the top echelon of the game. Federer's serve looked to be pretty sharp but he needs to be in pressure situations when he is fatigued to see if it will really hold up. Preliminary looks are encouraging. Ditto on the backhand. Against Gasquet...Federer hit a streak where he was particularly aggressive on the backhand side but again...he will need to see a higher tempo under pressure and fatigue to truly gage where he is at. But all in all this is the perfect format for him to get some match play under practice conditions. Perfect training for what he is going to attempt next.

It's great to see him back in the game. Without him...the game is floundering.