TENNIS WIMBLEDON – Roger Federer looked every bit the 7-time Wimbledon champion that he is when he dispatched Gilles Muller in straight sets 6-3 7-5 6-3 in just 94 minutes of match play.
Roger Federer (4) is still dealing with nagging questions of retirement despite being ranked No. 4 in the world. However, having not been in a major final since the 2012 Wimbledon, many speculate as to whether he can still compete for these big titles. However, looking at his 2nd round match today against Gilles Muller, many of those skeptics might be silenced as Federer showed why grass is his much preferred surface. He rained down 25 aces against Muller on his way to a straight sets victory 6-3 7-5 6-3.
Muller’s game is somewhat two-dimensional with a huge serve and forehand. He often employs the serve and volley tactic. However, this strategy presented easy target practice for Federer who patiently waited on any attackable serves to pounce. Such an opportunity came about in the 5th game of the match when Muller up 30-0 would see Federer making headway into his service game. Soon with a chip return from Federer, Muller was force to come up with the volley but was unable to clear the net. Federer broke for a 3-2 lead. Federer would break Muller again in the 9th game to take the set 6-3 after 23 minutes.
Rain would interrupt play in the 2nd set at the start of the 8th game. The players went off court so that the roof could be closed. However, when action resumed some 15 minutes later, things were much the same on serve. Federer, up 6-5, was determined to break Muller in the 12th game to avoid the 2nd set tiebreaker. He knew that getting the return in play gave him a good shot of winning the point as Muller became hesitant to rush the net fearing Federer’s brilliant passing ability. Federer’s efforts paid off as he broke Muller again and took a 2-0 sets lead, 6-3 7-5. In the 3rd set, Federer broke early for a 5-2 lead. This time, Muller held serve and forced Federer to serve out the set for the match. Federer happily obliged and closed out the match 6-3 7-5 6-3.
After the match, Federer laughed at the fact that in his three previous triumphs over Muller, he went on to win the tournament. “I’m happy to hear that. I’m very happy with the match today, because I knew it could have been difficult, you know. And we saw signs of it I think midway through the second set when I think for four straight games I didn’t see, you know, much on his serve. Then actually the rain delay kind of changed things around. I came out and I was a bit more clear of how I was going to return him.” The numbers were very impressive for Federer, along with the 25 aces, he had 1 double fault and he dropped only 9 points on serve. He was able to get 77% of his 1st serves in, winning 91% of those points and 75% on 2nd serve. He had 44 winners and 5 errors. His biggest serve 127mph was even bigger than Muller’s at 125mph. He keeps this level up, an 8th Wimbledon title might be very much at hand. Federer will play in the 3rd round the winner of the Marcel Granollers verses Santiago Giraldo matchup. That match has been suspended because of rain.
