Seven-time Dubai champion Roger Federer got off to a winning start witha 6-4 3-6 6-1 win over German 35-year-old Phillip Kohlschreiber in the opening round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Roger Federer made a winning debut in Dubai with a three-set victory over Phillip Kohlschreiber in his first ATP match since his defeat in the fourth round of the Australian Open against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Federer served at 72 % and dropped his serve twice from the three break point chances he faced during the match. The 20-time Grand Slam champion converted four of his eight break point chances.
The 37-year-old Swiss legend got an immediate break in the first game of the opening set, when Kohlschreiber made a forehand error. Kohlschreiber did not convert a break point chance, when Federer hit a good serve. Federer sealed the first set 6-4 at deuce in the 10th game with two good serves.
Kohlschreiber earned his first break break in the second game of the second set, but Federer pulled back the break back at 1-3, when the German player sent a forehand wide. Kohlschreiber got another break in the sixth game with with a deep return and saved three break points to close out the second set with a forehand winner setting up a third set.
In the third set Federer lost just two points on his serve and broke serve in the second game before holding serve for 3-0. Kohlschreiber saved a break point at 1-4 with a drop volley backhand. Federer went up a double break with a backhand passing shot before hitting three winners in the seventh game to close out 6-1 with a hold to love securing his spot in the second round, where he will take on Fernando Verdasco, who came back from one set down to beat Italy’s Thomas Fabbiano 3-6 6-3 6-2. Federer leads 6-0 in his six previous head-to-head matches against Verdasco and won 13 of his 14 sets played against the 35-year-old Spanish player, including a straight set win in their most recent match in Dubai in 2015.
I expected to play a better match, but I am happy that I managed to win it. This is what mattered most”, said Federer in the post match interview.
Federer is bidding to win his eighth title in Dubai and the 100th trophy of his career.
“It took me half a day to get over the defeat against Tsitsipas in Melbourne. It was not like a horrible tournament for me. I played great at the Hopman Cup. I played good all matches. I just messed up on some big points. I am not going to change my game because I missed out on some opportunities. It’s been a nice break. I went on holiday after the Australian Open with my family. I love that. I went to practice. It was important not to get hurt because I was training in Switzerland. It was cold. We had snow and everything. I am happy I got through that one. ”, said Federer.
Nikoloz Basilashvili cruised past Karen Khachanov 6-4 6-1. Khachanov lost his fourth first-round match this year. Basilashvili will take on either defending champion Roberto Bautista Agut or Ramkumar Ramanatan.
Jan Lennard Struff edged past Milos Raonic 6-4 5-7 6-4 setting up a second round match against Marton Fucsovics, who beat Damir Dzumhur 6-1 7-6 (7-5).
