Roger Federer is quite serious about the Basel tournament. He has won the title seven times already and is well placed to win it for the eighth on Sunday, provided he can beat David Goffin in the semifinal today.
Roger fought from a set deficit and beat Adrian Mannarino, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 to show how important this tournament is to him. Roger Federer is also vying for the year-end number one crown and, therefore, needs to win not only in Basel but also the year-end championship, in London.
Federer acknowledged the effort by his opponent and also his own ability to respond appropriately to such challenges. “Today was a battle. I had to somehow dig and fight and sometimes these wins are more rewarding than just leading from the get-go and dominating throughout and bringing it home, these are better matches to win sometimes, actually. I just had a tough time really getting into it and he was rock solid, so he deserved that first set, but the reaction from me was really important,” said Federer.
David Goffin overcame Jack Sock 7-6(6), 6-3 to reach the seminal in Roger’s half of the draw. Federer leads Goffin 5-0 in their head-to-head, and should make it 6-0 on Saturday. However, David Goffin is no slouch and he has had a stellar Asian season, in which he won two consecutive tournaments and his sturdy and dependable game has the potential to trouble the mighty Roger Federer.
Outcome: Roger Federer over David Goffin in straight sets.
In the other half of the draw, Juan Martin Del Potro beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. He will now face Marin Cilic, who barely edged past the Hungarian qualifier Martin Fucsovics 7-6(3), 5-7, 7-6(4).
In the other semi-final, Juan Martin Del Potro will take on Marin Cilic and attempt to forge his second tournament final in as many weeks. Their head-to-head record favors Del Potro 9-2. Juan Martin Del Potro has also won this tournament twice, and both those times he beat Roger Federer in the finals. Therefore, Del Potro has a slight edge in this semifinal, but Cilic was the Wimbledon finalist this year and has had a decent year too.
Outcome: Marin Cilic over Juan Martin Del Potro in three sets.
Elsewhere, in Vienna, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga toppled the top seed Alexander Zverev 7-6(6), 6-2 and will now meet Philipp Kohlschreiber in the semifinals. Tsonga won the Antwerp title last Sunday and is on a seven-match winning streak, which will be tested against the German today.
In the other semifinal in Vienna, Kyle Edmund will take on Lucas Pouille.
Outcome: J W Tsonga over Philipp Kohlschreiber, and Lucas Pouille over Kyle Edmund in three sets.
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Who writes this blog?? Del Potro is a clear winner vs Cilic, and if Fed doesn't play at least 90% of his best he will lose to Delpo in the final (Delpo also hinted at some back problems, but I don't think this will be an issue).