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Tennis – ATP 250 – Geneva Open – Tennis Club de Geneve, Geneva, Switzerland – May 18, 2021 Switzerland’s Roger Federer reacts after losing his round of 16 match against Spain’s Pablo Andujar REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
via Reuters
Tennis – ATP 250 – Geneva Open – Tennis Club de Geneve, Geneva, Switzerland – May 18, 2021 Switzerland’s Roger Federer reacts after losing his round of 16 match against Spain’s Pablo Andujar REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
Twenty-time grand slam champion and former world number one Roger Federer, who had a tough comeback after two knee surgeries last year, has arrived in Paris in search of consistent victories at Roland Garros.
The Swiss Maestro was expecting a successful run at his home tournament. In fact, he was leading the third-set by a break before losing his way against the Spaniard Pablo Andujar. Federer also expressed his disappointment post-match as he was not able to remain consistent throughout the match.
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a forehand in his third round match against Taylor Fritz of the United States during day five of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Also read: WATCH: Roger Federer Kick Starts His Preparation for French Open 2021
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Roger Federer practices with Aslan Karatsev ahead of French Open 2021
One of the main reasons for Federer to play the French Open this year is to get some tough victories under his belt. He mentioned it several times that his main season starts on grass courts this year. But, for the Swiss Maestro to dominate the grass, he needs to win more matches even if they come the ugly way.
Having arrived in Paris, Federer hit the courts for practice. His practice partner today was the in-form Russian Aslan Karatsev. Karatsev had a late-start to his career but it has been a wonderful for him since the ATP Cup this year. His teammates Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev also heaped praises on their compatriot and said that he would have a wonderful season in 2021.
Both Federer and Karatsev didn’t play against each other on the ATP tour so far. The Swiss star was seen hitting a couple of backhand shots with Aslan Karatsev in his first practice at Roland Garros.
The French Open main draw this year put the Big-3(Djokovic, Nadal, Federer) in the same half. If Federer gets settled and begins to play his usual self by the third or fourth round, it will be a huge plus as he might face Novak Djokovic in the quarters.
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SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 10: Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a forehand against David Goffin of Belgium in the Rolex Shanghai Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Centre on October 10, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
The projected draw of Federer at Roland Garros:
1st Round: Qualifier
2nd Round: Marin Cilic/Arthur Rinderknech
3rd Round: Taylor Fritz
4th Round: Matteo Berrettini/Felix Auger-Aliassime
Quarter-Finals: Novak Djokovic
Semi-Finals: Rafael Nadal
Finals: Stefanos Tsitsipas/Dominic Thiem
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Even though the chances of Federer winning the French Open crown are less to none, he has got different styles of players in the draw to play against. While the first couple of matches are expected to be a tough ride, the Swiss Maestro can ease into the tournament, and can deliver shocking results if he maintains consistency.
Also read: French Open 2021 Draw and Bracket: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the Same Half
