The Geneva Open 2021 is well underway, and it is Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer who is grabbing all the headlines. He played his first match of the tournament today against Spanish player Pablo Andujar. Much to the Grand Slam champ’s disappointment, the Spaniard won the match 6-4 4-6 6-4 in close to two hours.
Set 1: Pablo Andujar snatches the set from Roger Federer
The Spanish player opened proceedings in the first set and held serve with ease. In the next game, Roger Federer was in a spot of bother but managed to hold his opening service game.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Both players were locked in a close battle and after 23 minutes, it was 3-3 each. Things went on in a similar fashion until the 10th game of the opening set.
At 4-5, Federer had to serve to stay alive in the set. Pablo Andujar was taking advantage of his opponent’s rusty form, knowing that he had barely played a match in the last 16 months.
After 37 minutes into the first set, the Spaniard drew first blood, winning the set 6-4. Andujar’s serve caused real damage.
Set 2: Early break seals the set for Roger Federer
Similar to the previous set, Andujar began things in set number two. In the third game of the set, Federer got the much-needed break to get the upper hand in the set.
The Swiss player consolidated the break by holding serve in the next game, taking a 3-1 lead. After getting the break, the twenty-time Grand Slam winner was playing more freely.
After over 30 minutes into the set, Roger leveled things up, winning the set 6-4 to send the match into the deciding set. The eight-time Wimbledon champion served well in this set and needed just one breakpoint to get the advantage in the set.
Set 3: Pablo Andujar fights back to take the third set and match
As it has happened in the entire match, Pablo Andujar began serving and took a 1-0 lead. In the next game, Federer hit three brilliant serves to level proceedings.
After a tug of war battle in the third game, Roger broke Andujar flicking a neat cross-court passing shot. As we close 90 minutes into the match, the Swiss player cemented his control, stretching the lead to 3-1.
Well played, gents 👏
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Pablo Andujar defeats Roger Federer 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. #GenevaOpenpic.twitter.com/RQT6aFgvH6
— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 18, 2021
However, Andujar had other plans and broke back in the eighth game, leveling things at 4-4. He eventually came on top and shocked the Geneva crowd by taking the third set 6-4.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
After winning his first match in Geneva today, Pablo Andujar will face the winner of the match between Swiss teenager Dominic Stricker and Marton Fucsovics. It’ll be an interesting match, no matter who he faces in the next round.
Also Read: CLASSY: Retail Giant Uniqlo Unveils French Open 2021 Outfits for Roger Federer