Roger Federer’s hopes of winning a fourth title in Qatar have ended in a quarter-final exit but the Swiss star says his first event after two knee surgeries was just a “stepping stone” as he targeted full fitness for the grasscourt season.
Key points:
- Roger Federer has described his first week back on tour after a knee injury as a “stepping stone” after a quarter-final loss in Doha
- Federer acknowledged he was not “100 per cent yet” but said his focus was on getting ready for the grasscourt tournaments, which begin in June
- He said he would decide within 24 hours whether he would play in the Dubai ATP Tour event that begins on Sunday
Federer took the opening set against Nikoloz Basilashvili on Thursday before the Georgian fought back from a match point down in the final set to win 3-6, 6-1, 7-5, ending the 39-year-old’s challenge in his first event in 14 months.
“I’m actually happy that I was able to play back-to-back three-set matches against top players. That’s an important step forward to me,” said Federer, who beat Dan Evans in the round of 16.
“I’m not 100 per cent yet. I can feel it, I can see it. From that standpoint, [what’s] important is to be 100 per cent by the grasscourt season … I’m still building up.
“I was very happy with how I was able to handle the tough moments. I didn’t feel like my game started to wobble the more important the points got.
“I think I was able to play how I wanted to play, so I think that’s always a great sign and a great feeling to have.”
Loading
Federer initially eyed a return at last month’s Australian Open but slow progress in his recovery convinced him to skip the grand slam and he said he would play in events that would help him regain his fitness before Wimbledon, which he has won eight times.
The grasscourt season begins with events in the Netherlands and Germany on June 6 ahead of Wimbledon, which begins on June 28.
Federer also said he had not yet decided if he would play in Dubai, an ATP 500 event that begins on Sunday.
“I’ll decide probably in the next 24 hours,” he said.
After 14 months out and two knee surgeries, Federer impressed in the first set against the Georgian but then struggled to move as freely.
Rublev into semis without playing a shot
Earlier in Doha, Russia’s Andrey Rublev became the first player ever to earn two walkover victories in a row and could lift the trophy by winning just two matches after reaching the semi-finals.
Loading
Rublev had a first-round bye, saw French opponent Richard Gasquet quit injured ahead of their second round game, and, on Thursday also didn’t have to play his quarter-final because Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics was not fit to play.
“For 1st time in ATPTour history, a player has received walkovers in back-to-back rounds,” the ATP tweeted.
The world number eight has raked in $US52,595 ($A67,801) without playing a single point.
He is now set to play his first game at the event in the semis on Friday against top seed Dominic Thiem or Roberto Bautista Agut — provided the winner stays fit.
Rublev, however, has kept himself busy in Qatar by reaching the doubles final together with Australian Open singles semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev.
AAP
Source link