Federer Avenges Wimbledon Loss – Takes Top Spot from Anderson in ATP World Tour Finals.

Fans of the Swiss maestro, Roger Federer remember it all too well. Federer had a match point against the tall South African, Kevin Anderson during their quarterfinal match at the 2018 Championships Wimbledon. He was one point away from moving onto the Wimbledon semi-finals with the score at 6-2, 7-6(5), 5-4 and Ad-Out on Anderson’s serve, when Anderson won the point to bring the score back to deuce. He then held serve, won the set, and stole the match in epic-fashion 2-6, 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-4, 13-11. The loss was about as painful as they come for Federer, who was vying for a record-extending ninth title at the All England Club.

Fast forward to the year-end ATP World Tour Finals where Kevin Anderson was in commanding position in his round robin draw with Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori, and Dominic Thiem. Anderson had already triumphed over Dominic Thiem 6-3, 7-6(10) in the first round, and vaporized Kei Nishikori 6-0, 6-1 in the second round.

Meanwhile, Federer was leaving his fan base very nervous after a bad loss to Kei Nishikori 7-6(4), 6-3. This was a player whom Federer had won their last six meetings, and seven of their nine total meetings prior. Additionally, going into his second-round match against Thiem, Federer was in a win-it-to-stay-in-it situation. A loss to Thiem would almost guarantee Federer would not advance to the semi-finals, and the wait for his 100^th tour-level title would continue. However, Federer looked like a new player as he brushed aside the powerful Austrian 6-2, 6-3, and set up a clash with undefeated Kevin Anderson.

The pressure was palpable as another Federer loss to his Wimbledon vanquisher would eliminate him from the tournament he had previously won on six occasions. Conversely, a straight sets win would allow Federer to leap-frog Anderson in the draw, and avoid a highly likely semi-final clash against looming tournament-favorite Novak Djokovic.

Federer came out strong winning the first eight points in a row in his opening two service games, though the match remained tight at 3-3 in the first set. Federer appeared to break away when he broke the Anderson serve for 4-3, only to give the break back with an errant forehand. Federer responded by breaking Anderson at love for the second service game in a row, and proceeded to serve out the set for a 6-4 lead.

The second set was similar to the first and there was no giving from either player until 3-3 when Federer broke. This time, Federer held his own serve to secure a 5-3 lead and placed all the pressure on Anderson to serve to stay in the match. This task proved too difficult for Anderson when a forehand hit the net, handing Federer the straight-set victory.

The win avenges the bitter Wimbledon defeat earlier this year and also hands Federer the top spot in his half of the draw. He now advances to a record 15^th semi-final at the event, and awaits the number two player from the opposing draw.