Federer Rules and Kvitova Excels
It’s been a week of comebacks. Roger and Kvitova, both players who have performed well in previous years, but were considered out of the running, are back in action and have proven that they are still to be feared when they step onto the tennis court.
Roger just won his ninth Halle title, beating the up and coming youngster Alexander Zverev in the final 6-1, 6-3, and avenged his last year’s loss to Zverev at Halle last year. Roger’s started out perfectly and never lost his stride, routing the young player quickly.
Federer lost in the first round in Stuttgart to Tommy Haas, and people were ready to count Roger out of the running for Wimbledon because of his 10 week break during the clay season. Roger however, put everyone’s doubts to rest with this performance in Halle.
“I was doubting myself a little bit, I must admit, because losing (in the first) round for the first time in 15 years on grass was always going to shake me a little bit and it did. So I’m happy to react right away and let that be forgotten and actually move on and remind myself I actually can play well on grass. It’s a boost for me personally, with my, confidence, knowing that my body is in good shape. Mentally, I’m fresh again and I’ve gotten used to match play,” said Roger.
Zverev’s major problem, as has been pointed out by our writers previously, has been and still is his lack of desire and skills in stepping inside the baseline and approaching the net, and Roger exploited that weakness deftly with well disguised drop-shots which drew Zverev and allowed Roger to dominate points. Sascha could have won his Australian Open match against Nadal if he had ventured inside the baseline and approached the net every now and then. His game becomes very predictable to top players after a while and he will always come short against the very best unless he improves this aspect of his game.
It took Roger a total of 53 minutes to win this match, proving that the maestro is back and in action. With a beautiful backhand volley Roger closed the match, and is on his way to Wimbledon with the confidence of a title in his pocket.
Petra Kvitova is also back as a threat on grass, the surface she has had the most success on. The Aegon Classic was only Kvitova’s second tournament ever since the stabbing incident she had at her home at the end of last year, and Kvitova has bounced back so strong that she defeated Ashleigh Barty 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to win the title.
This was Kvitova’s first grass court final since 2014 Wimbledon, the Czech is performing extremely well, hitting powerful shots from both wings, especially her forehand, which has always been one of her strongest weapons.
More than her game though, Kvitova seems to have gone through a mental transformation. Kvitova has not usually been the epitome of fighting spirit or energy on court, but recently she has shown a lot more spunk in her matches.
“It was nice to lose the first set, and that I had to fight for the second and for the third. It think (it) will give me some extra confidence that I am still able to fight,” Kvitova said.
Kvitova is also immensely enjoying her time on court, focusing on the bigger picture, rather than just tennis. “It’s hard to say anything but I think I’ve been through a very difficult time in my life, and it wasn’t about tennis, but coming back healthy and alive and moving my fingers properly and everything like that.”
With this mental transformation and Kvitova’s game getting back on track, she is sure to go far into the draw at Wimbledon.
Very happy for Kvitova. And of course, go Roger!!
Kvitova is my favorite too for Wimbledon even though she is coming back after a 5 month break. She can rip the ball on grass and her brand of tennis is quite aggressive …
Roger is playing just too good at the moment. Hope he can continue with this for another 3 weeks or so.