Federer Needs 10th Halle Title To Stay Atop Rankings
Zeeshan Mehtab Published June 19, 2018 | 02:25 AM
Roger Federer on Monday flew to Halle to start his second consecutive week on grass but will have to fight for a second straight German title if he is to enter Wimbledon as top seed.
Halle Westfalen, Germany, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jun, 2018 ) :Roger Federer on Monday flew to Halle to start his second consecutive week on grass but will have to fight for a second straight German title if he is to enter Wimbledon as top seed.
The weekend winner of the Stuttgart Cup - who owns nine titles in Halle - was welcomed with a cake and ceremony by tournament officials as he prepares to start in the first round against Aljaz Bedene.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion moved back to the top spot through his Stuttgart semi-final place.
But to stay ahead of rival Rafael Nadal he must now win the Halle trophy according to ATP calculations.
That's just fine for the Swiss, confident in his game after claiming his 98th career title on Sunday over Milos Raonic.
"I'm always excited for a challenge," Federer said.
"I'm up for it. I'm the holder here anyway, so my goal has always been to defend the title.
"That might take my mind off of number one a little bit; I have hopes of going a long way this week.
"I want to start out of the blocks quickly. But I also want to enjoy being number one again (sixth time). I don't know how long I'll be there.
"A good step would be to defend the trophy and help myself stay on the top ranking. I did a double-take this morning when I looked at the rankings and saw myself at number one.
"It was a cool moment I'd like to stay there." Japan's Kei Nishikori had to fight through a tiebreaker to start his grass season with a win as he beat Matthias Bachinger.
The seventh seed who has twice played semi-finals at the event, worked for just under 90 minutes to beat his 159th-ranked German opponent 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) and reach the second round.
Yuichi Sugita made it a Japanese double into the second round, beating wild card Maximillian Marterer 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 after two and a quarter hours while holding off a dozen aces from the German.
Nishikori, a former top 10 regular now ranked 27th after wrist injuries last season, was joined as a winner by fourth seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, who beat the second German on the day, putting out Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 6-1.
"It's never easy but I think I played a very solid, decent match," Nishikori said. "He can be dangerous on grass, he came to net well.
"If he had won the second set, it could have been tight, you never know what can happen in the third. I'm happy with how I'm playing and looking forward to the next round.
"Everything is working well but I cannot expect to much coming back from injury. I'm just glad to be back at this level again." Dutchman Robin Haase provided early drama with his 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 comeback victory over Portugal's Joao Sousa.
Roger Federer, who won in Stuttgart on Sunday, returned to Germany after a rapid visit to Switzerland.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner raced home by car Sunday night from southern Germany to watch Switzerland draw Brazil 1-1, then flew to Halle on Monday to prepare for his opening match.
The 36-year-old took back the top ranking form Rafael Nadal for the second time this season on Monday, but, according to the ATP, has to win a record 10th Halle crown if he is to enter Wimbledon on the top world ranking.
sw/dmc
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
Pakistan retains position in FTSE secondary emerging market
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per uni ..
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
Rain-windstorm/thunderstorm likely at various parts of country
Implementation of Sindh Agriculture Workers Act-2019 demanded
Pandemic accord talks heading for extra time
Khawaja reiterates PM commitment to judiciary
More Stories From Sports
-
Tennis: ATP-WTA Miami Open results: collated
9 hours ago -
Pak, NZ T20I series online ticket booking from tomorrow
10 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
10 hours ago -
Nottingham Forest's double European Cup winner Lloyd dies
11 hours ago -
Two more matches decided in Inter College Ramadan T-20 Cup
10 hours ago -
PCB dismisses FICA's claims of unpaid dues in PSL
20 hours ago
-
Sinner and Medvedev book Miami Open semi-final clash
20 hours ago -
Collins and Alexandrova fight into Miami semi-finals
22 hours ago -
Van Aert breaks collarbone, ribs in Flanders fall
1 day ago -
Van Aert in high-speed crash in Around Flanders race
1 day ago -
PCB announces inter-club One-Day tournament
1 day ago -
ICC delegation calls on PCB Chairman
1 day ago