Swiss star fails to bury chances en route to quick Dubai departure
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Sluggish Roger Federer blamed a “crazy” failure to bury three match points as the main reason for his stunning three-set loss to Russian qualifier Evgeny Donskoy in Dubai on Wednesday.
Former world No 1 Federer, 35, who lifted his 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, had match points in the second-set tiebreak and also led 5-1 in the third-set breaker.
But world-ranked No 116 Donskoy battled back to stun thethirdseedandsetupaquarterfinal clash against Lucas Pouille of France with a thrilling 3-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) victory.
“I surprised everyone today. I think whoever wins against Roger surprises himself,” said Donskoy, 26.
“I can say it’s a dream come true, because you always want to win, even if it’s Roger.”
Adding to the challenge for the Russian was playing against Federer for the first time.
“It was really tough in the beginning, because it was too much pressure,” Donskoy said. “Because it’s Roger, and I never even practice with him.”
It was just the third time since 2007 that Federer lost to a qualifier.
“I just never really got going tonight and sort of felt tired and heavy. But look, those matches happen frequently, where you just got to somehow find a way to come through,” said the Swiss legend, who was chasing a record eighth title at the Dubai Championships.
“I was convinced that if I came through I was going to feel better tomorrow. I came (to Dubai) early. I was perfectly prepared, it’s just a tough loss. So many chances. It was crazy.”
Federer, who saw his eightmatch win streak in 2017 ended, did not want to make excuses and said it had nothing to do with a leg injury picked up at the Australian Open, where he beat old foe Rafael Nadal in the final in his last appearance before Dubai.
“I just think it’s still the beginning of the comeback and I’ve got to take the positives out of playing again a tournament where I feel I’m quite healthy. I’m just happy I got over the injury I sustained at the Australian Open,” he said.
Federer led 5-1 in the thirdset tiebreaker, but Donskoy refused to fold.
“I had my chances,” Federer said. “I should have somehow closed it out. I don’t know how it got away, but he did very well, and, yeah, it’s a rough one for sure.”
Federer, who skipped last year’s tournament because of
Top seed Andy Murray had no such trouble and said he was getting closer to his best as he hammered Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-0 to surge into the quarters.
With the quick win, the world No 1 lined up a Thursday match with Philipp Kohlschreiber after the German beat Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-4.
“It was very tough at the start, we both had chances in those early games,” said Murray, who has never won the Dubai showpiece.
“I played very well. I served better today than in the previous round. I’m certainly playing better than I did at the start of the year. Everything worked well tonight.
“I moved well and I was focused throughout. I didn’t give away any cheap points.”
Murray and second-round victim Garcia-Lopez had not faced off since 2012, with the Spaniard winning their last meeting at Indian Wells.
But there was never a hint of a repeat. After the first four games took half an hour, the pace picked up, with Murray winning the first set.
He tightened his grip, losing just one point on his serve in the second set on his way to a dominant victory.