Sunday Mail (UK)

Goffin’s stunner for Fed

SPORTS LOG

-

Roger Federer’s bid for a seventh ATP Finals title came to an end after a shock 2- 6 6-3 6-4 defeat by Belgian David Goffin at London’s O2 Arena.

The Swiss superstar had only lost four matches in 2017 but this defeat denied him the chance to register an eighth title of the year, and a 96th career victory.

The world No. 2 had dropped sets to Alexander Zverev and Marin Ci l ic earlier in the tournament but it seemed to be business as usual as he took the first set in just 33 minutes.

However, No. 7 seed Goffin, who had only taken two sets off Federer in their six previous meetings, broke serve early in the second.

And he proved that was no f luke by comfortabl­y serving out the set.

And in the third set Goffin secured a break in the third game which he never looked like relinquish­ing.

The Belgian said: “That was such a special moment and something I cannot describe.” There are just two shots between Britons Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood after both posted nearperfec­t third-round 65s to set up a final-day shootout today in the Race to Dubai.

Rose has the edge, leading the DP World Tour Championsh­ip on 15 under par by one shot from South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli and Spain’s Jon Rahm.

Fleetwood is on 13 under along with another South African, Dean Burmester.

A win by either Rose, second in the standings before this tournament, or leader Fleetwood would guarantee either the Race to Dubai title and the £950,000 bonus.

Rose would also win by f inishing second, if he is ahead of Fleetwood, and could still claim the end-ofseason accolade by finishing as low as fifth if he finishes higher than his compatriot.

“There’s a hunger and motivation there,” Rose said. “It’s about playing good golf today and with a one-shot lead, there’s no strategy. It’s just about playing well.”

 ??  ?? SHOCK WIN Goffin
SHOCK WIN Goffin

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom