Federer takes the honours against Williams in first clash between grand-slam-winning titans
Roger Federer took the honours in the much-anticipated mixed doubles clash with fellow great Serena Williams in what the latter described as the “match of her career” at the Hopman Cup yesterday.
In the biggest mixed doubles drawcard in the 31-year history of the tournament in Perth, in what is expected to be its final edition, Federer teamed with Belinda Bencic to win the match in straight sets under the Fast4 format and clinch the Group B tie for Switzerland.
With 43 grand slam singles titles (Williams 23, Federer 20) and more than US$200 million (Dh734m) in prize money between them, the two 37-yearolds had welcomed the chance to face each other on the court in an official match for the first time.
As it turned out, the tie was decided by the mixed doubles, after both Federer and Williams won their earlier singles matches. In front of a capacity crowd of 14,064, Federer and Bencic largely capitalised on the mixed doubles inexperience of Williams’ teammate, Francis Tiafoe, to clinch the deciding rubber 4-2, 4-3.
Williams, who seemed to be troubled by her right shoulder during the match but said it was not a concern, was disappointed her doubles experience did not give the Americans the edge.
However, it could not take the gloss off the experience of facing Federer for the first, and almost certainly the only, time. “I was so excited and literally it was the match of my career,” said Williams, who had arrived in Perth after playing against sister Venus at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.
“Playing someone so great and that you admire so much in a match that actually means something. It is really great and special to go against the greatest of all time.”
Federer said he was thrilled to play against one of the few players with more grand slam titles. “I really enjoyed playing against Serena, what an honour and pleasure,” he said. “I was nervous returning because people talk about her serve so much.
“It was great fun, she is a great champion, you see how focused and determined she is and I love that about her.”
In his singles match, Federer scored successive wins to start the new season with an impressive 6-4, 6-1 victory over Frances Tiafoe. “It’s been a great start to the season for me, I found a way and I have to be happy right now,” Federer said. “It’s about staying fit and healthy and managing the game day by day.”
Williams defeated world No 54 Bencic 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. “It was definitely a relief,” Williams said of the result. “She played really well but I knew I could play better.”
If defending champions Switzerland beat Greece tomorrow, they will be through to the final.