Federer fights back to preserve winning run
Roger Federer came from a set down to take his winning streak to 13 matches with victor y over Marin Cilic at the ATP Finals.
The Swiss superstar had already booked his place in the last four at the O2 Arena as he close sin on a record seventh title, and a first since 2011.
But Fed er er still had his winning run–having-triumphed a this last two tournament sin Shanghai and Basel – to maintain against the man he beat in the Wimbledon final in July.
A set behind and visibly tiring deep into the second, the 36- year- old could surely have been forgiven for taking a rare defeat on the chin and saving himself for tomorrow.
Yet, ever the perfectionist, Federer dug deep to run out a 6-7(5/7),6-4,6-1 winner ahead of his 14 th semifinal in 15 appearance sat the Finals.
WithCilic already eliminated at the group stage and the match a dead rubber, the first set was a distinctly sleepy affair once Cilic had saved three break points in the opening game.
In the almost inevitable tie - break a Federer double fault handed Cilic an early advantage but the world No 2 quickly repaired the damage.
However, a devastating return and volley gave Cil - ic set point which he duly secured with a thumping cross- court forehand.
Winning this meeting would have hardly served as revenge for his painful straight- sets defeat just up the road at SW 19, but you would not have known it as Cilic celebrated every bludgeoning winner with a pumping clenched fist.
Break points were exchanged, and repelled, at the star t of the third but when, in the tenth game, a tired-looking shot flopped into the foot of the net, Federer looked ready to call it quits.
Instead, he reeled off the next four points to secure the break and take the match into a decider.
Suddenly the fight appeared to have drained from Cilic, who had also been in winning position against his other group opponents, Alexander Zverev and Jack Sock, only to lose both matches.
And 25 minutes later the world No 5 was put out of his miser y as Federer marched on into his last-four date with either Dominic Thiem or David Goffin.