Swiss Bliss: Roger Federer & Belinda Bencic defend their Hopman Cup title

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Roger Federer has won the Mastercard Hopman Cup for a record third time after Switzerland beat Germany in a winner-takes-all point on Saturday night.

Federer gave Switzerland a 1-0 lead in the tie with a 6-4 6-2 win over world No.4 Alexander Zverev on Saturday.

But Kerber levelled the tie with a 6-4 7-6 (6) win over Bencic in the women’s singles rubber.

Switzerland then came up trumps 4-0 1-4 4-3 (4) in the deciding mixed doubles that came down to the final point.

Under the short sets format, the match is decided by a winner-takes-all point if scores are locked at 4-4 in the third-set tiebreak.

Germany failed to convert a championship point before it reached that stage, and they again faltered when everything was on the line, with Zverev hitting the ball into the net to spark Switzerland’s celebrations.

Federer’s three Mastercard Hopman Cup titles is more than any other player.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion first won the Hopman Cup in 2001, when he teamed with Martina Hingis to beat the US.

The 37-year-old won his second crown alongside Bencic last year, beating Zverev and Kerber.

And it was the exact same script this year, with Federer winning his singles match in the final before helping clinch the deciding rubber in the mixed doubles.

“I’m very happy about these records, but I didn’t come here for that,” Federer said.

“What a thrill it was – not just the match point, but also the whole match and the whole week.

“It’s great fun. I’m happy, I’m proud to represent my country. It’s been a super pleasure teaming with Belinda.

Federer was simply unstoppable in his singles rubber, countering the power of Zverev with classy stroke play and unpredictable deftness.

Zverev unleashed a series of powerful serves, some of which exceeded 220 km/h.

But Federer snared the crucial break in the 10th game of the first set, before breaking the young German again early in the second set on the way to the 70-minute win.

Federer has beaten Frances Tiafoe, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Cameron Norrie, and Zverev in straight sets at the Hopman Cup, giving him an excellent preparation for his Australian Open title defence.

“I’m happy I’m feeling this good and playing as well as I am,” Federer said.

“It’s good to finish on a singles performance like this. I’m a bit surprised that the matches have gone as well as they have.”

The victory ensured Switzerland’s fourth Mastercard Hopman Cup title in total, the nation’s first trophy secured by Manuela Maleeva-Fragniere and Jakob Hlasek in 1992.

Federer and Bencic were the first pair in the event’s 31-year history to return to defend a title.

hopmancup.com

2019 is starting off just like 2018 for Roger :). 

I actually felt sorry for Sasha and Angie this time, they actually had championship point and yet somehow Roger and Belinda managed to get out of it and play that one last amazing point to win it. 

I really hope they keep this event. Where else will you see Federer play mixed doubles like this. So special. 

Roger Federer eyes more Hopman Cup history

Asked often about his enduring relationship with the Mastercard Hopman Cup, Roger Federer is quick to point out that it’s even longer than many people think.

“I was even a hitting partner, too, way back when before I (officially) played,” says Federer, a winner for Switzerland alongside Martina Hingis on his debut in 2001, and with Belinda Bencic 17 years later.

“I’ve come here actually six times and always had great partners … I’ve just really enjoyed myself here.”

It’s a response that says many things about the much-loved champion, who teams with Bencic when Switzerland faces Germany in the final today.

Firstly, there’s the attention to detail that’s also translated into one of the greatest-ever tennis careers, Federer the winner of an unparalleled 20 Grand Slams among 99 titles overall.

Secondly, there’s his natural instinct to honour history. “I love when they honour great people like Harry Hopman,” says Federer. “And Lucy Hopman did such a wonderful job for so many years (as) the patron of the tournament.”

But arguably most pertinent is that, like his millions of fans globally, Federer is astonished that he remains such a force after more than two decades on tour.

“I’m happy I’m still on tour and feeling as good as I feel right now,” says Federer, now 37, relating that a positive off-season was helped by how happily he anticipates his annual visit to Australia.

“It’s a place that’s given me some good feelings for the rest of the season and I love playing in Australia,” he stresses.

“People know that here. I’ve good friends here in this country.”

And that happy relationship translates superbly to his already-sublime tennis.

The winner of his 18th Grand Slam title at Australian Open 2017 after earlier making his highly anticipated return from injury at Mastercard Hopman Cup, Federer has only added to those milestones in recent years.

Taking in two consecutive Australian Open triumphs, a perfect singles run at Mastercard Hopman Cup 2018 and again so far this year, Federer has won 21 straight matches on Australian soil.

It’s won’t escape Federer’s careful notice that the last time he lost a singles match in Australia was to Zverev, as their 2017 round robin encounter was determined in three tiebreak sets.

It adds an intriguing element to today’s final – as does the loss Federer experienced to the German in the semifinals of the elite ATP Finals.

It was Zverev’s third win in six tour matches against the Swiss star, who notes that the 21-year-old is showing further improvements in Perth.

“I think Zverev’s coming in better prepared this year than last year,” he admits.

“Last year he did a ton of fitness coming into the Hopman Cup, so maybe his game was still lacking a little bit.

“I think that’s not the case this time around and he’s a different player.”

But Federer, too, will take confidence from the momentum he’s already established in the new year.

Claiming every set contested against Cameron Norrie, Frances Tiafoe and Stefanos Tsitsipas, the focus now is to keep producing that same form.

“For me it’s about maintaining a good level of play,” he says.

“I’m happy with we’re my game’s at.”


For world No.54 Bencic, the challenge is perhaps more complicated when she faces world no.2 Kerber.

But while the 21-year-old has suffered singles losses this week to Serena Williams and Maria Sakkari, there’s a confidence boost in leading the head-to-head record 3-1 against Kerber.

The German’s lone win was in their last encounter at 2018 Wimbledon, which Kerber notably went on to win.

A powerful motivator for the Swiss is the significance of a fourth Mastercard Hopman Cup title for their nation. Doing so would make Federer the first player in history to feature in three winning Hopman Cup teams.

“It would be great, you know,”he said of defending Switzerland’s 2018 title. “I think you could see on both our faces what (winning last year) meant to us. It definitely kick-started the season.”

Such milestones only add to the motivation that’s critical after so many years on tour.

For all the memories that Federer has built in his long Hopman Cup history, there’s more to be created yet.

hopmancup.com

Roger Federer's win over Tsitsipas guides Switzerland into Hopman Cup Final

Roger Federer has guided defending champions Switzerland to the Hopman Cup final after beating Greek world No.15 Stefanos Tsitsipas at RAC Arena tonight.

World No.3 Federer edged past Tsitsipas 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) to advance his country into a second consecutive tournament decider at Perth’s unique ITF mixed teams event.

Greece needed to win tonight’s tie 3-0 to be any chance of qualifying for the final from Group B, Federer’s victory enough to snuff out their challenge.

Federer and partner Belinda Bencic will square off in the final on Saturday against the winner of tomorrow night’s clash between Germany and Australia.

The 37-year-old had his toughest test yet at Hopman Cup 31, digging deep to find a way past Tsitsipas in front of another near sell-out crowd.

Just seven points went against the server in the first 12 games, the scores locked at 6-6 after 35 minutes to take the first set into a tiebreaker.

Tsitsipas didn’t take a backward step, hitting freely to race to a 4-1 lead.

It was the signal for Federer to strike back, winning four consecutive points against the emerging Greek star.

Tsitsipas held his next service point for 5-5 but a double fault and Federer ace helped the Swiss maestro claim the first set.

Both players continued to hold serve easily in the second set, consecutive aces in the middle of the seventh game helping Tsitsipas to a 4-3 lead.

Stepping up his game when it counted, Federer produced a remarkable drop on the ninth point of the second set tiebreak to set up victory.

Federer said he was pleased to have a chance to claim a third Hopman Cup title.

“That was always the goal, to get to the final,” Federer said.

“On top of it I’m playing well.”

World No.41 Maria Sakkari took the tie to a deciding FAST4 mixed doubles match, levelling with an upset 6-3 6-4 win against Bencic.

Realising Switzerland had already won through to the final before her match, Sakkari said she still wanted to play well against Bencic.

“It was a great match for both of us,” Sakkari said.

“It doesn’t really count but I wanted to go out there and give everything, especially for my team, for Stefanos and the rest of the Greeks here.

“I think I played well.”

perthnow.com.au

Tennis legends sharing a love-fest on court at Hopman Cup

This is too good not to share. 

Not often you get to hear Serena and Roger compliment each other on the same court. 

Such a love-fest. 

Granted I've made my opinions on Serena pretty clear over the years, but I have also given her credit for all she has accomplished.  

Roger Federer & Serena Williams met on court for the first time at Hopman Cup in Perth

Roger Federer Facebook

Hopman Cup Facebook

Roger Federer's Switzerland beat Serena Williams' USA as the two tennis greats met on court for the first time at the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia.

Federer and Belinda Bencic beat Williams and Frances Tiafoe 4-2 4-3 (5-3) in a mixed-doubles contest to secure a 2-1 win in the round-robin tie.

Federer and Williams, both 37, earlier won their respective singles matches.

"It was great fun. I really enjoyed playing against Serena. What an honour," said Federer.

"I was nervous returning because people talk about her serve so much. I know why they say it now, she has a wonderful serve.

"She's a great champion, you see how focused she is and I love that about her."

Federer and Williams have won a combined 43 Grand Slam singles titles, and have spent a combined 621 weeks at world number one.

The match had been described as the most anticipated contest involving a male and female player since the 'Battle of the Sexes' in 1973, when 39-time Grand Slam champion Billie Jean King beat former men's world number one Bobby Riggs in straight sets.

"It was a great experience. I'm sad it's over, I was just warming up," said Williams.

"It was so fun to do this at the pinnacle of our careers.

"The guy is great. He's the greatest of all time. There's a reason why he is so great. He has a killer serve. I've watched him all the time but I never realised how good it was. Maybe I could get some tips from him later on."

Before the mixed-doubles contest, Federer beat Tiafoe 6-4 6-1 before Williams levelled the tie with a 4-6 6-4 6-3 victory over Bencic.

The Hopman Cup comprises two singles and a mixed doubles match between nations in a round-robin format with two groups of four. The winners of each group will contest Saturday's final.

Defending champions Switzerland play Greece in their final round-robin match on Thursday while the USA face Great Britain's Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter.

BBC.com

What a way to start 2019.  Two legends of the sport sharing the same court.

Happy New Year indeed. 

This was fun.  

We'll probably never see it again, which makes it that much more special. 

Tennis players shine at Hopman Cup NYE Gala

Team Switzerland looking spffy I think they win best dressed but I'm biased

 Team Greece

 Team Germany

 Team Spain

 Team France

 Team Australia

Team USA

Team Great Britain 

Defending Champions Roger Federer & Belinda Bencic make winning return at Hopman Cup

Roger Federer outplayed Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-1, 6-1 to secure a winning start for the defending champions Switzerland at the Hopman Cup in Perth on Sunday .

Gearing up for his Australian Open title defence, Federer overcame three break points in his opening service game before rediscovering his rhythm to race to a 5-0 lead.

With 18 winners and four aces, Federer wrapped up the opening set in 31 minutes as Norrie struggled to match Federer’s crisp stroke-making.

Federer’s playing partner Belinda Bencic beat Katie Boulter 6-2, 7-6 in the women’s contest to clinch Switzerland’s victory in the round-robin stage.

The 37-year-old Federer, has won the last two Australian Open titles after taking part in the mixed-team tournament in Perth. “This was a great start but obviously there’s a long way to go here and in Melbourne,” the world No 3 said. “It’s nice I’m feeling as good as I am and played a wonderful match against Cameron.”

Switzerland play USA on New Year’s Day, with Federer, a 20-times grand slam winner, set to play the 23-times grand slam winner Serena Williams in the mixed doubles. The match pits arguably the two greatest players of all time against each other in their first contest on court.

Norrie, the world No 91, beat the Greek world No 15 Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets for the biggest win of his career on Saturday. Great Britain return to Hopman Cup action on Thursday.

“I admire everything she has done both on and off the court,” Federer said. “I have always thought how is it to return that serve and go head-to-head with her.

“It’s very exciting for us. I hope tennis fans tune in and watch it because it’s going to be one time and probably never again in this type of competition.

“I don’t know her that well. I only know her from some champions’ dinners at Wimbledon. We have busy lives and a big entourage, so it’s rare to really deep dive. We can relate to each other more so now, being parents.”

Last year’s runners-up Germany made a triumphant return when Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber recorded hard-fought victories in their singles matches.

Coming off a title win at the season-ending ATP Finals in London, Zverev countered his 45 unforced errors with 39 winners and eight aces to beat Spain’s David Ferrer 6-4, 4-6, 7-6.

After the match, Zverev paid tribute to former world No 3, who will retire next year at the age of 36. “All the credit is [to] David, coming back from a set down and break down,” Zverev said.

“He is the greatest fighter, maybe, that we have ever seen in tennis. What he has done in tennis over the past 15 or 20 years has been absolutely amazing.”

Kerber, the world No 2, beat Garbiñe Muguruza 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to end a five-match losing streak against the two-times grand slam winner.

theguardian.com

Roger Federer excited to face Serena Williams at Hopman Cup in Perth

Roger Federer is relishing the chance to play against Serena Williams as he begins his 2019 season at the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia.

Federer enjoyed another sensational year on the ATP Tour in 2018, the Swiss native winning four titles, including a 20th Grand Slam at the Australian Open.


Despite turning 37 in August, Federer claimed 48 wins across the year and continues to flourish, something he hopes to carry into 2019.

First up is the mixed-team exhibition event in Australia where Federer will look to defend Switzerland's title with Belinda Bencic.

The group stage of the event will see Federer and Bencic face Williams and United States teammate Frances Tiafoe, and it is a match the world No. 3 cannot wait for.


"We'll probably play it down a little bit and say it's not that big of a deal for us, it's just another tennis match, but it really isn't because it's probably going to happen once and never again," Federer said. "That's why I hope we're both going to be injury free when that day comes around."

Federer will use the event as part of his Australian Open preparation, where he is looking for a third successive title, and he says his training has been going well.

"I've been very happy with how the offseason went," he added. "The last three or four weeks have been very intense. I'm very excited and motivated for this next season.

"A lot of things need to happen to win any slam. I hope that again it will be the start of a great season for me because the last two seasons have been crazy good for me."

sportingnews.com

Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic win 3rd Hopman Cup for Switzerland!

2001

 2018

Roger Federer Tumblr

World No.2 Roger Federer paid tribute to Martina Hingis on the way to winning his second Hopman Cup crown.

Federer gave Switzerland a perfect start in the final against Germany by coming from a set down to beat world No.4 Alexander Zverev 6-7 (4-7) 6-0 6-2 on Saturday night.

But former world No.1 and Australian Open champion Angelique Kerberlevelled the tie for Germany with a 6-4 6-1 thumping of Belinda Bencic in a match that lasted just 63 minutes.

Switzerland secured the title by winning the Fast4 mixed doubles 4-3 (5-3) 4-2.

Federer was just 19 when he won the Hopman Cup in 2001 alongside then world No.1 Hingis.

Since then, he has won a record 19 grand slams to cement himself as a legend of the sport.

Federer paid tribute to the influence Hingis had on paving the way for his decorated career.

"She had a great career and to have that in a small country like Switzerland is very rare," Federer said.

"I could look up to her and think, 'Wow, how is she being so mentally strong and so consistent at such a young age and I can't do that yet in practice and in the matches, let alone week in week out'.

"It made me also believe with hard work and dedication you get really far, because I didn't believe that much at that point when I was younger, I thought it was more all talent."

Switzerland now have three Hopman Cup titles to their name.

Germany have two - their last coming in 1995 when Boris Becker and Anke Huber beat Ukraine in the final.

A record attendance of 106,424 fans attended this summer's Hopman Cup.

The previous record was 104,468 set back in 2013.

Federer won all four of his singles matches at the Hopman Cup, and is full of confidence heading into his Australian Open defence.

espn.com

Roger Federer & Belinda Bencic going for Swiss perfection reach finals of Hopman Cup for the first time since 2001

Roger Federer Facebook

Federer set the Swiss on their way with an entertaining 7-6 7-5 victory over Jack Sock, before Belinda Bencic took out CoCo Vandeweghe in two hard -fought sets to give the Europeans an unassailable 2-0 lead.


Switzerland are looking to win the Hopman Cup for the second time, following their success back in 2001, when Martina Hingis partnered Federer, and 16 years later, the evergreen Swiss, alongside Belinda Bencic, is on the verge of giving the country her second title. The Federer-Bencic combination is featuring at the Hopman Cup for the second straight year- they finished second in the round-robin phase last season, narrowing losing out to eventual champions, France, but the likeable duo have been on a mission to make amends for their 2017 shortcomings, moving through to the final without losing any rubbers.


Opting to begin his season at the more relaxed atmosphere of the Hopman Cup, Federer will surely have appreciated the workout he has had so far. The opposition has got progressively more difficult, from a routine win over Yuichi Sugita in his opening match, to his hard-fought straight-sets conquest of the big-hitting Karen Khachanov, and then Thursday night’s gripping win over Sock.


Federer had all the early chances against Sock, failing to convert a 15-40 lead at 2-1 and a 0-40 lead at 3-2, with the resolute American opponent across the net coming up with some big forehands, and clever work at the net to stay with Federer. Sock tidied up his serve, and held more comfortably after that, carving out a break point in the ninth and eleventh games, but the set ultimately went into a tie break, with Federer taking early control with two mini-breaks for a 3-0 lead. Sock refused to go away, and evened the breaker at 4-4, but Federer won three of the next four points to take the opening set.


Federer’s break-point conversion woes continued at the start of the second set, with the Swiss missing out of another 15-40 opening at 1-1, but he eventually found his way late in the set in a moment of inspiration. With Sock crowding the net and volleying Federer from side to side, the great Swiss showed fantastic athleticism to cover the baseline before unfurling a magical forehand on the run that was too hot to handle for a bewildered Sock. It was so good that it drew a gasp, and then a giggle from Federer himself. That helped Federer to a 6-5 lead, and the Swiss went on to serve out a thrilling 7-6 7-5 victory after an hour and 35 minutes.


“I’ve maintained a high level in all three matches, which is a great thing. This was another step up in terms of ranking and I thought it was a very entertaining match for both of us and we got to interact with the crowd, which was great. I thought it was a good step forward”, Federer said.


“It was a lot of fun. We sort of get the opportunity to try out things in the right fashion, without the chase of so many ATP points”.


With Switzerland 1-0 up from the men’s singles, Belinda Bencic ensured that the Swiss will finish top of the group, and take their place in Saturday’s final with a very impressive 7-6 6-4 victory over world number 10, CoCo Vandeweghe. There wasn’t much to separate the pair, but it was Bencic who played the big points better, holding her nerve to close out the win.


Bencic may be ranked outside the top 70 at the moment, but it is surely just a matter of time before she attains a spot much closer to her career-high No. 7 spot. The 20-year-old has had a rough deal with injuries in recent years, dropping outside the top 300 in September, but a relentless run of form at the back end of last season yielding WTA 125K titles in Hua Hin and Taipei, and an ITF meet in Dubai propelled the Swiss to a year-end ranking of 74. She has carried on from where she left off in 2018, beating three quality opponents in the Hopman Cup. Bencic opened with a straight-sets victory over Naomi Osaka, before edging out world number 15, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets. However, Thursday’s victory over Vandeweghe was arguably her most impressive effort this week.


Bencic came through a rollercoaster opening set on a tie break, before breaking early in the second set to take control of the match. Vandeweghe made one last push when Bencic served at 4-3, building up a 15-40 lead, but the Swiss kept her composure remarkably to emerge with four straight points. Two games later, she closed out a fine win, sealing the deal with a forehand drive volley.


Federer and Bencic then joined forces in the mixed doubles to defeat Sock and Vandeweghe, as Switzerland went 9-0 in their 2018 Hopman Cup rubbers.


Switzerland will know their next opponents when Group A is decided on Friday, with Germany, Belgium and hosts, Australia all in with a chance of winning the group.

livetennis.com

Roger Federer secures Hopman Cup final for Switzerland in Perth

Roger Federer Facebook

Roger Federer has set his sights on Hopman Cup glory after guiding Switzerland into Saturday's final in Perth.

Switzerland secured its spot in the tournament decider of the mixed-teams event after Federer and Belinda Bencic won their singles matches against the United States last night.

Federer, the reigning men's Australian Open champion, beat Jack Sock 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 in front of a record Hopman Cup crowd of 14,029 at Perth Arena, before Bencic defeated world number 10 CoCo Vandeweghe 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.

Germany, boasting world number four Alexander Zverev, will also qualify for the final if it beats Australia today.

If Germany loses, it will open the door for Belgium to sneak into the final.

Federer was just 19 when he won the Hopman Cup in 2001 alongside Martina Hingis.

He narrowly missed out on making the final with Bencic last year, but now has the chance to add a second Hopman crown to his bulging trophy cabinet.

"That would be special," Federer said.

"It would be lovely to win again."

Bencic was thrilled to make the decider.

"We were so close last year. I am relieved we made it," Bencic said.

Sock, who retired from his singles match against Japan on Tuesday with a hip injury, put up a good fight against Federer in the opening set, sending it to a tiebreak.

The two players had enjoyed some playful banter up until that point, and it continued in the tiebreak when Federer climbed over the net to help lift up Sock after the American took a tumble.

Federer won the tiebreak, and secured the crucial break in the 11th game of the second set following an epic rally that had the Swiss scrambling to all parts of the court.

"All I remember was the last two shots — the pick-up on the backhand, and the forehand on the run down the line where he ends up not making the volley," Federer said.

Sock said he had not felt too far away from taking at least a set off Federer.

"You got to play high quality against him or else you are going to get dusted, and it's going to be pretty embarrassing out there," he said.

"You better bring your best stuff or it's no fun playing him. I thought I served well today for the most part.

"He came up with an unbelievable point to break in the second set."

abc.net.au

Roger Federer edges closer to Hopman Cup final in Perth

Roger Federer Tumblr

Roger Federer edged closer to a second Hopman Cup title when Switzerland beat Russia in the Hopman Cup tie at Perth Arena on Tuesday night.

Federer opened up with a hard-fought 6-3 7-6(8) win against Karen Khachanov, while partner Belinda Bencic outlasted Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1 3-6 6-3 to seal the tie victory.

The Swiss maestro started tentatively and was broken in the first game of the match by the Russian world No.45 in front of a record crowd of 13,943.

But Federer regained his composure quickly, immediately breaking back to level at 1-1.

The 36-year-old was down a break point in his next service game, but regrouped to take a commanding 4-1 lead.

The world No.2 closed out the first set in 29 minutes, before fighting off a brave challenge from Khachanov to take the match in 77 minutes.

The Swiss maestro praised Khachanov, describing him as a tough opponent in a clash that “had a bit of everything”.

“I thought the intensity was great and the level high too,” Federer said.

“It was a bit of a serving exhibition for 45 minutes or so and then at the end the tiebreaker was close.

“It was a good match overall and I was very happy with my performance.”

Federer claimed his first Hopman Cup title in 2001, teaming with fellow teenager Martina Hingis to beat Americans Jan-Michael Gambill and Monica Seles 2-1 in the final.

The win proved the start of a stellar career, with Federer claiming his first ATP later that year in Milan.

The 36-year-old has gone on to claim 19 Grand Slam titles, and won the Australian Open and a record eighth Wimbledon title last year after launching his campaign in Perth.

Federer’s hopes of a title defence at Melbourne Park later this month have been boosted with leading rivals Andy Murray (hip), Rafael Nadal (knee), Novak Djokovic (elbow), Kei Nishikori (wrist), Jack Sock (hip), Milos Raonic (wrist) and Stan Wawrinka (knee) all battling injury.

Federer expected world No.8 Sock to recover in time to take his place when Switzerland and USA clash on Thursday night.

Each have won two ties at Hopman Cup 30, with the winner set to advance to Saturday’s final.

“I think with a days rest he should be ok again tomorrow, at least I hope so,” Federer said.

“That’s the echoes I am hearing through the corridor.”

thewest.com.au

Roger Federer makes triumphant return to court at Hopman Cup

World No 2 Federer beat Japan's Yuichi Sugita 6-4 6-3 in the Hopman Cup today.

It was the Swiss star’s first match of the new campaign as he gets ready for the Australian Open.

Federer won in Melbourne in 2017 after spending six months out with injury.

He competed for the majority of the 2017 campaign and is already tipped to claim more Grand Slam titles in the coming one.

And he admits he’s already found his rhythm after just one match, having struggled to do the same 12 months ago.

This year I feel much more in a rhythm," said Federer on hopmancup.com.

"You get to break point or the moment where you have to serve the first time of the year, and it's a normal thing.

"Whereas last year, I was like, 'Ooh, I hope I'm going to be able to hit my first serves, and I hope it's going to work out as much as it did in the practice'.

"I'm just very happy I was able to have a good level today, and stay calm under pressure.

“I had some good moments moving forward and playing up in the court.

“That's how I want to play for the year. I think it was a great start."

express.co.uk

And he also won his mixed doubles at Hopman Cup with Belinda Bencic as well. 

Things are shaping up well for Australian Open and another good year :).

Roger Federer hits the beach in Perth before Hopman Cup

Roger Federer loved the off-court outings on his return to Mastercard Hopman Cup in 2017; but if there one was sight the Swiss star didn’t quite manage it was of the famous quokka, despite a visit to the iconic Rottnest Island last year.

So Federer made it a priority to acquaint himself with the local wildlife on his return to Rottnest this time around. Arriving by helicopter and greeted by fans and officials – including West Australian premier Mark McGowan – the highlight of Federer’s afternoon was undoubtedly the selfie he snapped with the famous marsupial.

“I thought it was going to be like a bigger mouse but it’s more like a smaller kangaroo.” said Federer. “But it’s very cute.”

Later, Premier McGowan presented Federer with a toy quokka, appropriately named “Roger”, to pass on to his young family.

Federer also talked to media abroad luxury yacht Anya and enjoyed some local cuisine in a picture perfect afternoon.

hopmancup.com

SO jealous!