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.”
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