Sports
Benderer on fire!
Updated : Jan 03, 2018, 09:56 AM IST
Roger Federer subdued a feisty Karen Khachanov while Belinda Bencic outlasted Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to help Switzerland beat Russia 3-0 in the Hopman Cup on Tuesday.
Federer won 6-3 7-6(8) as his Australian Open preparation gained momentum but the 19-times grand slam champion was pushed hard in the second set by the 21-year-old in front of a record crowd of 13,943 at the Perth Arena.
Playing with little inhibition and plenty of power, Khachanov broke Federer early on before the Swiss switched gears to march ahead and take the opening set in 29 minutes.
Federer, who beat Khachanov in straight sets at Halle last year in their only previous meeting, showed his experience in the second-set tie breaker that swung back and forth and clinched the contest on his third match point.
"It was nice to see him free swinging the entire match, which isn't easy to do," Federer said of his opponent. "I remember those days, match point down, you go for it, you don't care. That is what you have to remind yourselves sometimes when you're older, to go for it. He mixed up the play well, so it was a tough match for me.
"The tiebreak was close, it was good to play that early on in the season, to play those nervy situations with the pulse up high, you're sweating loads. The match had a bit of everything, so I'm very happy with the performance."
Bencic had a tougher outing against world number 15 Pavlyuchenkova but prevailed 6-1 3-6 6-3 before teaming up with Federer to win the mixed doubles dead rubber.
Earlier, the United States scored a 2-1 win over Japan after Naomi Osaka was too ill to participate. Osaka's withdrawal gave CoCo Vandeweghe a 6-0 6-0 victory in their singles match.
Japan drew level after Jack Sock retired while trailing against Yuichi Sugita but Osaka's absence meant the Americans were awarded a 4-0 4-0 win in the deciding mixed doubles rubber.
We're ready to go at the #HopmanCup! @rogerfederer vs @karenkhachanov.
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Watch LIVE on the #7Tennis app: https://t.co/rHeId6I4CQ pic.twitter.com/ElXoFZqykE
@karenkhachanov breaks @rogerfederer in the very first game!
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Watch LIVE on the #7Tennis app: https://t.co/rHeId6I4CQ pic.twitter.com/kcQLBJzlwF
Andddd @rogerfederer breaks right back.
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Watch LIVE on the #7Tennis app: https://t.co/rHeId6I4CQ pic.twitter.com/RehNpCaN1N
Is there anything better than a @rogerfederer backhand? #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/RTFpI7ByJM
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
"I can't take it, it's so nerve-wracking!" - @rogerfederer
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Watch LIVE on the #7Tennis app: https://t.co/rHeId6I4CQ pic.twitter.com/TjWv7tmR6G
@rogerfederer looking sharp as ever tonight vs @karenkhachanov.
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Watch LIVE on the #7Tennis app: https://t.co/rHeId6I4CQ pic.twitter.com/DUQ0z1VrKu
The human highlight reel at it again. @rogerfederer
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Watch LIVE on the #7Tennis app: https://t.co/rHeId6I4CQ pic.twitter.com/dJ6XGPFAnh
Volley masterclass courtesy of @rogerfederer
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Watch LIVE on the #7Tennis app: https://t.co/rHeId6I4CQ pic.twitter.com/tCd0mJPFXw
Who would've thought!? The match finishes with a successful challenge from the world's worst challenger - @rogerfederer. He wins 6-3 7-6 vs @karenkhachanov. #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/pasW8eWFn0
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Sound up!
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Stop it, #Perth, you're making @rogerfederer blush!#7Tennis #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/2QDqzSWx42
"You're beautiful, Roger!"
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
They're a tight team unit this team!
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Watch them in action vs in Fast4 mixed doubles next on the screens of 7 and the #7Tennis app: https://t.co/rHeId6I4CQ pic.twitter.com/xSa78AwC1e
Awesome rally! Fast4 mixed doubles is LIVE on the #7Tennis app: https://t.co/rHeId6I4CQ pic.twitter.com/L1gctxD5eF
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Battle of the reflexes and @BelindaBencic wins out. #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/1uXMH7B0aP
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
@rogerfederer ends the 1st set with an ace!
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Watch the 2nd set LIVE on the #7Tennis app: https://t.co/rHeId6I4CQ pic.twitter.com/uHG9PYwLSA
Mirka enjoyed this one! #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/jdrRVhNkxe
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Great hustle from team @NastiaPav @karenkhachanov #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/EVjIkW31PK
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Not many shots leave @rogerfederer like but this one certainly did. Simply amazing @NastiaPav!! #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/7ZQX633JMq
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
How good is this banter
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
A few of these players are definitely learning on the job! #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/nRp9hI44Gt
@rogerfederer and @BelindaBencic make it a clean sweep in their #HopmanCup tie vs @NastiaPav and @karenkhachanov, winning Fast4 mixed doubles in 3 sets! pic.twitter.com/8EIJ0Tro44
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Is it any wonder we love @rogerfederer so much!? The maestro was in vintage form last night at the #HopmanCup.
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
Watch the highlights in the #7Tennis app: https://t.co/rHeId6I4CQ pic.twitter.com/S1iph9tTkj
@rogerfederer trying out for #Russia2018? #7Tennispic.twitter.com/Z2yRC7zZja
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 2, 2018
(Inputs from Reuters)