By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, June 15, 2018
Roger Federer swept Guido Pella, 6-4, 6-4, charging into the Stuttgart semifinals and moving to within one win of regaining world No. 1.
Photo credit: Mercedes Cup Facebook
Tested to deuce for the first time all day, Roger Federer surged forward and played match-maker kissing the sideline with backhand volley.
Slathered with side-spinning mischief, the shot sent Guido Pella screeching to a stop in front of his court-side seat before sticking his head in his red Wilson racquet bag like a man seeking reprieve.
Watch: 5 Grass-Court Records Federer Can Break
Federer's comeback win over Mischa Zverev on Wednesday was about putting rubber to the road in his first match in nearly three months.
Today, Federer shifted fluidly through gears of his game roaring past Pella, 6-4, 6-4, into the Stuttgart semifinals—and moving to within one win of regaining world No. 1.
"I thought I was in control," Federer said. "I thought it was a good match. I felt good from the start. I connected well on the returns. And from the baseline I was able to stay very aggressive. So I'm actually very happy with the match today."
The second-ranked Swiss will face fourth-seeded Nick Kyrgios for a spot in Sunday's final.
Kyrgios defeated Feliciano Lopez, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, powering into his first semifinal since he won his fourth career title in Brisbane in January.
If Federer prevails in tomorrow's semifinals, he will surpass rival Rafael Nadal and regain the top spot four months after becoming the oldest world No. 1 in ATP history.
The Australian Open champion and enigmatic Aussie have split two career meetings, both decided 7-6 in the third set. Kyrgios toppled Federer on the clay of Madrid in 2015.
Last March, Federer outdueled Kyrgios, 7-6 (9), 6-7 (9), 7-6 (5) in an electrifying Miami semifinal on hard court.
Tomorrow, they square off on grass for the first time.
"Nick of course is a great talent," Federer said of Kyrgios. "We know what he can do on the grass, on any surface, really. I hope for a good match against either one."
The top-seeded Swiss permitted just six points on his first serve and denied the only pair of break points he faced in his final service game stretching his grass-court winning streak to 14 matches.
The 36-year-old Federer improved to 19-2 on the season reaching his second Mercedes Cup semifinal.
On a sun-splashed ideal day for play, a packed Stuttgart crowd so enthused by Federer's presence they erupted in the wave during the warm-up.
"I'm happy I made it," Federer said. "I think I played good, free attacking tennis. Beautiful day here in Stuttgart so it was good fun."
Facing a lefty for the third time this season, including the second straight match, Federer flashed his variety firing through three consecutive love holds to open.
"Personally, I think I played better on my own serve," Federer said. "I was cleaner and also conditions were a bit better. It was easier to move and the ball was going through the air a bit faster so I think it was good for my game."
The 75th-ranked Pella doesn't serve big, but he can effectively apply the slider serve as a set-up shot. A slice serve wide set up a fine low backhand volley as the Argentinian capped a love hold in the third game.
One reason why the eight-time Wimbledon champion remains the game's premier grass-court player is Federer's prescience recognizing the mid-court ball and sharpness exploiting it.
Dotting the sideline with a backhand drive, Federer streamed forward for a forehand drop volley in the fifth game. A forehand strike down the line earned the Swiss break point, but Pella denied it working through a tough hold for 3-2.
The top seed downshifted into a higher gear rolling through seven straight points midway through the set.
Picking on Pella's backhand, Federer lifted a backhand pass down the line for triple break point. Drilling a diagonal forehand inside the sideline, Federer broke for 4-3.
Breezing through 16 of his first 17 points on serve, Federer stamped a decisive hold backing up the break in the eighth game.
Closing the set with command, Federer scooped successive forehand volley winners then dislodged a puff of white paste from the center stripe with his second ace.
Federer won 20 of 21 points played on his serve stamping four love holds in five serve games to snatch a one-set lead in a half an hour.
Volleying with depth and angle, Federer's frontcourt flights earned him double break point in the first game of the second set. Lasering a forehand winner down the line, Federer earned his second break.
Showing some grit in the face of a steamrolling opponent, Pella pounced on a backhand pass then pumped an ace stopping a three-game slide for 1-2.
The only real obstacles for Federer came in his final two service games. Tested in a deuce hold for 5-3, Federer faced double break point serving for the match.
The top seed denied both, then fired his fourth ace for match point.
Moving up quickly to a mid-court ball that skimmed the tape, Federer angled off a backhand winner closing in 65 minutes.
"Any match that you win is a good match because you get another chance," Federer said.
Earlier today, Milos Raonic ripped 24 aces edging third-seeded Tomas Berdych, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (1). The Czech wild card did not face break point in the match and posted six love holds compared to five for Raonic.
Holding a 4-2 lead in the opening tie break, Raonic smoked a forehand return winner for the mini-break then blasted successive aces for a one-set lead.
"I got a few good returns in the tie break," Raonic said. "I got a little bit lucky, but I'm happy how I competed."
The seventh-seeded Canadian will play defending champion Lucas Pouille for a place in Sunday's final.
The second-seeded Pouille pumped 20 aces in a 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3 triumph over Denis Istomin. Pouille raised his Stuttgart record to 6-1 moving to within one win of his fourth final this season.