By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, March 2, 2019
Roger Federer swept Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-4, 6-4, to capture his 100th career crown in Dubai, joining Jimmy Connors as the second man to win 100 titles.
Photo credit: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
On a night when no shot seemed beyond his reach, Roger Federer thrust his arms toward the sky hoisting history in his hands.
A commanding Federer swept Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-4, 6-4, collecting his 100th career championship in a dynamic Dubai performance.
Watch: Federer Photo Bombs Monfils and Svitolina
"For me, it's an absolute dream come true," said Federer after his 69-minute conquest that avenged an Australian Open fourth-round loss to Tsitsipas. "I don't know if he was born when I won my first title. I think barely. It's a privilege because one day I'll be watching them in front of the telly.
"It was always a special treat to play against my heroes growing up, Agassi and Sampras, so for me to maybe be in those shoes now and give the young guys a chance to play me and also give myself a chance to maybe play against future Hall of Famers and legends it's wonderful and I'm sure Stefanos is going to have a wonderful career, he's already having one and there's so many great guys as well. So tennis is in good hands regardless if I'm there or not."
The 37-year-old Swiss attained the century mark in style, joining Jimmy Connors, who collected a record 109 titles, as the second man in ATP history to amass 100 career crowns.
It is the record-extending eighth Dubai championship for Federer, who was born on 8-8-81 and cites the number eight as his favorite.
Though Tsitsipas saw his eight-match winning streak come to an end, the world No. 11 walks away a major winner. In addition to his crowd-pleasing performances this week, Tsitsipas will make history as the first Greek man to crack the Top 10 when the new rankings are released on Monday.
Defeating your idol is difficult; beating him twice in a row is daunting.
"It's an honor playing against Roger," Tsitsipas said. "I said it thousands of times: I have been idolizing him since the age of six, watching him on TV. I was just like you guys... I think in Monte Carlo I had the opportunity to watch you play and it put the biggest smile on my face.
"It's unbelievable and now sharing the court with you it's even better. I would like to personally congratulate you for the 100th. Just thinking about getting to 100 is completely insane. I don't know how you got there. I'll be happy with 100 wins. You've created history in tennis and you keep doing what you're doing."
Contesting his 152nd career final, Federer wasted no time imposing the attack.
Dancing around his backhand, the second seed slashed a forehand down the line for double break point and broke to open when Tsitsipas dragged a forehand wide.
Federer, who failed to convert any of his 12 break points in his 6-7 (11), 7-6 (3), 7-5, 7-6 (5) Australian Open loss to Tsitsipas, made his lone break point of the opening set stand in tonight's rematch.
Finesse at its finest ensued as Federer followed a forehand drop shot streaming forward for a full-stretch drop volley that slinked over the net eliciting a spike of applause. A diagonal dagger backed up the break at 15.
Empowered by an eight-match winning streak, the Marseille champion calmed the jitters and amped up his attack.
The fifth-seeded Tsitsipas showed no fear of the Federer forehand, sometimes starting points going at the Swiss strength. Tsitsipas did damage with his inside-out forehand holding in the fifth game.
In his sensational 4-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4) semifinal win over Gael Monfils, Tsitsipas was superb in transition winning 26 of 43 trips to net. In the final, Federer was a blue streak trying to take the net away from the Greek.
A crackling all-court 23-shot rally ended with Federer gliding in to deaden a forehand drop volley that set up a slick backhand stretch volley as he held for 4-2.
On a blustery evening in the desert, Federer faced turbulence trying to close the set from a 40-love stronghold. Tsitsipas saved three set points then gained his first break point when Federer floated a slice wide.
The second seed saved a second break point storming net for a firm backhand volley. Challenging the Australian Open semifinalist's forehand, Federer drew the error closing the 36-minute opener with a fist and a shout.
A stinging serve and forward rush were keys for Federer, who served 78 percent and won 21 of 25 first-serve points often imposing his tempo in the first set.
Sliding an ace down the T, Tsitsipas ended a tense hold at 30 for a 2-1 second-set lead. Federer breezed through a love hold in response.
Federer rocketed a forehand cross-court—his 10th straight service point—to even it up at 3-all.
Shaking off the fatigue from his three-hour fight with Monfils yesterday, Tsitsipas stamped a love hold for 4-3.
An unrelenting Federer fought back from love-30 down in the ninth game scalding a crosscourt forehand to key his charge then drawing successive errors to score the first break of the second set for 5-4.
Standing four points from history, Federer burst through an elusive finish line closing when Tsitsipas netted a forehand, raising his Dubai record to 53-6, including 8-2 in Dubai finals.
A champion for the ages crossed the century mark with the vigor of a man who has much more to give.
"I'm so happy I'm still playing; I won my first title back in 2001 in Milan," Federer told the crowd. "It's been a long, wonderful journey. It all started as a junior world champion...
"It's been great. I wouldn't do it any differently. I've loved it. We'll see how much more I have left in the tank, but reaching a hundred is an absolute dream come true for me."