London: Belgium’s David Goffin pulled off a huge shock to beat six-time champion Roger Federer 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals of the ATP Tour Finals at the O2 Arena here, Saturday.
Few gave the willowy World No.8 a chance against the Swiss favourite, especially having lost all six previous meetings, but he staged a remarkable comeback after being outclassed in the first set.
“I just can’t believe it,” Goffin said after the match with disbelief writ large on his face. “It will certainly take some time to sink in,” he added.
Federer, the World No. 2, snaffled the opener in 33 one-sided minutes as he feasted on Goffin’s steady medium-paced game. But Goffin broke serve with a forehand winner in the second game of the second set and consolidated his advantage to take the match into a decider.
Growing in confidence the 26-year-old Goffin broke Federer’s serve again at 1-1 in the third set as the Swiss, suddenly anxious and struggling for timing, struck a backhand out.
There still seemed plenty of time for 19-time Grand Slam champion Federer to re-assert his authority but Goffin stayed cool and his moment of truth arrived at 5-4 when he stepped up to serve for the biggest win of his career.
Consecutive aces gave him a 30-0 lead before he buried a nervy forehand in the net. Federer then went wide with a forehand to give Goffin two match points and a swinging first serve proved too good.
First-time qualifier Goffin, nor the capacity O2 Arena crowd, could believe it as the Belgian ensured there will be a new name on the trophy this year as Grigor Dimitrov and Jack Sock who contest the other semifinal are also debutants in the tournament.
Reuters
