Roger Federer Fights Off Upset at Australian Open

But Federer obviated the need for any explanations from that point on. He dug in and won all the remaining rallies, including two that stretched to 12 and 17 shots.

“You always feel, as long as it’s not match point, you’re still kind of in it,” Federer said. “But the air gets so incredibly thin. And you know that any overhitting, too much risk, or just handing over a point at this moment will cost you dearly. It’s a very, very tight balance you have to choose there.”

Despite losing the lead late, Millman said he “left everything out there” and had no regrets about his play as the match slipped away.

“It’s not as if it was double faults or first-ball errors; I went after it,” Millman said.

After struggling with the shot all night — hitting 48 unforced errors — Federer finished the match swinging out on his first match point with his 21st forehand winner, leaving Millman to pick up his sweaty shoes and somberly carry them off the court.

“He pushed me to go for more,” Federer said of Millman’s stubborn defense. “You know me: I’m not going to hold back and just rally all the time. I will always try to make plays, and for that I will miss some.”

Federer said that the exhilarating victory reminded him of why he still competed in the sport year after year.

“All of a sudden you turn the whole thing around within, like, two minutes and it’s so worthwhile, everything that I have gone through,” he said. “I think if I do play tennis it’s because of winning titles, trying to win as many matches as possible, to enjoy myself out on court — but also being in epic matches like this.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/24/sports/tennis/roger-federer-australian-open.html?emc=rss&partner=rss