Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Quarter Final: Roger Federer vs Marton Fucsovics, Preview and Prediction

For the second match in a row, Roger Federer had a second-set blip before recovering in time for a three-set win. In the quarter-final, he will meet the Hungarian Marton Fucsovics who is yet to lose a set in the tournament.

Like in his opening match, Federer began well against Fernando Verdasco. He was especially successful on his sliced angled serve to Verdasco’s backhand side while serving from the deuce side. He looked almost untouchable on his serve during the first set, which apparently led to some visible frustration on the part of the Spaniard.

But inexplicably, Federer changed his tactics while serving in the first game of the second set. He was promptly broken, and suddenly there was a newfound spring in the steps of Verdasco. He seemed to have come alive in long rallies, ripped his forehands and forced the Swiss maestro into several unforced errors.

The match remained in the balance until the last five minutes, when Federer became lucky with a net cord to give himself a break point at 4-3, and then won one of the best points in the match to edge ahead. After that, he had little trouble in serving out the match.

Fucsovics during his match against Federer in 2018 Australian Open - Day 8

It will be interesting to see whether Federer has yet another lapse in his next match which is against the fast-improving Marton Fucsovics. The world number 35 has played some top notch tennis this season, including this tournament. He is yet to lose a set in his two matches, despite playing against two formidable opponents – Damir Dzumhur and Jan-Lennard Struff.

He was especially dominant in his match against Struff, who was coming off one of his greatest victories over Milos Raonic. He did not give any chance to the German and by the time the match ended, he had won a whopping nineteen points more than Struff.

Fucsovics has played against Federer only once, at the 2018 Australian Open, which he lost in straight sets. But he is a much more confident player now, and will face Federer when the Swiss maestro has not hit top gear and looks a little rusty.

If he continues to play at the high level he has done so far and Federer has another lapse in concentration again, then an upset is not completely out of the equation.

Prediction: Roger Federer to win in 3 Sets