Roger Federer loses in quarterfinals of Qatar Open, calls first tournament in 14 months a ‘stepping stone’


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Roger Federer’s return to Tennis ended in the quarterfinal stage of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open against Georgian opponent Nikoloz Basilashvili. Federer’s tournament run finished after as Basilashvili handed him a 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 defeat.

Federer has shown himself to be returning to form in his first tournament since undergoing two knee surgeries, even taking the first set in quite dominant fashion. In the long run, Basilashvili saving seven of 10 break points, including a match point at 4-5 in the decider, was once too much for the Swedish international to triumph over.

“It is improbable. He is without doubt one of the greatest of all time,” Basilashvili said in an on-court interview, per ATP. “To just play him means such a lot to me. I am truly happy that he came back and is playing again. To win against him is a dream come true for me. He was once all the time my idol and I am certain he’s to many tennis players and fans. He’s an incredible player, so I am extremely happy.”

Federer, meantime, called the competition a “stepping stone” in his Road to a full-on recovery. It was once the first time he took the court in 14 months.

“I’m if truth be told happy that I used to be in a position to play back-to-back three-set matches against top players. That’s the most important step forward to me,” Federer said. “Like I said, I am not 100% yet. I will feel it, I will see it. From that standpoint, (what’s) important is to be 100% by the grass court season… I’m still building up. So it is a stepping stone. I’m if truth be told happy how I felt today on court overall.”

The 39-year-old wanted to make his return in the Australian Open, but his recovery was once not fairly at the point where he could compete at that level at the time the tournament happened.


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