By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, March 25, 2019
Roger Federer drilled 14 aces dissecting Filip Krajinovic, 7-5, 6-3, to soar into the Miami Open fourth round.
Photo credit: Lindsey Godwin/Miami Open
MIAMI—Family time is vital to Roger Federer’s longevity on the ATP Tour.
The 37-year-old Swiss played with the efficiency of a man eager to make it home for dinner dissecting Filip Krajinovic, 7-5, 6-3, to soar into the Miami Open fourth round for the 13th time in 18 appearances where Russia's Daniil Medvedev will be waiting.
Medvedev defeated American Reilly Opelka 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 7-6(0) on Monday to reach the round of 16 at Miami for the first time.
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The fourth-seeded Federer served 73 percent, fired 14 aces and commanded the center of the court, raising his record to 14-2 on the season and giving his extended family—the thousands of fans cheering his every winner—cause for celebration with a dynamic performance.
For the second straight match, Federer was broken early, but once he found his range and rhythm the 20-time Grand Slam champion showed the entire shot spectrum. Federer mixed in the serve-and-volley at times, pulled the string beautifully on the drop shot and times and drove the ball down the line with authority.
Krajinovic took the court carrying a nine-match losing streak vs. Top 10 players. The Serbian showed his speed flicking a stretched forehand then sprinting to the opposite sideline to shovel a backhand pass down the line.
The three-time champion misfired on successive forehands as Krajinovic broke for 2-1. For the second straight match the 37-year-old Swiss was down a break early.
The deficit didn’t last long. On his fourth break point, Federer flashed a diagonal forehand to break back in the fourth game.
Krajinovic, who pushed Federer to three sets in his hometown of Basel last year, stayed in step through the first 11 games.
Federer fought off a break point with a serve winner and blocked a volley winner holding for 6-5.
Forward pressure turned a fissure into a full-blown crack in the 12th game as Krajinovic sent a passing shot long to face double set point.
Driving the ball deep during the ensuing 10-shot rally, Federer twisted a sharp-angled forehand to close the 57-minute opening set taking the 57-minute opener.
Opening the second set with a two-ace hold, Federer knocked off a high forehand volley for break point and carved out a drop shot winner to break for 2-0.
Exploiting Krajinovic’s habit of drifting behind the baseline, the Dubai champion poked a clean drop shot winner to back up the break in the third game.
A sharp serve and smooth movement helped Federer charge through the second set.
Serving for the fourth round, Federer fired three straight aces and nearly finished off the match with a fourth. Krajinovic successfully challenged and replay showed the serve landed long. Federer closed on a return error, raising his Miami record to 52-14.