The most awaited match on the first day/night of the 2019 Australian Open was the one in which Roger Federer, twice defending champion, appeared. He did so in the final match on RLA, opposed to Denis Istomin.
The third seed had the advantage of serving first, and began with an ace. A forehand winner and a second ace - love game.
Istomin struggled but drew level at 1-1.
Federer cruised once more to 2-1, never under threat. Two Federer forehand winners and a net victory gave him two break points. The first was converted and he was ahead 3-1.
Nothing against Roger but it was about now that the commentators began their ritual drooling over the Swiss star.
Every point was called as if it were something no human could touch. Each shot praised as though they are derived from a divine place where Roger dwells and delivers his golden word. Whereupon commentators bow unto him.
In the real world, Federer was striking the ball with freedom and flair, and an ace ended the game which consolidated the break 4-1.
Istomin won the next game, a volley winner assisting.
A drop shot and two aces drove Federer to 5-2, and then Istomin easily held, forcing the third seed to serve for the set.
A drive volley and ace, and there were three set points. It was done with the second, following a winning forehand. 6-3.
Set two began with Istomin holding serve and ahead 1-0.
Federer surrendered two points but still levelled at 1-1.
Istomin attacked and won the first point but Federer outdid him with a backhand pass down the line. A Swiss forehand winner put the pressure on Istomin and he was eventually broken. Federer led 2-1.
Serves were held from there, although Federer was taken to deuce in game six, and Istomin saved a break point in game seven.
A love game from Federer when serving for the set. He led 6-3 6-4.
Istomin began the third set under pressure with two Federer winners, but survived to lead 1-0.
A pair of winners didn’t prevent Federer from travelling to deuce, but he won for 1-1, a drop shot memorable. Istomin attacked, and a fast love game had him ahead 2-1. Two Swiss winning forehands and soon it was 2-2.
A sweet forehand from Federer didn’t stop Istomin having two game points. Sadly for Istomin, he produced careless mistakes and the game rolled into four deuces, with three break points, the third converted.
Ahead 3-2, Federer maintained the break through to 5-4 and he served for the match.
Two overhead forehands and a forehand down the line set up triple match point.
The win came on the second, and Federer won 6-3 6-4 6-4.
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