After five games Federer led 3-2 on serve. He had saved one break point while Sandgren had saved five.
In the sixth game, Federer converted another break point and the lead was 4-2.
No more break chances and Federer served out the set 6-3.
Sandgren was taken to deuce before he held serve in the opening game of set two.
Federer missed an easy volley, and a backhand down the line winner from Sandgren had the third seed at 0-30. Federer missed a forehand and faced two break points. An overhit Swiss overhead cost Federer and he trailed 0-2.
Games went to serve until Federer was at the line at 2-5.
At 15-15, a wild forehand miss from Federer, and a netted backhand from the same racquet, produced two set points for Sandgren. One was saved, but Federer found the net once more with a backhand and Sandgren won the set 6-2.
Sandgren opened set three with a hold of service, then broke the Swiss serve to lead 2-0.
Down 0-40, Sandgren recovered and saved all three break points, a forehand winner, a Swiss backhand error, and a backhand winner.
He held for 3-0.
Federer took time out for an injury check.
No more break points until Federer served at 2-5. A twenty point game, including seven deuces and five saved set points, ended with a sixth set point being converted when Federer netted a backhand.
Sandgren led 3-6 6-2 6-2
Federer’s condition improved as the pain killers took effect and the fourth set was a tight contest, with no break points for the first nine games.
Serving at 4-5, Federer led 40-15, but Sandgren hit a backhand winner, Federer hit a backhand wide, and then a forehand into the net. Match point. Saved when Sandgren hit the net. Second match point saved when Sandgren hit a forehand wide. Third match point saved when a Sandgren forehand found the net. Federer levelled at 5-5.
A tie break was ultimately required.
Points were on serve for 3-3. Then Sandgren won a point against Federer’s serve when the third seed netted a forehand.
Sandgren won both points on his serve to give him three more match points.
Federer saved two of them when it was his turn to serve. Then the third seed saved the other against the Sandgren delivery to make it 6-6.
Sandgren won the next point, giving him his seventh match point (on the Federer serve this time) and it was saved like all the other six.
Points went on serve to 8-8, Sandgren saving a set point along the way.
Federer won the 17th point of the tie break which was against the Sandgren serve, then served out the set with his next delivery. 7-6(8)
Set five, the decider, went with serve for five games, Sandgren saving two break points in the second.
Federer made the breakthrough in game six, when Sandgren wasted a game point before the third seed took the last three points and a 4-2 lead.
Roger Federer served the match out 6-3 2-6 2-6 7-6(8) 6-3, to complete a great escape.
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