Technoglitch
Core Member
The latest — a sudden rush forward nearly to the service line to return his opponent’s second serves — he has deployed bravely and brazenly against stellar opposition throughout his run at the Western & Southern Open in suburban Cincinnati, where he dispatched Andy Murray, 6-4, 7-6 (6), in a semifinal on Saturday afternoon.
Federer added that although the maneuver could break a player’s rhythm or play with an opponent’s mind, “I’ve still got to understand when I can do it, when I should and shouldn’t do it.”
Murray, who has lost his last five matches against Federer, said he was not particularly affected by the return tactic, but he acknowledged that it was a rare new wrinkle in their 25th meeting.
“I didn’t feel like it was off-putting or anything today,” Murray said. “But it’s definitely different.”
Federer successfully used the ambush technique against some of the game’s best servers last week, including Kevin Anderson and Feliciano López. He said that he was not sure, however, if he would try it in the final against Djokovic.
“I’m happy that when I’m doing it, I’m not looking ridiculous up there,” Federer said. “It’s fun for me to do.”
Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked player, is better known for his returns than his serves, but the new tactic could keep him on his toes against Federer, whom he beat in four sets in the Wimbledon final last month.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/23/sports/tennis/novak-djokovic-western-southern-open.html
Federer added that although the maneuver could break a player’s rhythm or play with an opponent’s mind, “I’ve still got to understand when I can do it, when I should and shouldn’t do it.”
Murray, who has lost his last five matches against Federer, said he was not particularly affected by the return tactic, but he acknowledged that it was a rare new wrinkle in their 25th meeting.
“I didn’t feel like it was off-putting or anything today,” Murray said. “But it’s definitely different.”
Federer successfully used the ambush technique against some of the game’s best servers last week, including Kevin Anderson and Feliciano López. He said that he was not sure, however, if he would try it in the final against Djokovic.
“I’m happy that when I’m doing it, I’m not looking ridiculous up there,” Federer said. “It’s fun for me to do.”
Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked player, is better known for his returns than his serves, but the new tactic could keep him on his toes against Federer, whom he beat in four sets in the Wimbledon final last month.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/23/sports/tennis/novak-djokovic-western-southern-open.html