Remembering Roger Federer's 3 epic matches of 2014

Saving match points and winning has become a habit for himIt might have been sort of an anti-climax for Roger Federer as he had to withdraw from the ATP World Tour Finals against Novak Djokovic, but it has surely been a brilliant comeback for Roger in 2014 after his dismayed performance in 2013.Federer won 5 titles this year including two ATP 1000 Masters Series titles and was runner-up at 6 other tournaments including the Wimbledon where he lost in an epic 5 set match against Novak Djokovic. Remembering the match against Djokovic, Roger had saved 2 championship points in the 4th set but eventually lost the match. Federer clearly learned something from that match as he did not make that mistake again, winning 3 matches in a matter of 3 months after saving match points against different opponents. Here is a lost of those epic matches.

#1 U.S Open 2014 Semi-finals - Gael Monfils

Federer on top of the moon after winning this thriller

This match is going to be remembered by Federer fans for years to come. He was angry, he was pumped up , he lost , he won – Fans got to see all sides of Federer in this epic 5 set thriller.

The match started off with Monfils controlling the game and Federer making a lot of mistakes. He made 26 unforced errors in the first two sets. Monfils took full advantage of it and along with some brilliant shots by him, he took the first two sets. Federer played a nearly flawless third set as he made only one unforced error and took the set.

It looked like the tables had turned as Federer broke Monfils in the third game. Monfils did not lose his confidence and fired himself up as he broke right in the next game. Federer was serving at 4-5 to stay in the match and found himself in a very sticky situation giving Monfils 2 match points serving at 15-40. Federer held his nerve with two big serves and aggresive play to take the game. It was all Federer after that as broke Monfils in the 11th game and held his serve after that to take the set 7-5.

The 5th set saw Federer continue from where he left off. With some agressive play he broke Monfils in the first and 5th game and eventually took the set 6-2. Federer ended up losing to eventual champion Marin Cilic in the semifinals.

Result

Roger Federer def, Gael Monfils 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2

Roger Federer vs Gael Monfils US Open 2014 ESPN... by IsaacTennisRF

#2 Shanghai Masters First Round - Leonardo Mayer

Federer had a lucky escape against Mayer

How exactly did Federer win this match? Roger himself hails this as his luckiest escape ever.

In a dramatic first round match which should have been a walk in the park for the Swiss Maestro against Argentinian Leonardo Mayer, Federer managed to pull something out of the bag and save 5 match points before winning the match in 3 sets.

Nerves got the better of Mayer quite a few times in the match. He was serving for the set in the first set, but errors from the Argentinian saw Federer break back and take the set 7-5. Mayer bounced back in the second set after breaking Roger’s serve once.

Federer found himself in similar situation like he did with Monfils serving at 15-40 while serving at 4-5 giving Mayer 2 match points. Mayer had an incredible opportunity to win the match but his backhand which he should have easily dispatched went right into the net. Federer escaped and he won the game.

In the tiebreak Mayer was leading 5-2. He had three more match points and 6-4 and 7-6 but again was not able to hold his nerve. Federer eventually took the tiebreak and the match with an amazing lob.

Result

Roger Federer def. Leonardo Mayer 7-5. 4-6, 7-6(8)

#3 ATP World Tour Finals Semifinals - Stanislas Wawrinka

Federer did not show much emotion after defeating Wawrinka

Roger Federer came into the ATP World Tour Semifinals after winning all 3 of his round robin matches including his crushing of Andy Murray in his previous match. Wawrinka on the other hand came into the semifinals after 2 win and a loss against Marin Cilic, Tomas Berdych and Novak Djokovic respectively.

Federer’s red hot form made him the favourite to win easily against his Swiss compatriot, but Wawrinka had other plans in mind as he took Federer all the way.

Wawrinka looked in control for almost most of the match, but few crucial errors along with few brilliant points by Roger at crucial times saw Federer take the match. Wawrinka had the opportunity to win the match on 4 occasions but was unable to do so. Federer saved 3 match points when Wawrinka was serving for the match at 5-4.

That game went on for 10 minutes after which Federer finally broke Wawrinka. The 4^th match point which Roger saved came in the deciding tie-break when Federer was serving at 6-7. Roger finally won the match with a brilliant drop shot.

Result

Roger Federer def. Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(6)