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CINCINNATI, Ohio: Roger Federer waited until the last moment to
start the rescue of his No.1 ranking, overcoming Robby Ginepri 6-7
(2-7), 7-6 (7-5), 6-0 on Tuesday at the Association of Tennis
Professionals Cincinnati Masters.
The second-round drama in two hours, 13 minutes
showed the Swiss just how tough it would be to hold off the field as
he tries to extend his 235 weeks on top of the rankings.
With Rafael Nadal pressing, if Federer goes out
in his title defence before the semifinals and the Spaniard wins the
event—it would be his eighth of the season—the top ranking
changes hands.
Ginepri put on a show for home fans after losing
to Federer in their four previous matches, winning a break-marred
opening set in a tiebreaker after grabbing a 1-5 lead in the
decider.
Federer continued to have trouble in the second,
losing serve in the 11th game for 5-6 and only just getting it back.
Once again, the match needed a tiebreaker, with the Swiss surviving
to force a third set.
Suddenly, as if switching on a light, the top
seed ran away to victory, with 20 aces, 78 winners but conversions
on only six of 16 break points.
“I do enjoy the challenge that I’m the
number one in the world,” said the Swiss. “I’d rather it be me
than rather it be him.
“I’m on a great run with my ranking. If I
would lose it I would want it back. I hope I can get on a run for
the two massive tournaments ahead of us [the Olympics and US
Open].”
-- AFP
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