Published 12:57 IST, October 12th 2019
Roger Federer fumes at offcial during Shanghai Masters clash vs Zverev
Shanghai Masters 2019: Roger Federer loses to Alexander Zverev, gets frustrated and fumes at the umpire for being awarded a point penalty for ball-abuse.
Roger Federer, who is usually as cool as a cucumber on the court lost his nerve and fumed at the referee a couple of times when he faced Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters 2019 on October 11. Zverev beat an agitated Roger Federer to set up a seminal encounter against Matteo Berrettini.
Roger Federer angry
Third-ranked Roger Federer faced sixth-ranked Zverev in the quarterfinals in the Centre Court 1 in a losing 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 battle. Roger Federer definitely didn't have his best game as the German, while Zverev was in fine form in the game. Roger Federer was evidently frustrated as he wasn't able to play the way he wanted as he whacked the ball into the crowd and received a warning for ball abuse. Roger Federer first complained to the umpire Nacho Forcadell for not being told that new balls were used. Roger Federer, who usually changes the racket when the balls are replaced, reportedly felt Forcadell was at fault there. But when Roger Federer again put the ball into the court, he vented at the umpire stating there should have been better communication between the two. The Swiss international continued his aggressive stance losing the third set in the process. Roger Federer later also fumed at a journalist later during the post-match interview by ignoring a question regarding the incident. He simply answered: 'Next question'.
What's next?
The German now has four wins over Roger Federer from their seven meetings on the ATP tour during his career and will be gearing up for an exciting semi-final clash. Also, for the first time since Hamburg 1999, there are four players younger than 24 left in the title chase at one Masters 1000 event, in Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Matteo Berrettini and Daniil Medvedev. Tsiisipas also caused a similar upset when he beat Novak Djokovic on same the day. The semi-finals are set to take place between Tsitsipas-Medvedev and Berrettini-Zverev on October 12 at 2.00 PM and 5.30 PM respectively.
Updated 15:58 IST, October 12th 2019