ATP Finals: David Goffin admits he doesn't know how to go about beating Roger Federer
by Andy Schooler, at The O2
David Goffin has admitted: “I don’t know what to do to beat Roger Federer”.
The pair will meet in the last four of the ATP Finals in London on Saturday afternoon in what will be the pair’s seventh meeting.
Federer has won all six so far, including the last eight sets between them. He is just 1/8 with Sky Bet to post another victory and set up a final clash with Grigor Dimitrov or Jack Sock.
Speaking after Friday’s victory over Dominic Thiem which earned him a place in the semi-finals, Goffin said: “I've never found a key to beat Roger. Honestly, I don't know what to do tomorrow.
“But I'm going to try something, something different, something that I've never done in the past.”
Their most recent clash came in the semis of the Swiss Indoors in Basel last month when Goffin won just three games.
“I will try to do my best to play a better match than in Basel, for sure,” added Goffin, who describes the indoor hardcourt conditions at the O2 Arena as “perfect” for Federer.
“In Basel, it was not easy. He played well. He didn't miss. He was really aggressive, as always.
“I hope that tomorrow he's not going to play the same match.”
For Thiem, defeat brought the curtain down on a season which saw him play 27 tournaments – more than any other player in the ATP Finals field.
He lost seven of 10 ATP matches after losing from match point up at the US Open to Juan Martin del Potro but denied his poor end to the year was down to fatigue.
“It doesn't have to do anything with the amount of tournaments,” he insisted.
“I mean, of course US Open was very painful.
“But now it's already long time since that happened. I don't really have it on my mind.
“After the US Open was not very good. I have to admit it. Today was like the last month, I guess.”
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