Share

Federer returns in style at Hopman Cup

Perth - An emotional Roger Federer made an impressive comeback to tennis on Monday with an easy win over Great Britain’s Dan Evans at the Hopman Cup in Perth.

The Swiss champion, who has been out of action for six months due to injury, helped his country make a clean sweep of the tie against the Brits when he cruised to victory in 61 minutes with scores of 6-3, 6-4.

Teammate Belinda Bencic also beat Heather Watson before the Swiss pair triumphed in the dead mixed doubles rubber.

The men’s singles was Federer’s first match after a half-year break due to knee and back injuries, which saw him slide out of the top 10 for the first time since late 2002.

The 35-year-old, who entered 2017 ranked 16th - his lowest placing since 2001 - admitted he felt emotional on his return to the court but said the knee didn't trouble him at all.

“For a first match it was great, because obviously expectations were quite low," he said. 

“For three and four weeks now I have stopped thinking of it (the knee). I don’t have any pain. 

"I am in a way sad it (the comeback) is over, because I enjoyed it so much, I feel a bit relieved but sad.”

Despite plenty of practice in Dubai in recent weeks, Federer said it was important to test himself in an actual match.

He first hurt his knee after a semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in January while filling a bath for his children.

He required minor surgery on a torn meniscus and was then hampered by a back injury which forced him out of the French Open.

The 17-time Grand Slam singles champion then suffered another knee complaint at Wimbledon in his semi-final loss to Milos Raonic, before electing to rest for the remainder of the year.

But there were immediate signs of the Federer class against the 66th-ranked Evans, as he opened the match with an ace and then reeled off a couple of superb passing shots in the fourth game.

Playing in front of a crowd of 13 684, a record for a tennis match in Perth, Federer delighted the fans when he broke Evans in the sixth game to take control of the first set.

He will face emerging German teenager Alexander Zverev on Wednesday in a much-anticipated match-up.

After Federer gave Switzerland the lead, Bencic secured the tie with a three-set win over Watson, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.

In the Fast Four mixed doubles, Federer and Bencic made quick work of the match, winning, 4-0, 4-1.

Earlier, cagey veteran Richard Gasquet led France to a 2-1 win over Germany.

Gasquet beat rising star Alexander Zverev 7-5, 6-3 in their men’s singles match and then teamed with Kristina Mladenovic to win the deciding mixed doubles rubber.

Germany had earlier taken the lead when Andrea Petkovic benefited from an early arrival in Australia and an unorthodox preparation to put in a quality performance against Mladenovic, winning 6-2, 6-1.

“I normally spend Christmas with the family but I decided it was time to make a sacrifice," said Petkovic.

“I spent Christmas in Melbourne watching Seinfeld and eating burgers, but it has paid off.”

Result from the tennis mixed teams Hopman Cup at the Perth Arena on Monday:

Switzerland bt Great Britain 3-0

Men's singles: Roger Federer (SUI) bt Dan Evans (GBR) 6-3, 6-4

Women's singles: Belinda Bencic (SUI) bt Heather Watson (GBR) 7-5, 3-6, 6-2

Mixed doubles: Bencic/Federer (SUI) bt Watson/Evans (GBR) 4-0, 4-1

France bt Germany 2-1

Women's singles: Andrea Petkovic (GER) bt Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 6-2, 6-1

Men's singles: Richard Gasquet (FRA) bt Alexander Zverev (GER) 7-5, 6-3

Mixed doubles: Mladenovic/Gasquet (FRA) bt Petkovic/Zverev (GER) 4-2, 4-1 (Fast four)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE