On Roger Federer’s 43rd birthday, we take a look at all the occasions when the Swiss maestro came up against Indian opponents in singles. The list below:
1) v/s Leander Paes at 2000 Indian Wells Qualifying
The year is 2000. A young Roger Federer, with his flowing one-handed backhand and audacious talent, is beginning to turn heads on the ATP tour. But at the Indian Wells Masters qualifying tournament, his path to the main draw took an unexpected detour at the hands of a seasoned Indian player – Leander Paes.
This wasn’t just any victory. Paes, already a well-established force in doubles tennis, defeated a rising Federer in a thrilling three-set encounter (5-7, 6-1, 6-4). The win not only marked a significant moment in Paes’ career but also provided a glimpse into Federer’s potential, a potential that would soon blossom into multiple Grand Slam titles and legendary status.
2) v/s Rohan Bopanna at 2006 Halle Round 1
The year was 2006 and court was grass, now India’s top doubles player Rohan Bopanna was drawn to face Roger Federer in the first round of Halle Open. In the first set Rohan put up a strong fight and forced the swiss great to a tie breaker. Roger won the first set tie-breaker and later outclassed Rohan in the second set eventually winning the match 7-6(4) 6-2.
3) v/s Somdev Devvarman at 2011 Dubai Round 1
The year was 2011, World No 2 at that time Roger was already the winner of 67 titles including 16 Grand Slams. Somdev who had reached 2 ATP finals by the time was awarded the Wildcard by the tourney. Federer had won the Dubai title 4 times by then but was making a comeback after 2 years of absence. Som showed some glorious strokes throughout the match but Roger stayed strong as he eventually won 6-3 6-3.
4) v/s Somdev Devvarman at 2013 French Open Round 2
2 years after their first match against each other, Roger and Som were drawn in the second round of French Open 2013. Somdev had just returned to the ATP tour after a shoulder injury and he has breezed through to the 2nd round defeating Daniel Munoz-De La Nava of Spain in the first. “I was pumped because I was playing in a big court against Roger” Som has said in an podcast. Once on the court, Roger was largely untroubled as he came through 6-2 6-1 6-1.
5) v/s Sumit Nagal at 2019 US Open Round 1
No Indian tennis fan can forget this night at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows at the first round of the US Open 2019 in late August. Then 22 years old Sumit Nagal has qualified for his first ever Grand Slam. “Everything was coming back to me, day by day, from the past 12 years of my life. I could barely sleep before I played Federer” Sumit Nagal revealed later according to Tennis World USA. World No 190 at that time Sumit showed a spirited performance as he took the first set 6-4. The Arthur Ashe stadium was stunned.
The Swiss master later showed his class to clinch the match 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-4. “There are moments where I know tennis holds a place in my heart, and the 2019 US Open was one of them,” Sumit admitted later.