ROGER FEDERER VS DAVID GOFFIN LIVE
FIRST SET (*denotes server)
FEDERER 5-5 GOFFIN*
Goffin nets a forehand, 0-15. Then a volley as he attempted to wrong-foot Federer, 0-30. Good serving from Goffin, 30-30.
Goffin forehand winner, 40-30. Deuce as Federer rips a return at Goffin’s feet. And Goffin draws level again with more good serving
*FEDERER 5-4 GOFFIN
Federer shanks a forehand wide, 15-30. Goffin backhand return long, poor shot. Federer struggling badly to make first serves.
But he finds one to ace Goffin and stay in the lead.
FEDERER 4-4 GOFFIN*
Second ace of the match for Goffin to finish. Federer isn’t making much headway in the Belgian’s service games.
*FEDERER 4-3 GOFFIN
Goffin backhand winner up the line, 0-30. Federer pulls it back to 30-30. ‘Come on’ Federer shouts as Goffin nets a backhand, 40-30.
And a big serve down the T seals another game.
FEDERER 3-3 GOFFIN*
Federer rifles a backhand down the line, 0-15. The Swiss misses with a backhand to allow Goffin to go 40-15 in front.
Federer responds with a cross court forehand winner, 40-30. Goffin holds when Federer goes just wide with a backhand.
*FEDERER 3-2 GOFFIN
Federer nets a forehand, 0-30. And another. Three break points for Goffin. Federer saves the first two. Goffin forehand into the net. Three chances come and go.
Beautiful Federer drop shot. Back to deuce as Federer goes wide with a forehand. But Federer survives to stay in the lead.
FEDERER 2-2 GOFFIN*
Federer forehand down the line and Goffin nets his attempted pass, 30-30. But the Belgian comes through unscathed as he gets Federer on the run.
*FEDERER 2-1 GOFFIN
Federer aces to complete a love hold.
FEDERER 1-1 GOFFIN*
Federer goes on the attack but Goffin stays solid from the baseline. Goffin aces to make an ideal start.
*FEDERER 1-0 GOFFIN
Federer volley winner to open the match. Brilliant Goffin return as Federer tries to serve and volley, 30-15.
Tidy start from Federer as he finishes off the game with a forehand winner.
12:05: Federer will serve first…
12:00: Federer and Goffin walk out to huge ovations from the crowd.
11:55: Federer has also been talking about his life post-tennis ahead of the final.
“My future is open. Some players need a very clear plan of what they will do ater tennis, but I don’t,” he said.
“I want to have flexibility, for my family. There will be plenty of opportunities.”
“I have my foundation, and I have various sponsors who I have been with a long time who will stay with me after my career.”
11:50: TEN MINUTES TO GO KLAXON!
11:45: Meanwhile, Federer is well aware of the threat posed by Goffin.
“He’s a great guy. I really like his game,” Federer said.
“He’s got one of the best backhands in the game. [He is] super fast on his feet and he’s got great footing on a court that’s really difficult.
“He played a great match against Berrettini today to stop his run and also against Zverev. I watched that match and that was mighty impressive. So I think I’m going to have a tough final, anyway at this stage, but particularly against David, who I have a lot of respect for.”
11:40: Goffin has struggled with injury over the last 12 months but has come through a difficult draw and is raring to go.
“I am feeling great,” Goffin said.
“It was a great feeling on the court today. My serve helped me again. I’m serving well, I’m serving well this week. I’m playing well, more aggressive. “I’m hitting the ball really well. So, it’s a great feeling this week to be in the final, first final on grass in an ATP 500.
“I’m really happy, especially the way I played, the way I worked the past weeks, so it paid off this week.”
11:30: Federer and Goffin will be walking onto court for their match at midday BST in what should be an entertaining final.
11:20: Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage of the Halle Open final between Roger Federer and David Goffin.
ROGER FEDERER VS DAVID GOFFIN PREVIEW
In 2018, Federer was beaten by Borna Coric in the final and went on to lose in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
But this year, Federer is back in the final and keen to make up for that defeat.
“I get a chance a year later because after my loss here last year, I didn’t know if I was going to ever be in another Halle final,” Federer said.
“You always leave with a bittersweet taste where you had a good tournament and yet you’re frustrated you lost the final. So I’m happy I’ve got another opportunity to win this tournament I like so much, and of course it will be special to win a tournament for the first time ten times.”
