The 28-time Masters 1000 champion Roger Federer made a terrible start at the premium ATP level. The Swiss was 2-11 before Miami 2001, when he advanced into the first quarter-final. A year later, Federer was the finalist in Florida, playing well and earning a chance to fight in his first notable final.
Federer had the most victories on the Tour in 2022 in the opening three months, and he could have cracked the top-10 for the first time had he defeated Andre Agassi in the final. Roger won the Sydney title and reached the Australian Open fourth round, losing to Tommy Haas after an epic battle.
The Swiss failed to defend the Milan crown and struggled a bit in Rotterdam, Dubai and Indian Wells. Hoping for a better run in Miami, Federer delivered five straight-sets victories to earn the first Masters 1000 final and make another big step towards the top-10.
Roger Federer reached his first Masters 1000 final in Miami 2002.
In the semis, Roger scored the first victory over world no. 1, toppling Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 6-4 after a notable performance. He gathered momentum ahead of the final meeting with the home star Andre Agassi, eager to claim the trophy.
The defending champion proved too strong for the young Swiss and scored a 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 triumph, his third and last over Roger. Keen to give his best, Federer claimed the third set and opened a 4-2 gap in the fourth before the American shifted into a higher gear to rattle off four straight games and seal the deal without playing a decider.
After the match, Roger felt disappointed about missing the top-10 spot, knowing he had a chance to fight for the title after playing well in sets three and four. “I’m thrilled to play well again; it’s been a great start to the year.
I won my second title in Sydney and produced some excellent tennis on an outdoor surface, unlike in the previous season when I struggled a lot. It has been a fun week. I’m disappointed I did not make the top-10 here in Miami because I had a chance.
I played well from the baseline and beat the guy like Lleyton Hewitt. For a while, I dominated Andre Agassi in the final, and I’m pleased with how I competed, hoping to shift this momentum onto the clay season,” Roger Federer said.
Source: Tennis World USA