The ATP 500 event in Basel, Switzerland might be seen as a Federer's perk but its draw it is indeed a tough one. Roger Federer is the highest seed but some interesting foes are likely to emerge at the other end. 19 times Grand Slam champion, the 36-year-old walking Tennis legend is trying to close the gap on Rafael Nadal. Although the chances are slim, Federer could end the year as the world No. 1, capping a surreal season that had him on top of the world twice in Melbourne and then at Wimbledon. After another stunning performance at the Shanghai Rolex Masters where he ousted Rafael Nadal once more, Federer's explosive tennis started a bid in Basel.
Frances Tiafoe had no chance to get his teeth into the opening match as Federer reigned supreme especially with that metronome-like first serve.
Federer's possible route in Basel
Sweeping Frances Tiafoe away in the opening round came as a surprise. The American rising star was expected to dig a bit deeper especially after their last meeting in the round of 128 at the US Open when Federer needed five sets to surpass him. This time, it was one-way traffic as Federer gave nothing for Tiafoe to work with. The second round will bring Benoit Paire on the other side. The Frenchman is another interesting player who can deliver some high-quality tennis in the right circumstances. Still, Federer leads Paire by 4-0 in head to head stats.
If he gets past Paire, Federer will play the winner of Denis Shapovalov vs. Adrian Mannarino. Now, that would be an interesting matchup, especially a Federer vs. Shapovalov clash. The young Canadian player has had quite a summer especially in Montreal where he reached his first Masters 1000 semifinal before losing to Alexander Zverev.
Aged only 18, Shapovalov has some unique skills including a flashy Federer-like one-handed backhand although he executes it as a left-handed player which adds up to this unique feature of Shapovalov. If he reaches the semis, Federer will play either David Goffin or Jac Sock while the final may bring Marin Cilic or Juan Martin del Potro to the other end.
Del Potro is a two-time former champion in Basel (2012 and 2013) while Cilic is the defending champion.
Federer and his outstanding numbers in 2017
Despite playing fewer events than the rest of the herd, Roger Federer has accumulated a huge pile of titles. He has won two Grand Slams, three Masters 1000 titles and an ATP 500 event. The last category may suffer an addition by the end of the week with Federer storming across the main draw in Basel.
He holds a 45-4 record in win/loss ratio which is absolutely outstanding. Those numbers might get even better if Federer goes all the way in Basel.
