Federer had two match points to stretch his unbeaten run to 18 wins in 2018 but his pegged back and broken by Del Porto. And in the tiebreak, the Swiss star’s forehand went AWOL as he lost the breaker 7-2 to the Argentine, who won at an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time. Federer’s attention will need to switch quickly to the next event on the tour, the Miami Open, which begins on Wednesday. The 36-year-old is the defending champion and favourite to win for the fourth time.
GETTY Roger Federer says he will move on from the defeat
I have to get over it. There is no way around it. Roger Federer
Speaking after his defeat to Del Potro, Federer was asked how it will take for him to get over the loss. Federer told reporters: “Yeah, yeah, I have to get over it. There is no way around it. “I mean, I don’t know. I feel frustrated, you know, that I let an opportunity like this go by. Serving 40-15, any game I probably win — I don’t know what the stat is — 90-something percent. “So it should sting, like you said, for a bit. The question is how long? It won’t be long, but it’s disappointing talking about a great match like this, losing, even though I was right there, you know.
GETTY Roger Federer lost in three sets to Juan Martin Del Potro