ATP Finals | David Goffin stuns Roger Federer as Grigor Dimitrov thrashes Jack Sock

The Belgium ace had admitted before his big semi-final game that he had no idea how to beat Roger Federer, though he wanted to try ‘something different’ that he didn’t do in their past six meetings where he had managed to win only two sets.

Goffin did open the match in a positive manner where he aced Federer twice but soon succumbed to pressure and squandered a game point that allowed his star opponent to get right back into the game and claim the first game. The Belgium, however, looked more offensive in his approach attempting to work Federer more by placing balls into the corners and mixing up his shots.   

Goffin’s serves were too much to handle for Federer as he won 78% of his firsts serves in the second set and continued winning 88% of them in the final set. The 19-time Grand Slam champion didn’t look ready for another challenge. By 4-3 to Goffin in the third, the match looked to go either way. However, a hold from Goffin and a hold from Federer and the Belgian was serving for the match which he closed out comfortably.

Goffin will play an in-form Grigor Dimitrov, who was unmatchable against Paris Masters winner Jack Sock in the Pete Sampras semifinal, next. Dimitrov has won all his games in the tournament so far, losing just four games in his previous two matches. However, a confident Sock came into the game with an 80% record on service games won and his fierce attack sealed the first set 6-4 to his name.

However, the gruelling contest finally ended 6-3 with the Bulgarian as the winner. Dimitrov has defeated Goffin 6-0, 6-2 in their last meet of the group stage game on November 15th, but he will be wary of Goffin’s persistence this time when they take the court for the final showdown.