Swiss teen outshines Roger Federer with incredible career start
Swiss ATP debutant Dominick Stricker has stunned the tennis world after two Top-50 scalps in his first tournament at the age of 18.
The tennis world was shocked this week when Roger Federer was knocked out of the Geneva Open in his first match on clay after returning from injury.
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In his first outing in two months, Federer lost 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to Spanish clay-court specialist Pablo Andujar in Geneva to wreck his hopes of stringing a run of matches together ahead the French Open, Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics.
But all eyes are now on World No.419 Stricker who has become the youngest Swiss star to reach an ATP quarter-finalist since Federer in 2000.
Stricker followed up his Geneva Open first round win over former US Open champion Marin Cilic with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Hungary's Marton Fucsovics.
The left hander was granted a wildcard at the event, but has proven he is a star in the making after just two days.
Stricker has since praised Federer for his advice before the tournament.
"He told me some stuff, like how the serve is important and it's the only shot in tennis that you can do by yourself," former Roland Garros junior champion Stricker told atptour.com.
Tuesday: d. Cilic 7-6 6-1 👊
Wednesday: d. Fucsovics 7-5 6-4 👊
The dream start to his ATP career continues as Dominic Stricker reaches the QF in Geneva*
*youngest 🇨🇭quarterfinalist since Federer in 2000 (also age 18) pic.twitter.com/SkFtIR4Fdd— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 19, 2021
Dominic Stricker (18 años y 9 meses) se convierte en el tenista suizo más joven en alcanzar los cuartos de final de un torneo ATP desde Roger Federer (17 años y 1 mes) en Toulouse 1998. pic.twitter.com/w5QMQUt6eq
— Ariel Fernández (@AFD7L) May 19, 2021
"You can't learn it too much, so I just worked really hard on this shot. It's getting better and I'm winning many points on serve."
Federer supports Stricker
Federer was also seen watching Stricker in his First Round match against Cilic in support of the young Swiss star.
Unfortunately, Federer was knocked out of the tournament and has returned to training ahead of Roland Garros.
The 20-time grand slam champion was hoping to find some form on the Geneva clay but tumbled at the first hurdle on Tuesday.
Roger Federer watching Dominic Stricker's debut on the ATP Tour. #Federer #SupportTheSwiss pic.twitter.com/z8Y4txCipf
— Simon Häring (@_shaering) May 18, 2021
"It's good to be back on the court but then you lose a match like this and you're down," Federer told reporters.
"I know my limitations at the moment.
"People expect a lot from me and I have high expectations for myself.
"So when I walk out of a match and feel I could have played so much better, it feels strange and it's disappointing."
with AFP
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