ATP World Tour Finals: Roger Federer gives Will Genia and Bernard Foley a tennis lesson

NORMALLY the stars of the show, Wallabies Bernard Foley and Will Genia were reduced to spectator status by tennis great Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals.

L-R: Bernard Foley, Roger Federer and Will Genia.

WIDE — EYED Wallabies Bernard Foley and Will Genia enjoyed a front-row position as six-time champion Roger Federer notched yet another milestone at the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

Foley and Genia nestled in between Federer’s father Robert and British adventurer Bear Grylls as the Swiss superstar returned to haunt Marin Cilic with a tough three-set win on Thursday.

🙌 @rogerfederer meets Will Genia and Bernard Foley of the #Wallabies after his win! #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/OU8m8Jei2K

— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) November 16, 2017

Already assured of a record 14th semi-final appearance at the season-ending showpiece, Federer clinched top spot in his four-man group with a 6-7 (7-5) 6-4 6-1 victory to reach the last four unbeaten for an incredible 10th time. Federer was frustrated not to have converted any of his five break-point chances until deep in the second set amid a run of five straight games to take command of the match.

He raced through the deciding set with two more service breaks to repeat his crushing victory over Cilic on London’s nearby grass courts in this year’s Wimbledon final.

Bear Grylls (L) and Bernard Foley of the Australian Wallabies watch the match between Roger Federer and Marin Cilic.

“I was also a break point down early in the second set so I’m happy I found a way out of it,” Federer said before posing for photographs with Foley and Genia.

“I played really well so I’m happy to be playing this level right now.”

The 19-time grand slam champion admitted it was a strange feeling knowing he wouldn’t be going home even if he had lost, but said the unusual scenario also freed him up to play his best tennis when he needed it.

Roger Federer defeated Marin Cilic 6-7 (7-5) 6-4 6-1.

“I tried to relax a little bit,” he said after completing the round-robin play with three wins from three.

“But of course I want to do well. I want to try to keep the momentum going and play the right way and, to do that, a win’s always very helpful.”

Federer will face the winner of Friday’s clash between Dominic Thiem and David Goffin for a place in Sunday night’s championship decider.

“Both great guys, good friends of mine on the tour. I’ll watch that one tomorrow, try to relax now and then one more weekend, one more push, before the vacation and then the preparation for next season,” he said.

The winner of Thursday night’s match between American Jack Sock and German world No. 3 Alexander Zverev will play Grigor Dimitrov in Saturday’s other semi-final at London’s O2 Arena.

Originally published as ATP World Tour Finals: Roger Federer gives Will Genia and Bernard Foley a tennis lesson