Goffin despairing ahead of Federer semi-final

Goffin was nowhere near his best on Wednesday as Dimitrov blew him away 6-0 6-2 and he got off to the worst possible start as Thiem broke him to love for 0-2. But he’s been punching well above his weight over the past two seasons, and has made the most of his opportunities to rise to his current position of No. 8 in the world rankings. “Honestly, I don’t know what to do tomorrow”.

If Texas Tech can’t turn things around in short order and conclude the season in a fashion replicable to the first half of the 2017 slate, the Red Raiders may not only enter the offseason looking for answers, but a new coach. Shorn also of Novak Djokovic, the casual fan would only really find interest in this century’s greatest sporting rivalry, Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal.

Goffin avoided that humiliation, holding serve in the 10th game, but the cheers that accompanied that feat were out of sympathy not expectation that a contest might be about to start. His clinching shot was a perfectly angled forehand on the run that crossed back into play from wide on the deuce side and dipped inside the baseline.

“In the beginning it was like being a kid in a candy store, sharing the locker room with legends of the game, seeing them prepare, being able to practise with them, playing doubles with or against them”, he said. In the evening match in the Pete Sampras group, Dimitrovcoasted to a 6-1, 6-1 victory against Pablo Carreno Busta.

The final four line-up marks the first time since 2008 that three year-end first-time players have reached the final four – Goffin, Dimitrov and Sock. A code of conduct point deduction for Sock for belting a ball up into the crowd and it looked as though the young American had lost his head.

It has been a long road to redemption for Dimitrov. According to Forbes.com, the victory took Federer’s career earnings to $110 235 682, surpassing Woods’ tally of $110 061 012.

“I never realised! This is how crazy we are these days”.

Alexander Zverev has vowed to use the frustration of his ATP Finals exit as fuel to build on his breakthrough year when he returns to action in 2018.

After an average spring hardcourt season, Nadal reminded everyone that beating him on clay is still the tallest task in sports.

“When I practiced with him a couple of years back in Dubai, I was highly impressed with his work ethic as well”.

Sock, 25, consolidated his advantage by saving three break points with some monster serving to close in on the first set, which he successfully served out thanks to a deft winner at the net.