
Federer vs Ferrer, through the "Edberg cam"
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by Mauro Cappiello
Last Sunday, Roger Federer beat David Ferrer in the final of the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati with the score of 6-3, 1-6, 6-2.
It was his 80th career title and first Masters 1000 since 2012, but also his third trophy with Stefan Edberg in his coaching staff, after Dubai and Halle.
Differently from the Swiss' first two tournament wins of the season, this time Stefan was there watching him from the stands.
We used a little bit of irony and 23 high resolution screenshots of the match to reconstruct the photo story of the final through Stefan's reactions. Enjoy!
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1-1, 15-0 - The match has just started. Stefan Edberg with his Ray Ban sunglasses lays back and enjoys the show, next to Mirka.
5-3, 0-40 - After breaking Ferrer thanks to a couple of double faults, Federer serves for the first set and goes down 0-40 with two great shots by the Spaniard. "Don't waste your chances!"
6-3 - Edberg must be pleased with his pupil's percentage at the net so far...
6-3, 0-0, 0-40 - After failing to convert three break points in the first game of the second set, Roger plays a tricky forehand drop shot that puts a half smile on Stefan's face...
6-3, 0-1 - 42% of the points played inside the court. The "Edberg effect".
6-3, 0-1, 30-40 - ... But Ferrer holds and gets three break points in the following game. Federer saves the first two, Edberg doesn't lose his smile and explains Mirka how her husband should save the last one.
6-3, 0-3, 15-30 - Ferrer takes the game and flies away in the second set. Mirka desperate, Edberg is like: "Ehi man, what's going on here?" The other guy's face says it all...
6-3, 0-5, 40-40 - Federer saves one set point, but the situation has become dangerous and requires concentration. Edberg puts his sunglasses off. Ferrer may have lost all his previous head-to-heads with Federer, but he came just one point short of giving the Swiss a 6-0, which hasn't happened since the 2008 French Open final he lost to Nadal...
6-3, 1-6 - Federer a little too casual at the net in the second set. But maybe the score didn't need more stats.
6-3, 1-6 - Some encouragement from Edberg to his pupil, as the Swiss leaves the court after a disastrous second set.
6-3, 1-6, 3-1 - Big forehand return and drop shot to take the break in the fourth game of final set. Edberg stands up to applaude.
6-3, 1-6, 4-1, 40-40 - A bad backhand passing miss on a good score situation gives coach Stefan a big pain...
6-3, 1-6, 6-2 - The challenge says the ball is out! Federer wins and takes his first Masters 1000 in two years, his 80th career title and third since the start of Fedberg partnership!
Let the celebrations begin! (Stefan and Mirka... ops!)
Final stats. Will Edberg manage to also improve Federer's percentage on break points?
Proud!

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