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Federer stunned by Goffin at ATP Finals

Published : 19 Nov 2017, 01:25

DF-Xinhua Report

David Goffin of Belgium hits a return during the singles round-robin match against Dominic Thiem of Austria during the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena in London, Britain on Nov. 17, 2017. File Photo Xinhua.

Roger Federer's hope of winning a record seventh ATP Finals title was dashed as he suffered a shock defeat in the semifinals to seventh seed David Goffin at the O2 Arena here on Saturday.

Federer, who had won all their previous six meetings, looked as comfortable as usual, breaking the Belgian twice to win the first set in 33 minutes.

But Goffin, who beat world No. 1 Rafael Nadal and fourth seed Dominic Thiem in the group stages, played more agressively thereafter, forcing the 19-time Grand Slam winner to many mistakes and winning the next two sets 6-3, 6-4.

Goffin, playing here last year for the first time as an alternate, will fight for the season finale title against either sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria or eighth seed Jack Sock of the United States.