Day 7 - Semi-Finals: Roger Federer v David Goffin Tennis: World Tour Finals

2017 has been a remarkable year of

tennis. Two legends once again rose

to the top of the men's game.

What a

champion here at Wimbledon. Nadal is

the top man. ... Now, in the final

event of the season, four men have

the final trophy in their sights.

Can Roger Federer end an exceptional

year with his seventh ATP Finals

trophy? In his way, David Goffin,

who has had the season of his life.

Can Grigor Dimitrov overcome the

American Jack Sock? Is the battle

for tournament glory, the last

chance to write a winning chapter.

Good afternoon. Semifinals day here

at the Nitto ATP Finals, but it's

another player, Andy Murray, who has

been making headlines, and we'll

talk more about that in a moment.

First, back to today, the final

four, familiar face, Roger Federer,

but three first timers, and a chance

to make a breakthrough.

Arguably the

best tennis this week has been

plagued by Dimitrov, who was

sensational last night. It's a match

which isn't supposed to mean

anything, and it produced great

entertainment. He has been playing

great, Jack Sock can't lose it when

he tries, Goffin was brilliant

against Thiem, and Federer is the

favourite. You've got to think that

Roger will have too much. Probably a

Federer, Dimitrov final, but Will

Stevens.

Goffin was saying he's got

to try and find the key to beat

Roger. -- but we'll see the

you

don't find that speed off forehand

lying around too often, but I think

it will be difficult for Goffin. He

will be thrilled to be through to

the semifinals of this event for the

first time, and he's got to have an

attitude of nothing to lose, to go

out and go for everything. He's not

going to just keep the ball in play

and expect Federer to miss. He's got

to make things happen. As much as we

try and put a game plan forward for

Goffin, I can only see one winner.

Federer's Serb, it may not be the

fastest, but the placement, he will

not get the chance to be aggressive

and -- Federer's serve.

He beat

David Goffin a couple of weeks ago

in but Goffin, with the Davis Cup

coming up, hats off to him. He could

have come here and said, I want to

hold back my energy. He hasn't. He

is so talented. It will be

fascinating to see what he does

today.

Ladies and gentlemen, making a

record 15th appearance, the six time

champion, with 95 titles, including

a record 19 Grand Slam trophies and

27 ATP Masters 1000s, the 2017

Australian Open and Wimbledon

champion, from Switzerland, Roger

Federer!

CHEERING

Ladies and gentlemen, please give a

big thank you...

That was a noise

and a half for Roger Federer! For

Goffin, when you got that head-on,

what do you tell yourself to try and

turn it around?

It's not easy. We

talk about the psychology of tennis

and sport, and it's about staying in

the present. He can't dwell on past

matches, if there's anything he can

take away from that, it is purely

the experience. He knows the

strengths of Federer's game. He has

to try and concentrate on his own

game, and I always think the start

is vital. Federer is such a good

front runner, you don't want to give

him an early break. It's important

that Goffin tries to get his spots

on his serve to try and keep that

first serve percentage guy and, when

he gets an opportunity for rallies,

he's got over it, flatten out his

ball and trying to be aggressive. --

he's got to go for it. Without any

weapons, Federer will wait to

dictate with his forehand.

We are

just waiting for Roger to come to

the site. You know, he is just, he

loves this arena, this occasion, and

he reacts to it so well.

He is

taking his time, like his rival,

Rafa. That is interesting.

Welcome

to the finals. After the coin toss,

we will do a quick photo. We have

the FedEx site and the ATP site,

which would you like? ATP site is

the call. It is FedEx. Roger.

Received.

Good match.

In keeping with tradition, Roger

wins the toss and he elected to

receive. Let's get back to the story

last night involving Andy Murray and

his split from Ivan Lendl. This is

what Murray had to say. I'm thankful

to Ivan for all of his help and

guidance. We have had great success

and learned a lot. My focus now is

on getting ready for Australia with

the team I have in place and getting

back to completing. Is this a

surprise? Not for me. As Andy

alluded to, they had a massive

amount of success.

I'm sure that

Andy and the team have learned a lot

from Ivan. They never actually saw a

great deal of each other but, right

now, the focus is on Andy's it and

getting healthy. I think he's got a

great team. Jamie Delgado, who

spends every day of the tennis

calendar with Andy on court, I think

he's done a great job. He

understands Andy's game and, as a

person, he gets on well with the

team.

People want to bring in super

coaches, and that is what Ivan was.

When he's fit with Amelie Mauresmo,

Ivan came on at Queen's at the

beginning of 2016. -- when he split

foot and then he won 52 matches out

of 55 for the remains of the year.

And he was world number one. You can

put out a statement like that, and

you can always get back together

again in a few months if it's not

working out. It's kind of a shame.

Ivan Lendl was somebody that will

always be on the end of a phone. If

Andy wanted to call on him in the

future, he can. I agree with Tim.

The main thing for Andy is to keep

the rest of the team employed by

being a tennis player himself, and I

remain extremely worried about his

hip and his future prospects. I'm

keeping my fingers crossed.

A

horrible year for him. He had

shingles and other illnesses,

injuries, and then the injury to his

hip. He's never been fit for a full

month.

It's been very difficult. I

think his performance at the end of

last year probably played a part. He

was exhausted and, in hindsight,

could probably have done with a bit

of time off at the end of 2016 to

give himself a chance for 2017. As

Andrew said, Andy has had the

problem with his hip. If anybody is

going to overcome it, it is handy,

because he is so meticulous and

motivated, and he likes

confrontation. He normally has

confrontation with an opponent but

now he has it with his hip, and he

is going to prove his hip wrong and

get back to full fitness. We will

all be keeping our fingers crossed.

At the press conference, Grigor

Dimitrov was asked about the

situation with Andy Murray and he

said, I'm not worried for them if

you me, is he going to take Danny,

no, it isn't going to take him back.

You mentioned it was a tough year

and they have just had their second

baby, so I guess it isn't all bad.

But Andy wants to be a part of this,

which is why he was here this week

practising. If his career is over

because of this, that would be sad,

but I tell you what, what a career!

I'm not trying to write the guy off.

We hope he is coming back. But hips

are notoriously difficult.

If

anybody can do it, it will be Andy.

Back to today, and Roger Federer,

how well has he played this week?

He's played OK. He has won three

matches in his group, but his first

serve percentage has been average,

back of the court, a lot more

unforced errors and we are used to

see from him. Again, he is good at

not panicking. I don't think he has

to play his best tennis to win

today, but if he were to go through

to the final, he'd be looking to up

his level at all times.

Goffin has

to do something different, so what

is that? Doing more to Roger's

background rather than the forehand?

I have no idea. I love the way

Goffin plays, but Federer as so many

tools and wasted that an opponent

that you have to see him as the

potential winner. Goffin, the mascot

was almost as big as he was when he

came out! It's so nice to watch him

play.

In his group match, Goffin

struggled against Dimitrov, because

Dimitrov was patient, he stayed in

the rally, he didn't make unforced

errors but, when he got the

opportunity to unload, he had the

firepower to hit through Goffin.

Let's be honest, Federer is a better

version of Dimitrov. That is where

it is difficult to come up with some

sort of game plan with the weapons

that Goffin has, to see how we can

but Federer, but he's got to give it

his best shot and he has nothing to

lose. He's had a great year and,

irrespective of what happens in this

match, 20 of stuff to follow. His

season is by no means over. --

plenty of stuff.

Last season, Roger

Federer was different, he was being

aggressive. It has worked for him.

He has talked about his racket with

a large ahead, a bigger sweet spot,

and he has certainly got the

confidence on his backhand to be

aggressive. If he is being

aggressive on both wings, it is a

bonus. Not too many areas to attack.

The one area you want to come in is

with a big serve to try and really

set up the opportunities for you to

dictate the points. Once Federer

starts being offensive, it is

difficult to defend against him on

any surface, let alone a fast indoor

court.

Can't wait to hear what you

are going to do for your cup of tea

today. No doubt that will be

unfurled in a moment. But sit back

and enjoy this semifinal.

A great reception for both players,

the first of two semifinals today.

This evening, Dimitrov against Sock,

the debutant, the first time for one

qualifier. David Goffin, serving to

the six time champion.

Worth remembering that he got off to

a poor start against Dominic Thiem.

He was getting hammered by Grigor

Dimitrov, where he got just two

games, and was 3-0 down against

Thiem.

It's early days but I think, when

you got a rallying shot and a

choice, from Goffin's point of view,

going to Federer's forehand, knowing

that it's a risk...

With respect to Federer, come on,

David! Keep it close.

He is unlikely to serve much better

than that -- much quicker than that,

125. This would be a tremendous

start for the Belgian.

6-1, 6-2 in Basel recently, Roger

Federer going ahead and winning his

home tournament for the eighth time.

Thierry Van Cleemput, who is working

with David Goffin. Eight straight

sets for Federer against this man.

Federer did the hard work and really

worked himself into the point. He

got forward and anywhere in that

service box would have been a

winner.

Fourth break point this opening

service game.

Tremendous work from Goffin.

Actually, from both players. Goffin

going into the forehand lot in this

match where there is a choice.

It's

a risk. You've got to go there with

strength, but the advantage of going

into the four and is it opens up the

backhand. If you keep playing to the

backhand side, Federer will edge

over there and your gets smaller and

smaller. -- your target gets smaller

and smaller.

I think they are bluffing. I think

it is in somebody's and back. --

somebody's handbag.

Oh, it's a way. What a contest in

the opening game. On his fifth break

point opportunity, Federer

breakthrough. -- breaks through.

Boy, that was a decent game.

It's

been a story of this event, how well

the players have come out and struck

the ball from the first point.

You

were directing our attention to this

earlier in the week. Federer's first

serve and second serve placement.

He

can hit all six areas of the court,

so you can't tell where he is going

to do it. Serving few into the body.

But not one of the fastest servers

in the game, but certainly one of

the most accurate.

Starting to go

out wide with this slice serve. He's

got the break.

Former world number three, Ivan

Ljubicic. Coaches Federer with

Severin Luthi. He's been with Roger

Federer years, both the Swiss Davis

Cup captain and his coach. But

mainly friend and part of the team.

It's not all about the tennis.

Mirka. I am sure the four children

are here somewhere. I haven't seen

them in the stadium.

Speaking of children and families,

got some good pictures to show you

in a minute. Serena Williams getting

married a couple of days ago. Did

you see the wedding gown?

No, but

looking forward to seeing it.

$2.6

million, apparently, the wedding

dress.

Expensive dress, if you only wear it

once.

I was going to say, folds that

one up and take care Robic! -- take

care of it.

So, who pays for that? Is it the

father of the bride?

Yeah. I bet he

got two.

First challenge from Roger Federer.

Need to start building up a fund now

to save up for your daughter's

wedding.

I'm going to buy them and

expensive dress.

Listen, you are hardly going to be

consulted! Just back off.

No, and Goffin is off the mark with

that forehand error from Federer.

Well done to him. 1-2 and a break

down. Federer is only dropped serve

twice so far in three previous

matches. OK, it was Disney, beauty

and the beast themed wedding. A lot

of wonderful music, and Serena

Williams posted this beautiful

picture. Congratulations to her. And

Alexander McQueen dress. I've given

you the price already, but that's

not the point. It's just wonderful.

She has taken time off, the

Wimbledon champion. The bridegroom,

Alexis O'Hanion, of Ukrainian

descent, has posted that. Their

two-month-old child has -- their

two-month-old child was at the

ceremony, and it's going to appear

in Vogue magazine, by all accounts.

As for you, who is paying? You are,

productively. If I have a son who

was marrying one of your daughters,

I think that would be the case. I

think it should be more 50-50, don't

you? He isn't short of a bob or two,

Alexis O'Hanion. 150 people there.

Some great pictures appearing. I

hope she comes back and has the

appetite to play. Simona Halep, the

world number one, and Caroline

Wozniacki winning the season-ending

championships, the WTA Tour, and she

was at the wedding, too. Great

friends with Serena.

This would leave just one challenge

remaining, if he gets this wrong...

Just one more challenge remaining,

the fourth game.

That is a shot he said he has

struggled with this week, going down

the line, the higher part of the

net, it does look like the ball is

flying a little bit on him.

That is accuracy for you.

Three net cords in a row?

Lot of the

mistakes from Federer on the

backhand have been on the net but if

he feels the ball flying... He is

trying to keep the ball a bit lower.

Each round robin when was worth 200

computer points, a semifinal is

worth 402 win this entire thing,

1500 points. The Grand Slam is 2000

and the Masters 1000 series is

obviously 1000. The clue is in the

name.

We have seen Federer attacking the

second serve more from the Goffin

box but from the deuce box... Inside

the baseline...

If Federer was to go ahead and pick

up some good computer points this

weekend, that would put him into a

position just tucked in behind Rafa

Nadal.

At times you don't know what to say

about Federer's tennis.

That is

where you'd take your hat, Goffin

has played some good tennis but

Federer is in a different league.

The Davis cup champion for Croatia,

they went undefeated in that year.

Winning all 11 matches they played.

And has beaten Roger Federer.

There is that right knowledge and

acceptance from Goffin, pulled out

wide from the back spin and that

piercing drive down the line from

Federer and this set is in the hands

of Federer after 22 minutes. After

taking six months off after the 2016

semifinal loss to Milos Raonic, he

won the Australian Open. Ridiculous,

really. And the final against Nadal,

after being down in the fifth, was

superb. He will have to defend that

Down Under in January.

He has won

some big titles. Four of those

defeats, two of the matches had

match point against Tommy Haas

earlier on in the year.

Indeed. Just

those four losses and to begin next

year, the Australian Open, Indian

Wells and Miami, straight out of the

blocks! Unbelievable but it was

those six months off and then

winning Australia that really

shocked the world of tennis.

Plenty

of players have had a long injury

lay-off but this was very

calculated. There is no one who has

returned to the sport and been so

successful, so quickly.

After a year

like that, he ends up that number

two, that shows you how good a year

Rafa Nadal had at the age of 31. The

oldest year end number one, Roger

Federer the oldest year end number

two. More and more records for these

great players.

Exhibition stuff in what happens to

be the semifinals of the World Tour

Finals.

This is the stage for Roger

Federer to exhibit all of his

talent.

A 14th semifinal in 15 appearances

for Federer. Serve Ian McKellen.

-- serve Ian McKellan.

Oh! What is going on? That is just

not a! -- naughty. That is a

full-blooded swing. He may not have

been happy with a couple of his

performances in the group stages,

notably against Zverev, but he is

totally in control with this.

The Davis Cup final begins next

Friday. France against Belgium. That

isn't Lille, with Goffin leading the

Belgian team. -- that is in.

He started this week by defeating

the world number one, Rafa Nadal.

Excellent match in three sets, Nadal

was not right and retired at the end

of that and went home, he had knee

problems.

That is good for a couple of

reasons. He does not allow Federer

to start the second set serving.

Some small comfort for him. And you

look at the way that Goffin has

played, hitting the ball well, he

has tried to be as offensive as

possible and anything that drops in

the middle of the court, Federer is

able to dictate with both backhand

and forehand.

Unusual for a player

to only be five foot 11, these days

we expect them to be six foot three

and above and everybody says you

must be enormous and physical, you

can be physical at his height. He is

quick and he has good hands.

Certainly does, you always tried to

control the controllable is and you

cannot do much about your height but

with his physique, he is very fleet

of foot and strong on both wings but

you'd just want some of that big

weapon, the big first serve or

devastating ground stroke. He has a

lot of good things but not just one

weapon that can really hurt Federer.

That victory over Nadal was Goffin's

fifth top ten win this year, it was

taken to three sets and he stay

determined and got through that and

then was hammered by Grigor Dimitrov

with the loss of two games, one of

the performances of the year from

Dimitrov. He recovered to beat

Dominic Thiem from three love line.

To get to this semifinal. -- three

love down.

Well, the first game is so

important, Goffin tried to hang on

but on his fifth break point Federer

got through and it was one-way

traffic. A wonderful performance

from him as he takes out a nice, new

racquet. To return these relatively

new balls. The stage is yours, Tim

Henman?

13 - three, that is one

reflection of how much Federer is

dominating from the back of the

court, there are too many unforced

errors from both of them. Federer

has obviously got the winners to

counterbalance those unforced

errors. The area of the game that

Federer has not done so well in this

week... The fastest serve from

Goffin, four miles per hour faster

than Federer.

Perhaps a little

surprising. Federer has raised his

ground stroke speed, that is a

reflection of what is coming at you.

Hitting more forehands here.

And the

percentages on serve. That is a good

number Federer. Lowell on the first

serve points that he has one.

That

little graph at the bottom... Five

break points in the first game and

there is three for the second break.

And the break point that he was

unable to convert... At the moment,

it is one-way.

One-way traffic and

the question is, what can Goffin do

differently? I struggle to think of

anything. He cannot really serve and

volley, can he be more aggressive

from the baseline? He will then make

more unforced errors. He has to hope

that his level goes up a little bit

and that Federer drops off.

This is

a restart for Goffin after 35

minutes of this first semifinal at

the O2 Arena. This is the end from

which he lost the opening service

game. That cannot happen again. He

has lost nine straight sets to

Federer.

The 14th semifinal on these World

Tour Championship 's. Ten and three,

losing to three players.

I cannot believe we have been here

in London since 2009.

A great backhand by Federer but

after the first serve, Goffin got

the reply he wants, he has to do

more with this shot. Rolling it into

the corner, he has to go for it and

if he misses that, big deal, he is

going to miss the point anyway.

Getting the job done for Goffin.

That is a better start to this set.

A couple of tournament victories for

him towards the end of the year,

China, 250. And the Japan open in

Tokyo, where he defeated an arena.

The finals in Sofia and Rotterdam.

Endorse. Consistent, 56 match

victories this year for Goffin.

A couple of good returns. Goffin is

hoping for a missed first serve and

then volleyed to go after the

second. He took a big risk.

He had his chances. The forehand

passes, could have gone down the

line. Federer was there to pick off

that forehand volley. This one

coming up...

Goffin continuing to go into

Federer's forehand but really

hitting those shots with some

firepower.

Goffin was talking about how he was

not sure what he was going to change

but it appears the difference

between this match and basil daisy

is getting that forehand

consistently, he is having some

mistakes...

-- Basel is that he is.

Federer winning all the points on

the deuce court and Goffin on the ad

court.

The longest game on Federer's serve

is turning into one of the most

demanding to break any point. The

first for Goffin.

And he has got the break! Only the

third time Federer has been broken

this week and after the first set,

this is an excellent response.

It is

great hitting from Goffin, he was

forcing the errors out of Federer

and then a great second serve return

at deuce and a strong point finish

with the great passing shot.

Absolutely deserves a break of

serve. He really has to knuckle down

on his own serve.

Fantastic.

What a turnaround! Excellent work.

26-year-old from Rocourt in Belgium.

At a career-high after rate

tremendous year. At a tournament

last year, he took place of Gael

Monfils, but this year he returns

having made it through to the

semifinal and making a pretty good

fist of this. Kind of a free game

next. No time to take your foot off

the gas, and you certainly want to

go for it straightaway. But Federer,

no sign of panic, I'm sure. He isn't

really want to panic on court.

Definitely not. He will appreciate

that Goffin has played some great

tennis and he'll go back to the

basics of hitting the spots on is

serve, try and hold the next game

and have another crack at Goffin's

serve.

They are playing a Stevie

Wonder track in here, and everybody

is trying to get involved.

Want to swap, Mirka? You know,

somewhere in here, there could be

some little Henmans. No, I don't

think she is going -- Sir Ian is

going to stand up and start twerking

or anything, but you never know.

My

family are dotted around here

somewhere.

Denis Shapovalov,

Newcomer of the year. We will be

speaking to him a bit later. There

will be an encore ceremony to

celebrate that award after Roger

Federer or David Goffin comes

through this. After that match, we

will be hearing from this wonderful

left-handed player, this newcomer.

You know, I suspect Denis Shapovalov

would be as nervous about making his

speech as he was about playing any

matches this year. 18 years old,

fourth round, last 16 at the US

Open, he beat MBE. Tremendous year,

from 250 to 51 in the world. -- he

beat Nadal.

68 seconds worth of service game

from Federer.

There they all are.

A good serve and

volley, but I don't think Goffin

really got the volley. I think he

nudged back and tailgated. Beat me

with your backhand.

Certainly not coming now for

Federer. He had 0-15 in this game

and a clenched fist after that

forehand pass. Since then, Goffin,

another steady response.

Well, Goffin looking over at his

coach about that challenge. Clean

strike. It's the footwork that makes

such a big difference, Federer just

tucked that out and round. One of

the fastest racket heads you'll ever

see, almost 4000 rpm on the

resulting top-spin.

Smart serving. 107 mph, but

well-placed, keeping Federer

off-balance. Not easy.

At 40-15,

when you get your game point

opportunities, it is so important to

close them out.

Well, I'm glad we are seeing a match

because, after the first set of just

over half an hour, you thought

Federer could run through this,

bearing in mind that Dimitrov had

beaten Goffin earlier this week with

the loss of just two games. But

hasn't he done well?

Really well. He

has upped his first serve percentage

and is winning 82% when the first

serve finds its mark. Only three

unforced errors in the set. Big

difference to the first, where he

made 13 unforced errors in eight

games.

He has settled in, and this

is the first of two semifinals. Just

eight men in this event, split into

two groups of four, so we are

looking at the whim of one group,

Federer, against the runner-up of

the other, Goffin, and later on

Dimitrov, won his group, against the

run up against Federer, Jack Sock.

Three debutantes and a six time

champion in these cemeteries Daly

semis. -- in these semis. That is

where they are! We found them.

I

recognise two of those. No, I

recognise more than that.

Do they

play tennis?

A little bit. They play

a bit at school.

Is that because

their dad was too lazy to teach

them?

Perhaps. Wrong surname to play

tennis in this country.

I wonder if Myla Rose and Charlene

Riva, Federer pass daughters, can

play tennis, or Leo and Lenny. Tough

old surname as well! Are you any

good?

Who coaches you? My dad.

The funny thing is, they probably

wouldn't listen.

I think he actually does take the

kids to tennis lessons.

That would

be a pressurised situation for a

coach.

Great return.

A few more errors coming from

Federer pass racket, but Goffin

doing a good job in the early parts

of his service games getting his

nose in front.

Couldn't quite get his feet up to

the ball.

Just guided the ball on that

forehand side. Just pushed it a

little bit. If it was missed, it's

going to be a break point. It is

wide.

Reaching for the ball.

We've said several times this week,

Federer, that he's struggled at

times to control the ball on his

forehand on a big point.

Surprisingly this.

David Goffin just continues to

impress. At 0-30 in that game, and

then break point down, but just so

resilient, isn't he? Keeps on

bouncing back for more, enjoying

this match now, and he is right

involved in it. After the first set,

didn't necessarily expect that to

happen. Reminder that it is Dimitrov

against Sock, the second semifinal,

later. Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo

are in the finals, they beat Ryan

Harrison and Michael Venus. It will

be Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares

against Henri Kontinen and John

Peers, who have won all four finals

they've been in this year and are

defending ATP final champions. A lot

to look forward to on the doubles

court as well. BBC sport website for

that, and you can hear it on BBC

five live sports extra. Tomorrow at

6pm on BBC Two, the final, Goffin

against Sock.

It's looking that way

now, isn't it!

It would be unusual.

People expecting Federer against

Dimitrov.

Is easy to take Federer

winning for granted, but it's been

impressive away that Goffin

responded. He didn't get frustrated

at the end of the first set, he

stuck to his guns and played a great

game to break the Federer serve and,

at worst now, he's going to have an

opportunity to for this second set.

-- to serve for this second set.

So, Goffin trying to do what he

hasn't done in two years and three

matches, to take a set from Federer.

He will go and changed his racket,

because he is about to receive. He

has 12 rackets, he travels with 12,

and he has all eight of them strong

for each match. -- re-strong. I

think he was saying that the

downstream is in gut, 27 kilos, 25

and a half cross strings. Lots of

tiny little alterations and he says

he can feel the difference.

A great start.

Such a hard thing to do, to dominate

Federer from the back of the court.

It is Goffin getting on the front

foot.

Doesn't serve many aces, but

certainly a good time for his

fourth.

Already, just scraps for Federer in

this game. Three straight points for

Goffin to make it 1-1.

And one is all that he needs. Good

work, David Goffin we are going into

a decider here in the semifinal of

the ATP Finals.

A couple of times this week, Federer

has looked a little bit crosspatch,

a bit frustrated with his

performance. He lost a set to Cilic

when it was a death match and he'd

already won the group. The match

against Alexander Zverev was a big

build-up. Some frustrations there.

It hasn't all been going his way. He

is going to have to fight once again

to make yet another final here in

London. What a difference between

the sets. Total points won, Goffin,

33 to 25. Coming into the net a fair

amount, Goffin. Timing is everything

for that. Tim.

Not a lot to look at

when you are talking about service

speed. None of these players,

neither of these players are going

to break records. But Goffin really

cut out the unforced errors and won

the important points. 63% of first

serves, winning 79% when that goes

in, and 64 on second serve. That is

good, because he isn't getting cheap

points with his second serve, so

those are baseline rallies, and he

has dominated.

And Federer ran

further in the second set and

Goffin, which suggests that Goffin

is controlling the centre of the

court better than he was in the

first set. So, the expectation would

be that Federer would pick up his

play, but nothing to be taken for

granted here. This great career that

we've celebrated so many times.

The

psychology is interesting because we

said Goffin came on the court with

nothing to lose. He played the

second set the right way, going for

his shots. When you win the second

set, suddenly it is a shoot out in

the third set and you have to

maintain that attitude. You can't

suddenly say, actually, I've got

something to lose. You've got to

keep going for your shots. That is

easier said than done.

We'll be celebrating at the end of

this match Denis Shapovalov, the

most improved award for him. For

Federer, the sportsmanship award,

named after Stefan Edberg. They come

back Player of the Year and the

fans' favourite. As you heard from

the welcome that he got.

One minute, Goffin is on the attack.

The next minute, it's Federer. Both

defending well, but Federer able to

use that forehand down the line to

set up the shortfall. Couldn't miss

that at this stage of the match. --

to set up a short ball.

Gutsy play from Goffin. He's

continued to go strong to Federer's

forehand.

That ball looked very long. Perhaps

I'm wrong. It didn't matter in the

end.

He's getting reeled in. This normal

tour of triumph that the Swiss fans

get used to seeing isn't happening

today. Going to have to grind this

one out.

Lots of mistakes. He looks flat.

Goffin, from 0-30, with a hold. A

bit early to celebrate, but holding

from 0-30 against Federer at the

start of the third set is a big

deal.

Five straight points. Goffin in the

lead.

It doesn't look like he really wants

to be at at the moment. -- to be out

there playing. More frustrated than

anything, by his opponent, who is

playing some exceptional tennis.

Brilliant backhand down the line.

Baseball was low, that sets up the

overhead. Two break points. -- this

ball was low. He really sense that

Federer is having to risk more and

more on second serve, especially

since Goffin is getting the upper

hand in these baseline exchanges.

He really is ahead. We have a

surprise in our hands. How about it?

At what stage does he release are

thinking about this? Probably never,

he is laid-back. He is bound to be a

bit nervous as he gets closer to the

winning line.

Nothing to lose at the

beginning, he wins the second set,

well... You have something to lose

now!

Lovely player. He won the

comeback Player of the Year in 2015.

He suffered injuries to his wrist

and could not play at all and then

during the summer of his comeback

year he won three straight

challenges in a row at a tour event

and he was well back. He has

suffered injury himself and

adversity and he has led his country

to a second Davis Cup final against

France next weekend. It would have

been easy for him to conserve some

energy and be satisfied with just

being here but not a bit of it.

They

are both such enormous events and

having qualified for this with a

fantastic season of tennis, he would

have been keen to give this his best

shot and take advantage and find

himself up by a break in the third

set... Against Roger Federer... That

is perhaps not what he was expecting

at the beginning of the week.

The shortest player here at five

foot 11. The lightest player at 68

kilos. He packs a punch. From the

back of the court today. He has the

break.

Oh!

Oh!

One of those shots were he was

probably anxious to see if he has

made it before he had hit it. It did

not need to be that good.

Still

trying to work out who the crowd

want.

That is miles out. Two forehands in

this game. One pushed clearly down

the line and the other thrashed over

the baseline. It is rare to see him

so anxious on that forehand side.

It had plenty of top-spin on it. Did

it dip? Absolutely not.

Again, it is a fine line, he has to

be aggressive for that big second

serve... Not the time to serve your

first double fault in the match.

This is not the time to serve a

second double fault in the match!

That was a tennis point!

Goffin is playing so well, lovely

adjustment with his footwork, the

return clipped the top of the net.

121 mph, the first serve, coming up

the right time.

Yes! You have to love the way this

guy plays.

Who do you think is going to win

from here? We're not doing a cup of

tea on this but right now, the way

they are playing, Goffin is the

favourite. Maybe only the slight

favourite but he is controlling the

play from the back of the court.

That is why the sport can be

difficult to predict, Goffin beat

Rafa Nadal in his first match, the

world number one. Then two games

against Dimitrov, solid match

against Dominic Thiem. Now, he is

eyeing up the finishing line against

Federer, a person he has never

beaten.

Quick game, nice. There was

something I meant to look at

earlier, the last time somebody beat

Nadal and Federer in the same

week... You can go through your

mental files, I know, but it is a

good question... I am sure somebody

out there will know this! It would

not be a bad week, to have to play

both in the same week along with

Dominic Thiem and Dimitrov and

Goffin is not finished yet. He will

have to keep on thinking and keep on

changing the spin and the pace, keep

believing in what has gotten to this

point, playing against a bloke he is

very happy to say was his hero

growing up.

He beat Nadal, Federer,

lose and still win the tournament!

There has been some great tennis

this week. People were worried with

the likes of Kei Nishikori, Stan

Wawrinka, Andy Murray, Djokovic, all

unable to compete at this event and

in the last few months of the tour

but the people here have been

thrilled to be a part of the show.

Zverev will be disappointed with

himself to have lost a tremendous

match with Jack Sock. The American

went through to the semifinal.

Well, the serve was 90 mph and the

forehand winner was 89. Who is the

baseline volley right now?

This

little chap. -- baseline volley.

He

looks so diminutive in his grey

socks, like he could not find any

white socks. His knees held together

with tape.

Very nice. 4-2. Roger needs to press

the non-off switch, he is running

out of time.

From Federer's point of

view, does he need to change

tactics? Do something different to

break the rhythm? Goffin is playing

incredible tennis. One thing is for

sure, he has to hold onto this

service game.

It looked plenty long, didn't it? Is

Roger Federer's year coming to a

close? Sensation of year, fabulous

comeback to the Torah. --

sensational. Fabulous comeback to

the tour.

One challenge in about ten minutes,

if he is not careful!

It is the right shot. The aggressive

is what has got into this position,

he cannot start pushing the ball in.

-- being aggressive.

Amazing. This great player. Just

struggling to get the physical

energy going, the motivation, after

being in this situation so many

times, his 14th semifinal in 15

appearances at the season-ending

championships, were based on a whole

year's effort and work and he keeps

coming back for more and he keeps

being upbeat about the training and

physical work. He just loves to head

the ball but it has been a little

bit join us a couple of times this

week but he has got the job done.

But he must get excited, you have

two get yourself up in this

situation?

There is no doubt that

Federer is competing at 100% of his

capabilities, probably not paying

100% but that has a lot to do with

his opponent, Goffin, seven games of

this, in the third set he thoroughly

deserves to be in the lead.

Federer, he won his first Wimbledon

before most of that lot were born, I

would guess! He has to get excited.

Make as quick as possible and hope

that Goffin drops off a little bit.

-- as quick as stark as possible.

If we had our customary that, you

would have chosen Federer?

Yes, but

we did not. -- bet.

One game away

from victory. This would be a

tremendous upset, especially after

that first set, 35 minutes, Roger

with that regal approach, clubbing

the winners, huge reception at any

time he does anything and Goffin has

just stuck around, played

beautifully. And he is one game

away.

He came in on a wing and a prayer,

Federer. He had to work hard for

this volley.

The kick-serve, he got up.

Federer getting outmanoeuvred from

the back of the court.

Goffin, two points from victory and

how he would like to seal the deal

here.

Do you think Goffin will be nervous

or is he on autopilot? This is what

you train for? I cannot imagine this

young man ever having had a bigger

game. Or having had to ensure a

longer 90 seconds. He is looking up

at some of the tennis on the big

screen.

That will give him

confidence. Before he goes out to

serve, which will unquestionably be

the biggest service game of his

tennis life.

He has beaten Djokovic

this year. He has beaten Nadal, he

has taken his country to the Davis

Cup final but this is a real

elevation, fascinating that he is

watching the point. Watching some of

the highlights going through.

He doesn't want to be watching how

good Roger's forehand is.

There are

a lot of highlights from the way he

has played in the second and third

sets that have gotten into this

position. Serving for any match, you

want to get onto a very good start

and the first couple of points will

be vital for both players.

That helps!

Absolute pinpoint serving. He hit

the center line twice on this first

two points. He has taken Federer out

of this game. That is where you put

it.

He went for the hat-trick.

There was not quite so much racquet

head acceleration on that forehand.

So many errors on the forehand side,

this legendary shot in our sport and

Goffin has gone them relentlessly.

One hour and 45 minutes. A big

surprise. Goffin, two match points

for a place in the final tomorrow

evening.

And he has done at! And no wonder...

He has beaten his hero, Ramadi has

never beaten before, Roger Federer.

-- a man he has never beaten. He

looks happy for his opponent and

that is nice.

APPLAUSE.

Tennis history for David Goffin. The

first man from his country to be in

the season-ending finale. It is

goodbye, Roger Federer.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Another spectacular year. Seven

titles including an eight Wimbledon,

the Australian Open again and he

will finish as world number two. It

was a flat performance, it has to be

said. Into the third set,

uncharacteristically... Goffin going

through, the first man from his

country here, through to the

semifinal and final awaits. Grigor

Dimitrov or Jack Sock?

Say would you

like about Federer, Goffin was

sensational in the second and third

sets.

Well done! 26 years old. He

has demonstrated you don't have to

be 6.5 feet tall and full of muscles

to get the job done. What a

performance! He has beaten Rafa

Nadal and Federer this week. That

will make you feel pretty good about

yourself!

Looking forward to the final

tomorrow. We can get his thoughts.

Congratulations, that was a stunning

performance. You just scored your

first victory over Roger Federer.

Can you just sum up the win for us?

I have no words. I cannot describe

how I'm feeling for the moment. So

much joy, so much happiness. I'm so

happy to play the match I played in

front of you, against Roger. It was

such a special moment. I can't

describe it.

APPLAUSE

You played Roger six times and lost

all six previous encounters. You

said before this one you were going

to try something different today.

What was it that worked out?

Honestly, I don't know now! Yeah, it

was just the feeling the ball really

well. I was a bit nervous when I

started the match, and then I

started to feel the ball really

well, the second serve was there. It

helped me a lot at the end, because

I was nervous in the last game, but

I did some great serves and I was

really aggressive. I hit some great

forehands, so that was my day.

It

certainly was your day. You are into

your first ATP Finals. You will face

either Dimitrov Sock. Are you going

to watch it tonight? They are not

listening, so who would you prefer

to play?

Er, yeah, if you watch some

matches this week, you know the

answer. But now it's the final, it's

a different match. So, yeah, it's

always special to play a final and

obviously, for me to play the final

of the Masters, if it is Jack or

Grigor, it will be a match with a

lot of emotions, so it will be

different to the beginning of the

week. I will try and play at the

same level and try to be aggressive

and play my games. Try to win.

We

really enjoyed watching you play.

Well done, and we wish you all the

best of luck for tomorrow. David

Goffin!

CHEERING

Well, a well-deserved victory for

David Goffin, who was totally

outplayed in the opening set but he

found a way to get back in the

match, and he has put out his great

idol, a player he had never beaten.

Interesting, coming in today,

wondering how many games is Goffin

going to get, after only winning

three just two weeks ago. How did he

turn it around?

It was incredible.

I'm speechless. He was speechless

after the match as well. The first

set, it was as we expected. Federer

was patient from the back and

bullied him. The early part of the

second set, he played a great game

in the second set to break Federer,

he got up 3-0, and it was as if his

confidence went through the roof.

From that moment, he was aggressive

at the back of the court, he was

flattening his ball out and making

very few unforced errors, and that

is the challenge. Federer, at the

rally extended, he made mistakes,

and right to the end, Goffin never

blinked and deserved the victory.

He

was making Roger Federer's ground

shots look almost ordinary.

I don't

know whether game plan came from,

but some credit to his coach and to

David for sitting down and thinking

about what he wanted to do. Tim was

saying, get to Federer's backhand,

you have to go to his forehand

first, and it worked. I think

Federer was flat today, I don't know

why. A couple this week, we've

noticed he was a bit testy. He was

outplayed, but he looked a bit flat.

Looked like he wanted not to be

given to him, but didn't look like

he could dig deep, for whatever

reason, so a new man in the final

for us, and we celebrate that.

Roger

would hate to lose a match like

that, that he felt he was in control

of.

It will be tough, because he has

had such an incredible year, and to

finish on this type of real downer

is a big shock. But he is very good

at brushing those defeats off. He

has earned a well earned rest and

I'm sure he will have some holidays.

He will hit the practice court hard

to make sure he is ready for 2018.

For me, probably the biggest

surprise of the year.

We are heading

courtside to see Denis Shapovalov.

He will receive two awards, the

exciting young 18-year-old.

We now

have a special ceremony on court

here. Today, we celebrate the ATP

star of tomorrow, presented by

Emirates. ATP executive chairman and

president Chris Kermode will present

the trophy, so please give him a

warm welcome on to court.

APPLAUSE

Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of

the ATP star of tomorrow, presented

by Emirates, from Canada, Denis

Shapovalov.

APPLAUSE

This year, the ATP star of tomorrow,

by Emirates, has been awarded to

Denis Shapovalov.

For a third set

tie-break, taking down Nadal.

He

started the year outside the top 250

and reached a high of world number

49. He finished the season the

youngest player in the top 100, only

18 years old. No surprise that he

was also named most improved player

by his peers in the ATP awards,

presented by Melenchon Don. -- by

Moet & Chandon.

A star is indeed

born in Canada. Congratulations,

Dennis.

Congratulations, Denis It must be a

proud moment. How do you look back

on this year?

It's incredible to be

here. It's such an honour to win

these awards. It's so motivating for

me. I worked hard all year for this,

so to actually win this award means

everything.

It's your first visit to

the O2. I know you have enjoyed the

matches today. How much would you

love to come back and play one day?

I hope to be back one day. So many

good players deserve to be here so

to be named one of the top eight

would be a dream come true, so I'm

going to do everything I can to

hopefully one day play here.

And

your ambitions for next year?

Definitely win in ATP title and

probably finish around 25. If

everything goes well!

Well, I'm sure

it will, and we wish you all the

best. Enjoy this moment and the best

of luck for the future, Denis

Shapovalov!

Thank you, guys.

APPLAUSE

I think we are going to hear a lot

more from this young man, Denis

Shapovalov, so talented. You and I

met him at Queen's Club this summer

and what the last six months he's

had.

An amazing last six months, and

chatting to him at Queen's, where he

played a great match against Berdych

and others, we thought we were

watching something special, and we

were. He beat Rafa Nadal in Canada,

in Montreal. A brilliant tournament.

Fourth round, lost 16, of the US

Open. Started the year in happy

valley in Australia somewhere, and

it sounds lovely, but he was in a

challenger down there and had to

work his backside off to get to a

position where he was even entered

in the main tour of tour events, and

now he ends up 51 in the world or

so. A brilliant player with a

future, and I hope he sticks with

the coach he's got. We've got to

check with him that he still has the

same coach. We don't want ask the

wrong questions!

Hopefully he will

be joining us as soon as he gets off

court. Tim, a big game and a big

future.

Very much so, a lefty,

aggressive at the back of the court,

he uses his serve well, and getting

better physically all the time. It's

a great achievement to be as high as

he is in the rankings at age 18,

because it is a physically demanding

game, and he is only going to get

stronger and faster because he has

the right attitude to keep working

hard. And he will develop his game,

improved his strengths and

weaknesses, but then I think that

will give him a greater consistency.

At times, as he is only just

breaking through, he has been a bit

up and down, but he's going to be

around for many years.

Do you

remember when you were 18 what it

was like to play in the big events?

Big events in India, maybe! I'm not

sure about big events on the tour,

no. It's definitely took me probably

until I was about 21 until I broke

into the top 100. Everybody's

journey is different. Some developed

earlier, some later, but he is

certainly on the right path. As

Andrew said, the team around him is

important. He is on a steep learning

curve and it's important he has

people with experience around him to

make sure he makes the right

decisions, keeps working in the

right areas and moving in the right

direction, but what I see, it all

looks good for the future.

Boris

Becker was 17 and won Wimbledon and

I didn't think we'd ever see a

especially with the quality of play.

And Michael Chang winning the French

Open at a young age as well. The

days have gone where somebody bursts

through and win a slam. The players'

physicality is changing. They are

stronger, the science behind the

work they do of court, it takes

longer to put into the system. In

terms of sheer shotmaking, applauded

by Mannarino... I mean, look at this

guy! There are shots he plays that

can only happen if you have a

fantastic gift. Brilliant player. He

can produce so much tennis that

nobody else can, including his

second serve, which kicks like a

mule. His second serve, he aces

people with it even if they know

where it is going, where he is

aiming. It still kicks. He has

natural gifts.

He is walking up to

us. Back to Federer, and do you

think that was one match too many

after a long year for the

36-year-old?

Not really, and I think

lots of people will overanalyse it.

I don't think Federer played very

well, and I think Goffin played

brilliantly, simple as that. In the

first set, Federer did everything

right, and that early part of the

second set, when Goffin got the

break, he turned the tables. It

surprised me how he could maintain

that level, he didn't blink. Federer

had break points in the second and

third sets and couldn't take them.

For me, the better player on the day

won.

We have seen how can turn it

around somehow. But he didn't look

like he was able to.

I don't know

how many times you can keep on

calling on that competitive energy

year after year. We started the week

saluting Roger, every time he plays,

every time he wins the tournament,

every time he produces another

highlight for us to enjoy. He has

been out there since he was 14, 15,

16. That's 20 years. He started a

family and it all seems terribly

exciting in front of 17,500 people,

and he loves it, he loves hitting

the ball, but keep switching on

isn't easy on demand. I thought

adrenaline might kick in in the

third set, a survival instinct, but

I don't think it did. He had a half

chance I didn't take it. I think he

was ready in the last game and then

Goffin served brilliantly with two

aces. So I think Roger needs a rest

now. How he manages himself from

this point will be interesting. He

needs to come away so he can come

back with really enthusiasm each

time.

He definitely will be, but

let's salute David Goffin. He looks

tired during the week. He was

struggling this week, and then he

came out and played that Kenneth!

Incredible, against Rafa Nadal, Rafa

was struggling with his knees, but

Goffin put in a great performance,

winning that one, great to get his

first win under his belt. He came

out in the next match and got two

games, and struggled to get votes.

You were thinking, what's that going

to do to his confidence, and when he

lost the first three games against

Thiem, you thought, he could be

focusing on the Davis Cup shortly.

It has just been highs and lows.

Semifinals of the world tour final

against Federer, who he has never

beaten in six attempts, he plays two

of the best sets he has probably

ever played in his life.

And he

loses the first set in 35 minutes

without ever being in it. We thought

the first service game would set the

tone, but it wasn't to be the case.

I can't believe he was aiming at

that forehand and got away with it!

Excellent work.

He had a post of

Federer on his wall when he was

growing up. To come out and beat

your idol, he will have a

celebration tonight.

I think his

reaction at the end said it all. He

dropped his racket and looked around

as if to say, did that really

happen? It's important that he put

that behind him, because he has to

get ready for a massive final.

Doesn't it change may be the mindset

for tonight's match, with Dimitrov

and Sock?

To be fair, Dimitrov is

favourite to win this tournament now

but so much for my predictions, as

well as yours, all week! Dimitrov

has played some sensational tennis

this week. I think he has to be

favourite. But Jack Sock is in a

situation where he doesn't feel he

can lose. He doesn't play as if he

feels like the opposition are going

to win the last point against him.

So, you know, perhaps Jack goes in

thinking, this is it. Such a great

run.

I'm delighted that Dennis has

arrived. Tim, thank you. We will

make room for Dennis to join us.

Let's look back

make room for Dennis to join us.

Let's look back to this magnificent

victory at the Rogers Cup in

Montreal, in front of his home,

Canadian fans. An 18-year-old on the

brink of pulling off one of the

biggest upsets of the year against

world number one Rafael Nadal. Look

at that! This was quite some

victory, wasn't it?

We were running

some of these pictures earlier on

the wrong monitor, so sorry, while I

was talking to you! You can look at

Dennis playing and think, wow,

wouldn't it be nice to be a and this

gifted! Wonderful. The backhand... A

bit of work to be done on the

forehand side, and I'm sure that

will happen over the next few weeks.

But a fantastic year that sees him

going from 250 in the world in the

Challenge Tour working his way

through to moments like this. May

there be a lot more excitement

ahead.

Dennis, what did

there be a lot more excitement

ahead.

Dennis, what did that moment

feel like?

And unforgettable moment.

To be playing Rafa was incredible,

but to beat him was a dream come

true.

What was going through your

mind in the last few points?

I was

telling myself, at least I had a

chance, I had a match point, I can

tell people I had a match point on

Rafa. The whole time I was like, I

am playing this situation, but the

crowd did a good job of pumping me

up and helping me to stay calm. Just

pulled through it.

And it was a big

moment for you down there. How did

you enjoy it?

It was awesome to be

on that court and hopefully in a

couple of years I can be back,

playing.

And to win two awards!

Pretty special.

Incredible, my whole

team has put so much effort into me

this year, and so have I, so it is

really motivating to have a chance,

first of all, to be nominated for

these awards, but to actually win

them, it's unbelievable.

You had a

question about the team, didn't you?

You're not making any changes, are

you? Are you going to keep things

the way they are?

Definitely.

Have

you got a few weeks off before

Australia is to mock

I'm going to go

to Florida and train, to bring my

team down there, my fitness, physio

and Marty.

What sort of things are

you working on? The backhand looks

strong. Your serve looks

unbelievable. Do you consider the

forehand a shot you want to work on?

I think my forehand is my big weapon

but it could improve. My slice could

improve, my returns and volleys, so

many aspects we can work on. They

could make a difference for next

season. Also, physically, I want to

improve. Just working a lot on my

footwork, making sure my steps are

sharp, and stepping up to the ball

well.

You've had a wonderful few

weeks in the summer, because we

showed Rafa but you also beat Del

Potro. Did things change for you?

You were launched into the

spotlight.

Definitely. I went from

being an underdog, not knowing that

well, to being suddenly in the

spotlight. The following week, US

Open, qualifying...

That isn't easy.

Yes, very difficult, but I managed

to play well and I was on the news a

lot, so my life definitely changed.

Yes. I think for the better. I get

to play more ATP tournaments, I get

to travel and tour. Just do what I

always dream of doing.

And then you

went on at the US Open and you beat

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, one big name

after another! Do you enjoy the big

occasions more?

Definitely, it was

so fun to be at the Arthur Ashe

stadium in front of all of these

people. It was crazy. I just go out

there and have fun. Being 18, there

is nothing to and I just enjoyed my

time. I really tried to take

advantage of the situation and I

think I did a good job.

What did you

make of that match? You were sitting

courtside.

It was incredible. I

think David played unbelievable. He

was going for his shots, not

hesitating. At one point, I thought

he was going to slow down and Roger

would come back, but he was serving

big at the end, still going for his

strokes, so he played really well.

Who was the player you admired most

growing up?

Roger. I had pictures of

him on my wall that I would wake up

and go to sleep and just trying to

copy my game to be like his.

You

were three years old when he won his

first Wimbledon! This is how long

Roger has been out there. No wonder

everybody looks up to him. I was

interested in your life changed.

Your friends and family, everybody

relates to you differently when you

are a start on the TV.

I bet mum

doesn't.

Does she still tell you of?

My family and friends still treat me

the same way that I was two or three

years ago. For me, that's important.

To stay the same person, you know.

That is how I was raised, and I

believe it should be like that. I am

very lucky to have such good parents

and their brother who will pick my

ask -- who will kick my behind if I

start acting up.

Do you have a

girlfriend?

Stop asking these

questions!

Just say, I don't want to

answer that.

Changing the subject,

have you felt the pressure of the

expectations that are now on you?

Definitely, the second half of the

season, it was difficult and I was

running into some difficult draws

and top players. I was going through

some things, being sick, not playing

well, kind of losing my rhythm. But,

you know, I still felt, actually,

towards the next gen finals, I

started finding my game again and

was playing well. But that is just

how the sport goes. You can be

playing well and then you run into

some bad draws and you are losing

and, suddenly, you win one match and

you pick your game up. I'm very

happy with where I left off.

Starting outside 250 and now just 51

in the world, and you were inside

the top 50 earlier, an unbelievable

year. Points to defend and

everything next year, but such an

exciting group of youngsters coming

up.

Definitely, there are so many

good young guys coming up. I think

it's great that they made this next

gen tournament for the young

players, because there are so many

guys that are going to be huge

stars. Even though there are only

eight in that tournament, there are

countless others that deserve to be

there, and they are going to be

great players. It's really good to

see these young guys coming up side

by side, and it's great that we

already get along. It's a nice

atmosphere.

You are one of the most

exciting of all, and we appreciate

you coming up here. Congratulations.

Before we go, we're going to look at

Grigor Dimitrov, who plays Jack Sock

in the second semifinal perceiving,

and he has been talking to us about

finally fulfilling his potential. --

in the second semifinal this

evening.

Two or three years ago when

I was at my lowest, I had pretty

much embrace everything, and I was

never a guy that doesn't like to

practice. I like to go in the gym

and all that was I was in such a

different headspace. My mobility

wasn't good enough. Everything was

just kind of crumbling down for me,

and this is far more assets to I

have to stop with this thing. I

structured a good team around me and

step-by-step I've started to be

better. Everybody deserves credit

for that. To come out on court every

day just give a little something,

you know, that adds up in the

long-term. You put the platform but

you still need to build stuff.

Everybody just brings positive

ideas, positive thoughts, and

step-by-step I'm starting to fall

into that good track again and

embrace everything else along the

way.

Talking a good game, isn't he?

He has got better and better with

matches.

Yeah, talking a good game

and playing a good game. For me, he

has had the best performances of the

tournament, in terms of his

consistency is the level he has

played. It will be interesting

against Sock, with their head to

head, because I think Dimitrov is

the favourite, but he has lost all

three of the four occasions.

Twice

he has had match point and he lost

to Sock.

Will be interesting.

A

totally different match for these

players tonight, but Dimitrov seems

to have the game and the desire, and

he is coming of age, isn't he?

Everybody arrived at that point

where they think, this is the career

I've chosen and I want to achieve my

potential. I don't need to be going

out quite so much. I want to put the

extra timing on the court and

maximise my potential. I don't want

to go through my career and not

achieve what I should have. I think

Grigor Dimitrov is there. He said

that at the start of the year, when

he went to the semifinal of the

Australian Open and played one of

the matches of the year against

Nadal. I can't believe he lost it.

From the word go this year, he has

been focused, so well done to

Grigor, who is 26 and producing his

best tennis. I think we have seen

him elevate it to a level he has

never played before.

He has always

had the shots but now it seems he

has the belief.

He has always had

the shots and pieces of the puzzle

but, mentally, I think he struggled

to really understand the best way

for him to play to his strengths

and, to deal with the expectation of

the court, people saying he was the

next Federer, which was probably a

bit unfair. He has really turned

things around. Not so long ago, he

was down at 40 in the world, and you

said, I got this guy, with such

great athletic ability, who works

really hard and has great shots, how

can he be ranked at 40? It is about

playing to your strengths and

putting the pieces of the puzzle

together, and I have been impressed

with how he has played. I thought

that match against Goffin would be

tricky for him in the group stages,

but he destroyed him by being

patient from the back of the court,

waiting for his opportunity and

playing aggressively, going for his

shots and not making unforced

errors. That is what Federer was

trying to do today but he couldn't

do it

Dimitrov Gethsemane shots, but

I guess it is difficult to know

which one to use when, when you have

people writing. -- Dimitrov has got

so many shots.

Nothing wrong with

your game pigs he had a great junior

career. He was prepared to go home

-- to leave home at an early age. He

has paid the price for a long time

and now it is definitely Dimitrov's

moment. Only a couple of areas which

might be difficult, the second

serve, Jack Sock will try and get on

top of that and trying to bully him

from the back of the court, because

the Sock forehand is enormous.

I

think we have learned that anything

can happen in tennis today. Jack

Sock is an incredible competitor.

He

is, and his year has turned around.

24 in the world going into Paris, he

wins that, he qualifies here, he

plays Federer in the first round

and, in the first match, he loses

that Bob gets to sample the occasion

and, boy, is he taking that

opportunity. It's very important now

that they've focused on the process,

not the outcome, because it would be

easy to get distracted.

Three

debutants.

And who would have

thought that!

We got it all wrong,

all week!

A huge shock today, with

David Goffin defeating Roger

Federer. Tonight, it is Jack Sock

against Grigor Dimitrov. When of

that play in the final. We will be

on air at 6pm on BBC Two tomorrow,

but David Goffin today beat his idol

for the first time, the man he had

on a poster on the wall.

A great

reception for both players. Federer

in a different league. What is going

on? That's just naughty. That was a

little bit special from Federer. And

he's got the break! They are into a

decider. Goffin just continues to