LONDON: Roger Federer is out for revenge when he faces Stefanos Tsitsipas in Saturday’s Dubai Tennis Championship final.
The Fed-Express stormed into the showdown — his 10th at the Aviation Club — with an impressive 6-2, 6-2 win over Borna Coric. The final will be a repeat of the Australian Open fourth round encounter which saw Tsitsipas beat the Swiss star for the first time, and that is still playing on Federer’s mind.
When asked if the Dubai clash will be a revenge match, the 20-time Grand Slam winner replied: “Maybe a little bit.
“We already played a couple times this year, in the Hopman Cup and then the Australian Open. Obviously I was horribly disappointed and upset that I missed as many breakpoints as I did, had all the opportunities I had.
“That match kind of hurt in some ways. But, you know, it’s part of the game. He did very well to get out of those tricky situations.”
Since the win over the Swiss Tsitsipas has been spoken about as tennis’ next big thing. He has backed that up by winning in Marseilles last week and this week’s run to the Dubai final. And Federer is only too aware of the threat the Greek wonderkid poses.
“What I like about him is how he’s able to take the ball early time and time again,” the 37-year-old said.
“Serve, takes it early, comes to the net. He does that all the time. Then on the backhand side, he has more air, which gives him a bit more margin, to be honest.
“Yeah, for a big guy, he moves well. I mean, no surprise nowadays all the big guys move well. I don’t know how they do it. Back in the day, big guys, men’s, not good movers. Now that’s changed since I came on tour.
“It’s nice to see all the qualities that he has. Like I said, he has different ways to win points, which makes it hard to play against.”
Federer is going for his record-extending eighth title in Dubai and has looked as impressive as ever on the way to the Tsitsipas showdown. And he is feeling good about his game as he goes in search of his 100th title.
“I hope I’m going to play well,” Federer said.
“I’m more focused just on my own game, to be quite honest, than him. “Probably reaching a hundred titles. We’re still far from it, it seems. I’m just going to try to focus and play good tennis.
“I was really happy with my play today in terms of feeling was definitely by far the best one. So that was good.”
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Roger Federer out for revenge against Stefanos Tsitsipas in Dubai final
Roger Federer out for revenge against Stefanos Tsitsipas in Dubai final
- Swiss star was beaten by Greek wonderkid at the Australian Open in January.
- Federer looking to win his 100th tour title.
Senegal coach Thiaw banned, fined after AFCON final chaos
- Senegalese forward Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, who play in the English Premier League, received two-match bans for “unsporting behavior toward the referee“
JOHANNESBURG: Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has been banned for five Confederation of African Football (CAF) matches and fined $100,000 after the chaotic scenes at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Morocco this month, it was announced on Thursday.
A CAF statement said the tactician was guilty of “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute” during the decider in Rabat on January 18, which Senegal won 1-0 after extra time.
TV coverage of the final showed Thiaw gesturing toward his players when Morocco were awarded a penalty in added on time of normal time. This action was widely interpreted as him telling his team to leave the field.
Senegalese forward Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, who play in the English Premier League, received two-match bans for “unsporting behavior toward the referee.”
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) was fined a total of $615,000 for various offenses during the final.
These included the “unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF disciplinary code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity.”
For “unsporting behavior,” Moroccan forward Ismael Saibari was handed a three-match ban and a fine of $100,000, while captain and defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was fined $200,000 for the “inappropriate behavior of the stadium ball boys.”
An additional fine of $100,000 was imposed for the “improper conduct” of players and technical staff who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the work of the Congolese referee.
There was also a $15,000 fine after Moroccan supporters used lasers to try and distract Senegalese players, bringing the total to $315,000.
The AFCON final took a series of dramatic turns from late in regular time when a Sarr goal was disallowed for a foul on 2025 African player of the year Hakimi.
- Furious protests -
Morocco were then awarded a penalty when star forward Brahim Diaz was fouled, sparking furious Senegalese protests.
The TV images then showed Thiaw gesturing toward his players — most of the team walked off and went to the changing room.
However, star forward Sadio Mane did not follow them and later persuaded his teammates to return to the pitch so that play could resume.
Morocco missed the long-delayed penalty with a weak shot from Diaz saved by Edouard Mendy. The match then went to extra time and Pape Gueye scored to give Senegal a second AFCON title.
While play was halted over the disputed penalty, some supporters wearing Senegalese colors threw projectiles and others temporarily invaded the pitch before police and security staff intervened.
The bans of Thiaw and the four players relate to CAF matches. They will not affect preparations by Senegal and Morocco for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Senegal are in Group I with France, Norway and the winners of inter-continental play-offs involving Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq.
Morocco, who in 2022 became the first African or Arab country to reach the semifinals of a World Cup, will face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti in Group C.
Thiaw will be barred from the dugout for five of the six 2027 AFCON qualifying matches involving Senegal in September, October and November. The players will miss the first two qualifiers.
A CAF statement said the tactician was guilty of “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute” during the decider in Rabat on January 18, which Senegal won 1-0 after extra time.
TV coverage of the final showed Thiaw gesturing toward his players when Morocco were awarded a penalty in added on time of normal time. This action was widely interpreted as him telling his team to leave the field.
Senegalese forward Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, who play in the English Premier League, received two-match bans for “unsporting behavior toward the referee.”
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) was fined a total of $615,000 for various offenses during the final.
These included the “unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF disciplinary code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity.”
For “unsporting behavior,” Moroccan forward Ismael Saibari was handed a three-match ban and a fine of $100,000, while captain and defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was fined $200,000 for the “inappropriate behavior of the stadium ball boys.”
An additional fine of $100,000 was imposed for the “improper conduct” of players and technical staff who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the work of the Congolese referee.
There was also a $15,000 fine after Moroccan supporters used lasers to try and distract Senegalese players, bringing the total to $315,000.
The AFCON final took a series of dramatic turns from late in regular time when a Sarr goal was disallowed for a foul on 2025 African player of the year Hakimi.
- Furious protests -
Morocco were then awarded a penalty when star forward Brahim Diaz was fouled, sparking furious Senegalese protests.
The TV images then showed Thiaw gesturing toward his players — most of the team walked off and went to the changing room.
However, star forward Sadio Mane did not follow them and later persuaded his teammates to return to the pitch so that play could resume.
Morocco missed the long-delayed penalty with a weak shot from Diaz saved by Edouard Mendy. The match then went to extra time and Pape Gueye scored to give Senegal a second AFCON title.
While play was halted over the disputed penalty, some supporters wearing Senegalese colors threw projectiles and others temporarily invaded the pitch before police and security staff intervened.
The bans of Thiaw and the four players relate to CAF matches. They will not affect preparations by Senegal and Morocco for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Senegal are in Group I with France, Norway and the winners of inter-continental play-offs involving Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq.
Morocco, who in 2022 became the first African or Arab country to reach the semifinals of a World Cup, will face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti in Group C.
Thiaw will be barred from the dugout for five of the six 2027 AFCON qualifying matches involving Senegal in September, October and November. The players will miss the first two qualifiers.
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