Pavlyuchenkova stuns Federer with soft touch in Perth
The Russian left her famous Swiss opponent in awe.
Roger Federer’s reaction says it all: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has magic touch.
At the Hopman Cup, the Russian contingent of Pavlyuchenkova and Karen Khachanov took on the Swiss team of Federer and Belinda Bencic. Federer and Bencic won both singles matches and took the first mini-set in mixed.
At 3-3 in the second, Pavlyuchenkova served to Bencic, who hit a cross-court return. Pavlyuchenkova went down the line, forcing Federer to make a stab volley to cover the alley. The Russian worked her way into the net to prepare for Bencic’s reply.
The unexpected angle from Pavlyuchenkova's racquet left the Swiss team with no play on the ball, and in total awe.
Russia went on to take the mini-set, but Switzerland won the decider 4-1 to complete the 3-0 sweep.
Switzerland is scheduled to play the U.S. next, while Russia faces Japan.
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