David Goffin faced Roger Federer for the tenth time on Sunday at the US Open, but lasted just 79 minutes in a 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 decision in Arthur Ashe Stadium. He has beaten Federer once before, at the 2017 ATP Finals, and in fact, has one win against each of the ATP's Big 3: Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Goffin is 1-9, lifetime, against the Swiss, 1-6 against the Serb and 1-5 opposite the Spaniard.
In his post-match press conference, the Belgian No. 15 seed was asked to explain the differences between that trio.
"The three players are completely different, different games, different mentalities," he detailed. "They are better on different surfaces, as well. It's nice to have those three because they are so good and so different. It's nice to see those players. But it's so tough to play them."
He noted one specific Federer trait that makes his fourth-round conqueror so tough.
"Against Novak and Rafa, you have balls to hit, but they are so physically really tough. And Roger, he just takes position in the court. He tries to go forward all the time, go for the winners. Then you just don't play tennis against him."
By beating Goffin, Federer became the first of the Big 3 to book his US Open quarterfinal spot. Djokovic will follow on Sunday night against Stan Wawrinka, while Nadal will face another former US Open champ in Marin CIilic on Monday. In Goffin's highly qualified opinion, all three will be around the US Open and the game of tennis for many years to come.
"They are just mentally really, really strong. They want to win everything. They want to stay there. They want to win the trophy all the time. All the time they are improving," he said. "Even if they are more than 30 [years old], more than 35, they are still there physically."
But who is the toughest opponent?
"For the moment, I would say, yeah, Novak is probably the best for the moment."
