Boris Becker says Roger Federer’s new ‘sneak-attack’ strategy wouldn’t have been accepted in his day Boris Becker says Roger Federer’s new ‘sneak-attack’ strategy wouldn’t have been accepted in his day

Boris Becker says players in his day would have gone "straight at" Roger Federer if he tried his 'sneak-attack' strategy.

Federer used the tactic, which involves charging towards the net as his opponent serves, during a dominant 6-3 6-3 6-1 scamper into the semi-finals of the US Open against Frenchman Richard Gasquet on Wednesday night.

Federer uncorked 50 winners to a mere eight from Gasquet and the Swiss maestro has been looking like a new and improved player of late.

But his net rushing manoeuvre has had a few ex-professionals discussing the tactic in the Sky Sports studio.

"If he would have played a [John] McEnroe, [Jimmy] Connors, [Ivan] Lendl or even me, we would have said 'Roger, in all honesty I like you very much [but] I'll go straight at you'," Becker said.

"In my generation guys would not have accepted as it is now.

"It's almost disrespecting the other guy's serve. Everybody talks about that's his new strategy - he comes in. It's within the rules."

Federer has breezed through to the US Open semi-finals

Former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski added: "I'm kind of shocked.

"People like him so much which is understandable - he's a great guy, great ambassador - [but] you've got to say 'OK, I'm going to stand up to you' and that's a way of standing up to him.

"You'll get booed by the whole crowd, but that's life, you've just got to show that competitiveness."

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