MADRID: Roger Federer has become the second man in ATP history to score a 1200th tour win after surviving a massive scare to defeat Gael Monfils 6-0, 4-6, 7-6(3).
The roller-coaster encounter saw constant changes of momentum with numerous breaks of serves throughout. Overall, Federer hit 33 winners to 25 unforced errors as he converted just five out of 13 break point opportunities.
“I think he learned from yesterday when he also lost 6-1. I think that helped him to stay calm.” Federer commented on Monfils’ performance. “From my side, I tried to keep it going, but it was difficult. Losing five games at the end of the second (set) and the beginning of the third, it wasn’t looking good for a while. But I hung in there.’
“I played a great tiebreaker and mixed it up very well. I’m very, very happy that I was able to win this match somehow.”
Many had tipped the clash to be the match of the day of the men’s tour at the Caja Magica. Besides the credentials of the 20-time grand slam champion, Monfils has developed a reputation of being an artist of the sport. Illustrated by the athletic ability in his shot-making. Furthermore, he is one of only four players to have ever defeated Federer at least twice on both clay and hard court.
It was for this reason why the Madrid crowd was stunned by the start of their 14th meeting on the tour. Monfils looked dismal as he committed 15 unforced errors throughout an 18-minute opening set. Allowing Federer to achieve his first bagel set on the clay since 2012.
Monfils’ unpredictability continued to confused Federer. After looking like he was going to be thrashed, he suddenly woke up in the second set. The Frenchman managed to win over the crowd and change the momentum of the match in the blink of an eye. Hitting an array of winners and elevating his intensity as nerves started to affect Federer’s play.
Facing a Monfils revival in the Spanish capital, Federer eventually fought back to restore order. Falling behind 2-4, back-to-back double faults from his rival allowed him to break back before holding serve to love. However, it still wasn’t enough for the Swiss. Monfils’ ability to hit the ball deep and flat drew errors from Federer, which in return gifted him the second set. Much to the bemusement of Federer, who left the court for a short break prior to the deciding set.
The mood of the world No.3 deteriorated further as he fell a break down at the start of the third frame before falling behind 1-4. It appeared as if he was on his way out of the tournament, but once again there was another twist. A mistake on the backhand side of Monfils gifted the 20-time grand slam winner a break point opportunity to revive his chances. A task he solved with the help of a backhand down the line.
Cometh the moment…@rogerfederer breaks and it's now 4-4 on serve in the decider in Madrid! 💪
🎥: @TennisTV | @MutuaMadridOpen pic.twitter.com/VFbgVkrCn8
— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 9, 2019
It was only fitting that it should be a tiebreaker that world separate the two. Federer stormed to a 6-1 lead before prevailing on his third match point. Doing so with the help of serve down the line that overwhelmed Monfils.
“I think this match, win or lose, gave a lot of information (about my form).” The former world No.1 concluded.
“I really had to force myself to stay aggressive. Take on the half-volleys, bad bounces and just let them happen if they did. I tried to play aggressive and positive tennis today. It paid off and I’m very pleased.”
Awaiting Federer next will be Barcelona Open champion Dominic Thiem, who defeated Fabio Fognini 6-4, 7-5, earlier in the day. Thiem, who was runner-up in Madrid last year, is currently on a seven-match winning streak.