ATP Madrid: Federer fends off Monfils match balls, now against Thiem
Roger Federer has reached the quarter-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid. The Swiss defeated Gael Monfils in three sets with 6: 0, 4: 6 and 7: 6 (3) and now faces Dominic Thiem.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: May 09, 2019, 07:51 pm
The first set between Roger Federer and Gael Monfils lasted a whopping 18 minutes on Thursday in the round of 16 of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid. Then the Swiss had finished the first chapter 6-0. Monfils, however, was not irritated before the eyes of girlfriend Elina Svitolina, in the second round, put 3: 0. Federer made it 4: 4, but had to accept the 4: 6 after a little less than an hour of play.
And also in the decision, it was the Frenchman who got the better start that Federer took off his first service game. In mirror image to set two, the 20-time Grand Slam champion made the re-break to 3: 4. Equalized in the eighth game, had a few small chances in 4: 4. But this time Federer showed no weaknesses in the tenth game, even got a breakball at 5: 5, Monfils fended off. The Frenchman in turn awarded two match balls in the next game, Federer saved himself in the tie-break.
There Federer got off to a better start, quickly leading 3-0. And didn't let up anymore. Federer secured his 1,200th victory on the ATP tour with his third match ball.
Roger Federer's comeback on the ashes of Madrid does not end after two matches - at the start, the 37-year-old had won against Richard Gasquet.
Djokovic versus Cilic in the quarter-finals
Federer faces Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals (Friday, not before 5 p.m., live on Sky, in Austria on Servus TV and in our live ticker). The Austrian defeated Monte Carlo winner Fabio Fognini 6: 4 and 7: 5. The balance speaks for Thiem: he leads with 3: 2 victories. Most recently in Indian Wells, Thiem won in the final.
Novak Djokovic meets Marin Cilic in the second quarter final that has already been set. Also in the round of eight is Stan Wawrinka, who beat Kei Nishikori in two sets.