Roger Federer made a victorious return to clay when he disposed of a hobbled Richard Gasquet 6-2, 6-3 in the Mutua Madrid Open second round on Tuesday. Federer fired seven aces while double-faulting just once and did not face a break point while coasting in 52 minutes.
It was the 37-year-old Swiss’ first match on clay since the 2016 Rome Masters.
“I grew up on this surface so I feel comfortable about that,” Federer explained. “I think Richard was also maybe a little bit hurt from his match yesterday, so it was nice seeing him back after so many months being away from the tour with injury. I think for both of us it was a special match being back here in Madrid.
“[Crowd was] great. It’s been wonderful. I think always in Spain I’ve been well-received over the last decade or so just because of my rivalry with Rafa and all the other Spanish players, like (David) Ferrer and so forth. So the people really know me. They followed my matches closely for so many years. They heard me speak, and they feel like they kind of know me. So then when I come to their markets, I think they appreciate it, and so do I. Full house, special atmosphere, so I appreciate it.”
The atmosphere was also electric for an all-Spanish showdown between Ferrer and Roberto Bautista Agut. Ferrer is retiring in Madrid, but he prolonged his career with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 triumph that required two hours and 36 minutes.
Bautista Agut broke back twice in the third set, but his 37-year-old opponent delivered clutch service holds at 4-3 and 5-4 to consolidate a third break.
“It was very special because it’s going to be my last week,” said Ferrer, who will meet Alexander Zverev on Wednesday. “It’s a very great victory with a close friend like Roberto. I know it’s not easy for him playing this type of match because we are close friends. I’m sorry for him but I want to be professional as possible until the end of my career, and I’m trying to do that.
“It’s a difficult match ahead of me. I don’t think about that. I’m trying to enjoy the moment I have right now…. I want to be with my family and try to enjoy as much as possible the time that I have to play in this centre court. And tomorrow I have another opportunity and I’ll go out there to try to enjoy every single feeling that I might experience out there.”
“It’s true that emotionally it was a tough match today against David because we have shared a lot of moments, both inside the court and outside,” Bautista Agut commented. “We have a great friendship. He’s a fighter. And he fights till the very last ball of his career, he will be there, and now I want the best thing for him and I want him to make it to the final.”
Other winners on Tuesday were Novak Djokovic, Marin Cilic, Stan Wawrinka, and Fabio Fognini.
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nice one, Ferrer
Not watching it but I fear for Thiem; it will suck if he loses to Opelka 🙁
Fed had a solid win. Didn’t really start to open things up until the last few games, but it wasn’t bad for the first time in years on this surface.
Thiem got a bit lucky that his opponent got hurt, because Opelka was playing great and serving like a monster in the first set and a half. Not much to be done when a guy like that is hitting his serves; you just have to hope for a tiebreak. Good for Thiem for surviving to the next round.
Yep, thank you Joe. I have to accept that there’s another talented 7 footer on tour. And Riley is young and he still has to go through qualifying at many of these tournaments so he did well to beat PCB last round. But I do think Riley will be good enough soon to get direct entry and then woe as me lol…like it or not he’s probably headed for the top ten, I imagine, similar to Isner. Very nice guys – however I admit not appreciating their gift of extreme height in tennis. I’m working on it.
I’m not a huge fan of the tennis giants either, but Opelka may be the most talented of the lot of them. He has other shots besides the serve, obviously the FH, but not just that. Of course, the serve obliterates them all. Thiem was literally standing next to the line judges in trying to return it, and even them a lot of them just flew by him.
he also moves well for a giant
Congrats to Ferrer, Federer and Thiem FTW’s! I think Thiem got lucky when Opelka went down – he looked lost.
Fed got lucky with his first match, facing a guy that has played only one match in several months following surgery but I’m pretty sure he could have won it anyway.
Ferru just toughed it out as he’s done forever, but, alas, not for much longer. Tennis will miss its Little Beast. I really admire the way he’s retiring though. Talk about going out on YOUR terms!!
Yes indeed, Ferru is playing so well in his last season that I’m hoping he’ll delay his retirement. I would like him to beat Sascha next, then just clear the path and kept on winning.
Even Ferrers batteries have to run out sometime, but he got them recharged , may he go out an a real high
Disappointing from last weeks breakthrough player to lose to a hobbled Gasquet
Winners today: Rafa, Ferrer, Kohl, Tsitispas, Nishi, Djere, Hurkacz, Monfils, Chardy, Foggy, Wawa, Khachanov.