Phase one of the much awaited return to clay of Roger Federer came to an end with an exhilarating three set match against Austrian Dominic Thiem that was eventually decided by just a few points. How did he go at the Madrid Masters in what was Federer’s first clay tournament in years.
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The Swiss legend returned to clay at the 2019 ATP Masters 1000 at Madrid, after a three-year long break, to much speculation on how he would fare and which version of the maestro we would see.
His Madrid campaign can be analyzed as having positives and negatives, but overall the Swiss will walk away pleased with his game and fitness and feeling encouraged about the clay slam ahead and more so with the grass season to come.
Federer started off playing old rival Richard Gasquet, against whom he possesses a lopsided head-to-head. Gasquet was also returning from a long injury lay-off. Federer looked clinical and in control throughout the match and made quick work of the Frenchman 6-2,6-3 in less than an hour.
The maestro was aware that the going would only get tougher as he ran into another Frenchman Gael Monfils, against whom he had a less advantageous 9-4 head-to-head and who is regarded as a comfortable clay courter. Federer was off to a flyer taking the first set 6-0, but Monfils clawed his way back to level the match and take it into a decider.
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Monfils was up a break in the third but a great fightback by Federer, saving two match points in the bargain, saw him win the match in the final set tiebreak. This set up a quarter-final match against Austrian Dominic Thiem, who has been talked about as the potential star of the clay court swing.
Fresh from his Indian Wells Masters 1000 finals loss to the Austrian, Federer started well taking the first set 6-3. Thiem picked up his level and intensity thereafter, but Federer managed to stay at par with strong serving and an attacking forehand.
The Swiss had two match-points in the tie-break for a straight sets win, but eventually lost the tiebreak 11-13.
Thiem got the early advantage in the third with an early break and was up 4-1, but Federer hung in and finally broke Thiem to equal the set at 4-4. A loose service game by Federer saw Thiem serve out the match to win the decider 6-4 thereby ending Federer’s campaign.
Tennis and sport in general can be cruel and a leveler- you save two match points and come back to win one day, and the next day, your opponent does similar to you.
Federer will definitely be disappointed at not closing his quarter-final when he could, which in turn would have given him plenty of confidence qualifying for the semi-finals and setting himself up for potential weekend clashes with his two arch rivals, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Unfortunately that was not to be.
Great game today vs @Gael_Monfils,
Thank you fans for the special atmosphere here in Madrid ? pic.twitter.com/hC6kiahtlo— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) May 9, 2019
However, Federer will look at the positives, at being able to compete at par with clay court specialists like Dominic Thiem and Gael Monfils, as well as have the fitness to play tight matches back-to-back, after a long break from the clay.
Glimpses of why he was considered one of the top two clay-courters of the mid to late 2000s and beyond, as well as among the top clay-courters of all time was very much on display.
Despite not having a naturally grinding baseline game suited to clay, Federer once gain showed the variety he possesses, and how his ability to mix it up can be a means of defense to himself, and offense to any opponent. The general claim and consensus of him being probably the most complete and all court player of the modern era was evident once again this week.
Federer would not commit if he would return to Madrid for the ATP Masters 2020, and has left the door open for his participation at the Rome Masters next week.
However, he is probably one opponent that even the clay court specialists would not want to run into at the French Open, where although he does not start as favorite, there is every reason to believe, he may have a deep run.
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