After skipping 13 months with a knee injury that required two surgeries, Roger Federer returned to court in March in Doha. After beating Daniel Evans in a close encounter, Roger lost a match point against Nikoloz Basilahvili and was sidelined for another two months.
Then, deciding to participate in the clay season before the grass season, Roger entered Geneva and Roland Garros to get back in shape and try to return to his best level before Halle and Wimbledon.
At 39, Roger played well in Paris to secure three wins and qualify for the last 16 as the oldest player in the Open era. Roger kicked off the Parisian season with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Denis Istomin in one hour and 33 minutes, in his first major game in nearly 500 days.
Playing sharp and aggressive tennis, the Swiss lost 13 points behind the initial shot and kept the pressure on the other side to control the board. Federer converted five of the 13 break opportunities and crossed the finish line for one of his fastest wins at Roland Garros.
In the second round, Roger beat former rival Marin Cilic 6-2, 2-6, 7-6, 6-2 in two hours and 35 minutes to reach the last 32. Federer claimed the tenth victory over Cilic in 11 games and the fifth in a row, shooting 16 aces and suffering three breaks on eight chances offered to Marin while converting five chances on the return.
Novak Djokovic shared his thoughts on Roger Federer’s withdrawal.
In Game 3, Federer had to give himself 120% to topple Dominik Koepfer with a score of 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 in three hours and 35 minutes, breaking the top with a late break. in the fourth set in their biggest test since last year’s Australian Open.
Stressing his knee like never before in the past 15 months, Federer decided to skip the fourth round clash against Matteo Berrettini and rest before Halle. Asked about Roger, Novak Djokovic said his withdrawal was a surprise, although he understands that Roger knows his fitness best.
“It was a little surprising to see Roger’s withdrawal, but only he knows how he feels physically. It’s a shame about the event; he’s Federer after all, and I think everyone wanted to watch him. for at least one more game. He is fine in his rights if he has physical problems, “said Novak Djokovic.
–
