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 embrace the clay swing in front of his beloved grass, Roger entered Geneva and Roland Garros to get back in shape and try to return to his best level ahead of 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 campaign 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 fell 13 points behind the initial shot and kept the pressure on the other side to control the scoreboard.
Federer converted five of 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 from eight chances offered to Marin while converting five chances on the return.
Novak Djokovic shared his thoughts on Roger Federer’s withdrawal.
In the third game, Federer had to give his 120% to topple Dominik Koepfer 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 in three hours and 35 minutes, topping the top with a late break in the fourth set in his biggest test since the Australian Open last year.
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 the withdrawal was a surprise, although he understands that Roger knows his fitness best.
“It was a bit surprising to see Roger’s withdrawal, but only he knows how he feels physically. It’s a shame for 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.
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