Roger Federer: “With the Altitude it Plays Really Quick Here in Madrid” [Video]
Roger Federer sounds more than “super relived” as he puts it to get through a very difficult Felicano Lopez yesterday at the Mutua Madrid Tennis Masters 1000. Federer prevailed 76(13) 67(1) 76(7).
Federer fended off Lopez saving a match point in that third set breaker which Lopez led 5-2 with more than an excellent chance at 6-2. But a Lopez errant overhead kept Federer in the match and the Swiss battled back for the victory.
Later this morning the two-time tournament champion will face ATP veteran Xavier Malisse on the “quick” Madrid clay courts.
“It’s positive to win but I don’t have much rhythm going into the match with Malisse,” cautioned Federer.”It’s going to be different – Malisse is a steady baseliner so I definitely need to get my rhythm back. He’s also a righty. I have barely 16 hours to make the turnaround so it’s going to be tricky, but I’ll try my best.”
Since losing to the Belgian in 1999, Federer has won eight straight matches against Malisse. The one loss though came on the clay in their first meeting 12 years ago in Davis Cup.
If you missed the Federer-Lopez third set tiebreaker, here it is:
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