FEDERER’S TRIUMPHANT RETURN
Beat Gasquet after 3-year absence
ROGER Federer shook off a brief bout of pre-match jitters as he returned to clay after a three-year absence, posting a 6-2, 6-3 win over Richard Gasquet on Tuesday at the Madrid Open.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion needed just 52 minutes to brush Gasquet aside in the second
round, but confessed he had to control his emotions during afternoon match strategy sessions with his team.
“I was very calm all day, but two hours before, I was feeling it a bit. But that was the only time,” Federer said.
“The nerves went away quickly, I’m just happy I started well.
“I’m glad to be back,” said the three-time Madrid champion who last played on clay almost three years ago, losing to Dominic Thiem in the Rome third round on May 12, 2016.
Federer skipped the dirt for two full seasons to concentrate on his grass court form, winning Wimbledon in 2017.
He claimed the Madrid title in 2006, 2009, and 2012.
“I’ve been missing the clay, this is a great return, it’s a special night for me,” he said.
Federer swept up the opening set in 23 minutes and broke Frenchman Gasquet — who had defeated him twice on clay — for 5-3 in the second before serving it out a game later.
Federer has won 18 of 21 meetings with Gasquet, just back from six months out with injury.
“I’ve trained well, but that’s not like a match. The points here are quicker and first matches anywhere can be tricky,” said Federer.
“But I felt really natural on the clay tonight.”
Novak Djokovic needed just 65 minutes to make a winning start, while Naomi Osaka channelled her inner “zombie mode” to earn a place in the third round.
Top seed and World No 1 Djokovic hammered American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the last 16 following a premature exit here a year ago.
“I thought my serve was very efficient today, that’s a big advantage,” Djokovic said.
Marin Cilic rallied to overcome Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, while 2018 finalist Dominic Thiem advanced when Reilly Opelka quit at 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 1-0 against the Austrian fifth seed.
David Ferrer, who will retire after this event, defeated Spanish compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Ferrer, 37, will play German third seed and defending champion Alexander Zverev next.
Stan Wawrinka started his Madrid campaign with a 6-2, 63 win over Pierre-Hugues Herbert to move into the second round.
The Swiss will next play Argentine Guido Pella, who put out Barcelona finalist Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.
Tenth seed Fabio Fognini beat Kyle Edmund 6-4, 6-3 to saddle the Briton with a fourth straight loss on clay.
In the women’s draw, top seed Naomi defeated Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-0.
Japan’s Naomi, winner of the last two Grand Slams, said she had to conquer her inner demons to finish off a difficult match.
“In the third set, I just, like, went zombie mode,” she said.
“I just thought of everything that I had to do to win — not necessarily the outcome, but just like the little things in between every game.
“The match was basically on my racquet, she wasn’t going for winners.”
Third seed and two-time champion Simona Halep of Romania ended the hopes of Johanna Konta 7-5, 6-1 in the second round.
Fourth seed Angelique Kerber withdrew after rolling her right ankle during training, sending Petra Martic into the third round.