With so few matches within the tank over the previous 17 months, Roger Federer knew the primary large check of the place his recreation was at would doubtless come against Marin Cilic on Thursday (June 3). The 39-year-old Swiss had made his first-round win over Denis Istomin appear like an exhibition match as he loved a comortable return to the Grand Slam space for the primary time since shedding within the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2020.
Former US Open champion Cilic, nonetheless, was a unique proposition within the second spherical. The big-hitting Croatian levelled the match at one set apiece after which got here from a break down to push Federer right into a third-set tiebreak – the result of which all the time seemed like being pivotal to the competition.
Federer’s response scotched any fears that he could be susceptible within the warmth of battle. The 20-time Grand Slam champion easily pressed the accelerator to take the tiebreak and outclassed Cilic within the fourth set to declare a 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 win.
“A very good match for me, I thought,” 2009 champion Federer who’s making solely his second look on the French Open since 2015, advised reporters.
“The good thing, I feel like I come out of a match like this and I know why it was up and down. And then that I was able to attain a solid level once he did break back in the third set and things were looking dangerous for me, that I was able to step up a gear, stay with him, and then pull away. I was able to almost find another gear, which he couldn`t, and I think that was very nice for me. So I’m very happy.”
Federer, who underwent knee surgical procedure final 12 months, has earmarked Wimbledon as his essential goal. But with Germany’s 59th-ranked Dominik Koepfer up subsequent he appears within the temper to make a run into the second week right here – though with 13-time French Open winner Rafa Nadal and prime seed Novak Djokovic in his half, even his most optimistic followers will likely be amazed if Federer received the title.
“I hope I can back it up with hopefully another good match,” Federer stated when requested about his bodily situation. “Whatever the outcome is, I know it was definitely the right choice to come here to Paris.”
