Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic Reached Quarter Finals In Madrid Open

Roger Federer saved two match points before claiming a tough victory over Gael Monfils to reach the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open. The Swiss fourth seed came from a break in the decisive set to beat the French 6-0 4-6 7-6 (7-3). Federer will face the fifth favorite, Dominic Thiem, who lost the Indian Wells final in March in the semifinals.

"Instead of seeing something cloudier and rainier, you see it more on the sunny side," Federer said. "You do not win games every day saving points and it makes you feel good, but it's more relief that I feel now." The victory was Federer's 1,200th victory in his career and secured his place in the first quarterfinals on a clay court from the French Open in 2015.

Previously, the number one in the world, Novak Djokovic, went before the French Jeremy Chardy 6-1 7-6 (7-2). Rafael Nadal continued his search for a sixth title by beating American Frances Tiafoe 6-3 6-4.

The number one in the world, Osaka, defeated by Bencic. The number three in the world, Federer, needed only 19 minutes to take the first set on Monfils, with only four points in his service.

However, the number 18 in the world Monfils recovered in the second set, taking advantage of the fact that Federer's first service faded to force a decider. Monfils ran to a 4-1 lead in the third set before Federer could force the game back into service. The Frenchman raised two match points in Federer's service, but the 20-time Grand Slam champion saved them with a serve and a volley.

Federer was the stronger of the two in the tie-break, with Monfils saving two match points before a right-wing error ensured the Swiss victory. The Swiss said about his tactics at the match point: "I did not feel so sure of winning the point from the baseline, so I said that the panic mode is activated and that we are entering." "You go to the net as fast as possible, so you are as close as possible and frame the first volley, which ended up being perfect."

He will play against the Barcelona Open Thiem champion on Friday after the Austrian 6-4 7-5 victory over the Italian Fabio Fognini.

Djokovic crosses in quarters

Despite being pushed as the game progressed, Djokovic still has to lose a set against the world number 47, Chardy, after having won all 13 meetings. The 15-time Grand Slam champion made a double break in the first set when Chardy committed a double foul by 4-0, then fought for a triple break point in the next game before sealing the first game in 31 minutes.

Chardy stretched Djokovic further in the second set, as none of the players managed to collect a break point until the Frenchman, who had lost his previous 29 successive sets, claimed a set point with 5-4.

But he hit a backhand while Djokovic, who shook his head after receiving the whistles from the Magic Box crowd as he prepared to serve, hit an ace to seal the hold. That allowed Djokovic to take early control of the tie-break, securing victory with a right winger at his first starting point.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/48218423