Roger Federer saves two match points against Gael Monfils to set up Dominic Thiem clash
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic remain on a collision course at the Madrid Open with both men advancing to the quarter-finals.
Playing in only his second competitive match on clay in three years, Federer looked like he was never away early in his match against Gael Monfils as he took just 18 minutes to win the opening set 6-0.
The Frenchman though came back strongly to win the second set and then went toe-to-toe with Federer in the decider.
Monfils had the early upper hand with a break in game two, but the 20-time Grand Slam hit back in game seven to get level on serve.
He then saved two match points in game 12 to take it to the tie-breaker and eventually won 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3) in just over two hours for his 1,200 victory on the ATP Tour.
The moment @rogerfederer won his 1,200th ATP Tour match!
The Swiss saved two match points on his way to a thrilling victory 👏#MMOpen 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/lKferTo4lv
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 9, 2019
He will face two-time Madrid Open finalist Dominic Thiem in the quarter-final after the Austrian saw off the challenge of Monte-Carlo Masters champion Fabio Fognini.
The fifth seed broke once in each set for a 6-4, 7-5 victory.
World No 1 Djokovic required one hour and 26 minutes to beat Jeremy Chardy 6-1, 7-6 (7-2).
💯 Novak Djokovic makes it 13-0 against Jeremy Chardy.
The World No.1 advances to the #MMOpen QFs 6-1 7-6(2). pic.twitter.com/mDY4Zhyczx
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 9, 2019
The Serb raced into a 5-0 lead in the opening set before the Frenchman got on the scoreboard while, after no breaks of serve in the second set, he dominated the tie-breaker.
Marin Cilic is next up for Djokovic after the Croatian beat Laslo Djere 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
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