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.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz makes 23-year-old top ten player feel old
Carlos Alcaraz makes Casper Ruud feel like time is getting away from him.
-
French Open
Casper Ruud a big fan of Ons Jabeur and Simona Halep
Ons Jabeur claimed the Madrid Open title earlier this month.
-
French Open
Exclusive – Annabel Croft on ‘big match player’ Emma Raducanu’s prospects for this summer
Annabel Croft has backed teenager Raducanu to defy some of her doubters this summer.
-
French Open
French Open: Rafael Nadal slips, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz favourite
Rafael Nadal is still considered a strong contender for the French Open crown.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer comeback on track as agent reveals Swiss icon is keen to have a crack at Wimbledon 2023
Roger Federer “won’t rush back this time”.
-
French Open
French Open talking points: Ashleigh Barty void, Emma Raducanu’s pain, Hawk-Eye snub
A few talking points ahead of the 2022 French Open.
-
French Open
Red-hot Iga Swiatek ’embracing’ the pressure ahead of French Open, says Martina Navratilova
Iga Swiatek is thriving.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic ‘rose in Belgrade’, says tennis pundit as he highlights ‘turning point’ in world No 1’s season
Novak Djokovic “very close to his best form”.
-
French Open
The British singles contenders at the 2022 French Open: Emma Raducanu and Cameron Norrie lead the way
The top British players in the main draw at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz heartbroken about Rafael Nadal injury, saying: ‘It hurts me to see him suffer’
Carlos Alcaraz admits it is painful to see Rafael Nadal suffer.