World No. 1 Roger Federer, the 2006 and 2009 Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open champion, avenged his recent Rome defeat to fast-rising Ernests Gulbis on Friday, with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory for a place in the semi-finals at the Caja Magica, venue of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament.The 28-year-old Swiss superstar, who will meet Spaniard David Ferrer Saturday, is attempting to clinch his 17th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, tying him with his rival Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi.
Should he lift his third Madrid title on Sunday, he will equal Bjorn Borg’s record of 63 tour-level trophies for No. 5 on the all-time Open Era titles list.
Federer got off to a sluggish start, but after falling a break down in the second set he found his rhythm and erased memories of his 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 loss to Gulbis at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome two weeks ago.
Federer said that he was particularly pleased to not suffer consecutive defeats to Gulbis. “I think that's one of the toughest things in tennis: When you lose to a player and you have to play him again in the next couple weeks. There's not much a change in playing styles or practice... all he did was sleep 10 times. And off you go and play each other again. It's tough, so that's why I'm particularly happy that I was able to come up with the proper game plan today. And even though I got off with a slow start, I managed to come through.
Second seed and 2005 titlist Rafael Nadal outplayed No. 12 seed Gael Monfils of France for a 6-1, 6-3 victory at the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open on Friday to keep alive his chances of capturing a record 18th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title.
Nadal, who is second behind his Spanish compatriot David Ferrer for match wins this year (29-4 record), is now one victory from regaining No. 2 in the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings. On Saturday, the 23 year old will meet his unseeded countryman Nicolas Almagro.
"In the first set, I played at a very high level," said Nadal, who is attempting to become the first player to win all three ATP World Tour clay-court tournaments in one year. "This is the toughest tournament for me, the conditions are the most difficult of the year for me on clay, but I'm fine."
Friday, May 14, 2010
Singles - Quarterfinals
(1) Roger Federer (SUI) d. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 36 61 64
(2) Rafael Nadal (ESP) d. (12) Gael Monfils (FRA) 61 63
(9) David Ferrer )ESP) d. (3) Andy Murray (GBR) 75 63
Nicolas Almagro (ESP) d. Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 63 61
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