TIL Desk Sports/ In his first clay court match in three years, Roger Federer breezed past France’s Richard Gasquet in the second round of Madrid Open on Tuesday (local time). The Swiss player dismantled Gasquet 6-2, 6-3 in a match lasting just 52 minutes and marking his triumphant return to the clay court.
The twenty time Grand Slam winner who was marking his return on clay since 2016 and who was playing for the first time since claiming his 101st ATP singles title at the Miami Open in March, displayed no sign of rustiness. “I’m very happy to be back on clay. Super happy to be back here in Madrid. The crowds and the ovation I got before and after the game were great.
It really makes you feel like that was the right choice to come to Madrid, so that felt good. The first game went well. I didn’t think Richard was at his best, far off. But from my side, it was a good match,” Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) quoted Federer as saying.