Madrid Open 2012: Roger Federer Looks Like a Champion Again
Roger Federer is conjuring up old images of himself at the 2012 Madrid Open.
Some folks are convinced that Federer is getting too old and washed up to become a champion again at the age of 30, but he's starting to get that look on the blue clay in Spain.
After taking a month-and-a-half off following a tough loss to Andy Roddick at the Miami Masters, Federer looked rusty in his second-round match with Milos Raonic. He survived the test and won 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4), but it was obvious he wasn't sharp.
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Federer looked much sharper in his third-round victory over 14th-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet, completely dominating the match and winning 6-3, 6-2 in under an hour.
I'm not surprised to see Federer coming on strong here in May. He needed the break after playing so much tennis at the end of 2011 and into the early part of 2012, and now that his body is fully recharged, he is looking like his old self once again.
Via USA Today, before this tournament Federer spoke to the media about his extended break:
"I am excited to be back after a long offseason, but I needed it after playing so, so much. I have put myself in a good position if I do win a Grand Slam for the world number one. I know how hard it is to win (a major championship). But it is a dream for me to achieve it this year. I will chase it as hard as possible.
"
He's looking good so far, but his toughest test is yet to come in the quarterfinals when he will face fifth-seeded David Ferrer.
Judging by the efficient way he dispatched Gasquet on the slippery surface of the blue clay, I don't see Federer having any difficulty doing the same thing to Ferrer. His serve is on point, his legs are as strong as they've ever been and his attitude is perfect.
While many of the other contestants have fussed to no end about the blue clay, Federer remained unfazed by the challenge.
He is looking like a champion once again, and he has a great shot to win this tournament on his way to a Grand Slam Title in 2012.
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