Madrid Open 2012 Results: Federer Comeback Win Creates Momentum for French Open

Roger Federer won the Madrid Open for the third time on Sunday, coming back to score a 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 win over Tomas Berdych. That win secured the No. 2 world ranking for the Swiss star and gave him a ton of momentum as the tour turns its focus towards the French Open.

Berdych had knocked off Federer in three of their previous five matches and cruised to a first-set win. But the 16-time Grand Slam winner hung tough and won the next two sets to take the match. 

The 30-year-old Federer has won the French Open once before, in 2009. But the win at Madrid could be the push he needs to be in top form when he arrives at Roland Garros. The French Open starts on May 27, just two weeks from his victory over Berdych on Sunday.

The key for Federer during the final at Madrid was hanging tough. He struggled with his shot for much of the match, but was able to keep plugging away during the two-and-a-half hour showdown. 

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were both eliminated earlier in the tournament and complained about the blue clay used in Madrid, claiming it was too slippery. But Federer remained focused and didn't let any of the surrounding controversy affect him. By winning the tournament he moved past Nadal in the world rankings.

If there is one thing you can always bank on with Federer, it's his ability to stay mentally tough and stick to his game plan. Obviously, clay isn't his best surface, so he'll need to remain as focused as possibly during the two weeks in Paris if he wants to emerge victorious.

The win at Madrid will certainly give him confidence moving towards the French Open.