French Open Tennis 2013: Roger Federer's Comeback Is Great Sign for Title Hopes

Given Roger Federer's age disadvantage to tournament favorites Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, the fact that Federer was extended to five sets would not typically be viewed as a positive. 

However, this wasn't a typical match. Federer took down 15th-seeded Gilles Simon, 6-1, 4-6, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals. 

While Federer was on the brink of falling just short of making his 36th consecutive quarterfinal in a major, he should be even more confident about his title chances after his grueling victory. This is saying a lot, given his confidence had to be soaring high heading into that match. 

Prior to his match against Simon, Federer had looked unbeatable. He'd lost just a combined 11 games in his first two matches at this French Open. 

While both of those wins came over opponents ranked beyond the top 150, his third-round match was a distinct step up. 

Against 30th-seeded Julien Benneteau, Federer again won in straight sets. Benneteau did provide a bit more of a challenge as he was actually able to win five games in a single set. 

However, that win was ultra-impressive for Federer. Benneteau beat Federer earlier this year, and he came within two points of upsetting Federer at Wimbledon the year before. 

All of this led us to Federer's fourth-round match with the legend yet to face any adversity in this tournament.

He found some against Simon.

Federer cruised in the first set. Then, Federer got a foot caught on the clay and twisted his foot. It threw him from his game, and all of a sudden, he was in a big hole.

The 17-time major winner wasn't going to attribute his struggles to any physical ailment, however.

The Associated Press, via CBSSports, passed along this quote from Federer on his performance: "I didn't hurt myself or anything. But maybe I did lose that touch of confidence for a little bit, and then I was out of the match there for a bit."

Federer began launching unforced errors and was a completely different player in the second and third sets.

Yet, he was able to regain his form, and he regained it with a vengeance. 

Backed against the ropes, Federer came out swinging...with accuracy. He was hitting his spots and essentially toying with Simon. He was hitting shots that it would seem no one else on the planet could manage. 

Federer showed enough confidence and comfort in his game to quickly bounce back after finding adversity. As he stares ahead at a potential showdown with Djokovic or Nadal, which would occur in the final, he will undoubtedly face another stretch where his opponent gets the best of him. 

He will now have this turnaround performance in his recent memory to help guide him through those future rough spots.