Roger Federer Playing with Sense of Urgency with French Open Draw in His Favor

Roger Federer hit a two-handed backhand lob to keep a point alive. That oddity reflects the sense of urgency emerging in Federer's game at this late stage in his career. 

For Federer, it's now or maybe never again. 

Federer defeated Spain's Marcel Granollers, 6-2 7-6(1) 6-3, in the second round of the 2015 French Open. He next faces Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, who defeated Marcos Baghdatis.

Although Granollers played well, a Federer win was never in doubt. But you'd never know that by the look on Federer's face through most of the match. Federer's emotions ranged from annoyed to ticked off. At one point, he even cursed under his breath. It seemed like a disproportionate amount of angst in an otherwise routine win.

During a post-match interview, a reporter asked Federer about his on-court demeanor and whether he was nervous. Federer told reporters he was simply frustrated:

"

I wasn't nervous really, to be honest. I think things went well for me for the first couple of sets. I think I was in control even though I was down a break in the second set. I still felt the match was on my racket... But you know, the thing you don't want to do is start off badly, sets. And that's what happened at the beginning of the third. I played a horrible game. It was just very disappointing and frustrating. But after that, it was probably my best spell of the match. 

"

Federer recovered from an 0-2 third-set deficit to regain control of the match. He picked up his game and made some spectacular shots, including that two-handed backhand lob.

Satisfied with how he responded in the third set, Federer told reporters: "I was able to play with variation today. Overall I was very pleased."

Always aware of the draw and what's at stake, Federer appears anxious about his opportunity at this year's French Open. He knows Rafael Nadal is in a slump and Novak Djokovic carries the weight of having never won. Although Andy Murray is enjoying the best clay-court season of his career, he's on the same side of the draw as Djokovic and Nadal.

This is as good a set-up as Federer could hope for in a Grand Slam. His toughest opponents, all lined up on the opposite side of the draw. However, with an apparent easier path to the finals comes higher expectations. 

Before the draw, few expected Federer to reach the final. Now he's considered a lock.

Federer appeared to put more pressure on himself against Granollers than he did during his first-round match. He seemed to have zero tolerance for mishits and miscues.

He told Stuart Fraser of RolandGarros.com that he relies on his many years on the tour to help him overcome frustrations:

"

Experience helps in the sense that you're more relaxed... Entering a tournament like this, you know how to prepare. You go into a first-round match in a calm manner without any panic, whereas maybe 10 years ago or more, you're so worried about everything, you hope that you did the right things, you hope that you're going to play OK, you hope your opponent is not going to play the best.

"

On Wednesday, Federer was tougher on himself than his opponent. He seemed determined to iron out any wrinkles in his game before tougher matches ahead. 

A few months from his 34th birthday, Federer has already defied Father Time. He's No. 2 at an age when many greats, including his idol Pete Sampras, had already retired. 

Still, Federer knows the curtain is falling fast on his illustrious career. As his opportunities dwindle, his impatience grows. "Get it together," he seems to be saying. Time is running out. Off days are luxuries he can no longer afford.