Roger Federer avoided to experience the same fate of rival Rafael Nadal at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships – to make an exit at a Grand Slam tournament during the first week of competitions. Nadal lost the day before at Wimbledon to a 100th-ranked player. However, the Swiss star managed to regroup and make a comeback after losing the first two sets against Frenchman Julien Benneteau 4-6, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 7-6 (6), 6-1. Federer is through to the fourth round and is still on course to face defending champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.
“Oh, my God, it was brutal,” Federer said.
“The thing, when you’re down two sets to love, is to stay calm, even though it’s hard, because people are freaking out, people are worried for you. … You don’t have, obviously, many lives left out there. You just try to play tough and focus point for point. Sounds so boring, but it’s the right thing to do out there,” he added.
This will be the eighth time for Federer to have come back from a two set deficit to win the match. His most recent one was at the 2012 Roland Garros where he managed to escape the upset bit of Argentine Juan Martin del Potro.
“Mentally, he’s a rock. He’s two sets down and he doesn’t show anything. And after that, if your level is a little bit lower – right here, right now, he takes the opportunity,” said Benneteau.
Federer will next face 2002 semifinalist Xavier Malisse in the fourth round.
