Roger Federer was victorious in his French Open match on Monday against Denis Istomin. This 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 victory marked his return to Grand Slam tennis after a slight absence. His reinstatement comes after two knee surgeries which caused him to miss most of the 2020 season. Federer entered the tournament as the eighth seed and was the champion of the tournament in 2009.
“What a pleasure to be back,” said Federer. “Overall I’m very happy [with my movement], I can attest to that, as well. I moved pretty well today. I also kept rallies short purposely so I wouldn’t get dragged into long rallies. Always throw in the drop shot. We’ll see what happens.”
This was Federer’s fourth match and third tournament of the year. He debuted in Geneva and Doha at ATP 250 events, where he claimed two victories and one defeat. His defeat was at the hands of Pablo Andujar, who was ranked 75th internationally. Istomin was ranked 204th in the world, which is the lowest spot of anyone Federer has played against this year.
Federer took down Uzbekistan’s Istomin quite handily, extending his win streak over him to eight. Federer did not face a break point in the contest. He also won 80 percent of his points after converting his first serve. Additionally, he won 15 of 19 points off of his second serve. Federer recorded 48 winners in the match, 15 of which occurred in the first 22 minutes. He even attempted a between-the-legs shot (also known as a “tweener”) but was unsuccessful as he hit the ball out of play. The all-time great was very successful when serving and volleying, winning 79 percent of his net points (19 of 24). The crowd at Court Phillipe Chatrier, although limited to 1,000 people, showered Federer with applause
“I just felt overall much clearer, much better,” Federer said. “Clearly also maybe the type of opponent allowed me to have many different ways to win the point. I knew if I came to the net, that was an option. Hitting a drop shot was always an option. Taking the ball early was an option,” reflected Federer.
His victory moves him to the second round of the French Open, as he looks for another win in his Grand Slam return. Federer will face Croatian Marin Cilic, who defeated Arthur Rinderknetch in the first round 7-6 (6), 6-1. 6-2.
Cilic is currently ranked 47th in the world and will face Federer for the 11th time. Federer has won nine of the 10 meetings between the two athletes, however, Cilic has won all nine matches he has played in 2021. It will be difficult for Cilic to extend his 2021 win streak against one of the best players to ever take the court. Cilic’s lone victory against Federer came all the way back in 2014, when the Croatian ousted the all-time great from the US Open semi finals. Their last meeting came in the finals of the 2018 Australian Open. Federer won that match in a hard-fought five-set contest 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Wednesday’s contest will be the duo’s first matchup against each other in the French Open.
It has been three years since the two competitors have faced off. Cilic will be looking for the second-round upset in what should be a great match between the 39-year-old Swiss and the 32-year-old Croatian.
