Reigning champion Rafael Nadal and Kei Nishikori join Federer in the last 16 at Roland Garros
Friday 31 May 2019 19:00, UK
Roger Federer produced a spell-binding display of artistry on Court Suzanne Lenglen to claim a milestone win in his 400th Grand Slam match to reach the fourth round of the French Open on Friday.
The third seed is yet to drop a set on his return to Roland Garros but was forced to display some of his very best tennis after being pushed hard in the third by young Norwegian Casper Ruud as he completed a 6-3 6-1 7-6 (10-8) victory.
For two sets Federer was in cruise control, winning nine games in a row from 2-3 in the opener and moving superbly, but he had to recover from an early break in the third and saved a set point in the tie-break.
Ruud, 20, is coached by his father Christian, who was in the draw here 20 years ago when Federer made his Grand Slam debut.
Federer, returning to Roland Garros after a four-year absence, will face Leonardo Mayer for a spot in the quarter-finals after he defeated an emotional Nicolas Mahut 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 7-6 (7-3).
"A few months ago I didn't know what to expect," Federer said. "Now I know where my level is at. I still don't know exactly where my absolute best is, but I feel like it could be there.
"So I'm happy I'm putting myself in a position like this after not having played so many years here. The first goal has been reached by getting this deep into the tournament."
Rafael Nadal dropped a set at the French Open for only the second time since 2015 but recovered to beat David Goffin and reach the fourth round.
The 11-time champion had won all his matches in straight sets the last three years apart from in the quarter-finals 12 months ago, when he lost one set against Diego Schwartzman.
Nadal tore through the opening two sets against 27th seed Goffin but the Belgian fought back impressively to take the third before the Spaniard completed a 6-1 6-3 4-6 6-3 victory.
Nadal will next play Juan Ignacio Londero next after the Argentinian beat French wild card Corentin Moutet 2-6 6-3 6-4 5-7 6-4.
Kei Nishikori needed over four hours to beat Laslo Djere 6-4 6-7 (8-10) 6-3 4-6 8-6 to go through to the next round.
The Japanese star won his seventh consecutive five-set match to improve to 22-6 in his career as he made it through to the last 16 for the fifth straight year at Roland Garros.
Unseeded Martin Klizan outlasted Frenchman Lucas Pouille 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 6-3 3-6 9-7 in a contest that resumed on Friday after it was stopped due to fading light on Thursday.
The Slovakian next faces 10th seed Karen Khachanov of Russia.
Frenchman Benoit Paire was leading 6-2 4-6 7-6 (7-1) against Pablo Carreno Busta when his Spanish rival retired injured.
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