Roger Federer ousts David Goffin to enter quarters – Roland Garros 2012
Former world number one, Roger Federer toppled the Belgian lucky loser, David Goffin, in a four-set thriller at the French Open 2012 on Sunday. He hit back to formulate a 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 victory against the 21-year-old to charge into the quarter-finals
at this second of the four Grand Slam event held in Paris, France.
The 16-time Grand Slam champion, Federer, showed top notch performance to outclass the Belgian in their first encounter. After overpowering Goffin in two hours and 54 minutes, the Swiss assertively advanced into the final eight at this major red clay court
event.
"I thought he played really well. Great impression," praised the Jubilant Swiss. "He took the ball early every time. Don't hit a very good shot, he can take advantage of that. He's got great potential in terms of his touch and the way he reads the game.
I thought it was an interesting match. Obviously in some ways I guess it's tough for me coming out not knowing exactly what his favourite patterns are in the game, the way he serves, when he does what. But, no, he impressed me, and I enjoyed the match today."
Ranked 109th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Goffin high-spiritedly entered the Court Suzanne Lenglen and held his serve in the opening game with poise. He continued hitting flat groundstrokes and slid his entire serves without
facing any barrier. The Belgian got the breakthrough in the last game and clicked the opener by winning seven games to five.
Federer ignited his spark in the follow-up set and swiftly swiped in his entire serves after brushing off the only breakpoint he came across. He cashed in the lone break opportunity in the 11th game and subsequently bagged the set with a 7-5 win.
The 30-year-old improved his game in the third set and after earning the coveted break in the third game, he jumped to a 3-1 lead. After the Belgian held his serve in the fifth game, Federer pocketed the last three games consecutively and registered a 6-2
success.
The Swiss Maestro got the desiderated break in the opening game of the fourth set. He then dusted away the lone breakpoint he faced and plucked his entire serves, eventually sealing the set by winning six games to four.
Up next for the third seed is the conqueror of the match between seventh seed Tomas Berdych and the Argentinean number one, Juan Martin Del Potro.
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