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MADRID — If Roger Federer needed a tough test on clay after staying away from the surface for the past three years, he certainly got one on Thursday at the Madrid Open.
Federer survived a grueling encounter, including two match points against him, on his way to a 6-0, 4-6, 7-6 (3) win over Gaël Monfils.
“It wasn’t a classic match,” Federer said at a postmatch news conference. “There were ups and downs, and that is perhaps a bit normal when you get back on clay.”
He added: “It’s tough to come out and just play fantastic tennis.