Federer Avenges Rome Defeat To Gulbis

World No. 1 Roger Federer, the 2006 and 2009 Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open champion, avenged his recent Rome defeat to fast-rising Ernests Gulbis on Friday, with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory for a place in the semi-finals at the Caja Magica, venue of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament.

The 28-year-old Swiss superstar, who will meet Spaniard David Ferrer Saturday, is attempting to clinch his 17th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, tying him with his rival Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi.

Watch Video --> Federer's Friday Hot Shot



Federer said that he was particularly pleased to not suffer consecutive defeats to Gulbis. “I think that's one of the toughest things in tennis: When you lose to a player and you have to play him again in the next couple weeks. There's not much a change in playing styles or practice... all he did was sleep 10 times. And off you go and play each other again. It's tough, so that's why I'm particularly happy that I was able to come up with the proper game plan today. And even though I got off with a slow start, I managed to come through.

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“I think this tournament's been great for me. In all the matches I've hit the ball cleanly, serving well. There are no complaints from my side. Even the set I lost today was good.”