By Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
It was another hallmark day for Roger Federer
In securing his 900th career ATP singles match victory of his career, Federer had to rally from two-sets-to-one down to survive against the stubborn Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-1, 4-6, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 in frenzied fourth round French encounter.
The win advances Federer into the quarterfinals of a major tournament for a record-extending 36th consecutive time and also gives Federer his 58th career win at Roland Garros, surpassing the all-time singles match win record among men set by Guillermo Vilas and Nicola Pietrangeli.
After leading 3-2 in the second set, Federer fell on the red clay and seemed to have hurt his wrist. He then proceeded to slump and lose 10 of the next 13 games, before he sensed the need to move into a higher gear and won seven straight games to take the fourth set and lead 3-0 in the fifth before closing out the match six games later.
The last time Federer failed to reach the quarterfinal of a major tournament came at the 2004 French Open when three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten defeated the top-seeded Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the third round.
Federer’s 900 match wins ranks him No. 3 all-time behind Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl and Vilas.
If Federer wins Roland Garros as the 17-time major tournament champion did in 2009, he will tie John McEnroe for third-place all time with 77 career ATP singles titles.
He next faces Simon’s countryman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Tuesday’s quarterfinals, while David Ferrer and Tommy Robredo – both of Spain – play in the other quarterfinal in Federer’s half of the draw.
