Madrid Flashback: Roger Federer destroys Richard Gasquet 

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• Roger Federer

Roger Federer barely survived his first match on the controversial blue clay in Madrid 2012. The Swiss prevailed over Milos Raonic after playing better in the crucial moments and set the third-round clash against Richard Gasquet.

Roger and Richard met for the 12th time, and the Swiss delivered his tenth victory following a rock-solid 6-3, 6-2 triumph in 58 minutes, storming over his opponent to secure a place in the last eight. Federer lost 15 points in nine service games.

He fended off both break chances to keep the initial shot intact and mount pressure on the opponent. Gasquet could not match those numbers, getting broken three times and pushing Federer into the last eight. Roger fired 31 winners and 18 unforced errors, holding the strings of the match firmly in his hands and overpowering the rival in every segment for a relaxed day at the office.

It was important for Federer to score such a dominant win in under an hour, losing a lot of energy in the first clash and gathering a boost ahead of the next obstacle.

Roger Federer defeated Richard Gasquet in under an hour in Madrid 2012.

Roger made a great start and closed the encounter's opening game with a forehand winner.

The Swiss delivered another comfortable hold in game three and stole the Frenchman's serve with a return winner in the next one to open a 3-1 lead. Another bullet from his forehand pushed Federer further in front before experiencing the first troubles on serve in game seven.

The Swiss fended off a break chance to keep his initial shot intact and open a 5-2 gap. Serving for the set in the ninth game, Roger landed four service winners to get the job done in 27 minutes, looking good and hoping for more in set number two.

Unable to follow that pace or impose his strokes, Richard hit a double fault in the first game to suffer an instant break. He sprayed a backhand error at 1-3 to fall further behind and push the rival closer to the finish line.

On the other hand, Federer did everything right and got the opportunity to serve for the victory in game eight. The Frenchman created a break chance, and Roger denied it with an ace down the T line before sealing the deal with two more aces that carried him into the quarter-final.