Federer and Madrid: The saga continues

MADRID—After 18 minutes it looked like the match was all but over between Roger Federer and Gael Monfils on Thursday, and the fans inside the Caja Magica were not happy. Whistles rained down as the players changed ends between sets.

Next thing everyone knew, Monfils got himself on the board by winning the first game of the second set, and then the next two. He then took full control, winning the set and racing ahead to a 4-1 in the third set.

But Federer wasn't ready to leave Madrid just yet, and fought back, behind some wild second-serve-and-volley tactics. He even saved a match point while down 5-6 by coming in off a second serve, and then had to save one more.

The world No. 3 would advance to the quarterfinals, 6-0, 4-6, 7-6 (3). Here's some fast facts to know about the Federer and his reunion with Madrid:

1

Federer's record against Monfils improves to 10-4, and this was their first meeting since the 2015 French Open, which Federer won in four sets.

2

With his win over Richard Gasquet in his opening round, followed by this dramatic battle with Monfils, Federer has won consecutive matches in Madrid for the first time in seven years.

3

That year was 2012, when the courts were blue. Federer didn't stop with two matches as he went on to win the title, his third ATP Masters 1000 in Spain.

4

This is Federer's first appearance in Madrid since 2015, when he lost his opening round to Nick Kyrgios. In his previous appearance before that, he lost in the round of 16 to Kei Nishikori in 2013.

5

The win on Thursday marked Federer's 1,200th—the most of any active player on tour. Behind him are Rafael Nadal with 936 and Novak Djokovic with 853. Jimmy Connors still holds the top spot of all players with 1,274.

In the quarterfinals on Friday, the Swiss will face Dominic Thiem.

Follow Nina on Twitter @ninapantic1.