In what has been a glittering career, Roger Federer is not often associated with gutsy comeback victories, more commonly typecast as the unflappable Swiss, cruising through the rounds at grand-slam tournaments. The reality, though is rather different, with the former world No 1 again having to reach into his reserves of pluck and grit to fight back against Gael Monfils at the US Open - the ninth time he has won from a deficit of two sets. Here, The Times recalls his greatest recoveries.
1. September 2014 - US Open quarter-final v Gael Monfils 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2
A succession of unforced errors meant that Federer found himself two sets down, before eventually coming alive in the third set. Just as it looked like the Swiss was on the brink of crashing out, he managed to save two match points and started to claw his way back. The tables then turned as Federer began to take advantage of several mistakes made by Monfils; his double-fault in the fourth set was a crucial moment, as things started to swing Federer’s way. This victory sent the world number three into his ninth semi-final at Flushing Meadows, where he will play Marin Cilic for a place in the final.
2. June 2012 - French Open quarter-final v Juan Martin Del Potro 3-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-0, 6-3
After another slow start in which Federer struggled to get into his stride, Del Potro took the first set comfortably. The second set lacked quality from both players but Del Potro remained on top, winning the tie break and looking set for victory. However, Federer’s accuracy improved and he took the next two sets, with Del Potro failing to win a game in the fourth. The momentum was then with the Swiss as he comfortably sealed the match in the fifth.
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3. June 2010 – Wimbledon first round v Alejandro Falla 5-7, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-0
As reigning champion, no one was expecting Federer to be troubled by his opening round opponent. Alejandro Falla, however, gave the performance of his life and proved to be tough competition. The Colombian looked calm and composed in front of the then world No 2 and comfortably won the first two sets. The usually unflappable Federer was pressurised into making mistakes until the third and fourth sets, as he started to gain momentum. By the final set, Falla’s race had been run.
4. January 2009 - Australian Open fourth round v Thomas Berdych 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
After losing the first two sets, Federer looked to be down and out but he gained a foothold in the third, being gifted the set through a lack of concentration on Berdych’s part. The Czech’s error sparked a revival from Federer and he won the remaining sets with ease despite being far from his best.
5. April 2005 - Miami Masters Final v Rafael Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-1
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A recovery from the brink. Federer came back from two sets down to beat Rafael Nadal in one of many epic battles between the pair but was trailing the third set tie-break 5-3 at one stage, already two sets down, with Nadal looking to bring up a match point. Federer remained calm, however, and fought back to take the next four points and the tie-break 7-5. Nadal was to win only four games in the rest of the match.