Roger Federer happy to find higher gear against Marin Cilic at French Open

The 20-time Grand Slam champion smoothly pressed the accelerator to take the tiebreak and outclassed Marin Cilic in the fourth set to claim a 6-2, 2-6 7-6(4), 6-2 win.

Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates after winning against Croatia's Marin Cilic during their men's singles second round tennis match on Day 5 of The Roland Garros 2021 French Open.

With so few matches in the tank over the past 17 months, Roger Federer knew the first big test of where his game was at would likely come against Marin Cilic on Thursday.

The 39-year-old Swiss had made his first-round win over Denis Istomin look like an exhibition match, enjoying a comfortable return to the Grand Slam area for the first time since losing in the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2020.

Former U.S. Open champion Cilic, however, was a different proposition in the second round.

#RogerFederer and the chair umpire have had an interesting day today

⚠️ RF debates time violation for still towelling off while Cilic was ready to serve

RF then overrules umpire to award first point of the third-set tiebreaker to Cilic #RolandGarros | #RG2021pic.twitter.com/efz2J0cICD

— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) June 3, 2021

The big-hitting Croatian levelled the match at one set apiece and then came from a break down to push Federer into a third-set tiebreak - the outcome of which always looked like being pivotal to the contest.

Federer's response scotched any fears that he might be vulnerable in the heat of battle.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion smoothly pressed the accelerator to take the tiebreak and outclassed Cilic in the fourth set to claim a 6-2, 2-6 7-6(4), 6-2 win.

"A very good match for me, I thought," 2009 champion Federer, who is making only his second appearance at the French Open since 2015, told reporters.

"The good thing, I feel like I come out of a match like this and I know why it was up and down. And then that I was able to attain a solid level once he did break back in the third set and things were looking dangerous for me, that I was able to step up a gear, stay with him, and then pull away.

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"I was able to almost find another gear, which he couldn't, and I think that was very nice for me. So I'm very happy."

Federer, who underwent knee surgery last year, has earmarked Wimbledon as his main target.

But with Germany's 59th-ranked Dominik Koepfer up next, he looks in the mood to make a run into the second week here. Although with 13-time French Open winner Rafa Nadal and top seed Novak Djokovic in his half, even his most optimistic fans will be amazed if Federer won the title.

"I hope I can back it up with hopefully another good match," Federer said when asked about his physical condition. "Whatever the outcome is, I know it was definitely the right choice to come here to Paris."