"[My mindset was to] just somehow get through. Somehow try not to lose," Federer said. "I'm very pleased I was able to find a way. I actually played a really good third set, I thought."
"I think he's got one of those wonderful forehands on the [ATP] Tour. We've seen the great shot-making he has been able to produce over the course of his career," Federer said. "I'm happy that he's still going. I think he's a good player. He can definitely peak against the top guys. I think that's why he's still playing, for those kinds of matches, so I have to be careful."
“I don't fear the lefties anymore like I did in my teenage years, so that's good,” Federer said. “I think that's because I was able to improve my game. Every player tries to play to your weakness or tries to make you play bad. No different with Verdasco.”
“I’ve played a few other lefties in the past, as well. I always thought it was hard to play left-handed servers because their strength goes into your weakness, your strength goes to — I don't know. It just doesn't work properly against the lefties,” Federer said. “For a one-handed backhand player, I have a great record against left-handed players. Obviously Rafa has caused me the most problems throughout. That's because of the level of play he's able to achieve.”
“I do notice it. I do feel crowd support. They were doing the wave to cheer me up today because I was down in the score in the second set... Usually they do it when I'm in the lead,” Federer said. “They were chanting my name, so I took it as a positive. I can't complain. I get amazing crowd support basically everywhere I go. That's a real treat. I thought I was maybe at my peak in 2012. I couldn't become more popular or get more crowd support. It has gotten better even from then on.”
“Definitely one of the big reasons why I'm still playing is to feel the crowd, to get close to them, try to hit good shots, try to put on a show,” Federer said. “Tonight maybe was not quite that, but I'm still around, so I get a second chance on Wednesday.”
I'm happy I actually stayed calm throughout the game. I felt like I was having a good feeling out there. Even though I wasn't playing my best, I still felt like it was going to fall my way when it really mattered. I think that confidence is kind of important in sports or tennis. I'm happy I had it today, I played good at the end. I had the serve when I needed it, had some good shots, a good point on break point when I needed it. That was nice to win it that way.
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