Flustered Federer

Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a return to Gilles Simon of France during their men's singles match at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, June 2, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Whatever the statistics, and Federer has created many of the telling ones down the years, it was the sheer love of the fight that had fans screaming his name too on Sunday.

"At the end of the day, I work hard to be exactly in this situation in a tough match where the crowd is going crazy and you want to stay calm within the storm," told reporters.

"Honestly, for me, it's what I play for."

The Swiss had to dig into his vast repertoire of strokes to subdue Simon - a player who has troubled him before and who won the first two of their five previous meetings.

There were the delicate drop shots, lob volleys, the backhand slices that seem to hang in the air for eternity and then those explosive forehands that few players can return.

Federer even managed to curl one extraordinary winner between the outside of the net post and the umpire's chair to give him a sixth and final set point in the opener.

The stage seemed set for a Federer masterclass but Simon, despite lacking the firepower of those at the very top of the game, was not prepared to go down without a scrap.

He began to make inroads and when Federer stumbled and fell in the sixth game, the Frenchman's chance came. The Swiss ended up on his hands and knees on the red dirt after snagging his toe in the surface and lost his poise.

There was no obvious damage but he was broken in the next game and Simon rammed home the advantage to level the match.

"Perhaps that bothered me a little bit but not very much. Maybe just five minutes," Federer said of his slip.

"He seized his opportunity. He got the advantage and he made my life difficult."

A flustered Federer dropped his serve twice in the third set as Simon, bidding to reach the quarterfinals at his home Grand Slam for the first time, sensed his chance for a huge upset.

Federer has made a career out of pulling out the stops when required, however, and quickly restored order, overpowering a tiring Simon in the fourth set with some belligerent tennis.

Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Gilles Simon of France during their men's singles match at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, June 2, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

An early break in the fifth gave Federer breathing space and despite a few nervous moments at the end he claimed the 900th Tour victory of his career.

"I knew 900 was on the line," he said. "I didn't know about the Vilas one but I'm just happy I have been able to win a lot of matches throughout my career.

"I'm pleased to give myself an opportunity over and over again. I love this game."

The Parisian crowd clearly love him too.