Video: Federer Quick as a Cat at Net vs. Bautista Agut

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Video: Federer Quick as a Cat at Net vs. Bautista Agut

Video: brilliant movement, brilliant point. #Federer somehow gets the play on this. #tennis http://t.co/BV3MNFMxQl
— TennisTV (@TennisTV) October 9, 2014

In his first match in over three weeks, Roger Federer had to dig himself out of all kinds of trouble on Wednesday at the Shanghai Rolex Masters, saving five match points en route to victory over Leonardo Mayer.

Video: Fabio Fognini Makes Obscene Gesture in Shanghai

On Thursday Federer took the express route, racing to a crisp 6-4, 6-2 victory over Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in 72 minutes to reach the quarterfinals in Shanghai. Thanks to a whoppingly good 22 of 24 points won at net (he was only 25 of 47 at net against Mayer on Wednesday), Federer was able to take down the dangerous Spaniard to keep alive his bid for a maiden title in Shanghai.

Already this week, Federer has assured himself of a return to No. 2 in the ATP’s rankings next week, which will make him the first 33-year-old to climb to the top two since Andre Agassi in 2003.

Federer will face Julien Benneteau in Friday’s quarterfinals. The Swiss maestro owns a 5-2 lifetime edge against Benneteau, and the pair have split the last two matches.

UPDATE: ICYMI, Fed did okay from the baseline as well against Bautista Agut. Don't believe us? Check out this no-look slice lob>>>