Federer storms to crushing victory
Roger Federer marched into the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters as the three-time finalist inflicted a 6-2, 6-1 defeat on German Philipp Kohlschreiber.
The world number three earned a sixth consecutive victory against the 32nd-ranked Kohlschreiber, expressing satisfaction at the comprehensive manner of his victory.
“I was able to do all the things I was hoping to,” said the Swiss. “I was consistent, consistently dangerous, too. I felt well in the offence, and in the defence I was fine. It was a quick match.”
Federer, a three time losing finalist at the Country Club against Rafael Nadal, was the first of the major players to go into action at the event, with Nadal and number three Andy Murray making their 2011 Monte Carlo debuts today. His efficient victory in 50 minutes gave the Swiss confidence for the matches ahead.
“Clearly a good start for me into the clay court season,” said the winner. “Philipp wasn’t able to or he couldn’t really play aggressive the way maybe he was hoping to do today. I could finish the point almost whenever I wanted to. I wasn’t struggling when he was giving me the heavy forehand roller or the backhand roller, which he’s really good at.”
The Swiss admitted he was relieved to have gotten off to a flyer in his first clay match of the season in the run up to his Roland Garros campaign, saying that he found the start of the match “a bit nerve wracking”.
Federer’s victory was his 23rd of the season compared to his four losses, three against Djokovic and his last to Nadal in the Miami Masters semi-finals. Against Kohlschreiber he lost just two points in three games as he made a fast start.
The 16-time grand slam champion is playing Monte Carlo for the first time since 2009, when he lost in the third round to countryman Stanislas Wawrinka. Federer has played the event on nine previous occasions, and his record now stands at 22-9 at the tournament.
Berdych, Raonic register easy wins
In other matches of the day, last year’s Wimbledon finalist Czech Tomas Berdych registered a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Olivier Rochus of Belgium, while Serb Janko Tipseravic lost out to Spain’s Feliciano Lopez 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 in a close encounter. Rising Canadian tennis star Milos Raonic defeated Ernests Gulbis of Lativa in a 6-4, 7-5 win.
Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic was able to beat Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6, 6-4, while French 16th-seed Gilles Simon defeated Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci 6-3, 6-2. Spain’s Per Riba staged a come from behind victory, beating Italy’s Potito Starace 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 13th, 2011.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ