Federer beats Chela at Toronto Masters

Former world number one moves into the third round of the Toronto Masters.

TORONTO: Swiss third-seed Roger Federer blasted out of the starting blocks for the US Open hardcourt build-up, overcoming early niggles to beat Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 to reach the third round of the Toronto Masters.

The 16-time grand slam winner grabbed the early break to go up 4-2. But the Swiss maestro then began to misfire as he sent shots wide and long to let Chela back into the set before prevailing in the tiebreaker.

Federer again took the initiative in the second set with an early break and this time remained in control cursing to a comfortable win

He approached the net more than he has done recently, showing off a favorite tactic of Annacone, who will work with the Swiss on an interim basis.

Federer, who stalled at the quarter-finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon after winning the titles last season, has this week and the next at Cincinnati to prepare for the final Grand Slam of the season, which starts on August 30.

“It’s always nice to come back after six weeks and get the win. I think that’s really what counts the most tonight. It’s normal that you’re a bit rusty after six weeks,” said Federer, who he lost the 2009 final to Juan Martin del Potro after winning five titles in a row in New York.

Published in The  Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2010.