Federer cruises past Lacko

Williams sisters progress in opening matches at French Open.

PARIS:

Roger Federer racked up a record-equalling 59th career win at the French Open on Sunday as he kicked off his 16th consecutive Roland Garros with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win over Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko, his first victory since becoming a father of twins for the second time.

Sunday’s triumph was also his 59th at Roland Garros, tying eight-time champion Rafael Nadal as the tournament’s all-time win specialist.

Federer was never troubled by Lacko, the world number 88 who has not won a claycourt match for three years.

“I’m happy I got off to a good start,” said the 17-time major winner. “There’s always that little feeling that if you don’t feel well, if the opponent plays great, whatever happens so you could lose early. So I was happy seeing early signs out of the match that I was actually playing well.”

Serena demolishes wildcard Lim

Women’s top seed Serena Williams, who won the 2013 title to add to her 2002 maiden triumph in the French capital, started her 13th Roland Garros with a 6-2, 6-1 win over French wildcard Alize Lim.

Serena fired 37 winners past Lim, the world 138, although a sloppy final game left her relying on a fifth match point to seal victory.

The win extended Serena’s record the in opening rounds of the majors to 54-1 – her only blip being a first round exit to Virginie Razzano in Paris three years ago.

Meanwhile, Venus Williams, the 29th seed and 2002 runner-up, began her campaign with a 6-4, 6-1 win against Swiss 17-year-old Belinda Bencic, who was two and a half years from being born when the American made her professional debut back in 1994.

It was Venus’ second win over world number 81 Bencic, the 2013 junior champion, having defeated the teenager in Luxemburg in 2012.

“I think she has a great attitude, and it will take her a long way. Just doing everything better, serving, returning, just more experience helps a lot,” said 33-year-old Venus, who is playing in her 17th French Open.

Venus next faces Anna Schmiedlova of Slovakia and could possibly set a clash with sister Serena in the third round. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2014.

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