2011 French Open: Roger Federer sails past Feliciano Lopez in first round
Swiss maestro Roger Federer defeated Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in straight sets on Monday as the two opened their run at the 2011 Roland Garros.
Already standing at an eight match winning streak against the Spaniard in the pair’s head-to-head series, Federer extended his lead to 9-0 after doing away with Lopez 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(3) in almost two hours.
Following Djokovic on court, Federer had very large shoes to fill especially given the Serb’s recent 39 match winning streak. Determined to reclaim his lost glory, the 2009 French Open champion started his title run in full swing.
Opening serve in the first set, the former world number one met with a determined Spaniard who forced the scoreboard to tick on even terms. With no break for six games, the score was tied for six games. However, in the eighth game the Swiss caught a lucky a break which he capitalised on fully to secure a 5-3 lead. Serving for the set at 5-3, Federer was able to secure a 6-3 win for himself.
Hitting 14 winners to Lopez’s 10, Federer recorded an almost perfect 93% win on his first serve clinching 34 of 54 points.
Following the same suit in the second set with somewhat raised resistance from the Spaniard, Federer had Lady Luck smile on him when he managed to convert a single break point to his advantage, securing a 6-4 win in the second set.
The Swiss was now 2-0 in the set score, expecting comfortable sailing to a straight sets victory.
However, Lopez had other plans. Raising his game a notch, the Spaniard matched blow for blow as he sent the maestro running all over the court. Keeping the score tied at all times, Lopez forced the third set into a tiebreaker.
Given Federer’s recent slump, many expected this to be a danger sign for him. However, exhibiting brilliant form and hitting powerful aces, Federer was able to secure a 4-1 lead in the tiebreaker which he only extended to 6-3 before serving it out to clinch a the tiebreaker with a 7-3 win.
Taking 119 minutes, Federer countered his 31 unforced errors with 52 winners and 12 aces recording a straight sets 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(3) win for himself.
Federer now moves on ahead to play local wildcard entrant, Maxime Teixeira. Teixeira undid compatriot Vincent Millot in a gruelling five set battle on Sunday to move on ahead in the event.
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