Federer and Tsonga into French Open third round
Roger Federer is another step closer to defending his French Open title after defeating Alejandro Falla 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the second round.
The world No. 1 was challenged by Falla in the opening set, with the Colombian serving for the set at 6-5, but after breaking his opponent and winning the first set in a tiebreak Federer began to stamp his authority on the rain-interrupted match.
While Falla can chalk this one up as an honourable loss, Federer’s class was evident as he reeled off 40 winners for the match, including a precision passing shot in the final set when Falla had an open court to win the point that was even good enough to coax a smile from the 16-time Grand Slam champion himself.
In the first match of the day on Suzanne Lenglen Court, last year’s beaten finalist Robin Soderling ensured he was on and off the court before the storm clouds opened over Roland Garros, completing a 6-0, 6-1, 6-1 demolition job of America’s Taylor Dent in just one hour and 11 minutes.
“Second round of the Grand Slam, you're not expecting to win that fast,” the Swede said after the match. “I'm feeling good. I won two matches pretty easy in straight sets, and I didn't have to run for many hours on court so far, so I feel fresh and prepared for next round.”
Soderling should face a sterner test the next time he steps on court, with 29th seed Albert Montanes awaiting him in the third round after securing a 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Tobias Kamke in the second round.
French No. 1 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga followed Soderling onto Suzanne Lenglen Court, and was almost off just as quickly as he downed compatriot and friend Josselin Ouanna 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 in one hour and 19 minutes, smacking nine aces and 32 winners for the match.
“I thought I have to start playing with a lot of intensity and I have to grab him at the throat,” Tsonga said of his approach to his second round match. “I didn't want him to do too much, and frankly, it was a good start from my side. I think this weighed a lot on the whole match.”
“I would have rather played somebody else and win this way, but it's the way it is.”
Marin Cilic was forced to work a bit harder for his place in the third round than Tsonga and Soderling, the Croatian’s second set against Daniel Gimeno-Traver lasting as long as Soderling’s entire match.
Despite being pushed by the Spaniard, the tenth-seeded Cilic ultimately moved through to the third round with a 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2 victory.
Out on court six, Mikhail Youzhny lost the battle for the first set (another one hour and 11 minute affair) against Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko, but after losing the tiebreak there, the 11th seed rallied to take the match in four sets, 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.
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