Roger Federer rolls over Carlos Berlocq into the last 16 – Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2012
Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer, put away his fitness concerns, as he easily defeated Carlos Berlocq of Argentina in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in the second round at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Wednesday. It took the world number
two just an hour and nine minutes to topple his much lower ranked opponent, who is placed at the 38th spot.
Federer did not give enough time to Berlocq for settling down, as the 16-time Grand Slam winner clinched opening three games of the first set to attain a 3-0 lead. The Swiss did not lose his serve, maintaining his advantage till
the end and winning it 6-3.
The former world number one banged in two aces and did not hit any double fault. He converted most of his serves into points, as he claimed 15 of the 18 first and six of the eight second deliveries. The Swiss legend saved both
break points he faced and converted the only chance he received in the opener.
Berlocq made a better start in the second set, as he did not allow Federer to move ahead in the first four games, equalising the score at 2-2. The Swiss made a breakthrough in the fifth but Berlocq hit back immediately to even
it out at 3-3. Though, the Argentinean could not stop Federer after that, as the Swiss struck in the ninth and served out the set at 5-4.
The 6ft 1in tall, Federer, neither hit an ace nor committed any double fault. The Swiss star inflicted most of the damage on Berlocq with the help of his first serves and second returns, as he pocketed 12 of the 15 and three of
the four points on them respectively.
Federer was unsure of his participation at this event due to the fatigue he was facing after winning the Mutua Madrid Open. The 30-year-old said, "I wanted to see how I felt and make sure that I didn't have anything major because
we're ahead of a long summer. If this was the last tournament of the season it would be no problem. But as this is the beginning of many tournaments in a row, potentially a lot of five-setters in a row, I need to make sure I make good decisions, so I go round
by round. I'm happy that I felt OK out there today."
The Swiss, who replaced Nadal at the number two position in the rankings this week, can go back to the third spot if the Spaniard wins this event. Federer added, "I have a good win under my belt and I might be No. 3 next week,
but that doesn't matter for me and Rafa.”
The Bottmingen, Switzerland resident will play another former world number one, Juan Carlos Ferrero, in the third round.
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