The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Roger Federer eases into second round

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 05, 2004

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Sport - Tennis

Roger Federer eases into second round

ROME, MAY 4. Top-ranked Roger Federer eased past Jonas Bjorkman 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the first round of the Italian Open on Tuesday.

Federer, who lost in the final of last year's tournament to Spanish clay specialist Felix Mantilla, was playing in his first clay court tournament this season.

"I'm happy I won the first round but it wasn't a great match because it was very difficult for me to play my first clay court tournament," said Federer.

Federer said blustery winds and a slippery court made it difficult. "I was struggling today but I'm happy I'm through" to the second round, said the Swiss, who is ranked No. 1 in the world.

Federer had 25 winners to Bjorkman's 14, but was unable to break the Swedish veteran's serve until the second set. After a long first set, Federer closed the match in 1 hour, 23 minutes.

Federer and Bjorkman have played three times, with Federer winning all three contests.

Also on Tuesday, 2003 Rome champion Mantilla struggled to get past American Robby Ginepri, eventually winning 5-7, 7-5, 6-0. Mantilla had to save several match points in the second set before clinching victory.

Unlike last season when he came in on a hot streak, Mantilla is struggling this year, still trying to recover from the stomach problem that contributed in 2003 to a 1-10 record after the French Open.

His best result this year came in his season-opening event in Chennai, India, where he made it to the quarterfinals.

In another match No. 12 Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic beat unseeded American James Blake, 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.

The results (first round): Roger Federer bt Jonas Bjorkman 7-6(4), 6-3; Felix Mantilla bt Robby Ginepri 5-7, 7-5, 6-0; Jiri Novak bt James Blake 2-6, 6-3, 6-1; Luis Horna bt Mikhail Youzhny 6-0, 4-6, 7-6(6); Radek Stepanek bt Goran Ivanisevic 6-2, 6-4; David Ferrer bt Davide Sanguinetti 6-3, 2-6, 6-3; Andrei Pavel bt Nicolas Lapentti 6-4, 6-3; Mario Ancic bt Flavio Saretta 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(6); Ivo Karlovic bt Tommy Haas 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(5); Paradorn Srichaphan bt Alessio Di Mauro 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-3.

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