In his first match since the Australian Open, Roger Federer rolled over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Tuesday afternoon. Federer converted three of four break points to get the job done in just one hour and 14 minutes.
After losing to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals in Melbourne, Federer had been scheduled to play in Rotterdam and Dubai in February. Minor knee surgery derailed those plans, ultimately resulting in Federer’s previously unexpected appearance in Miami. Just prior to a highly-anticipated opening date with Juan Martin Del Potro, the 17-time major champion got hit by an illness and had to pull out.
Despite having not played competitively in more than two months, Federer showed few signs of rust on Tuesday. The 34-year-old Swiss finished with almost the same number of winners (23) as errors (25), an especially productive ratio on clay. He fired more than double the amount of winners as Garcia-Lopez (10).
Federer seized control by breaking at 3-2 in the first set when Garcia-Lopez sent a backhand well long. The 32-year-old Spaniard had two break-back opportunities in the next game but could not convert. A love service hold by Federer at 5-3 wrapped up the opener in fine fashion.
Federer’s lone hiccup came just before the finish line. From out of nowhere, Garcia-Lopez broke at love with Federer serving for the match at 5-2. The world No. 38 held to get within 5-4, but Federer made no mistake with victory on his racket a second time. He capitalized on match point at 40-30 with an emphatic down-the-line backhand.
“The knee felt really good,” Federer said. “(It) felt like I didn’t have to worry about it. I could just go freely. It’s been like that for at least, I’d say, over a week now. I was very pleased how I felt–even how I played…. I think in a way it was a perfect match.”
The No. 3 seed will go up against either Roberto Bautista Agut or Jeremy Chardy on Thursday.
Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYDaLRM4wfc
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solid start
Allez!!