New Delhi: Top seed and defending champion Roger Federer has advanced to the second round of the Australian Open on Monday.
Federer beat his first round opponent Bjorn Phau 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. The Swiss struggled initially with his German opponent going 5-3 up in the first set, but soon broke Phau to level the scores 5-5 and then clinched the first set 7-5.
Federer then went on to win the second set 6-0 and the third 6-4.
Andy Roddick also beat his first round opponent Jo Wilfried Songa 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the second round.
Roddick looked tentative initially and lost the first set 6-7. But the American soon made a strong comeback not only winning the second set 7-6, but also the next two sets 6-3, 6-3 to dominate the proceedings completely.
In the women's singles, Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo began her Australian Open title defence with a straight-sets win over Shenay Perry.
The No 2 seed, recovered after losing her serve in the third game to complete a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Perry, the second-highest ranked US woman in the draw at No 44.
Israel's Shahar Peer also defeated Romani Oprandi of Italy 6-1, 6-3.
Two-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams also sailed through to the second round beating Mara Santangelo of Italy in straight sets.
The American was very much in control of the match from the start winning the first round encounter with an ace. Serena won 6-2, 6-1. She will face Anne Kremer in the second round.
Serena whose ranking has slipped to 94 due to injury is one of the dark horses to win the tournament.
Comments
0 comment