Federer back in fine form

Stephanie Myles ,  Canwest News Service; Montreal Gazette

Published: Thursday, January 17, 2008

MELBOURNE, Australia - If it weren't such a sensitive subject in tennis these days, you'd be tempted to think recent concerns about Roger Federer's fitness to defend his Australian Open crown were a mere ruse to drum up some wagering on his opponents.

Federer looked rather ragged Sunday as he hit his first tennis balls inside Rod Laver Arena. He was a different player Tuesday, as he inflicted a major beating on poor Diego Hartfield of Argentina.

It took 74 minutes for the world No. 1 from Switzerland to post a 6-0, 6-3, 6-0 first-round win. Federer served 11 aces, hit 38 winners, made just 14 unforced errors (none in the third set) and generally treated his pony-tailed opponent, ranked No. 107, as an inconsequential mosquito barely deserving of the Aussie salute.

Roger Federer of Switzerland smiles as he waits to return serve during his second round match against Fabrice Santoro of France on day four of the Australian Open 2008 at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia.View Larger Image View Larger Image

Roger Federer of Switzerland smiles as he waits to return serve during his second round match against Fabrice Santoro of France on day four of the Australian Open 2008 at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia.

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"I'm happy with my form tonight, yeah," Federer said. "Wish it was like this every night."

In second-round action Wednesday, Ottawa-born, American-made Jesse Levine played a scrappy match against a fellow lefty, No. 24 seed Jarkko Nieminen. But despite serving for the set at 5-3 in both the second and third sets, Levine went down 6-2, 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) to the Finn who has now picked off two Canadians, after five-set win over Frank Dancevic Monday.

Also on Wednesday, top women's seed Justine Henin of Belgium beat Olga Poutchkova of Russia 6-1, 7-5 to move into the third round. And Aussie wild card Casey Dellacqua caused a stir by upsetting No. 15 seed Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 4-6, 7-5, 8-6.

But another Aussie, Alicia Molik, went down 6-2, 6-3 to No. 12 seed Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic. French star Amelie Mauresmo wasted nine match points (including two on double faults in the second set tiebreaker) before finally putting away Yaroslava Shvedova of Russia 6-4, 7-6.

Women's third seed, Jelena Jankovic of Serbia beat Romanian Edina Gallovits 6-2, 7-5.

Spainard Rafael Nadal barely broke a sweat against Florent Serra of France, winning 6-0, 6-2, 6-2. And American Mardy Fish upset No. 11 seed Tommy Robredo of Spain. The surprise wasn't the win as much as the score: 6-1, 6-2, 6-3.

American Serena Williams disposed of Meng Yuan of China 6-3, 6-1 to move into the third-round.

Canadian Daniel Nestor and new partner Nenad ZImonjic beat Alun and Greg Jones of Australia 6-4, 6-1 in their first-round doubles match. Dancevic and Australian partner Stephen Huss fell 6-2, 6-3 to the French team of Sebastien Grosjean and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Federer was felled by food poisoning upon arrival Down Under from his training base in Dubai, and withdrew from an exhibition last week. Tuesday night, he looked none the worse for wear - to say the least.

"I was playing well in practice, moving well, serving well. ... I knew with the full crowd, I'll play even better. You push yourself even more, you just dig out a few more balls. So I knew I'd come out here tonight and probably play pretty good," he said. "But the result was that extreme. I didn't expect that, but I'm really happy about it."

Venus Williams preceded Federer into Rod Laver Arena. And as so often happens with her first-round matches, Williams made it complicated against a dogged opponent, Zi Yan of China. Despite seven double faults and 29 unforced errors, she won 6-2, 7-5.

 


 
 
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