Federer returns to center court at French Open
Back on center court and standing in a pile of the same red clay on which he has lost the last three French Open finals, Roger Federer looked comfortable in the first round of this year's tournament.
Back on center court and standing in a pile of the same red clay on which he has lost the last three French Open finals, Roger Federer looked comfortable in the first round of this year's tournament.
The second-seeded Swiss easily advanced by beating Alberto Martin of Spain 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, joining four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal in the second round at Roland Garros.
"I didn't even think about last year's match on the same court, because I was so much concentrated," said Federer, who has 13 major titles to his name but none from the French Open. "I wanted to do my best. I didn't want to lose my first match."
No problem there. The former top-ranked player was broken only once as his serve appeared to be working in the heat of Paris - something that suited Federer well.
"It was nice conditions, not too much wind," Federer said. "Little warm, so it was good."
Nadal broke the French Open men's record for consecutive wins by beating Marcos Daniel of Brazil 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 for his 29th straight win at Roland Garros.