Federer, Nadal into 3rd round in Monaco
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ROGER Federer was happier than eight-time champion Rafael Nadal after their straight-sets wins to reach the Monte Carlo Masters third round yesterday.
Federer took just 52 minutes to beat veteran Radek Stepanek 6-1, 6-2, while Nadal overcame a rusty start to put away Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-4, 6-1 in Monaco.
The top-seeded Nadal, who lost the title to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic last year, dropped his opening service game and trailed 1-3 in the first set. But from 4-4, the Spaniard reeled off six straight games, then the Russian qualifier broke his serve again.
Nadal’s body language suggested he was far from happy with his performance. At times he looked glum-faced, other times annoyed with his shots.
Federer, returning to the tournament for the first time since 2011, was far more ruthless as he raced to 5-0 in 17 minutes. He improved his record against the 35-year-old Stepanek to 14-2. The Czech has not beaten Federer in six years. “A bit surprised how well it went. On clay, when you have the upper hand from the baseline, it’s kind of hard to get out of it,” Federer said. “It was clearly a good match to start my claycourt campaign.”
The fourth-seeded Swiss won an ATP Tour-leading 25th match of the season and next plays another Czech, Lukas Rosol, who beat Frenchman Michael Llodra 6-4, 6-4, while Nadal plays Italian Andreas Seppi, who won 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-4 against Spaniard Pablo Andujar.
Eighth-seeded Milos Raonic of Canada, No. 10 Fabio Fognini of Italy, and No. 11 Tommy Robredo of Spain also advanced.
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