Federer exits early in Rome
Source: Agencies |
April 29, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
RAFAEL Nadal opened his bid for a fifth Rome Masters title with a quick 6-1, 6-3 win over Philipp Kohlschreiber yesterday, while world No. 1 was stunned Roger Federer was stunned Latvian Ernests Gulbis in the second round on Tuesday.
"You can't go 100 percent winning throughout the season," Federer said after his error-strewn 6-2, 1-6, 5-7 defeat.
"Sometimes when you are winning, it seems too easy. When you lose you realize how tough it is to dominate the tour. So I won't get carried away with the defeat."
The Swiss said his numerous past triumphs, including his 16th grand slam at the Australian Open in January, cushioned the disappointment.
"It's easier to take because I'm used to so much winning," said Federer, adding that he was not worried about his French Open title defense after making the worse possible start to his claycourt season. The French Open starts on May 23.
"I'm not worried. It's always like that when you touch a new surface and lose. I think there could have been some good tennis at the back end of the tournament if I'd made it through.
"The French Open is at the back of my mind. Winning three, four, five matches in a row is on my mind and that's why I'm happy to be playing in Estoril next week."
Nadal, on the other hand, appeared fresh and was able to dictate play yesterday with his usual combination of heavy topspin, few unforced errors and a multiple of baseline winners.
The third-ranked Spaniard improved to 6-0 in his career against his 29th-ranked German opponent.
Nadal only faced one break point - at 2-3 in the second set - and saved it when Kohlschreiber missed an easy backhand wide. Nadal then broke in the next game, producing a high passing shot that Kohlschreiber could barely get his racket on, and cruised the rest of the way.
Foot blister
Nadal has won this tournament four of the past five years. His only loss came against Juan Carlos Ferrero in the opening round two years ago, when he was bothered by a foot blister.
Earlier yesterday, 42nd-ranked Guillermo Garcia-Lopez beat former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt 6-2, 6-3. Hewitt is still regaining his form after undergoing a hip surgery in January.
Also, fifth-seeded Robin Soderling extended his solid form of late with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Italian wildcard Paolo Lorenzi.
Soderling was coming off a runner-up finish at the Barcelona Open, where he lost to Fernando Verdasco in three sets.
In the Swede's previous two tournaments - Masters Series events in Indian Wells and Key Biscayne - he reached the semifinals.
"You can't go 100 percent winning throughout the season," Federer said after his error-strewn 6-2, 1-6, 5-7 defeat.
"Sometimes when you are winning, it seems too easy. When you lose you realize how tough it is to dominate the tour. So I won't get carried away with the defeat."
The Swiss said his numerous past triumphs, including his 16th grand slam at the Australian Open in January, cushioned the disappointment.
"It's easier to take because I'm used to so much winning," said Federer, adding that he was not worried about his French Open title defense after making the worse possible start to his claycourt season. The French Open starts on May 23.
"I'm not worried. It's always like that when you touch a new surface and lose. I think there could have been some good tennis at the back end of the tournament if I'd made it through.
"The French Open is at the back of my mind. Winning three, four, five matches in a row is on my mind and that's why I'm happy to be playing in Estoril next week."
Nadal, on the other hand, appeared fresh and was able to dictate play yesterday with his usual combination of heavy topspin, few unforced errors and a multiple of baseline winners.
The third-ranked Spaniard improved to 6-0 in his career against his 29th-ranked German opponent.
Nadal only faced one break point - at 2-3 in the second set - and saved it when Kohlschreiber missed an easy backhand wide. Nadal then broke in the next game, producing a high passing shot that Kohlschreiber could barely get his racket on, and cruised the rest of the way.
Foot blister
Nadal has won this tournament four of the past five years. His only loss came against Juan Carlos Ferrero in the opening round two years ago, when he was bothered by a foot blister.
Earlier yesterday, 42nd-ranked Guillermo Garcia-Lopez beat former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt 6-2, 6-3. Hewitt is still regaining his form after undergoing a hip surgery in January.
Also, fifth-seeded Robin Soderling extended his solid form of late with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Italian wildcard Paolo Lorenzi.
Soderling was coming off a runner-up finish at the Barcelona Open, where he lost to Fernando Verdasco in three sets.
In the Swede's previous two tournaments - Masters Series events in Indian Wells and Key Biscayne - he reached the semifinals.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
