Federer and Roddick safely through to R3

Monday, 14 March 2011 10:14

Federer and Roddick safely through to R3

font size decrease font size increase font size
Add new comment

Rate this item

(0 votes)

Three-time champion Roger Federer is through to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells after defeating Igor Andreev 7-5, 7-6(4) in his second-round opening match.

The 29-year old Swiss world number two dominated the end of the first set, taking the last 10 points to take it 7-5. He then followed this up with a break of the Andreev serve at the start of the second set. Some impressive play by Andreev saw him break back to level the score at 2-all but he was unable to push the Swiss into a third set as Federer wrapped up the match in a tie-break to win 7-5, 7-6 (7-4).

“I had a good ten minutes where I was able to get up 7-5, 2-0,” said Federer. “After he found his way into the match, and it really became competitive. I really thought it was a good end to the match on both sides. I played a really good tie-break, which obviously makes things better towards the end.”

Elsewhere in the men's draw, Austrian Jurgen Melzer, Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka and Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela all rallied from down a set and break to win their second-round matches.

Austrian Melzer recorded a 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Frenchman Julien Benneteau, while 12 seed Wawrinka battled to victory over Russian Nikolay Davydenko, claiming a 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 win after two hours and 40 minutes.

29th seed Chela defeated Philipp Petzschner of Germany 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

World No. 8 Roddick, beat good friend and Davis Cup team-mate James Blake, 6-3, 7-5.

“I thought it was okay,” said Roddick. “It was tough to get a gauge on how I was playing because James was playing so aggressively. From the first game I realized his strategy was any time; he didn't want to let me get a rhythm. I felt like he was coming out of his shoes. It was tough, but the numbers looked good afterwards. I felt like I was hitting the ball okay, so it worked out.”

It was Roddick’s eighth win in 11 matches against Blake, a former World No. 4 who has dropped to a No. 158 ranking after an injury-plagued 2010 season.

Roddick now goes on to face John Isner in round three.

Three-time champion Roger Federer is through to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells after defeating Igor Andreev 7-5, 7-6(4) in his second-round opening match.

“I had a good ten minutes where I was able to get up 7-5, 2-0,” said Federer. “After he found his way into the match, and it really became competitive. I really thought it was a good end to the match on both sides. I played a really good tie-break, which obviously makes things better towards the end.”

Elsewhere in the men's draw, Austrian Jurgen Melzer, Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka and Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela all rallied from down a set and break to win their second-round matches.

Austrian Melzer recorded a 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Frenchman Julien Benneteau, while 12 seed Wawrinka battled to victory over Russian Nikolay Davydenko, claiming a 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 win after two hours and 40 minutes.

29th seed Chela defeated Philipp Petzschner of Germany 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

World No. 8 Roddick, beat good friend and Davis Cup team-mate James Blake, 6-3, 7-5.

“I thought it was okay,” said Roddick. “It was tough to get a gauge on how I was playing because James was playing so aggressively. From the first game I realized his strategy was any time; he didn't want to let me get a rhythm. I felt like he was coming out of his shoes. It was tough, but the numbers looked good afterwards. I felt like I was hitting the ball okay, so it worked out.”

It was Roddick’s eighth win in 11 matches against Blake, a former World No. 4 who has dropped to a No. 158 ranking after an injury-plagued 2010 season.

Roddick now goes on to face John Isner in round three.