Federer Opens With Win Before Rain Washes Out ATP Masters Cup
Posted on November 16, 2004 |
| World No. 1 Roger Federer had little trouble returning from injury at the Tennis Masters Cup on Monday. (ATP) |
Only one game was played before rain stopped the match for more than 2-1/2 hours, but the Swiss came out with a vengeance, displaying his all-court prowess in sweeping to a 6-1 first set. In the second set Federer failed to go for the jugular, converting just two of 14 break point opportunities for the match but escaping in a second-set tiebreak.
"I am quite relieved to play my first match, to have won it," said Federer, showing no signs of slowing after coming off a muscle tear in his thigh. "Coming back from playing no tournaments, no play, to win the first match, you know, I'm just happy it's over, won or lost. Now I can actually build from this and I'm in a good situation."
The win was Federer's 19th in a row over a Top 10 player, a streak that began with his title at last year's Masters Cup. Gaudio fell to 5-8 for the year on hardcourt, with the French Open champion amassing a tour-leading 31 wins on the red dirt in 2004.
The second match Monday between two-time Masters Cup champ Lleyton Hewitt and fellow former No. 1 Carlos Moya finally got underway after a 3-1/2 hour rain delay, then after two more rain delays was finally halted for the night with Moya serving at 4-5, 30-love. None of the doubles matches were completed, making for a big Tuesday in Houston, unfortunately for tournament organizers with more rain in the forecast.
On court Tuesday are (3) Hewitt vs. (5) Moya (to finish), (4) Safin vs. (6) Coria, (2) Roddick vs. (7) Henman, and in doubles Knowles/Nestor vs. Black/Ullyett, Damm/Suk vs. Xavier "X-Man" Malisse/Olivier "The Roach" Rochus, Bjorkman/Woodbridge vs. Etlis/Rodriguez, and Bryan/Bryan vs. Bhupathi/Mirnyi.