Federer Rolls in Opener at ATP Doha, Extends Win Streak to 18

Roger Federer defeated Spaniard David Ferrer 6-1, 6-1 in his 2005 debut at the ATP stop in Doha Monday, extending his win streak to 18 matches dating from the end of 2004.

"I think it was a good match today from my side, definitely," Federer said. "The surface is quite slow here so I always have to make sure I play good points to win them. You have to be patient and that's what I was, especially in the beginning, where I had a couple of tough games."

Federer ended his 2004 season with three consecutive titles at the US Open, Bangkok, and the Masters Cup.

No. 6 seed Ivan Ljubicic (d. (Q) Wawrinka) and No. 7 Feliciano "F-Lo" Lopez (d. Volandri) also advanced into the second round in straight sets, joined by un-seeds Hyung-Taik Lee of Korea (d. (Q) Stakhovky), Britain's Greg Rusedski (d. Hernych) who earned a second-round meeting with Federer, Italian qualifier Uros Vico (d. Mahut in three), and Spanish wildcard Marc "M-Lo" Lopez (d. Ulihrach).

On court Tuesday at the Oil Open are Santoro vs. T.Johansson (the Swede leads their career meetings 7-1), (3) Grosjean vs. Muller, (WC) Monfils vs. (2) Gaudio, Nadal vs. (4) Youzhny, "Dr." Ivo Karlovic vs. (8) Davydenko, D.Sanchez vs. A.Costa, (WC) Abdulla vs. Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco, Beck vs. Andreev, and (5) Pavel vs. (Q) Chiudinelli.