Federer, Hewitt Open with Win, Safin Saves Match Points at Indian Wells

World No. 1 Roger Federer suppressed the all-court attack of unseeded Mardy Fish Sunday at the ATP Masters Series stop in Indian Wells, defeating the American 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the third round.

Federer said the gusty conditions with blowing sand were not ideal for an opening match.

"(One) end was against the wind, against the sun, so that was tough," Federer said. "But then the real wind really picked up and it was tough from then on to really get some good rallies going. But I was always ahead. Made it easy. So I'm happy with that first match."

The Swiss avoided the upset bug, with seven seeds exiting Sunday in (11) Joachim Johansson (l. to Santoro 7-6 in the third), (16) Tommy Haas (l. to Mathieu), (19) Mario Ancic (l. to Berdych in three), (20) Vince Spadea (l. to Hernych 7-6 in the third), (25) Radek Stepanek (l. to Muller 6-0 in the third), (27) Sebastien Grosjean (l. to Ferrer 6-1 in the third), and (28) Dominik Hrbaty (l. to Llodra in three).

Three seeds came back from a set down to move into the third round in (22) Juan Ignacio Chela (d. Rainer Schuettler 6-1 in the third), (24) Feliciano Lopez (d. Karlovic), and (30) Taylor Dent (d. Saulnier 6-2 in the third).

Other seeded winners Sunday were (2) Lleyton Hewitt (d. Ginepri), (4) Marat Safin (d. Nieminen in three, saving two match points), (7) Carlos Moya (d. Spanish countryman Ferrero), (13) Ivan Ljubicic (d. (Q) Zib), and (14) Guillermo Canas (d. Carlsen).

"Today is not really the day to enjoy tennis, actually," said Safin, who had more unforced errors than winners in the three sets. "Even for the spectators, is a little bit freezing. It's not really like the day you really enjoy tennis...You need to survive. You need to just hang in there, wait for your opportunities and just win the match ugly, which also counts."

On tap for Monday are (32) Jurgen "Tuna" Melzer vs. (6) Henman, (26) Novak vs. (3) Roddick, (21) Pavel vs. (9) Agassi, (5) Guillermo "El Fragile" Coria vs. (31) Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan, (12) Robredo vs. Enqvist, (10) Nalbandian vs. Bjorkman, (WC) Blake vs. (17) Fernando "Gonzo" Gonzalez, and (29) Kiefer vs. (8) Gaudio.