Federer Fragile in Opening Win at French Open

Posted on May 29, 2006

For two tight sets Sunday, Roger Federer looked nothing like the dominating world No. 1 intent on reaching the final to set up an epic battle with King of Clay Rafael Nadal, struggling through a three-set win over an Argentine qualifier.

"I have no idea how he plays," Federer said before the meeting. "But I'm as prepared as I can be. I hope no surprises."

Breezy conditions added to the surprise factor for Federer, who recovered from a two-break 0-3 deficit in the first set to eventually prevail 7-5, 7-6(2), 6-2 over the unheralded Diego Hartfield who was playing in his first tour-level event.

"I prefer easy matches," Federer said. "It's always easier when you aren't under pressure, which was my case today, as everybody expected me to win."

The No. 156-ranked Hartfield choked his service at 5-5 in the first with a slew of unforced errors to hand the Swiss the set, and was overwhelmed in the second-set tiebreak when Federer stepped up his back-court game. By the third set the Argentine began to run out of gas both mentally and physically, but nonetheless solicited 49 overall unforced errors from Federer and fought off 15 of 21 break points, giving the world No. 1 some food for thought going into the second round.

"Had I lost I would have been very angry," Federer said of his unwanted Sunday start.
FOLDHERE

There were no seeded upsets amidst the limited play on day one, with winners (3) David Nalbandian (d. Wawrinka), (7) Tommy Robredo (d. Zib), and (30) Carlos Moya (d. Marin), all in straight sets.

"I play against him in Australia and it was very tough so winning in three is good," Nalbandian said of Wawrinka. "We are not used to starting a Grand Slam on a Sunday, but I was ready. Of course, if you have a difficult first round, this gives you two days to rest. This is good. If you win easily, it's just a bonus. It all depends on how the first day goes for you. I don't believe it's a bad thing."

In the only all-unseeded meeting on the day, former Roland Garros semifinalist Tim Henman overcame a third-set hiccup to subdue fast-court-loving Dane Kenneth Carlsen 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

"Yeah, I was slightly surprised (to play opening day)," Henman said. "Having been here since Tuesday, I've had plenty of practice, I've been hitting the ball well. If anything, I think it's a good thing for me."

No. 26 seed Jose Acasuso led Fabrice Santoro 4-2 in the fifth when the match was suspended due to darkness.

Highlights of Monday's schedule in Paris are (26) Acasuso vs. Santoro (to finish), (2) Nadal vs. Soderling, (21) Grosjean vs. Pavel, (10) Gaudio vs. (Q) Karanusic, (11) Stepanek vs. Llodra, (8) Blake vs. Pardorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan, (24) Ferrero vs. Del Potro, (6) Davydenko vs. Spadea, (32) Massu vs. Xavier "X-Man" Malisse, (20) Berdych vs. Feliciano "F-Lo" Lopez, (13) Kiefer vs. Jurgen "Tuna" Melzer, (17) Ginepri vs. Montanes, and buried out on Court 17, (31) Tursunov vs. Novak and (12) Ancic vs. Healey.