Sunday, March 09, 2014

Roger Federer moves into 3rd round at BNP Paribas Open

Roger Federer carried his strong form from one desert to another, ousting Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2, 7-6(5) in his opening match at the BNP Paribas Open.
A week after registering a record sixth crown at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Federer embarked on his quest for a fifth title in Indian Wells. The Swiss extended his impressive 2014 record to 15-2, defeating Mathieu for the seventh time since they first met 11 years ago.
The champion in 2004-06 and 2012, Federer claimed his 43rd match win in Indian Wells and 284th at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level, converting on three break point opportunities and firing nine aces to defeat Mathieu.
Federer’s reward is a third round encounter with Dmitry Tursunov following the 31 year old’s 7-6(4), 6-4 triumph over Juan Monaco. Tursunov saved 10 of 12 break points faced to set up a fourth FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting with Federer. The Russian trails 0-3.
Stanislas Wawrinka made a triumphant return to the ATP World Tour in his first match since capturing his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open (d. Nadal). The World No. 3 needed just 63 minutes to defeat the big-serving Ivo Karlovic 6-3, 7-5, improving to a perfect 12-0 in 2014.
"I was a little bit scared the way I was going to come back, the way I was going to play, but after five, six days on the practice court with Magnus, I was feeling really good," said Wawrinka. "I'm really happy with my level. I really think I'm playing great tennis."
Wawrinka did not face a break point and countered the Croat’s nine aces with eight of his own. He will vie for a fourth round berth when he faces 29th-seed Andreas Seppi next. The Italian rallied for a 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 win over home favourite Sam Querrey, saving two match points.

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