Federer braced for key week

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:23

The world number two ended the hopes of American Kevin Kim with a 6-3 6-2 win to set up a meeting with experienced German Nicolas Kiefer in the next round.

“I felt good,” said Federer, who has not won a Masters event in his last 12 attempts. “I feel like this is an important week for me to do well, especially now that I have matches again under my belt. I’m into the third round here, so I feel like things are going well for me again.”

Third seed Novak Djokovic also progressed, breaking once in the first set and twice in the second to see off Canada’s Frank Dancevic 6-3 6-2.

Andy Roddick made short work of his evening match with Diego Junqueira of Argentina, the fifth-seeded American needing less than an hour to seal a 6-1 6-1 win.

Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt crashed out in the second round, the Australian beaten 6-1 6-2 by Gilles Simon, the seventh seed from France.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the 2008 Australian Open finalist, also progressed with relative ease, defeating Agustin Calleri of Argentina 6-1 6-1.

Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis was ousted in three sets by 31st-seeded Paul-Henri Mathieu of France while Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny also bowed out, losing 6-3 3-6 6-4 Tomas Berdych, the 21st seed from the Czech Republic.

Russia’s Marat Safin was his usual Jekyll-and-Hyde self as he ousted Oscar Hernandez, producing a mix of the good and the ugly on his way to a 6-4 2-6 6-1 win, while Kiefer booked his meeting with Federer thanks to victory over French veteran Fabrice Santoro.

Two seeds fell in the shape of Nicolas Almagro and Robin Soderling – both to Americans. Californian Taylor Dent edged out 19th seed Almagro in a topsy-turvy match, running out a 2-6 6-2 7-6 (9/7) winner, while Robert Kendrick beat Soderling of Sweden 6-4 6-2. Seeds to progress included Gael Monfils, James Blake, Tommy Robredo, Dmitry Tursunov and Rainer Schuettler.

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