Federer sees off Martin

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:30

The world number two, who is once again bidding to complete his set of grand slams and equal Pete Sampras’ record of 14, eased to a 6-4 6-3 6-2 victory in an hour and 43 minutes.

Federer arrived at Roland Garros buoyed by his first title of the season in Madrid – and his first victory over great rival Rafael Nadal for almost two years.

However, it was world number 98 Martin who was quicker out of the blocks and he broke the Federer serve in the first game as the three-time runner-up began in sloppy fashion.

However, he was quickly into his stride after that and, having levelled at 2-2, he easily broke for a second time in the 10th game to take the set.

The Swiss was not at his fluent best but he still looked well in control against Martin, who won just one game on their only previous meeting in Monte Carlo in 2006.

That was also the year in which the 30-year-old reached the fourth round on his last appearance at Roland Garros.

The chances of a repeat showing looked extremely unlikely, however, when Federer broke again in the sixth game of the second set.

Martin battled hard to hold on to his serve at 2-5, saving a series of set points, but the second seed easily claimed the game he needed on his own serve. The Spaniard attempted to make a match of it in the third set but Federer broke through once more in the third game.

A brilliant angled slice gave the US Open champion another chance in the seventh game, which he duly took, and a game later it was all over as Federer set up a second-round meeting with either Jose Acasuso or Santiago Ventura.

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