Paris, France (Sports Network) - Roger Federer completed his first-round match Tuesday at the French Open, wrapping up a straight-set victory over American Michael Russell on a dry Tuesday at Roland Garros, while American Andy Roddick was not as fortunate, as the third seed succumbed to dangerous Russian Igor Andreev in four sets.The top-seeded Federer began his match against Russell on Monday and was ahead 6-4, 4-1 when play was suspended. He finished things off quickly on Tuesday with a routine 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 triumph.Federer is trying to capture the only Grand Slam title that has eluded him. He finished as the runner-up last year to Spanish clay sensation Rafael Nadal and needs a French Open crown to complete a coveted career Grand Slam.A victory here would also make the Swiss star the current holder of all four major championships. The 10-time Grand Slam champ followed his French Open loss last year with wins at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, then started 2007 with a victory at the Australian Open.Federer's second-round opponent will be capable Frenchman Thierry Ascione, who throttled Croat Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.An unseeded Andreev erased Roddick in 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 fashion on Court Lenglen. Roddick has bowed out in the first round two straight and four of the last six years here.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
ATP: Federer rolls; Roddick falls at French Open
Paris, France (Sports Network) - Roger Federer completed his first-round match Tuesday at the French Open, wrapping up a straight-set victory over American Michael Russell on a dry Tuesday at Roland Garros, while American Andy Roddick was not as fortunate, as the third seed succumbed to dangerous Russian Igor Andreev in four sets.The top-seeded Federer began his match against Russell on Monday and was ahead 6-4, 4-1 when play was suspended. He finished things off quickly on Tuesday with a routine 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 triumph.Federer is trying to capture the only Grand Slam title that has eluded him. He finished as the runner-up last year to Spanish clay sensation Rafael Nadal and needs a French Open crown to complete a coveted career Grand Slam.A victory here would also make the Swiss star the current holder of all four major championships. The 10-time Grand Slam champ followed his French Open loss last year with wins at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, then started 2007 with a victory at the Australian Open.Federer's second-round opponent will be capable Frenchman Thierry Ascione, who throttled Croat Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.An unseeded Andreev erased Roddick in 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 fashion on Court Lenglen. Roddick has bowed out in the first round two straight and four of the last six years here.