Fed Express rolls into clay-court action with easy victory
Fed Express rolls into clay-court action with easy victory | 
Swiss star Roger Federer was pleased with his “good start” to the clay-court season after overwhelming Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2 6-1 to ease into the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters.
The world No.3 produced a clinical display in his opening clay-court match of the season to dispatch Kohlschreiber in straight sets, breaking the German four times to wrap up a simple victory in just 50 minutes.
Federer, who is seeded No.2 in Monte Carlo after Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal because of a knee injury, was never troubled during a straightforward victory and saved the single break point his 27-year-old opponent had by producing a well-timed ace.
The 16-time Grand Slam champ, playing lovely forehand and backhand winners, superb drop shots and running lobs, showed he has lost none of his determination to battle past Djokovic and Rafael Nadal to regain the world No.1 spot.
The 29-year-old has high expectations for the season, stating that “the pressure remains to prove to myself what a great player I can be”, even with his record number of Grand Slam wins.
His thirst for success remains, too, with the Swiss star – who has never won the Monte Carlo event – adding that it is still “important” that “I can improve as time goes by”.
With just the one French Open title, back in 2009, some commentators have questioned Federer’s ability on clay, but he is already thinking ahead to a final appearance against Spaniard Nadal – and the $625,000 winner’s cheque.
Nadal is aiming for a record seventh successive Monte Carlo title, and Federer realizes he “will be hard to beat”, but will be looking to conquer the “overwhelming favorite” – if they meet on Sunday.
Nadal, the top seed with a 34-1 record in Monte Carlo, begins his tournament in the prosperous principality on Wednesday with a second-round clash against Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen, while struggling Scottish third seed Andy Murray takes on Czech Radek Stepanek.
Federer, meanwhile, was satisfied with his opening match, saying he “was able to do all the things I was hoping to”, while believing that he “could finish a point” almost at will.
The Swiss is using the Monte Carlo event to sharpen his clay-court game and was thrilled to be able to “vary the game well and not make too many mistakes”, before adding that he was “consistently dangerous”.
However, Federer – who has been runner-up in Monte Carlo three times – was “surprised” that he had “no problems” with Kohlschreiber’s serve as he was expecting a tougher match from an opponent who can “play a lot better than he did today”.
Federer’s undemanding victory over the world No.32 stretched his unbeaten record against German opponents to 47 matches – his last defeat coming against Nicolas Kiefer in June 2002 in Halle.
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