INDIAN WELLS - Roger Federer had to work harder than expected before beating Victor Hanescu 6-3 6-7(5) 6-1 in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open.
INDIAN WELLS - Roger Federer had to work harder than expected before beating Victor Hanescu 6-3 6-7(5) 6-1 in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open.
Hanescu won a set from the World No 1 for the first time in their five meetings. But the Romanian's challenge was shot down quickly in the final set.
Federer, a two-time champion at this event, lost five points while winning the first three games of the final set, and just 13 points in all in the 23-minute set.
The Swiss star, who was playing his first tour match since winning the Australian Open, had 10 aces and hit 62 winners to offset 39 unforced errors.
He will face No 27 seed Marcos Baghdatis of Cypress in the third round.
"I was happy with the way I played," Federer said. "Not having played for so long, I thought it was a good match overall. I missed maybe some of the clutch serving when I really needed it, but that's something that happens."
Seventh seed Andy Roddick, Federer's potential opponent in the quarterfinals, beat qualifier Lu Yen-hsun of Taiwan 6-4 6-4.
Fourth-seeded Andy Murray, losing finalist here last year, beat Andreas Seppi 6-4 6-4 in another second-round match.
Murray was visibly unhappy with his play throughout the 86-minute match, repeatedly gesturing and talking to himself after errant shots.
Afterward the 22-year-old Scot headed for the practice court.
The women's tournament that began with six former champions in the field is down to two following Zheng Jie's 6-32-66-3 win over Maria Sharapova, the 2006 winner. The 10th-seeded Sharapova lost the last four games after getting treatment on her right elbow while leading 3-2 and preparing to serve in the third set.
Sharapova had 14 double faults and dropped serve seven times. Zheng, a semifinalist at the Australian Open in January, dropped six service games.
Second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark beat Maria Kirilenko of Russia 6-06-3. Wozniacki, 19, is the tournament favourite following top-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova's loss to Carla Suarez Navarro on Saturday. - Sapa-AP
Hanescu makes Federer sweat in BNP Paribas Open
INDIAN WELLS - Roger Federer had to work harder than expected before beating Victor Hanescu 6-3 6-7(5) 6-1 in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open.
INDIAN WELLS - Roger Federer had to work harder than expected before beating Victor Hanescu 6-3 6-7(5) 6-1 in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open.
Hanescu won a set from the World No 1 for the first time in their five meetings. But the Romanian's challenge was shot down quickly in the final set.
Federer, a two-time champion at this event, lost five points while winning the first three games of the final set, and just 13 points in all in the 23-minute set.
The Swiss star, who was playing his first tour match since winning the Australian Open, had 10 aces and hit 62 winners to offset 39 unforced errors.
He will face No 27 seed Marcos Baghdatis of Cypress in the third round.
"I was happy with the way I played," Federer said. "Not having played for so long, I thought it was a good match overall. I missed maybe some of the clutch serving when I really needed it, but that's something that happens."
Seventh seed Andy Roddick, Federer's potential opponent in the quarterfinals, beat qualifier Lu Yen-hsun of Taiwan 6-4 6-4.
Fourth-seeded Andy Murray, losing finalist here last year, beat Andreas Seppi 6-4 6-4 in another second-round match.
Murray was visibly unhappy with his play throughout the 86-minute match, repeatedly gesturing and talking to himself after errant shots.
Afterward the 22-year-old Scot headed for the practice court.
The women's tournament that began with six former champions in the field is down to two following Zheng Jie's 6-32-66-3 win over Maria Sharapova, the 2006 winner. The 10th-seeded Sharapova lost the last four games after getting treatment on her right elbow while leading 3-2 and preparing to serve in the third set.
Sharapova had 14 double faults and dropped serve seven times. Zheng, a semifinalist at the Australian Open in January, dropped six service games.
Second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark beat Maria Kirilenko of Russia 6-06-3. Wozniacki, 19, is the tournament favourite following top-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova's loss to Carla Suarez Navarro on Saturday. - Sapa-AP
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos