rogerfederer.com - An excellent start

An excellent start

Roger got by a challenging opponent today, beating Guillermo Cañas (ATP 30) of Argentina 6-3, 6-3 in the second round of the Masters in Rome.

“It was our first meeting on clay,” our champ said. “I played well this spring in Estoril and Monte Carlo. It's always tough against him, I'm happy to win my first round in Rome.”

Roger made an assured start, breaking his opponent in the middle of the first set before producing two aces and a delightful drop shot to hold his serve to love at the end of it. The Argentine came closest to breaking his opponent in the sixth game of the second set, when Roger was lucky to save a break point with a net-cord winner. He then went on to break Cañas's serve twice in winning the last three games.

“I'm continuing to play well here, I'm on a good run. I had a good final in Monte Carlos against Nadal. Rafa remains the guy to beat, he's played extraordinarily over the past few seasons. But I hope I can get into position against and close the deal this year,” Roger added.

Next up is one day of rest before Roger meets either Potito Starace (ITA) or the winner of the match between Ivo Karlovic (KRO) and Gstaad-winner Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA).