ATP News : 2006


Federer On Cruise Control; Kiefer Running on Empty

Roger Federer claimed his 40th match win of the season by defeating Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the second round of Roland Garros


Federer, who has not dropped a set in his first two matches, next plays Nicolas Massu.

The ATP World No. 1 needed just 86 minutes to defeat Falla, saving all three break points he faced. Federer clipped 41 winners to Falla’s 13.

With his chances of achieving both a career Grand Slam and a calendar-year Grand Slam in 2006 still alive, Federer is also bidding to win four majors in a row. Of the five men to win all four majors in their careers, only Don Budge and Rod Laver held all four titles at the same time.

German Nicolas Kiefer breezed through the first two sets against Frenchman Marc Gicquel in just 57 minutes but ultimately had to toil for 4 hrs., 50 minutes to win 6-0, 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 11-9. The final set alone lasted just five minutes under two hours.

Kiefer hit 15 aces and 87 winners. The former World No. 4 is now one victory away from reaching the fourth round or better in four of his past five Grand Slam tournaments. He will play Czech Tomas Berdych, who crushed Italian qualifier Filippo Volandri 6-3, 6-1, 6-1.

Currently No. 13 in the INDESIT ATP Rankings, Kiefer won two five-set matches en route to the Australian Open semifinals (l. Federer) in January.

Croatian Mario Ancic, seeded 12, continued his impressive clay court form with a 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(3) win over Paul Capdeville to advance to the third round for the third consecutive year.




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