Federer improved to 16-3 on clay in 2008 by beating Sam Querrey of the United States 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 Monday in the first round of the French Open, where he is trying to become only the sixth man to complete a career Grand Slam.
“I’ve played well all clay-court season long,” said the top-ranked Federer, who is 27-7 overall this year. “Didn’t have many hiccups really, and I have plenty of matches. That was my goal as well.”
Federer came into the French Open with only one title this year, which he won on clay. His seven losses are more than he had for the entire season in 2004, ’05 and ’06.
On Tuesday, the start of play was delayed by rain for 2 hours, 50 minutes. Rafael Nadal was scheduled to begin his quest for a fourth straight French Open title against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil. Nikolay Davydenko, Lleyton Hewitt and 2003 champion Juan Carlos Ferrero were also to play.
Maria Sharapova and Amelie Mauresmo were to play in the women’s tournament.
Federer was broken once early in the first set Monday, but he managed to win five times on Querrey’s serve.
“I got through with my first round, which is sometimes a difficult match in a tournament,” said Federer, who has lost to Nadal in each of the last two French Open finals.
The second day of play at Roland Garros ended early because of rain. It also rained Sunday.
No. 8 Venus Williams joined sister Serena in the second round, completing her win just before play was suspended Monday. The eight-time Grand Slam champion overcame a second-set lapse to beat Tzipora Obziler of Israel 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
“It’s nice to have a quick match but it’s nice to have a challenge also,” said Williams, who had eight double-faults. “I’m glad at the end that I figured it out.”
Third-seeded Jelena Jankovic also advanced, getting a little love from the net to help her beat Monica Niculescu 7-6 (3), 6-2.
Leading 4-2 in the first-set tiebreaker, last year’s French Open semifinalist had a drop volley hit the top of the net and roll along the tape before falling into the opposite court. Jankovic put her hand up as if to say, “Sorry,” and then bent down and kissed the white tape.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, the youngest person in the singles tournament at 16, reached the second round by beating Maria Emilia Salerni of Argentina 6-1, 6-1. No. 10 Patty Schnyder, No. 12 Agnes Szavay and No. 32 Karin Knapp also advanced, while No. 23 Alona Bondarenko lost to Petra Cetkovska 6-3, 6-0.
No. 17 Marco Baghdatis, the 2006 Australian Open runner-up, lost to Simone Bolelli of Italy 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the men’s draw. No. 29 Guillermo Canas also lost, but No. 11 Tomas Berdych, No. 12 Tommy Robredo, No. 22 Fernando Verdasco and No. 24 Fernando Gonzalez advanced.
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