Easy does it for Roger Federer on French Open return, Stefanos Tsitsipas also through
Roger Federer didn’t really have to get into top gear to reach the second round of the French Open as he dispatched Lorenzo Sonego with ease while Stefanos Tsitsipas also progressed.
Playing at Roland Garros for the first time since 2015, the 2009 champion got quickly into his stride and eased over the line with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 win.
3 years, 11 months and 25 days later…
Good to have you back!#RG19 pic.twitter.com/6PNYcrBBo5
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 26, 2019
Federer raced into a 4-0 lead in the first set and wrapped it up in 25 minutes and he also started the second set with two breaks, but Sonego got one break back.
The Italian fared a bit better in the third set as it went on serve until the ninth game before Federer broke.
Next up is world No 145 Oscar Otte, who beat Malek Jaziri 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-0.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the man who ended Federer’s hopes of winning a third consecutive Australian Open title earlier this year, made light work of Maximilian Marterer as the sixth seed secured a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) victory in under two hours.
The Greek broke twice in the first two sets and then took the tie-breaker with relative comfort.
We love having you on the big stage @StefTsitsipas ❤️ #RG19 pic.twitter.com/3tL6nNXx5u
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 26, 2019
Meanwhile, Grigor Dimitrov survived a five-setter against Janko Tipsarevic, winning 6-3, 6-0, 3-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4 in just over three hours.
The crucial game of the match came in game nine of the decider with the Bulgarian making the most of the break point opportunity before serving it out the next game.
Seventh seed Kei Nishikori beat French qualifier Quentin Halys 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, the 11th seeded Marin Cilic was a 6-3, 7-5, 6-1 winner over Thomas Fabbiano and Alexei Popyrin scored a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (12-10), 6-3 win over Ugo Humbert.
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