Federer struggles through in Masters

Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 18 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

Roger Federer showed signs of rustiness as he eventually ran out a 7-6 7-6 victor over Andreas Seppi at the Monte Carlo Masters.

The world number one has not spent much time on the court after early defeats in the opening two Masters events of the season, in Indian Wells and Miami.

Federer was playing his first match on clay this year and needed two tie-breaks to beat his Italian opponent - setting up a third round clash with South Korea's Lee Hyung-taik.

The Swiss ace said: "It was tough. There were a lot of bad bounces and he had already three matches in his legs.
"It happens, and I have to put it down my first match on clay in 10 months.

"But winning two tie-breaks is always a good feeling. It is just a pity I could not put him away earlier."

Federer, for once, is not the favourite to take the title this week with the 10-time Grand Slam winner trading at 3.15. World number two Rafael Nadal can be backed at 2.22.
In-form Serbian Jovak Djokovic can be backed at 8.4 in the winner market, with Richard Gasquet next best at 36.