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Federer beats Gaudio in Masters Cup Open
Roger Federer still looks unbeatable on the court. Showing no signs of a torn thigh muscle that sidelined him for three weeks, Federer returned to action Monday with a 6-1, 7-6 (4) victory over Gaston Gaudio of Argentina in the first round of the ATP Masters Cup championships.
Two-time Masters Cup winner Lleyton Hewitt of Australia met Carlos Moya of Spain in a later match.
Federer no longer wears his hair in a pony tail. He cut it two months ago in Toronto, and more recently it's been shorn even shorter.
"Who knows, in a couple of weeks it might be even shorter," Federer said. "I'm taking it step by step, just like my tennis."
Federer played in a tournament for the first time since he beat Andy Roddick at Bangkok early last month for his 10th title of the season. On Oct. 25, Federer tore his left thigh muscle.
The Swiss star sped through a rain-delayed first set, breaking Gaudio in the fourth game on the fourth break point. Gaudio didn't win another point in the first set. The match was interrupted by rain for two hours.
Although Gaudio rallied in the second set, Federer moved well, chasing down dropshots and retreating to run down overheads.
"I am quite relieved to play my first match, to have won it," Federer said. "Coming back from playing no tournaments, no play, to win the first match, you know, I'm just happy it's over, won or lost. Now I can actually build from this and I'm in a good situation."
Gaudio, who staged a comeback to win the French Open, fought back in the second set to force a tiebreaker. Gaudio was down three break points in the ninth game before managing to hold serve.
Gaudio held again in the 11th game after overcoming three more break points. Federer served the final two points of the tiebreaker, taking it to match point with a strong volley winner and closing the match with a forehand winner.
"I didn't play good today in the first set but I think I still have more good tennis to play," Gaudio said. "I hope the next time I play Roger will be better for me. Today he played better than me in the first set."
Federer's No. 1 ranking for 2004 was assured Sept. 13 when he defeated Hewitt in the U.S. Open final for his third major of the year.
Federer has been almost unstoppable since he beat Andre Agassi 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 in last year's Masters Cup final. Since that tournament, Federer has a 19-0 record against top 10 opponents.
"I'm much more relaxed coming into this year's tournament because last year I didn't feel great at all coming in here," Federer said. "This year, my No. 1 ranking is locked up already. I have had already a fantastic season. No matter what happens here, I am going to walk away happy." |
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