TENNIS – Rolex Masters 2014: All of the top seeds won easily their second round matches to race through to the third round on a windy day in Monte-Carlo. Federer dispatched Stepanek, Nadal beat Gabashvili. Fognini had to battle for three sets to win against Bautista Agut. From Monte-Carlo Isabelle Andrieux
Monaco, Wednesday 16th April – Is it because it was windy on Wednesday in Monaco? However, the top players blew their opponents on the Central court and raced through to reach the third round. Roger Federer made a welcome return to the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters and opened his clay-court campaign in emphatic style, dismissing Radek Stepanek 6-1, 6-2 in just 52 minutes. The Swiss, who took a wild card to make his first appearance at the tournament since 2011, notched his 24th win at the Monte-Carlo Country Club. The 17-Grand Slams champion hit 14 winners to nine unforced errors and converted all four of his break points.
On this record attendance day at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, Rafael Nadal opened his bid for a ninth title by defeating Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-4,6-1. The Spaniard was under pressure at the start and stared down a double break as his Russian opponent led 3-1 and 30/40 on Nadal’s serve. But the world number one turned the match around as he found his rhythm to reel off nine of the next 10 games to take the first set and open up a 4-0 lead in the second. He claimed his 49th victory at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in 73 minutes.
Stanislas Wawrinka was even faster than Roger Federer. The world number 3 made a statement of intent in his opening second-round match, blasting past the in-form Marin Cilic 6-0, 6-2 in just 46 minutes. It took him 18 minutes to wrap the first set. Wawrinka only lost six points on serve and broke Cilic five times from seven opportunities.
The job was a little bit more difficult for Fabio Fognini who struggled to defeat Roberto Bautista Agut in two sets 7-6 6-4. The Italian will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Thursday in the first clash scheduled tomorrow on the Central Court.
They said:
Rafael Nadal: “I think I started little bit slower. But it is true that he was playing very, very aggressive, hitting very strong, with no mistakes. Always in the first match, the thing that you want at the beginning is get in rhythm, play some long points, find the feelings. But I didn’t have that chance because he started very quick with finding the winners in the first ball that he has the chance.”
“Monte Carlo Rolex Masters is one of the nicest and most important tournaments of the year. It is a Masters 1000. It’s s not surprise to see Roger playing here. For me, it is a surprise when he decides to not come here.”
Roger Federer: “I am a bit surprised how well it went. Then again, it’s hard to serve through the opponent. I was able to get a lot of returns back into play. I had a good start to both sets then I was solid on my own service games. The next thing you know, you’re in the lead and you can hit freely. It was clearly a good match to start my clay court campaign.”
Stanislas Wawrinka: “I expected a more difficult or more complicated first round against him. But I was able, as I said, to practice well before. I felt good on the court. I know that physically if I feel good, then I am able to put a lot of pressure on the opponent. This doesn’t guarantee any victory, but I know I don’t need much time to adapt.”
Fabio Fognini: “It was a very tough match. Roberto was very solid. But I won it’s the most important. Today the conditions were difficult. I hope tomorrow is going to be a sunny day and we can play good tennis and enjoy”.
