Federer unperturbed by set loss
World number one Roger Federer claims he never felt threatened after conceding one set en route to the French Open last 16.
The top seed overcame 32nd seed Nicolas Massu of Chile 6-1 6-2 6-7 (4/7) 7-5.
Federer had a chance to close out the match in the third set when he took Massu’s serve to take a 6-5 lead but failed to win his game and lost the tie break.
“I was playing very well and I was happy with the way I was dominating the match,” said Federer.
“It’s a pity that I could not seal the match when serving out at 6-5 in the third set.
“Then I lost the momentum after he broke back and won the tie break.
“It was not easy in the fourth, he was playing hard from the baseline.
“But I never got scared. I served well and played solid enough. I had what it took to beat the guy.
“The fact that I overcame Massu, who is an excellent player on clay, gave me confidence for the rest of the tournament.”
Federer will next face 20th seed Tomas Berdych who qualified to the last 16 following Nicolas Kiefer’s left wrist injury.
Earlier defending champion and tournament favourite Rafael Nadal outclassed USA’s Kevin Kim to progress to third round.
The second seed thrashed his opponent 6-2 6-1 6-4 in a one-sided match which was due to be played on Thursday but was rescheduled because of rain delays.
Nadal tomorrow takes on Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu.
Meanwhile, on Philippe Chatrier centre court 2004 French Open champion Gaston Gaudio ousted 2003 winner Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets 7-5 7-5 7-6 (9/7) to progress to the tournament’s last 16.
Other winners include eighth seed James Blake of the United States who defeated Spain’s Nicolas Almagro 6-7 (5/7) 6-2 6-4 6-4 as well as 12th seed from Croatia Mario Ancic and sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia.
Third seed David Nalbandian, from Argentina, looked like a true survivor after overcoming Russia’s Dmitry Tursunov in a five-set battle on court number two.
The 24-year-old eventually got rid of his opponent 2-6 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-2 after three hours and 11 minutes of play.
“The beginning of the match went all his way, he was playing wonderful tennis,” said Nalbandian.
“There was nothing I could do to turn the match around. But then he started to change his tactics, adding more slice to his balls and I managed to fight back.
“According the rankings I should have won easier but instead, I almost lost. I am glad and relieved to be through.”
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