Agencies
PARIS, May 24
Roger Federer got off to a smooth start on the French Open center court Sunday as he advanced to the second round of the clay-court Grand Slam tournament with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win over Alejandro Falla. Facing a player who pushed him to five sets at Wimbledon five years ago, the 2009 champion was never threatened this time, extending his unbeaten run against the 111th-ranked Falla to 8-0.
With coaches Stefan Edberg and Severin Luthi closely watching behind their shades, Federer put on a solid display, hitting eight aces and 43 winners.
"I love coming here," the second-seeded Federer said. "I wasn't broken. I'm happy."
On a sunny first day of play at Roland Garros, last year's runner-up Simona Halep also advanced in straight sets in the women's draw.
Federer put Falla under pressure in the eighth game of the first set, breaking for a 5-3 lead when the Colombian could not handle a good backhand return. Federer shouted "come on" after earning a set point in his next service game and closed it out when Falla sent a backhand into the net.
Federer's flashy outfit, with pink shorts and a lilac shirt, was almost as eye-catching as some of the shots the former top-ranked player produced. The 17-time Grand Slam winner broke again for a 2-1 lead in the second set following a game in which he left Falla stranded with a perfectly hit defensive lob.
Federer wrapped up the second set with another break in the ninth game. At 4-3 down in the third set, Falla called a trainer to get his right thigh massaged. The Colombian held his next serve but could not prevent Federer from breaking him in the 10th game as the Swiss unleashed a forehand attack that he returned wide.
Angry Fed blasts French Open after security scare
AFP
Paris, May 24
Roger Federer blasted French Open organisers Sunday after a fan breached security to grab a 'selfie' on court with the Swiss great.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner had just completed a routine 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win over Colombia's Alejandro Falla when he was shocked to see a young fan sprinting towards him on the showpiece Philippe Chatrier Court.
Although the male fan was quickly manhandled off the court, 33-year-old Federer was furious with the lapse in security, claiming he had also been targetted in practice on Saturday.
"I am not happy about it. It happened yesterday in the practice, too. It's just a kid, but then three more kids came. And today on centre court where you would think this is a place where nobody can come on, just wanders on and nothing happens," said Federer.
"Something needs to happen quickly. Normally I only speak on behalf of myself, but in this situation I think I can speak on behalf of all the players, that that's where you do your job, that's where you want to feel safe.
"And so clearly I'm not happy about it. But nothing happened, so I'm relieved. But clearly it wasn't a nice situation to be in."
Federer was also involved in a security scare in the 2009 final at Roland Garros when a fan ran on to the same court and placed a hat on the star's head.
