Federer makes winning start in Indian Wells

Roger Federer has powered into the third round at Indian Wells, proving too strong for German Peter Gojowczyk.

After sealing a dominant first set 6-1, the Swiss champion was forced to recover from a 1-3 deficit in the second set.  The No.4-seeded Federer closed out a 6-1 7-5 victory in 77 minutes.

“I think I played well in the first set, and he didn’t, and then things go very quickly,” Federer said.

“The second set he saved some crucial break points, with you know, good serving.

“I struggled a little bit with my serving in that second set and that gave him some chances.”

Off to a winning start ?@rogerfederer starts his @BNPPARIBASOPEN campaign with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Peter Gojowczyk! ????

????: @TennisTV

— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) March 10, 2019

After receiving a first-round bye, it was Federer’s first match since winning his 100th ATP singles title in Dubai. It sets up a third-round showdown with Swiss Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka.

Wawrinka needed three hours and 24 minutes to overcome Hungarian Marton Fucsovics, posting a 6-4 6-7(5) 7-5 in an enthralling late-night battle.

Federer owns a 21-3 win-loss record against Wawrinka and has won their five most recent meetings, including the Indian Wells final in 2017. Wawrinka has never beaten Federer on hard courts.

Rafael Nadal made an impressive start to his Indian Wells campaign too, dropping only two games against American wildcard Jared Donaldson.

The second-seeded Spaniard did not face a break point in his 6-1 6-1 win. Nadal now faces Argentine Diego Schwartzman in the third round, with the No.25 seed advancing with a 6-3 6-1 win over Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena.

Sixth seed Kei Nishikori had to fight hard to earn his place in the third round, overcoming Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-4 4-6 7-6(4).

Nishikori faces Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the round of 32, an upset 6-2 3-6 6-4 winner over Australian Open semifinalist Lucas Pouille.

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Radu Albot, who became the first Moldovan to win an ATP singles title last month, continued his good form to upset No.16 seed Fabio Fognini 6-0 7-6(4).

Marin Cilic, the No.10 seed, also advanced with a 6-3 6-4 win against Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic.

Other winners today include Brit Kyle Edmund, who lost only two games against Nicolas Jarry, and No.14 seed Daniil Medvedev, who defeated American Mackenzie McDonald 7-5 6-0.