Montreal: A rejuvenated Roger Federer said here Wednesday that he is still reaping the benefits of his extended break from tennis after a comfortable opening victory at the ATP Montreal Masters tennis tournament here.
The Swiss star, who celebrated his 36th birthday, Tuesday, swatted aside Canada’s World No.116 Peter Polansky 6-2, 6-1 in just 53 minutes to book his place in the second round.
Federer was joined in the last 16 by top seed and old adversary Rafael Nadal, who also made short work of his opening assignment. The Spaniard routed Croatian youngster Borna Coric 6-1, 6-2.
Federer is riding high after a spectacular year which has netted him both the Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns. On Wednesday’s evidence, few would bet against him adding the US Open title to that haul after a masterful performance that left Polansky groping at shadows.
A one-sided win gave him a 32-2 start to the season, his best beginning to a campaign since 2006 when he began 38-2 and finished the year at World No.1.
“I guess for me the key is that I’m actually healthy,” Federer said. “I knew that when I was healthy, I was going to be able to have chances to win Slams again, to play against the best, beat the best. That’s also reasons why I’m still playing today.”
Federer will next face Spain’s David Ferrer. The Spaniard upset 15th seed Jack Sock 7-6 (9/7), 3-6, 6-1.
Elsewhere, France’s Gael Monfils saved four match points before digging deep to defeat Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori in an attritional three-set duel. Monfils prevailed 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 7-6 (8/6) to advance.
There was almost another French Houdini act in the evening session, when Richard Gasquet fought back from triple match point down to earn three match points in the final set of his duel with Germany’s Alexander Zverev.
Fourth-seed Zverev however fought back brilliantly to claim victory in a tie-break, winning 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3).
Agence France-Presse