Federer continues smooth Parisian progress

Roger Federer greets the crowd after winning his second round match against Germany’s Oscar Otte 

PARIS (Reuters): Even during a clinically efficient win, Roger Federer still produced enough masterstrokes to have the French Open crowd purring as he moved past German qualifier Oscar Otte into the third round yesterday.

The 37-year-old, welcomed back to Roland Garros with open arms after missing the last three editions, was kept on his toes throughout the Court Philippe Chatrier contest, but raised his game when needed to prevail 6-4 6-3 6-4.

With perfect Swiss timing he broke serve once in each set — in the 10th game of the first, the eighth game of the second and the ninth game of the third — to subdue the world number 144. Just for good measure Federer finished the one-hour 36 minute match off with a signature flourish on the Parisian clay, a glorious drop volley played with casual ease. Third seed Federer, whose only French Open title came 10 years ago, has won his first six sets and with a favourable draw he looks in the form to mount another challenge.

Next up for the 20-times Grand Slam champion is Norway’s 63rd-ranked Casper Ruud.