The return in Rotterdam was sweet for Roger. It has been more that 7 years he was not playing there (after he won it in 2005). (Click here for his interview about it)
It took only 67 minutes to win 6-4 6-4 (a break each set) vs Mahut.
The Swiss had also a lucky turn when news broke that his scheduled opponent for the second round (Michael Youzhny) had to withdraw because of foot injury.
The world nr.3 will play Nieminem in the quarter-finals.
‘Any win is a good win. Frankly I’m glad to be in the quarter-finals,’ said Federer, ‘It’s always tough to make the change from clay but after losing my last two singles matches a win is great.
‘I had to get used to the conditions quickly. It was a good start, I came through well, Nicolas is a tough player.’
Berdych had also an easy one by defeating his fellow countryman Lukas Rosol 6-4 6-2. ‘I’m satisfied. It was indoors but still a tough transition from Davis Cup,’ said Berdych.
‘Our court was much faster with lower bounce. I didn’t really have much time to train here. but I coped with it pretty well. I was able to find my rhythm quite fast and was able to play my game.’
Finally Del Potro won a thrilling match with LLodra 6-4 6-7 (3/7) 6-4. The France was fighting both Del Potro and an heavy jetlag (9 hours!) after he had to flight back from Canada after the victorious Davis Cup campaign.
