Federer finds Rome clay to his liking in opening win

By Bill Scott May 8, 2006, 18:31 GMT

Roger Federer of Switzerland delivers a backhand return to Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina during their match in Rome 08 May 2006. EPA/ROBERTO TEDESCHI

Rome - Roger Federer made the most of his Italian opportunities after escaping last week's poor Swiss weather, storming into the second round of the 2.08-million-euro Rome Masters 6-2, 6-1 over Argentine Juan Chela Monday.

'It was bad weather at home, so I had to go indoors,' explained the Swiss world number 1, bidding for a first title at the Foro Italico after missing the event last year with a foot injury and losing the 2003 final.

'I was on indoor clay for two days in Switzerland. It was OK, not fantastic.'

Federer was never threatened by the Latin clay specialist Chela, ranked 30th.

The top seed was competing for the first time in a fortnight after losing the Monte Carlo final to hot-handed Spanish rival Rafael Nadal, second seed at the Foro Italico.

Nadal is riding the second-longest clay-court win streak in history, after notching his 47th in a row with the title at Barcelona eight days ago.

Were he to win Rome for a second year in succession on Sunday, the French Open champion would pull level with Guillermo Vilas on the all-time clay run of 53 wins in a row.

Slovak slugger Dominik Hrbaty earned another upset when he stopped third seed Ivan Ljubicic 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.

The replay of last December's Davis Cup final rubber - won by the visiting Croatians in Bratislava - was a re-run of Hrbaty's only previous career victory over the hard man of the courts.

The shaven-headed Ljubicic had won five matches in their series.

Frenchman Florent Serra knocked out seventh seed James Blake 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), but the defeat didn't shake the American's confidence.

Blake, who took three weeks off to have his wisdom teeth removed and later visited with family in Connecticut, refused to blame the clay for his problems.

'It was bad timing for my bad play,' he said. 'Twice I served for the second set and twice I played poor games.

'It was frustrating. I know I can win on clay, but when I put myself into winning position, I struggled.'

Greg Rusedski sprung a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 surprise on Spanish 12th seed Tommy Robredo as the Briton won only his third career match in Rome dating to 1999.

Robredo, losing finalist at Barcelona to Nadal, had pulled out of last week's event in Estoril with an abdominal muscle problem.

German split matches, with 13th seed Nicolas Kiefer overcoming Italian Daniele Bracciali 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 and Tommy Haas losing to Gael Monfils 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 on a double-fault.

Federer produced his comprehensive fourth victory over Chela in the pair's first match on clay.

'It was a good match, the score tells it all,' said the top seed, 33-2 this season. 'It was good to come back after two years and win a match,

'I'm into the tournament now, it's a big relief for me.'

The Swiss clocked 29 winners as he broke on five of his ten chances.

'I had to play aggressive, he stays so far back on the court that it gives me more time on my shots,' Federer explained.

'But when he returns short, I have no choice but to come to the net. I though I played the correctly way today and it worked out well.'

Federer is bidding to make a strong buildup for Roland Garros starting May 28, the lone Grand Slam title which he does not currently hold.

He will be accompanied for the next ten weeks through Wimbledon by Australian coach Tony Roche.