Federer solves Serb puzzle to claim debut win in Japan

By Bill Scott Oct 4, 2006, 13:42 GMT

World number one Roger Federer of Switzerland acknowledges the Japanese fans following his 7-6, 7-6 victory over Victor Troicki of Serbia in a 2nd round AIG Japan Open tennis match in Tokyo, Wednesday 04 October 2006. EPA/ANDY RAIN

Tokyo - Roger Federer applied his tennis logic under challenging conditions Wednesday to make a successful Japanese debut with victory at the AIG Open.

The top seed needed time to get work out the game of Serbian challenger Viktor Troicki before pouncing for a 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-3) win into the third round after a bye.

'I didn't know his game at all, I'd never seen him play,' confessed the Swiss, who has been feted ever since first setting foot in Tokyo last Friday.

'It always takes time to figure a player out. He has a good game, he served well and he made hardly any unforced errors.'

The 276th-ranked Serb was playing only his second match at the ATP level. Though his big game disguised his case of nerves, he said later: 'It was an honour to play in this match, I'll remember it for the rest of my life.'

Federer, bidding for a ninth title this season, season lost an early break in the first set as he grappled with the best approach against the unknown opponent.

'That made it hard to get a grip on the match. Thank God I have the ability to play well when it really matters. That's what got me through in the end.'

Troicki out-aced the top seed nine to six, breaking Federer once.

Victory was a continuation from two weeks ago, when Federer led Switzerland past Serbia in the Davis Cup.

The Swiss won his 35th match against just two defeats since the start of the French Open more than four months ago.

During that period, Federer's lone losses have come to Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros final and a second-round ouster by Andy Murray in Cincinnati in August.

'It's very exciting to finally play here,' Federer said. 'I knew the match would not be easy. The first round is always difficult, but getting a win is obviously the best result.

'I'm very happy with this start.'

Spanish second see Tommy Robredo had an easy afternoon as he got past Taiwan qualifier Yen-Hsun Lu 6-4, 6-1.

Robredo owns two titles this season as he plays Tokyo for the first time.

'I saw during the warmup that Lu was a young guy who looked very determined,' said the Spaniard. 'He put his head down and was ready to play.

'I didn't have any real problems in the match, but I had to stay tough mentally. I never gave him a chance to come back once I got the lead. I didn't want any surprises.'

A trio of former champions showed fresh signs of life, with Jiri Novak leading the way past fourth seed Andy Murray 6-3, 7-6 (7-1).

Czech Novak, a dozen years the senior of the 19-year-old Scot, took charge of their match, lifting the first set and then withstanding a second-set charge from the teenager.

Novak, who won the title in 2004, handed Murray his tenth defeat of the season in an opening match.

Tokyo defending champion Wesley Moodie, seeded 13th, beat Austrian Stefan Koubek 6-3, 6-4. Argentine 12th seed Juan Monaco moved ahead at the expense of compatriot Edgardo Massa 7-6 (7-4), 6-3.

Rainer Schuettler of Germany, winner in 2002, advanced past 16th seed Paul Goldstein 6-3, 6-2.

Takeo Suzuki earned victory for Japan as he upset Thai eighth seed Paradorn Srichaphan 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (5-7), 6-4.

In women's play, Japan's second seed Ai Sugiyama overcame Finn Emma Laine 6-4, 6-3.

She was joined in the second round by Spanish number 4 Anabel Medina Garrigues, a 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 winner against Czech Klara Koukalova.

Argentine Paola Suarez upset Czech seventh seed Lucie Safarova 6-4, 6-4.