PARIS: Roger Federer spent as little time as possible on court on the opening day of the French Open yesterday, beating Lukas Lacko 6-2 6-4 6-2 before returning to his parental duties on Mother’s Day in Paris.
Watched by his wife, Mirka, and his twin girls, the Swiss former champion moved gently through the gears against the shaggy-haired Slovakian under grey skies on the Philippe Chatrier show court.
Federer declared himself satisfied with his win before returning to help Mirka look after his newly born twin boys.
Venus Williams, wearing a self-designed dress that added splashes of colour to a grey day, showed she is still a force at the age of 33 by taking, and returning, all that Belinda Bencic could throw at her in winning 6-4 6-1.
The 17-year-old Bencic, coached by Martina Hingis’s mother, traded low, hard blows with the American from the back of the court but Williams had too much experience for the Swiss.
Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny, the 15th seed, recovered from two sets down to beat Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain 3-6 1-6 6-3 6-4 6-0 while Milos Raonic and Agnieszka Radwanska shook off the morning chill to ease into the second round.
Poland’s Radwanska, the third seed, won 6-3 6-0 after the first seven games against Zhang Shuai went against serve. Canadian Raonic, seeded eighth, beat the feisty Australian Nick Kyrgios 6-3 7-6(1) 6-3 and then charmed the Roland Garros crowd by conducting his on-court interview in French.
Radwanska set the ball rolling on the main Philippe Chatrier show court under overcast skies. Forecasters warn intermittent rain is expected over the early days of the tournament.
Wearing a floral print dress perhaps in anticipation of more springlike temperatures, Radwanska took a while to get into her rhythm against Zhang and both women struggled badly with their service.
But the Pole eventually held for 5-3, after saving three break points, and then broke the Chinese to take the set. The second set was a rout, however.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams began the defense of her French Open crown in dominant fashion, brushing aside training partner Alize Lim, 6-2, 6-1.
Two years ago Williams was the victim of one of tennis’ great upsets, losing to an inspired Virginie Razzano in the first round. Friday’s draw paired her with another Frenchwoman, Lim, who responded in refreshingly candid fashion upon learning her fate.
Despite the disparity in their respective rankings, Lim and Williams know each other well, having trained together at the Mouratoglou Academy in Paris for the past few years. Lim acquitted herself well early on, but was unable to subdue the champion for long.
A break in the fourth game allowed the American to get her nose in front, and while Lim continued to battle away gamely she was fighting a losing battle. Williams wrapped up the opening set with a backhand return winner, before taking full control by breaking to love at the start if the second.
With Lim struggling to make any impression with her return, Williams raced towards the finish line, which she eventually crossed, wrapping up victory on her fifth match point. (QNA)
