Federer cruises past Stepanek

MADRID: Roger Federer was happy with his return to action after a two-month break as he progressed into the third round of the Madrid Open with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Radek Stepanek on Tuesday.

The World No.2 had suffered from a back injury in his last outing at Indian Wells at the beginning of March but said he felt comfortable on his first appearance on the clay in 2013 against the World No.48, who he had struggled with in the past.

And the 17-time Grand Slam winner also believes that, with the likes of
Stepanek and Tommy Haas having success on the tour well into their thirties, at 31 he still has plenty more years at the top of the sport.

Federer got off to the perfect start as he broke in the third game before holding serve to take the first set 6-3.

And the World No.2 broke Stepanek again early in the second set to move
ahead 3-1 before breaking once more to serve for the match at 5-2.

However, he was then broken himself for the first time in the match as
Stepanek finally took a break point opportunity at the eighth time of asking.

That only delayed the inevitable though as Federer broke again in the very next game to seal the win.

Next up the three-time champion in Madrid will face either 14th seed Kei Nishikori or Victor Troicki on Thursday. (AFP)