Federer reaches fourth round in Paris
Switzerland's Roger Federer has reached the last 16 in the French Open tennis tournament in Paris by beating Paul-Henri Mathieu of France 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.
A swirling wind and bright sunshine did little to help both players in the third-round match at the Roland Garros stadium.
“It was difficult to see the ball, because everything was very bright behind the ball. So it was not easy, indeed,” Federer said.
“That’s the reason why maybe the level of game was not so great in the beginning. But then at the end we started playing better, and I think the match was great.”
Despite losing the first set, Federer said he was pleased with his game, hitting 14 aces and making only 29 unforced errors. “I’m disappointed with nothing. I’m happy I won,” Federer said.
Mathieu had a chance to take control in the third set, but he failed to get the break he needed.
While Federer was playing on centre court, one his main rivals, fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic, was being eliminated from the tournament. The two-time
semifinalist lost to Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
Even though Federer is in the same half of the draw as Djokovic, the former number one was not in the mood to celebrate the Serb’s early demise.
“Winning the semifinal is not winning the tournament,” said Federer, who needs only a title at Roland Garros to complete a career Grand Slam, “so it doesn’t change anything.”
In his next match, Federer will meet Tommy Haas of Germany.
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