Grand Slam winners Ferrero, Federer start strong in Montreal
MONTREAL, United States (AFP) - Reigning Grand Slam champions Juan Carlos Ferrero and Roger Federer stormed to success in season-opening hardcourt matches to reach the second round of the 2.45-million-dollar Montreal Masters.
Spain's second seed Ferrero, the French Open winner, made his summer debut on cement, dominating Frenchman Cyril Saulnier 6-4, 6-4 while Wimbledon champion Roger Federer followed suit as he returned to tennis after three weeks off.
[...]
The first-round victories on a muggy but dry day at the Jarry Park kept the heat on in the season Champions race, with Ferrero leading Federer by five points.
"It's important and shows that I'm playing well," said the Spaniard. "I'm maintaining my level for week after week. I want to keep doing that and try to remain number one at the end of the season."
[...]
Spain's Ferrero made up for a first-round loss in Toronto in 2002 as he rolled over Saulnier, a qualifier ranked 101. The Spanish seed has not lost in the first round of a tournament since 2002 Indian Wells.
"This was pretty good for a first match," said Ferrero. "I was playing well. It's not easy for me to play on these kind of courts. But I served well and that gave me confidence."
Clay-bred Ferrero is not afraid of tackling the cement and reached a Canadian quarter-final here in 2001.
[...]
--> news taken from AFP
MONTREAL, United States (AFP) - Reigning Grand Slam champions Juan Carlos Ferrero and Roger Federer stormed to success in season-opening hardcourt matches to reach the second round of the 2.45-million-dollar Montreal Masters.
Spain's second seed Ferrero, the French Open winner, made his summer debut on cement, dominating Frenchman Cyril Saulnier 6-4, 6-4 while Wimbledon champion Roger Federer followed suit as he returned to tennis after three weeks off.
[...]
The first-round victories on a muggy but dry day at the Jarry Park kept the heat on in the season Champions race, with Ferrero leading Federer by five points.
"It's important and shows that I'm playing well," said the Spaniard. "I'm maintaining my level for week after week. I want to keep doing that and try to remain number one at the end of the season."
[...]
Spain's Ferrero made up for a first-round loss in Toronto in 2002 as he rolled over Saulnier, a qualifier ranked 101. The Spanish seed has not lost in the first round of a tournament since 2002 Indian Wells.
"This was pretty good for a first match," said Ferrero. "I was playing well. It's not easy for me to play on these kind of courts. But I served well and that gave me confidence."
Clay-bred Ferrero is not afraid of tackling the cement and reached a Canadian quarter-final here in 2001.
[...]
--> news taken from AFP
