Federer unhappy at Roland Garros security breach
Print Edition
ROGER Federer enlivened a routine day at the office with a violet and pink outfit and a several dabs of brilliance to launch another French Open quest but his mood darkened after a security breach yesterday.
The evergreen Swiss was in full control against Colombia’s Alejandro Falla, marking the start of his 62nd consecutive appearance at a grand slam tournament with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory on court Philippe Chatrier.
When he walked off, however, a fan sauntered on and began trying to snap a selfie with a mobile phone before he was belatedly removed by a security guard.
“I’m not happy about it. Obviously not one second I’m happy about it. It happened yesterday in the practice, too,” a ruffled Federer told reporters, adding that organizers had apologized.
The 17-time major winner, champion at Roland Garros in 2009, was the star turn on a low-key opening day in a sunny French capital, taking to the court after women’s third seed Simona Halep got the ball rolling.
Romanian Halep, who reached the final last year, was made to work hard by 91st-ranked Russian Evgeniya Rodina, huffing and puffing her way to a 7-5, 6-4 victory while ninth-seeded Ekaterina Markova of Russia breezed past American wildcard Louisa Chirico 6-4, 6-2.
“It was a tough match, because it was the first round and it is always is difficult to start the tournament,” Halep told reporters. “I did make some easy mistakes, but it’s normal and I accept that. Next round I will be better, for sure.”
Federer also made a few errors as he loosened up against a player he almost fell to in the first round at Wimbledon in 2010. But he was never in any danger.
Strolling on to court with a perfectly-matched violet shirt, pink shorts and black bandana, 33-year-old Federer quickly warmed to his task, while Falla offered enough resistance to provide some lunchtime entertainment.
Federer, one of 39 players in their 30s in the men’s draw, breezed through the first two sets and though Falla had a break point in the fifth game of the third, Federer snuffed out the danger to roll through to round two.
While the “selfie seeking” fan soured his day, Federer was happy enough with his form.
“Winning a match like this is a good thing,” Federer, ever-present at grand slams this century, said.
Federer, conveniently in the opposite side of the draw to nine-time champion Rafael Nadal, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and third seed Andy Murray, will have a few days off before a clash with Spain’s Marcel Granollers.
His eight-seeded compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka, one of several players to beat Nadal on clay this season, was a straight-sets winner against Turkey’s Marsel Ilhan.
German Philip Kohlschreiber, beaten by Murray in a marathon match here last year, dropped only three games against Japan’s Go Soeda, while Spain’s Roberto Bautista-Agut beat German Florian Mayer, also in straight sets.
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