FED FED

Top-seeded Roger Federer launched his assault on the Parisian title in convincing fashion here on Monday with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 triumph over American Sam Querrey. The 26-year-old Swiss stylist outran, outstroked and outblasted his 20-year-old foe in a mere one hour and 35 minutes.

“The first round of a Slam is always hard to get through. There’s always a lot of pressure. I’m glad I got this one out of the way,” Federer said. “It was a bit nerve racking in the first set. I played better after that. I was able to create more opportunities.”

The first set was indeed slightly shaky, but after that the world No1 fired on all cylinders, connecting with 66% of his first serves and thumping down five aces.

The 12-time Grand Slam title winner has been far from his best this season, suffering from glandular fever before the Australian Open and taking weeks to get his game back on track.

This is Federer’s tenth attempt to solve the intricate mysteries of the Roland Garros clay, the only Grand Slam that has eluded him so far.

His idol and all-time Grand Slam record holder Pete Sampras tried 13 times to win the French Open without success.