Roger Federer had to work much harder than expected to dig out a 6-3 2-6 6-4 victory over Argentine qualifier Juan Monaco and reach the third round of the Hamburg Masters on Wednesday. The Swiss world number one started well but then saw his footwork desert him in the second set, as the Argentine took control.
Crucially, Federer was able to save five break points to avoid going 2-0 down in the second set and, while the unforced errors kept on coming, he just managed to stay out of trouble.
He forced a break point almost by force of will for 5-4 in the decider, turning a desperate save into a winner down the line, and Monaco conceded defeat when he let a backhand drift wide on the first match point.
It was Federer's first match since splitting with his part-time coach Tony Roche at the weekend and it is clear he will need to improve if he is to challenge Rafael Nadal for the French Open, which starts on May 27.
Federer was joined in the next round by Spain's Carlos Moya, who beat Czech 10th seed Tomas Berdych 3-6 7-5 7-6 on the uncovered court number one before the rain started, and 16th seed Lleyton Hewitt, who beat Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina 6-2 7-6. Nadal, the clear favourite for the title despite being seeded second behind Federer, is in action later on Wednesday against fellow Spaniard Oscar Hernandez.
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