06.01.2009

ATP - IMPRESSIVE START

Roger eased past Potito Starace of Italy with a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 win. "It's good to start the year with a win. The conditions were tough. It was cold and windy. For your first match you always feel the nerves. You're always careful when you start playing points. But I practiced enough, giving myself enough opportunity for matchplay", Roger said.

He added: "It's good to play a tournament with similar court and similar balls as the Australian Open. It's better and easier for everyone, because we don't have to make further adjustments before Melbourne. If it was just a bit warmer, it would be just perfect. I'm excited about this month. It's a big one, and hopefully it will give me momentum for the rest of the season."

Roger will next meet Andreas Seppy of Italy. The Italian beat Denis Gremelmayr of Germany in two sets.