15.03.2009

ATP - ROGER RETURNS TO FORM

Roger has booked his place in the third round in Indian Wells with a 7-6, 6-4 victory over Marc Gicquel (ATP 52).

He was unable to break his opponent in the first set but edged it 7-4 in the tie-break before gaining a crucial break in the second to clinch the win. "I am happy," he said. "I was a bit rusty maybe, coming back from not having played. But it was OK. I'm happy I've won. That's always most important.

Our champ hadn't been in action since the Australian Open at the beginning February. This makes his successful return just the more significant. Looking at the statistics, they certainly show that Roger is in shape: he served 12 aces and won 92% of his first serve points.

Roger will now face Ivo Karlovic in the third round after the Croat beat Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-4 6-2.