30.05.2009

ATP - NEXT UP: TOMMY HAAS

Roger reached the last 16 of the French Open today with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Paul-Henri Mathieu.

"It was a tough match and the wind made it difficult to control the ball," Roger said. "It was a great atmosphere and we were playing better and better. The conditions were not easy but we played a great match."

Roger survived a few nervous moments before he managed to cope with the windy conditions and control the match against the Frenchman. After saving five break points during his opening service games, Mathieu pounced on his only opportunity to break for 4-3 and the local favourite protected his advantage to bag the first set with a scorching ace. But Roger did not allow his opponent to stay on top for long, taking a 3-0 lead straight away in the second set. The match continued in an entertaining manner on a very high level with Roger taking the points that mattered. Eventually, Roger sealed victory with a thumping forehand winner to set up a last-16 encounter with Germany's Tommy Haas. Roger fired a total of 11 aces and broke Mathieu five times.