Roger survives first round scare

Roger played Igor Andreev (ATP 36) on the second day of the Australian Open. He had to work hard in a match lasting 164 minutes in order to defeat the Russian 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-0.

"I just hoped that I was going to hang in there. He was a wonderful player and it was tough. It was a fortunate third set for me today, but all in all I'm very happy with my performance," Roger said after the match. He has never been eliminated in the first round in his eleven appearances at Melbourne Park and was thus clearly relieved.

Roger started well, controlling the first set at first, but with Andreev's powerful returns then had to admit a break and dropped the first set. He won the second set in Roger-like, efficient manner - but the third was one big battle. Facing break point, Roger hit a misjudged drop shot, but Andreev, with the court open, played long. Roger then served for the set, but won only one point, then served to stay in the set and won just two points. Everything was wide open for Andreev - who then went on to miss the chances given. In the tie-breaker, at last, normal service resumed, with our champ taking it home easily. The last set was one last race by Roger, making everything clear after the somewhat scary intermezzo.

Roger will meet the winner of the match between Chile's Juan Ignacio Chela and Romania's Victor Hanescu in the second round on Thursday.

Date: 19.01.2010, Source: RF Official