Estoril Open News and Events

Roger Federer

© JLS

Roger Federer survived a slow start and an error-strewn encounter Tuesday to take his place in the Estoril Open second round.

The ATP World No. 1 hit 17 aces and wracked up 53 unforced errors in beating Olivier Rochus of Belgium 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in a shade over two hours.

The last time the pair met at Halle in 2005, Rochus failed to convert match points in a three-set loss. Federer now holds a 6-0 career advantage over the World No. 77, who played with a shoulder support.

Despite suffering four first round exits this year, the 27-year-old Rochus started full of confidence and broke once for a 4-3 lead when Federer hit a double fault. Rochus saved all six break points he saved in the first set.

Federer, without an ATP title since clinching his fourth Tennis Masters Cup title in Shanghai in November, failed to convert two break point opportunities in the fourth game of the second set.

But the pressure began to tell on the Rochus serve and Federer broke in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead.

With greater composure on the sun-baked clay at the Estadio Nacional, Federer broke two times in the third set to wrap up his 12th victory of the season.

Federer will next meet Romanian Victor Hanescu in the second round on Thursday. Federer has a 2-0 lead over the World No. 68, who beat Olivier Patience of France 6-1, 7-6(2) on Tuesday.

Watch Tuesday's Highlights of the 2008 Estoril Open

At the opposite end of the draw second-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko won his eighth straight match in beating Jurgen Melzer of Austria for the fourth time in his career on Centralito.

Davydenko converted five break point opportunities to record a 6-3, 6-1 victory in one hour.

The 26-year-old clinched his second career ATP Masters Series shield in Miami earlier this month and has a 21-5 record on the season.

On Sunday, the World No. 4 clinched Russia its place in the Davis Cup World Group semifinals over the Czech Republic.

Davydenko is appearing at the Estadio Nacional for the sixth successive year. He captured the 2003 crown (d. Calleri) and finished runner-up in 2006 (l. to Nalbandian).

He will now meet Czech Ivo Minar in the second round.

Portuguese wild card Rui Machado, who celebrated his 24th birthday on April 10, advanced to the second round after Ivo Karlovic retired at the start of the second set with a left knee injury.

Machado was leading Karlovic 6-4, 1-0 when the Croatian decided to call it a day after 44 minutes. Karlovic, who hit seven aces, is 1-4 since reaching the Rotterdam semifinals (l. to Llodra) in February.

Machado who has a 28-1 record on the ITF futures circuit this year, including five titles, will next meet Frenchman Florent Serra, a 6-1, 6-2 winner over Italian qualifier Gianluca Naso. 

Eighth-seeded German Michael Berrer defeated Gastao Elias of Portugal 6-4 7-5.