Strange start for Federer’s record bid
DUBAI – Grand Slam record- holder Roger Federer began his attempt to win a record fifth Dubai Open title with one of the strangest victories of his career.
The Swiss legend won 6-0, 7-6 (8/6) against France's Michael Llodra in a match in which he won the first 11 points and then the first set in only 17 minutes, only to find himself set point down in the second.
Part of this schizoid quality was created by Llodra arriving late the night before from the Marseille Open final, starting slowly, and then ambushing Federer with some brilliant net attacks and a sudden leap in standard.
"I don't know when was the last time that happened to me," said Federer of a first set in which he conceded only seven points.
"After that I had to make sure I controlled Michael as much as I could because I know he is a dangerous player."
So much so, that Llodra first had Federer break point down in the third game of the second set, a mini-crisis the second seed averted with a good serve, and then came from 2-4 down in the tie- breaker to hold set point at 6-5.
Federer saved that with a ferocious forehand drive winner and then two rallies later punished a Llodra second serve to close out the match.
He next plays another left- hander, Feliciano Lopez, the world number 15 from Spain, whom he played in the 2004 final here.
"He's somewhat similar to Llodra, so I don't have to adjust a whole lot, I don't think," said Federer. "At the same time, I know the danger of Feliciano. He's had a great season."
The winner could play Mardy Fish for a place in the semi-finals, though the American will have to beat Mikhail Youzhny, the Russian who got past another Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who was suffering from flu and retired after losing the first set 6-3.
Earlier the three-time Grand Slam finalist Andy Murray was made to struggle by a qualifier before surviving his opening match.
Murray, playing for the first time since almost halting Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of last month's Australian Open in Melbourne, trailed 3-4 in the final set to Michael Berrer of Germany before coming through.