Federer Dominates Stepanek at Monte Carlo Masters

April 16, 2014 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Federer_02_12
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg

Roger Federer needed less than an hour to dispose of his second-round opponent, Radek Stepanek on Wednesday at the Monte Carlo Masters. Federer defeated the veteran Czech 6-1, 6-2 in a match that lasted only 52 minutes to advance to the third round of the tournament.

Stepanek never stood a chance, as Federer captured the first five games of the match to jump out 5-0 in the first set. In desperate need of the second set, Stepanek held advantage in the first game, but poor play at the net allowed Federer to battle back to deuce and give the momentum right back to the 17-time Grand Slam champion from Switzerland.

Federer has now defeated the veteran Stepanek 14 times in 16 career opportunities, a dominating record that dates back to 2002. He now moves on to the third round in Monte Carlo where he will face off with Stepanek’s countryman, Lukas Rosol, who defeated Michael Llodra of France in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.

Rafael Nadal, who beat Federer in this event’s finals three straight years from 2006-2008, also advanced to the third round Wednesday by knocking off Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1.

In other action in Monte Carlo on Wednesday, Canadian Milos Raonic defeated Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-1 in a tightly contested match, while Italy's Fabio Fognini defeated Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain, 7-6(6), 6-4. 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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