By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, April 16, 2014

 

After a three year absence, Roger Federer made up for lost time in his return to Monte Carlo with a resounding straight sets win.

Photo Credit: AP

With temperatures hovering in the low 50's, many fans and linespeople wore extra layers as Roger Federer made his return to the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters after a three year absence. But the only who didn't seem to mind was Federer himself who booked a solid win with a performance that will likely get the pulse of his many fans racing.

Waiting for Federer in the second round was Radek Stepanek. Though Stepanek is known for his capacity to test anyone with his all-court game, the wily Czech veteran had trouble getting his engine going early. Federer, his motor humming already, jumped out to a 3-0 lead with aggressive, flat hitting before anyone had time to order a second cup of coffee.

Stepanek earned a 40-0 lead in his next service game but then stalled with a series of bad errors. That gave Federer yet another break for 5-0. Though Federer tossed in a loose game that allowed Stepanek to get on the scoreboard, it only delayed the inevitable.

Soon, Federer would walk back to his chair after just 22 minutes with a 6-1 first set.

With Stepanek at least warmed up now, a tighter second set was expected. But as a commentator mused that "the Federer factor" was in full effect, Stepanek missed an easy volley while down a break point. Federer again had an early advantage.

The only highlight for Stepanek came at 2-1 when he hit a roundhouse smash from deep on the baseline that drew deserved applause. That seemed to ignite something in Stepanek as he would later hold his first two break points against Federer serving at 3-2, 15-40. Federer responded by changing up the tempo in two subsequent rallies. A smash winner pulled Federer back to deuce and from there he held for 4-2.

That would be the last sputter from Federer as he raced to the finish. Another mistimed volley from Stepanek would give Federer an extra break for 5-2 and allow him to serve for the match. Wasting no time, Federer earned two match points and watched as Stepanek netted yet another final forehand.

In 52 minutes, Federer celebrated his 6-1, 6-2 win and probably the fact that his clay court debut this season was an effortless one.

Federer hit 14 winners and nine unforced errors compared to only six winners and 22 unforced from Stepanek.

Another warm takeaway for Federer in this one was that he now holds 25 match wins this season. It took him until Halle last year to reach that mark.

Next up for Federer will be Lukas Rosol who took out French qualifier Michael Llodra 6-4, 6-4.