Federer Puzzles Paire to Reach Second Round in Australia

Roger Federer and Andy Murray used the cruise control in breezy first-round victories on Day 2 in Melbourne. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin del Potro also advanced.

By Chris Oddo

Roger Federer, first round Australian Open 2013

(January 14, 2013) -- Roger Federer was regal. Benoit Paire was too clever for his own good. Nothing surprising at all. Just another day at the office for the sport's greatest legend.

Federer, in search of his 18th career Grand Slam title, made short work of the 23-year-old Frenchman, 6-2, 6-4, 6-1, in a match that was contested more leisurely than competitively, with more insouciance than urgency.

“I’m happy I’m sticking around for a bit,” said Federer afterwards.

That much was clear from first ball. While Federer was in control from the start, Paire was often on his own unique brand of walkabout. To his credit, Federer didn’t drop to the Frenchman’s level. Instead, he let Paire. current World No. 46 and highly regarded as a rising ATP talent by many of late, devolve on his own.

Paire isn’t short on talent or imagination, but he was short on ways to implement a cohesive strategy that would challenge Federer on Tuesday. The Avignon, France native was quick to loft lobs over Federer’s head (he rarely kept them in) or attempt ill-advised drop shots (he made a few,surprisingly), but Paire didn’t seem to have the will to try to hit toe-to-toe with Federer.

Despite the fact that Paire had no momentum and seemed to lack intensity, he did find ways to stay within striking distance of Federer. He remained only a break down for the better part of the second set, thanks to some gritty service games that saw him save three of four break points.

But Federer, playing his first match of 2013, eventually turned the match into the laugher that many had suspected it was the whole time.

“I just thought I don’t need to overdo it this year,” Federer would later explain about his lack of match play heading into 2013. “Good preparation, good workout is going to be more important at this stage than playing every tournament. I hope it’s the right decision.”

Federer broke Paire three times in the third set, winning eight of eight net points down the stretch to seal the match and move his career record at the Australian Open to 64-9. With four Australian Open championships to his name, Federer is bidding to become only the second player to win it a fifth time. Roy Emerson, an Australian, won his sixth Australian Open in 1967.

Elsewhere on day 2, Federer’s possible semifinal opponent Andy Murray, also gained safe passage into the second round. Murray broke Robin Haase’s serve eight times and went on for a breezy 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 victory in the first match of the day on Rod Laver Arena.

Murray will face Joao Sousa of Portugal in round two.

Other top seeds seeing their first action in Melbourne were Juan Martin Del Potro, who ripped past Adrian Mannarino 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Del Potro is slated to face Andy Murray in the quarterfinals if the seeds hold.

Milos Raonic also moved on, defeating Jan Hajek of the Czech Republic 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 7-6(0). The 13th-seed thwapped 30 aces to advance.

7th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also advanced, defeating his left-handed compatriot Michael Llodra 6-4, 7-5, 6-2. Tsonga hit 38 winners and will face Go Soeda in the 2nd round.

(Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve)