By Chris Oddo | Sunday, March 15, 2015

 

Roger Federer cruised to a straight-sets victory in his Indian Wells opener on Sunday, setting up a third-round encounter with Andreas Seppi.

Photo Source: Harry How/Getty

Indian Well, Calif—Roger Federer got his bid for a fifth BNP Paribas Open title underway by coasting to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Diego Schwartzman in front of a supportive, enthralled crowd at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

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Federer didn’t face a break point on the day and ramped up his game as he grew more comfortable with the conditions and the opponent.

“I'm very happy,” said Federer. “You know, I had a horrible headache when I had to do the press the other day, so I'm feeling way better. I'm happy I got the first match out of the way.”

In his 15th appearance at Indian Wells, the four-time champion moved to within two matches of his 50th win in the desert.

He will next face Andreas Seppi, the Italian who ended Federer’s Australian Open in the third round this season.

“I'm happy to play him again,” said Federer. “I was very disappointed with the performance I had in Australia. I know he can play well and can beat me. That's not the problem. It was the way I was hitting the ball. I wasn't playing very committed. I wasn't sure exactly how I was going to hit my forehand and backhands. It was just a tough match overall and the match slipped away from me.”

Federer, who told reporters that he’s in great health thanks to a 17-day vacation that started immediately after his Australian Open loss, says he’s thrilled to have a chance to get the bad taste out of his mouth with regard to Seppi.

“I really thought Seppi did a good job and nice job of putting the pressure on me, as well,” he said. “Because we all know how well he can hit his forehand and backhand and how steady he can be. I hope this time around it's going to go better for me. I will be prepared. There is no doubt about that. I'm happy I'm getting an opportunity to play him right away again.”

In other action on Sunday at Indian Wells, American Jack Sock came back to defeat Gilles Muller in three sets, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(7), saving a match point in the process.

“I feel good,” Sock told ATPWorldTour.com. “I said before the tournament this is probably the best I’ve felt physically and mentally, having the time off and being able to put in almost eight or nine weeks training, I think it’s shown out there.”

Sock will face Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round.