By Chris Oddo | Sunday, May 25, 2014

 

Roger Federer breezed past Lukas Lacko in his Roland Garros opener, needing only 84 minutes to earn his 59th career French Open victory.

Photo credit: Peter Staples

Playing in his first match as a father of four, and in his 58th consecutive Grand Slam, Roger Federer methodically deconstructed Lukas Lacko of Slovakia, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2, to begin his Roland Garros campaign with a strong statement.

Federer was dominant throughout, striking 40 winners against only 19 unforced errors, and never facing a break point.

“I'm happy I got off to a good start for the tournament here in Paris,” the 2009 Roland Garros champion said. “There's always that little bit of feeling that if you don't feel well, if the opponent plays great, whatever happens so you could lose early.”

It was pretty clear that that wouldn’t be the case on Sunday, as Federer converted on his first two break points to take charge.

Perhaps fear was a motivating factor on this day for Federer, as the Swiss confessed to having some “normal” doubts about his form going into the match. “I wasn't nervous actually going into the match,” he said, adding: “It’s more just like those hints of fear, you know, maybe yesterday, maybe this morning at one point, just for like five seconds, ‘Oh, I really hope I don't have to pack my bags today, that kind of feeling.’”

Federer improved his Roland Garros record to 59-14 with the victory, and 266-42 in Grand Slam competition overall. The 32-year-old is playing in his 16th consecutive French Open, a streak which leads all active players. But he is playing his first competitive tennis since becoming a father of four. Federer, who became the proud father to a second set of twins named Leo and Lenny on May 6th, said that all is well in that regard.

“My personal life, as we know, it's all great,” said Federer, “so I'm happy the family is here.”

Federer will move on to face either Gastao Elias or Diego Sebastian Schwartzman in the second round.

Elsewhere in first-round men’s action at Roland Garros, 8th-seeded Milos Raonic downed Aussie qualifier Nick Kyrgios in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-3, while 15th-seeded Mikhail Youzhny came back from two sets down to defeat Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta, 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.