Fearsome Federer routs Hartfield

TOP-RANKED Roger Federer showed no lasting effects from a nasty stomach bug, routing Diego Hartfield of Argentina 6-0, 6-3, 6-0 yesterday to open his quest of a third consecutive Australian Open title.

The illness forced Federer to pull out of last week’s exhibition tournament at Kooyong, interrupting his preparations as he seeks to pull within one of Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam championships.

On a perfect night for tennis, Federer was often perfect, running off the first nine games and the last seven. He finished off the match with his 11th ace. With 38 winners and just 14 unforced errors — none in the third set — he compiled twice as many points as Hartfield, 84-42.