Not-so-jolly Roger blasts French Open organisers

Roger Federer struggled his way into the second round of the French Open today and then aimed a verbal volley at the tournament organisers.

World number one Federer saw off Argentinian lucky loser Diego Hartfield 7-5 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 in two hours and 36 minutes but turned in a performance which will have done little to worry his main rival at Roland Garros Rafael Nadal.

Hartfield was only taking part as Arnaud Clement, Federer’s opponent in Friday’s draw, had to withdraw due to a groin injury.

However, he still posed plenty of problems to the Swiss star, the current holder of the Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open crowns.

Afterwards Federer attributed his sluggish performance to having to play today rather than tomorrow.

He said: “It’s been a difficult beginning to the tournament for me, the circumstances were not in my favour.

“There was a lot of wind and I was playing today which I specifically asked not to do and against an opponent I did not know.”

This year’s French Open was brought forward a day to reduce the risk of later disruption due to rain.

“I like the idea of playing on a Sunday but I had asked not to play today, I was preparing for a Monday start,” added Federer, who will play his second-round match on Wednesday.

“It’s tricky because you play and then you have to stop for a few days.

“I guess that if you pass the first two rounds then you feel more into the tournament.”

Federer was expected to cruise past Hartfield but had his troubles against a player ranked 157th in the world.

“He played really well at the beginning,” Federer said.

“It was hard to prepare for that match because I did not know who I would be playing against until the day before.

“He was strong and had a good attitude, I was certainly impressed.”

Federer is aware the spotlight is on him and his growing rivalry with young Spaniard Nadal, who has beaten him on five of their six meetings including recent successes in Rome and Monte Carlo.

“I have just won the past three grand slams and I am aware that people are expecting a lot from me,” Federer added.

“The pressure is high and people want me to reach at least the semi-final if not the final.

“Everything that happens before those stages means a lot of pressure for me.”

Third seed David Nalbandian booked his place in the second round by beating Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 in two hours and 53 minutes.

Argentinian Nalbandian reached the semi-final at Roland Garros in 2004 only to be beaten by compatriot and eventual champion Gaston Gaudio.

Spanish seventh seed Tommy Robredo, who reached the quarter-finals in Paris in 2003 and 2005, ousted Czech Republic’s Tomas Zib 6-4 6-2 6-2.