Paris: Roger Federer's bid for a first French Open title got under way in low-key style at Roland Garros on Monday with an efficient straight-sets win over American Sam Querrey.
The world number one, runner-up for the last two years, was rarely required to move out of first gear against his big-serving 1.98m opponent and waltzed through 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and 35 minutes on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Querrey threatened to make a game of it after breaking the Federer serve in the fourth game of the opening set but it was to be his only success against the Swiss service and the 20-year-old must wait another year for his first win here.
"He's a young player on the rise and serves very well but maybe he didn't have the experience on clay," Federer said in a court-side interview. "You cannot win the title today but the first round is always a dangerous match, so I am pleased."
Federer showed his intent with a break of serve in the opening game but Querrey, a quarter-finalist in Monte Carlo this year, benefitted from a scrappy effort by the Swiss to level at 2-2.
Federer, 12 times a grand slam champion, broke again for 3-2 and wrapped up the opening set in 34 minutes, clinching it with a thunderous forehand winner.
"It was a sort of a nerve-wracking first set. Once I got settled I played a little bit better. I thought the match was fine. Gives me a few days now again to practise and hopefully I can play a bit better the next match."
A single break in the fifth game was enough for the Swiss to clinch the second set and Federer broke Querrey twice in the third, including the match-winning game when the American ballooned a backhand over the baseline to hand the Swiss victory.
Federer will face Belgium's Kristof Vliegen or Albert Montanes of Spain in round two.
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