Roger Federer, aiming to regain a title he last won four years ago, reached the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open with 6-2, 6-4 win against Russia's Evgeny Korolev.
Roger Federer, aiming to regain a title he last won four years ago, reached the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open with 6-2, 6-4 winu00a0 against Russia's Evgeny Korolev.
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Federer in action yesterday. PIC/AFP |
"This was a more dangerous match than my first one because he is a big ball striker and plays aggressive on forehand and backhand.
"Conditions were difficult today, it was very slow out there and I had to be patient and grind it out, so I was happy with the way I adapted and with the way the match went," Federer said.
Federer was helped by several moments when Korolev beat himself u2014 perhaps overly aware of Federer's reputation u2014 notably after he broke the great man's serve to get back to 2-3, only to play a poor service game himself.
Rafael Nadal dismissed Potito Starace, a former top 30 player from Italy, by 6-2, 6-2.
