Top-ranked Roger Federer coasted to a 6-2, 6-1 win over defending champion Wesley Moodie yesterday to advance to the Japan Open quarter-finals.
Federer established control early, breaking Moodie to go up 4-2 in the first set and slamming five aces before beating the 13th-seeded South African in just 52 minutes.
"I was expecting a tough match," said Federer. "I had trouble returning yesterday so I thought it would be tough today, but I served well and hit some incredible shots."
PHOTO: AFP
Federer, who is playing in his first tournament since winning the US Open last month, was sluggish in his opening match on Wednesday against qualifier Viktor Troicki but looked back to his dominant form yesterday.
He broke Moodie with a crosscourt backhand to take a 2-0 lead in the second set and closed out the match by winning the final three games.
Federer, who has won three majors this year, improved to 46-2 on hardcourts.
Moodie, who beat Mario Ancic for last year's Japan Open title, won the second game of the first set with three aces, but wasn't able to keep up with Federer after that.
"I knew his serve was big," said Federer. "He hit two great serves and then got another ace, but I don't remember him getting many more aces after that."
Federer next will face the winner of the third-round match between Germany's Alexander Waske and Takao Suzuki of Japan.
Rain played havoc with scheduled play at the Ariake Colosseum yesterday with nine matches postponed.
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