Florida, USA: Roger Federer made a victorious return Friday to the Sony Open after skipping last year’s tournament, and then was treated to a tribute on the stadium video screen.
“It looks like a farewell video,” Federer told the crowd with a laugh. “I miss one year, and you make me feel guilty.”
Federer’s back, as he showed by beating big-serving Ivo Karlovic 6-4, 7-6 (4). The Swiss star lost just three points on his serve to his 6-foot-11 (2.11-meter) opponent, and in a match with few rallies, he committed only three unforced errors.
Three-time champion Novak Djokovic followed Federer onto the stadium court and into the third round, defeating Jeremy Chardy 6-4, 6-3. Defending champion Andy Murray, playing for the first time since he parted with coach Ivan Lendl, beat Matthew Ebden 3-6, 6-0, 6-1.
Another three-time champ, Venus Williams, defeated Anna Schmiedlova 6-3, 6-3. Williams, the oldest player remaining in the women’s draw at 33, is competing at Key Biscayne for the 15th time. “It’s good to be here still as an oldster,” Williams said.
At 32, Federer has looked rejuvenated recently, and was the runner-up to Djokovic last week at Indian Wells. The 17-time Grand Slam champion says his new racket gives him more power, and he’s moving as he did in the old days.
After falling out of the top five last year for the first time since 2002, Federer returned to No.5 this week. He led from the start against Karlovic, making the surprising choice to receive after winning the toss and earning the lone break of the match in the opening game.
While Federer had trouble with serves from Karlovic that peaked at 138 mph (222 kph), the Croat had no chance when returning. Federer won 49 of his 52 service points.
Federer improved to 11-1 in their head-to-head - or, in this case, head-to-shoulder.
Djokovic converted all three of his break-point chances against Chardy, who was hobbled after hurting his right ankle in the penultimate game.
On the women’s side, No.2-seeded Li Na reached the third round when Alisa Kleybanova withdrew because of a viral illness. Kleybanova, who won in doubles Thursday, is a former top 20-player mounting a career comeback from Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
No.3 Agnieszka Radwanska, the tournament champion in 2012, defeated Romina Oprandi 6-0, 6-4. The Pole was hampered by a knee injury in her loss to Flavia Pennetta in the final at
Indian Wells on Sunday, but showed no ill effects in her match Friday. Simona Halep, who lost to Radwanska in the Indian Wells semifinals, withdrew because of a toe injury.
Caroline Wozniacki advanced with a 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 win over Monica Puig, but No.7-seeded Jelena Jankovic was upset by Varvara Lepchenko.
