Roger Federer moved into the second round after defeating Mikhail Kukushkin in straight sets 7-6 6-4 6-2..
Federer started briskly thundering down two aces in the first game. But Mikhail Kukushkin was not overawed. He held his own and kept step with the great champion. With score line at 5-4 in Federer’s favour, it looked that he would make a decisive move for the set. Kukushkin put in three good first serves including an ace and went up 40-0 denying any chance to Federer. Another opportunity presented at 6-5 for Federer when Kukushkin double faulted. It was squandered and the set went to the tie breaker. Federer is rarely the loser in a tie breaker. He served superbly and got the tie break 7-2.
Kuskushkin was surprising Federer with unusually good shots and forcing him to go in for the lines. It did not look that Federer was in any trouble but he was not having his way too. There was a bit of labour and a bit of struggle. But the turning point came in the fifth game of the second set. Federer played a casual and relaxed return game and got two break points. He converted the second. Kuskushkin got a double break back opportunity but squandered it. He got another break point at deuce but Federer thundered down an ace. Therein lay the difference between experience and exuberance. Kukushkin was playing well but he was proving to be just a good practice partner. Federer had no tension in his arm or mind. He served out the second set in the tenth game at love.
Federer broke Kukushkin in the third game with a delicate lob to go up 2-1. Soon the set was over at 6-2. Kukushkin did not play badly but did not know what to do to win against Federer. It was his first match against the master. He can take solace in that the riddle he could not solve has been solved by just a few over the years.
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