Federer digs deep to reach Hamburg third round

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HAMBURG, May 16 (Reuters) Roger Federer stumbled his way to an unconvincing 6-3 2-6 6-4 victory over Argentine qualifier Juan Monaco in the second round of the Hamburg Masters.

The Swiss World number one looked comfortable enough in the first set, played under the roof with the rain lashing down outside, but hit more and more unforced errors as Monaco levelled the match in a second set he dominated.

Federer, the top seed at the 2.1 million euros clay-court tournament, then had to save five match points in his first service game in the decider before eking out a break for 5-4 and clinching victory in one hour 56 minutes.

It was Federer's first match since splitting with his part-time coach Tony Roche at the weekend and it is clear he will need to improve if he is to challenge Rafael Nadal for the French Open, which starts on May 27.

Federer, who has never won the French Open, needs to take the Roland Garros title to become only the third man after American Don Budge and Australian Rod Laver to hold all four majors at the same time.

He goes on to face either Marat Safin or Juan Carlos Ferrero in what should be a good test in the third round.

REUTERS DH KN2025