World number three Federer thrashed French wildcard Maxime Teixeira 6-3 6-0 6-2. -AP Photo

PARIS: Title hopefuls Roger Federer and Samantha Stosur barely broke sweat as they sauntered into the third round of a sun-soaked French Open on Wednesday. 

World number three Federer thrashed French wildcard Maxime Teixeira 6-3 6-0 6-2 in an 84-minute morning jog as dozens of panamas bloomed in the Court Suzanne Lenglen stands. 

Swiss Federer, who has not won a grand slam title since the 2010 Australian Open, misfired a few routine forehands in the opening set before he revved up the engine to flatten world number 181 Teixeira. 

Federer, a 16-times grand slam champion who will next face Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic, offered some words of consolation to his unheralded opponent. 

“It is so hard to play on a big court when you're not used to it. I think Max did a good match. He fought well,” the Swiss said courtside. 

The 22-year-old Teixeira, who had never played a match on the main Tour before this year's French Open, said: “It's an incredible experience. Playing against Roger is something I will never forget. I did what I could.” 

Little-known Romanian Simona Halep will probably like to forget her Court One outing on a sunny Parisian morning against last year's runner-up Stosur. 

Stosur looked like she would be handing Halep the dreaded 'double bagel' for breakfast but in the end had to settle for a 6-0 6-2 win in 66 minutes. 

NO FOOLING AROUND 

Eighth-seeded Stosur was in no mood to fool around as her pace and kicked serve proved too much to handle for the world number 67, who bowed out when she mishit a crosscourt forehand. 

World number one Caroline Wozniacki was coasting towards a routine win but her second-round opponent, Canada's Aleksandra Wozniak, trapped her into a moonballing contest and set up three set points in the second set. 

Dane Wozniacki, who has yet to claim a grand slam title, survived the test thanks to her powerful forehand and won 6-3 7-6. 

The heat and a plucky opponent initially left 17th seed Julia Goerges frazzled as she fell a set and 3-1 behind. 

But the in-form German, who won the Stuttgart tournament and reached the last four in Madrid during the past few weeks, relied on her survival instincts to floor Czech Lucie Safarova 2-6 7-5 6-2. 

Goerges, however, did not let the win go to her head. Asked who she would pick as the tournament favourite, she quipped: 

“For sure not me.” 

Later on Wednesday, Novak Djokovic will be looking for his 39th successive victory this year and aiming to prove to stuttering rival Rafael Nadal that he is ready to steal his crown when he meets Victor Hanescu in the second round. 

Top seed Nadal, bidding for a sixth Roland Garros title in seven years, endured his first five-set match on the Paris clay on Tuesday when he battled back to beat American John Isner. 

World number two Djokovic, who beaten Nadal four times this year including twice in claycourt finals, had no such problems in Monday's demolition of Thiemo De Bakker. 

Defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy is last on Centre Court against Russia's Vesna Dolonts.

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.
All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...