PARIS: World number one Roger Federer comfortably reached the French Open third round on Wednesday but then hit out at a controversial instant replay system which will be used at the US Open this year. The Swiss star believes the system, which will provide chair umpires with an instant replay of contentious points, is a waste of money and can only detract from the action on the court.

“I have spoken to Jim Curley (the US Open tournament director) and I have told him I am absolutely against it. I’m for the way things are now,” said Federer after his win over Spain’s Nicolas Almagro.

“I am concerned about the amount of money that will be blown on this for just a few points. It’s money that I think we can use for other different things.

“I am against the whole idea of replays.”

The decision to introduce the replay system was taken after Serena Williams’s controversial quarter-final defeat to Jennifer Capriati at the US Open in 2004.

In that match, umpire Mariana Alves called out a Williams’ ball that was inches inside the line - overruling the line judge who had correctly called it in.

Alves was then dumped from the tournament after officials reviewed the decision and blamed her for the mistake.

Meanwhile, Federer said he was happy with his form on Wednesday as he continues his campaign to win the French Open for the first time and, in the process, become just the sixth man in history to win all four Grand Slam titles.

—AFP