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

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...