Roger Federer Returns After Injury; Reaches Australian Open Second Round

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Sports News Monday, January 16th, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Four-time champion Roger Federer has reached the Australian Open second round with a four-set victory over Austria’s Jurgen Melzer in Melbourne.

The 35-year-old, who is appearing in his first competitive match in six months after knee injury, won 7-5 3-6 6-2 6-2.

Federer, who hit 19 aces in his two-hour match against Melzer, faces 20-year-old American Noah Rubin in round two.

“Any match is a good match, even if I had lost, because I’m back on the court,” the 17-time Grand Slam champion said.

Federer recalled “Last year was tough but it is nice to be playing normal tennis again. It was a long road but I made it.”

In other matches, the world number four Stan Wawrinka needed five sets to beat Slovakia’s Martin Klizan 4-6 6-4 7-5 4-6 6-4.

Japan’s Kei Nishikori, who ranked fifth, is through after beating Russia’s Andrey Kuznetsov 5-7 6-1 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-2.

The 27-year-old will next play France’s Jeremy Chardy while Wawrinka, 31, will face American Steve Johnson.

BBC

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