Defending Champs Federer and Serena Both Advance in Madrid
Defending champion Roger Federer was a winner in his first match in two months at the 2013 Madrid Open, 6-3, 6-3 over Radek Stepanek. Also advancing in Madrid was defending women’s champion Serena Williams, a winner over Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain 6-2, 7-5.
"It was a really good clay-court tennis match for me," Serena said. "I know if I face another opponent like that, I’ll have that experience and I’ll know how to play."
Federer played in his first match after losing in the Indian Wells quarterfinals to Rafael Nadal.
"I’m very happy, because he has caused me difficulties in the past," Federer said of his opponent Stepanek. "If I would be the only guy over 30, it would feel a bit awkward, to be honest."
Third-seeded Andy Murray outlasted Germany’s Florian Mayer 7-6(11), 7-6 (3), as Murray struggled with the altitude (Madrid is 2,180 feet above sea level) and found it hard to breathe at the end of the first set where "there were so many long points."
"It’s hard to explain, but if you’re playing someone that plays with a nice rhythm, it’s a lot easier to breathe during the points," Murray said.
Marion Bartoli of France defeated qualifier Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor of Spain 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 on the women’s side to also advance.
