TORONTO: Roger Federer blasted out of the starting blocks for US Open hardcourt build-up, overcoming early niggles to beat Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 to reach the third round of the Toronto Masters Tuesday.
Federer is working on a trial basis with coach Paul Annacone, former mentor to Pete Sampras, with the Swiss third seed`s game already showing a few fresh touches.
"I`m glad to go through," said Federer, who needed seven set points to win the opening frame in 48 minutes.
"I was a bit rusty in the opening match and he really made me play. But I`m very happy with how it went tonight."
Federer approached the net more than he has done recently, showing off a favorite tactic of Annacone, who will work with the Swiss on an interim basis with a decision on a future partnership to be decided after the US Open.
Federer, who stalled at the quarter-finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon after winning the titles last season, has this week and the next at Cincinnati to hone his game into shape for a run at the final Grand Slam of the season, which starts on August 30.
After winning five titles in a row in New York, he lost the 2009 final to Juan Martin del Potro.
"It`s always nice to come back after six weeks and get the win," said Federer. "I think that`s really what counts the most tonight. It`s normal that you`re a bit rusty after six weeks. You have to work your way into playing matches again, even though you play a lot of practice sets and matches.
"Overall it was a good match. I think I really did some good things out there and a bit of a pity I had a bit of a letdown at 5-2 up in the first set.
"I had many options, I wanted to play on my terms against a player like that, and that`s what I was able to do today somehow."
Fellow seed Robin Soderling, overcame Ernests Gulbis of Latvia 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 for a third-round spot, joining Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych - the quarter-final winner over Federer - in moving ahead in Canada.
Berdych is seeking his first 2010 title and began his latest quest with a 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Sergiy Stakhovsky.
"I`ve been to finals this year but have not won a tournament yet," said the 24-year-old, who has won six ATP titles, the last at Munich last year.
"But I wouldn`t change anything I did, for anything."
In first-round matches, Washington winner David Nalbandian proved his fitness with a flying start as he upset Spanish tenth seed David Ferrer 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.
The number 45 said he has improved already since returning to the game last week, his first event since April following a 2009 hip operation and subsequent injury worries.
"I played more offensive today and tried to end the points a little faster. He`s tough from the baseline without a lot of errors," said Nalbandian.
"There is no secret to my comeback, it`s tough. Ferrer would not be your choice for first round, but I know I`m not seeded so I could play against anyone. I have to keep going going no matter who is in front of the net."
Serb Viktor Troicki upset Croatian 11th seed Marin Cilic 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), and Alexandr Dolgopolov rallied past German Philipp Petzschner 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4).
Italian Fabio Fognini kept injury comeback player Radek Stepanek winless since February with a 6-2, 6-4 result.
BDST:1415HRS, August 11, 2010
