Close Curtain Call

Two multi-Grand Slam champions and former number ones got tested today and had to fight off very determined opponents to reach only the third round of the French Open today.

Roger Federer [2] d. Jose Acasuso 7-6(8), 5-7, 7-6(2), 6-2

On track to get that lone Grand Slam title he's missing from his resume, Roger Federer went in as the overwhelming favorite over a player who has lost in the last four matches he has played. Acasuso stayed close to second seeded Federer having four set points in the first (and losing) and getting the second set. He then pulled ahead as Federer went on a walkabout and suddenly the scoreline for the third was 5-1 against Federer. Federer came back strong and rallied to take it to a tiebreak and suddenly he was up two sets. It was all Federer from there as he won in four long sets.

Venus Williams [3] d. Lucie Safarova 6-7(5), 6-2, 7-5

Like Federer, Venus has never won the French Open, but unlike Federer she doesn't really have much expectation to go far, but even she would've been glib if you told her she would have a difficulty with this match-up. Safarova for her part was focused and was able to win the first set as darkness set in yesterday evening. When they returned today, Venus hammered down and won the second set easily, but Sarafova held on and had a match point at 4-5 during Venus' serve. It was sadly not meant to be as Venus went on to win it in three.