Federer uses dry spell to finish off Russell

PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) World number one Roger Federer wasted no time in completing a 6-4 6-2 6-4 win over American Michael Russell in his opening French Open match today.

Top seed Federer, chasing victory in the only grand slam tournament to elude him so far, was 6-4 4-1 up when rain interrupted his first-round contest yesterday.

The 29-year-old Russell, remembered for holding a match point against eventual champion Gustavo Kuerten in the last 16 here in 2001, tried his best but was never in contention.

Back on centre court on a cloudy but dry today morning, the 25-year-old Federer wrapped up the second set with a service winner.

World number 68 Russell dropped serve in the fifth game of the third set. Federer stayed in control after that, sealing victory with an unforced error from Russell on the first match point after an hour and 45 minutes of play.

''The conditions are tough for everybody'', Federer said after miserable weather ruined the first two days of action at the showcase claycourt tournament.

''It's kind of cool today, windy, and it's been raining the last few days, so we haven't had much of a chance to hit tennis balls. But I was in a comfortable position going into today and I played okay.

''I played well when I had to so it was a good opening match for me.'' MORALE BOOST Federer, whose best result here was his final defeat by Rafael Nadal last year, is bidding to become the third man to win four grand slams in a row after Don Budge and Rod Laver.

The elegant all-rounder, who willmeet Frenchman Thierry Ascione in the next round, boosted his morale before coming to Paris by beating Spain's Nadal for the first time on clay in the Hamburg final.

''It's certainly an advantage because I have defeated him on all surfaces,'' Federer said of his rivalry with Nadal, who has a 100 percent French Open record, having won the title the last two years.

''It means I'm able to do it. So when I play against him, I'm more confident.'' The men's final everybody wants to see here would be a clash between Federer and world number two Nadal on centre court on June 10 but the Swiss said he was not focusing only on the muscular Spaniard.

''We're the only guys who have been winning grand slams the last couple of years, so obviously there's much talk about our rivalry right now but I think there are many other players,'' Federer said.

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