Federer Uses Dry Spell To Finish Off Russell

World number one Roger Federer wasted no time in completing a 6-4 6-2 6-4 win over American Michael Russell.

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 on Tuesday.

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 on Monday.

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 Tuesday 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.

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