Roger Federer erased miserable memories by gliding into the second round of the French Open with a clinical 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Spaniard Alberto Martin on Monday.
The last time Federer had stepped on Philippe Chatrier Court, he was on the receiving end of a 6-1 6-3 6-0 mauling by his nemesis Rafael Nadal in the final 12 months ago. On Monday, he refused to cast his mind back to that black day in his illustrious career and instead focused on breaking down his opponent's resistance.
"I didn't even think about last year's match on the same court because I was so much concentrated," said the Swiss world number two, who is seeking to win the Roland Garros title to complete his collection of grand slam titles. "I wanted to do my best. I didn't want to lose my first match."
Federer said his clay court form this season, during which he has reached the semi-finals in Rome and beat Nadal to win his first title of the year in Madrid, has given him the belief that he can win in Paris.
"The (2008) final was very difficult. It was the very last match. But what counts is how you played after in Madrid, Monte Carlo and Rome and on clay surfaces, and what you look at is the matches you've won," said Federer, who has been left clutching the runner-up tray in Paris for the past three years.
"If you've lost, okay, no problem, because between then and now, you have played something like 60 matches, so that was okay today for me." On Monday there was no danger of Federer being humiliated by an opponent who had snatched just one game off the Swiss in their only previous meeting.
After dropping his opening service game, Federer conjured a endless stream of glorious winners and he drew gasps of admiration from the capacity crowd as he stroked an exquisite drop shot to conclude a straightforward victory. The 27-year-old Swiss will next face Argentine grinder Jose Acasuso.
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