Roger Federer makes winning return to French Open as he comfortably beats Lorenzo Sonego
ROGER FEDERER has made a winning return to the French Open as he beat Lorenzo Sonego 6-2 6-4 6-4 in the first round.
In his first match at the French Open since 2015, Federer was given a standing ovation as he walked onto Court Philippe Chatrier.
And he delighted the crowd as he made the ideal start to the first set, racing to a 4-0 lead and eventually winning 6-2.
The second set followed a similar pattern to the first as Federer moved a double break in front but Sonego did manage to get one of the breaks back before ultimately losing it 6-4.
The third set then went with serve until Federer finally broke to lead 5-4 and he held comfortably to seal his place in the second round where he will play Oscar Otte.
ROGER FEDERER VS LORENZO SONEGO AS IT HAPPENED
THIRD SET
*FEDERER 6-2 6-4 6-4 SONEGO
Federer backhand down the line winner, 30-15. Sonego goes long with a forehand, two match points.
Another mistake from Sonego and it is GAME. SET. MATCH. Federer moves safely into the second round.
FEDERER 6-2 6-4 5-4 SONEGO*
Sonego nets a backhand, two break points for Federer. The Swiss goes long with a backhand on the first.
But finishes the game with a glorious backhand winner to get the crucial break.
*FEDERER 6-2 6-4 4-4 SONEGO
Wide serve followed by a smash hands Federer the game.
FEDERER 6-2 6-4 3-4 SONEGO*
Lovely Sonego drop shot, 40-30. Then a big forehand down the line keeps him in front in this set.
*FEDERER 6-2 6-4 3-3 SONEGO
It feels like that service game took no time at all. Barely a minute probably. Federer holds.
FEDERER 6-2 6-4 2-3 SONEGO*
Another deft backhand from Federer puts Sonego in trouble and he gets a break point. But Federer goes just wide with a forehand pass.
Second break point as Sonego nets a drive volley. And once again Federer misses with the forehand pass.
Sonego takes in front as Federer makes another forehand error.
*FEDERER 6-2 6-4 2-2 SONEGO
Federer holds serve to love as Sonego goes wide with a forehand return.
FEDERER 6-2 6-4 1-2 SONEGO*
Flashing Federer forehand winner, 15-15. And another, this time cross court, 15-30.
But Federer can't break through on this occasion as Sonego holds on.
*FEDERER 6-2 6-4 1-1 SONEGO
Nice backhand return pass from Sonego, 40-30. But Federer retaliates with a forehand winner of his own.
FEDERER 6-2 6-4 0-1 SONEGO*
Sonego won't want to drop again at the start of a set. But he goes long with a forehand to hand Federer break point.
It's saved when Federer nets a backhand. And Sonego does hold on.
SECOND SET
*FEDERER 6-2 6-4 SONEGO
Federer forehand winner gives him three set points. And he gets the job done when Sonego frames a forehand out. Comfortable lead for Federer now.
FEDERER 6-2 5-4 SONEGO*
More impressive tennis from Sonego as he cracks a forehand down the line, 30-15. And an unreturned serve keeps the Italian in the set. Can he break Federer again?
*FEDERER 6-2 5-3 SONEGO
Better from Federer as he holds to love.
FEDERER 6-2 4-3 SONEGO*
Superb lob from Sonego makes it 40-30. And an ace seals the game. The Italian is feeling it at the moment.
*FEDERER 6-2 4-2 SONEGO
Sonego forehand winner makes it 0-30. And another gives him three break points.
Federer saves the first two. And then the third when Sonego inexplicably puts a forehand long.
Huge Sonego forehand gives him another break point. Wow. Federer double fault leads to him dropping serve for the first time.
FEDERER 6-2 4-1 SONEGO*
Federer mis-hits a forehand, 40-30. A lovely backhand slice down the line then forces the error from Sonego.
And just like at the same point in the first set, Sonego gets on the scoreboard.
*FEDERER 6-2 4-0 SONEGO
Very easy work for Federer at the moment. Only 40 minutes gone and he leads by a set and a double break.
FEDERER 6-2 3-0 SONEGO*
More woe for Sonego as he puts a backhand long. Three break points.
The Italian saves the first but goes long with a forehand to drop another game.
*FEDERER 6-2 2-0 SONEGO
Federer consolidates the break to love.
FEDERER 6-2 1-0 SONEGO*
Pressure on Sonego as Federer gets a break point. The Italian stays composed as he puts away a forehand winner.
Second break point Federer. That is naughty. Federer hits a backhand drop shot return that Sonego never saw coming.
Federer break at the start of the set.
FIRST SET
*FEDERER 6-2 SONEGO
Federer races to 30-0. An ace gives him three set points. And a Sonego backhand into the net gives the Swiss star the opening set.
FEDERER 5-2 SONEGO*
Sonego holds to love and puts the pressure on Federer to serve for the set.
*FEDERER 5-1 SONEGO
Another routine service game from Federer as he moves just one game away from the set.
FEDERER 4-1 SONEGO*
Polite applause for Sonego as he wins his first game of the match. A few errors from Federer's forehand in this game.
*FEDERER 4-0 SONEGO
Forehand into the net from Federer, 0-30. Three unreturned serves though makes it 40-30.
And he completes the comeback with a big forehand down the line.
FEDERER 3-0 SONEGO*
Federer is putting on a clinic early on. A drop shot return brings Sonego forward and Federer puts the volley into the open court, 0-30.
Good response by Sonego to make it 30-all. But he then goes wide with a forehand. Break point.
And Federer gets another break when Sonego is unable to handle to deep backhand return.
*FEDERER 2-0 SONEGO
Federer holds to 15 courtesy of an ace.
FEDERER 1-0 SONEGO*
Chance for Federer as Sonego nets a backhand, 15-30. Break point Federer as Sonego nets a drop shot.
And the Swiss makes the perfect start when Sonego goes long with a forehand down the line.
13:48: Sonego to serve first.
13:42: A standing ovation for Federer as he strides on to court.
13:30: It is all over on Chatrier as Tsitsipas completes a routine 6-2 6-2 7-6 win. Federer and Sonego will be out in around 10 minutes.
13:15: Federer and Sonego will be on court for their match after the clash between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maximilian Marterer finishes.
Tsitsipas won the first two sets 6-2 6-2 and third set is currently level at 5-5.
12:55: Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage of Roger Federer's first-round clash against Lorenzo Sonego at the French Open.