Roger Federer vs Ruben Bemelmans RECAP: Swiss star wins ATP Rotterdam opener
ROGER FEDERER defeated Ruben Bemelmans in his first match of the ATP Rotterdam Open this evening - relive all the action with Express Sport below.
Roger Federer hopes to win world number one title
Roger Federer’s Rotterdam Open gets underway this evening with the Swiss star looking to win the tournament for only the second time in his career.
This will be the 36-year-old’s first competitive match since he won his 20th Grand Slam with victory over Marin Cilic at the Australian Open last month.
Standing in his way is world No 116, Ruben Bemelmans, with play due to start around 6.30pm UK time.
Federer has the chance to regain his world No 1 spot from Rafael Nadal by reaching the semi-finals and the Swiss can’t wait to get started.
“You’ve got to be sharp, explosive, quick in your decision-making,” he said.
“Very similar to fast-court tennis outdoors like in Australia for instance.
“Sometimes people struggle with the light. The artificial light for some makes it very difficult to see the ball whereas outdoors maybe it’s more clear, I’m not sure.
“I think playing aggressive, playing forward and taking charge of the point is definitely what you should be doing indoors."
ROGER FEDERER LIVE STREAM
Roger Federer takes on Ruben Bemelmans in the ATP Rotterdam Open
Roger Federer vs Ruben Bemelmans LIVE (* denotes next on serve)
Federer 6-1 6-2 *Bemelmans - FEDERER WINS
Federer goes 40-0 up before seeing off the Belgian in 46 minutes. Impressive stuff from the world No 2. That was a hammering.
*Federer 6-1 5-2 Bemelmans
Bemelmans certainly isn't trying to play shots through his legs to show-off, it's just Federer is forcing him to play ridiculous shots.
Federer is one game away from the last 16.
Federer 6-1 4-2 *Bemelmans
Just when it loked like Federer could be in a spot of bother he barely lets Bemelmans have a touch in this game.
*Federer 6-1 3-2 Bemelmans
Another point on the board for the world No 116 as he records only his third ace of the match.
Federer 6-1 3-1 *Bemelmans
Federer races into a 30-0 lead and then gets a bit of luck at the net to smash one over Bemelmans before a neat volley wins him the game.
*Federer 6-1 2-1 Bemelmans
Bemelmans is trying his best but has no answers to Federer's forehands.
The Belgian needs to be taking advantage of being on serve though as it's all too easy for his opponent to return at the moment.
Bemelmans rattles off four straight points to hold serve.
Federer 6-1 2-0 *Bemelmans
Federer smashes a forehand down the line that the Belgian doesn't have a chance in making. Just like that Federer goes 2-0 up in the second set.
*Federer 6-1 1-0 Bemelmans
Federer is toying with Bemelmans with the Belgian being made to chase the ball all over the court.
Bemelmans saves two break points but it's not third time lucky as Federer continues shows his dominance.
Federer 6-1 *Bemelmans - FEDERER WINS FIRST SET
Federer goes 30-15 up with some good play at the back of the court that Bemelmans is struggling to return.
The world No 2 gets another two points and has completely obliterated his opponent in just shy of 19 minutes to take the first set.
Federer* 5-1 Bemelmans
Federer plays a sweet backhand down the line when Bemelmans thought he was going across court and it's on the line by millimetres.
Bemelmans fights back and has his first point on the board.
Federer 5-0 *Bemelmans
Some neat play from Bemelmans at the front of the net makes it 15-15. Federer keeps his nerve though and serves out the game to move within one of taking the first set.
Federer* 4-0 Bemelmans
Well that looked beautiful in slow-motion. Federer hits a delightful forehand down the line to move to break point before Bemelmans gets a point on the board.
But the world No 2 sees out the game to break serve once again.
Federer 3-0 *Bemelmans
Picking up where he left off from Melbourne here, as Federer takes the game 40-0. Impressive stuff so far and it looks like he's only just getting started.
Federer* 2-0 Bemelmans
Bemelmans uses an early challenge before Federer races away to break point. A fierce shot from the Swiss that accidentally hits Bemelmans makes it 2-0.
Federer 1-0 *Bemelmans
Both players receive a huge welcome onto the court but they are definitely only here for one man as Federer serves first - winning the first point with ease with a neat forehand.
Federer takes the first game with his first ace of the match on the deciding point.