Monte Carlo Masters: Roger Federer through to the third round with a straight sets win over Jeremy Chardy

Roger Federer attempts a forehand drop shot in his win over Jeremy Chardy in Monte Carlo

World No. 2 Roger Federer started his Monte Carlo campaign with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Jeremy Chardy in the second round. The Frenchman got just 57% of his first serves in the opening set and struggled to make inroads into Federer’s serve as well.

Federer was in imperious form as he converted 2 of 3 break point opportunities to lead by a set in just over 20 minutes of play. Federer broke Chardy’s serve in the fourth game of the second set to go 3-1 up, but Chardy struck right back to neutralize the Swiss’s advantage. Chardy looked ordinary with only 48% of first serves in the second set and double faulted to hand Federer a lead of 4-2.

Federer looked in complete control as he hit 20 winners and committed just 12 unforced errors to close out the match in straight sets. The Swiss will face either Gael Monfils or Alexandr Dolgopolov in the next round.

In other results, Grigor Dimitrov gor the better of Italian Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-4. No. 16 seed Tommy Robredo brushed aside his compatriot Marcel Granollers 6-1, 6-1 to move into the next round. Gilles Simon also advanced with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Benoit Paire.

No. 10 seed Roberto Bautista Agut had to dig deep before overcoming Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-7 (3), 6-3, 7-6 (4).