Federer 69-1 in second round of Slams after French Open win over Otte

World No. 3 Roger Federer moved into the third round of the French Open on Wednesday, defeating inspired lucky loser Oscar Otte, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. The 2009 champion improved to 69-1 in the second round of major events, extending his Roland Garros mark to 15-0.

"I had my fair share of tough losses early on in my career in Slams," said Federer, when asked about his last first-round loss at a major, to Luis Horna in the 2003 French Open. "So I'm happy it never happened again and that I have been consistent, you know, throughout since."

The 37-year-old Federer is bidding to lift his 21st Grand Slam title. His appearance in Paris marks his first at the tournament in four years, when he lost to eventual titlist Stan Wawrinka in the last eight. Federer began his return to the European clay in Madrid, where he fell in the quarterfinals to Dominic Thiem. He reached a second quarterfinal in Rome before withdrawing with a leg injury.

For a spot in the round of 16, Federer will next meet Norway’s Casper Ruud, a 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 winner over 29th seed Matteo Berrettini. Ironically, Federer made his Roland Garros debut 20 years ago when Ruud’s father, Christian, advanced to the third round with an upset win over Thomas Enqvist in 1999.

"I know that he's improved a lot, you know, in recent years, and I think he plays very well on the clay," said Federer of Casper Ruud. "I haven't seen him play a whole lot. But for any 20-year-old to be on the big stage, playing a top guy, on a center court, that's what you dream of, at least I did.

"When you're growing up and thinking to be a professional tennis player, it's not so much about actually playing a certain player, it's about playing on a certain court. He's going to get that, either Lenglen or Chatrier, for the next match."

In Wednesday’s match with Federer, the lanky German personified the designation next to his spot in the draw. The No. 144 played like he ‘Otte’ in his first match against a Top 50 opponent who happens to be the biggest draw in tennis, absorbing Federer’s pace to work the corners and swinging freely on his flatter shot, the forehand.

There were no break point chances until the 10th game, when two poor decisions to go down the line by Otte resulted in careless errors that ended the set. Four points separated the two competitors, illuminating the significance of those mistakes—understandable for a man who has spent his career on outer courts with seats to spare.

Facing an opponent holding a limited scouting report at the tour level, Federer was patient in sticking to his guns. With Federer leading 4-3 in the second set, an Otte double fault set up two break points, and the Swiss closed a backhand volley to convert the second. Federer endured resistance on his serve in the ensuing game before erasing two break points to firmly put his foot down. An overcooked forehand from Otte put the match on Federer’s racquet, and he served it out to advance in one hour and 36 minutes.

"The thing, when you play against somebody like Otte, who I have never seen play before really except on some videos, you don't exactly know his patterns—even though you're told, you know, he maybe prefers this over that," said Federer. "But then that doesn't mean a thing in important moments.

"So sometimes it just works out, you win that point, you know, on the break point or he helps you out and he second-guesses himself or tries too hard or you play a good point in that very moment."

With Federer and Rafael Nadal winning their second-round matches today, the post-Roland Garros No. 2 ranking will come down to the Swiss and the Spaniard—Novak Djokovic is safe at No. 1. Whomever goes further at Roland Garros will be No. 2; if they lose in the same round, Federer will become No. 2.

One of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic or Andy Murray has held the No. 1 ranking every week since February 2, 2004—and one of them has held the No. 2 ranking every week since July 25, 2005.