Federer, Murray, Serena through to 3rd round

MADRID (AFP) –

Roger Federer returns the ball to Radek Stepanek (not in picture) during their match at the Madrid Open on May 7, 2013

Swiss player Roger Federer returns the ball to his Czech opponent Radek Stepanek (not in picture) during their match at the Madrid Open on May 7, 2013. Federer made a winning return after a two-month absence from the court as he cruised to 6-3, 6-3 win over Stepanek to move into the third round of the Madrid Open.

Roger Federer made a winning return after a two-month absence from the court as he cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 win over Radek Stepanek to move into the third round of the Madrid Open on Tuesday.

A solitary break in the fourth game was enough for the Swiss world No.2 to take the first-set 6-3.

And he looked set to storm through the second as he served for the match with a double break at 5-2 in the second.

However, Stepanek then showed some resistance to break the record 17-time Grand Slam champion for the only time in the match.

The Czech’s fightback didn’t last long though as Federer broke again in the very next game to seal a third round tie against either Japan’s Kei Nishikori or Viktor Troicki of Serbia.

Andy Murray returns the ball to Florian Mayer in Madrid on May 7, 2013

British player Andy Murray returns the ball to German player Florian Mayer during their tennis match at the Madrid Masters at the Magic Box (Caja Magica) sports complex in Madrid on May 7, 2013. Murray won 7-6 (13/11), 7-6(7/3).

Andy Murray also claimed a victory but was made to struggle at times by World No.26 Florian Mayer, before coming through in two tie-breaks.

Mayer was made to rue numerous opportunities to have taken the first set as he passed up five set points in the tie-break before world No.3 Murray made sure with a crosscourt forehand on his second set-point.

The German surged ahead at the start of the second set and led 4-1 before Murray broke back for the first time in the match at 4-2 to force the game into a second tie-break.

And the Briton was far more dominant at the second time of asking as he began to read Mayer’s serve to good effect and wrapped up the tie-break 7-3 to move into round three, where he will meet France’s Gilles Simon.

Earlier, Serbian World No.9 Janko Tipsarevic became the first seed in the men’s event to fall on Tuesday morning as he was beaten by clay court specialist Juan Monaco 7-5, 6-3.

US player Serena Williams celebrates after beating Spain’s Lourdes Dominguez Lino at the Madrid Masters on May 7, 2013. Williams won the match 6-2, 7-5.

And eighth seed Richard Gasquet also suffered an early exit as the Frenchman was beaten 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 by Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver.

World No.15 Stanislas Wawrinka, however, continued his fine form after winning the Portugal Open last week with a comfortable 6-4, 6-4 win over Romanian qualifier Marius Copil.

In the women’s event World No.1 Serena Williams eased into the third round with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Spain’s Lourdes Dominguez Lino.

The American had struggled early on in her first-round match against Kazak qualifier Yulia Puntitseva, but began much brighter as she broke Dominguez Lino straight away on her way to winning the first set 6-2.

The second set started in a similar vein as Williams seized a 2-0 lead, but Dominguez Lino fought back bravely to level matters at 2-2 before the next seven games went with serve.

However, the World No.47 finally crumbled when serving to stay in the match at 5-6 as Williams broke to love to seal victory.

French 14th seed Marion Bartoli overcame a twisted ankle during the second set of her match against Spaniard Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor to progress 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.