Federer and Sharapova make opponents shiver in Paris

Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova re-asserted their authority at a sodden Roland Garros yesterday with imperious victories in the French Open second round.

Home favourite Amelie Mauresmo had a more difficult time against Russian Vera Dushevina, who served for the second set before eventually losing 6-1 7-6 to the French world number one.

Mauresmo had easily beaten Dushevina in Berlin last month but the Frenchwoman rarely looks comfortable at her home grand slam and showed signs of frailty in the second set.

Both Federer and Sharapova were well short of their best in the first round but after two days' rest Federer, who is seeking to complete his full set of grand slam titles, pummelled Colombian Alejandro Falla 6-1 6-4 6-3 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

The claycourt win was almost as one-sided as the Swiss top seed's thrashing of Falla at Wimbledon two years ago, when Federer lost only three games.

Over on centre court fourth seed Sharapova showed no ill effects from her ankle problem when she dispatched Iveta Benesova 6-4 6-1.

The 19-year-old former Wimbledon champion had to save three match points in her first round victory but always had too much power down both flanks for Benesova, the world no.53.

Sharapova was furious at having her request not to play last Sunday rejected by organisers but yesterday the Russian brightened the mood by bursting into a smile and blowing kisses to all sides of the stadium.

Both matches were interrupted twice by rain showers and the players spent a total of 90 minutes twiddling their thumbs in the dressing-rooms.

Federer could face German Nicolas Kiefer, who has given him trouble in previous meetings, in the fourth round. Kiefer, the 13th seed, won a fifth-set thriller 11-9 to beat Frenchman Marc Gicquel in a match that spanned seven hours.

Third seed David Nalbandian survived a tough examination of his French Open credentials when he beat home favourite Richard Gasquet 6-2 3-6 7-5 6-0 to reach the third round.

A shock looked possible when Gasquet took the second set thanks to a succession of huge backhand winners. But Nalbandian proved to be too consistent on the day.

Late results: V. Williams bt Laine 7-6 6-2; Schnyder bt Gajdosova 6-4 6-2.