Federer progresses at Monte Carlo

Roger Federer eased into the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters after beating veteran Radek Stepanek 6-1, 6-2 in 52 minutes.

Federer, returning to the tournament for the first time since 2011, was in ruthless mood as he raced to 5-0 in 17 minutes. The 17-time Grand Slam champion improved his record against the 35-year-old Stepanek to 14-2. The Czech has not beaten Federer since the quarterfinals of the Rome Masters six years ago.

The fourth-seeded Federer next plays another Czech, Lukas Rosol, who beat Frenchman Michael Llodra 6-4, 6-4.

Federer has never won Monte Carlo, losing in three straight finals to Rafael Nadal from 2006-08.

Nadal, the top-seed, beat Russia’s Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-4, 6-1.

Other results:

Andreas Seppi (Italy) beat Pablo Andujar (Spain) 7-6, 5-7, 6-4
Tommy Robredo (Spain) beat Julien Benneteau (France) 4-6, 6-0, 6-1
Milos Raonic (Canada) beat Lu Yen-Hsun (Taiwan) 6-7, 6-2, 6-1
Fabio Fognini (Italy) beat Roberto Bautista (Spain) 7-6, 6-4